Israeli food for kids

Hi:
In an effort to introduce new tastes to my two boys (aged 4 & we are approaching this summer with the new ritual where they get to pick the country/culture and then we go eat at a place that represents.

My son Sam's first choice in an "Israeli" place.

He's pretty picky but responds well to grilled meats and breads.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

bjt

Mizrahi Grill is extremely kid-friendly.

You didn't say where you're located. Mizrahi is in Highland Park. Taboun is also very good and it's in Skokie (Dempster just East of 94). My favorite is Manghal, which is on Howard near California on the Evanston/Chicago border. There are certainly many non-Israeli restaurants that offer similar cuisine options but these 3 are more authentically "Israeli."

If you are in the western burbs, GNR Naf Naf in Naperville would be a great choice.

If you're in the city, Hashalom on Devon is great. Married couple, on from Israel and one from Morocco -- so both Israeli and Moroccan food on the menu. We were there a while back, at the end of the Devon-athon, and it was great. (And when food is that good after a day of eating, it must be really good.)

Hashalom Restaurant
2905 W Devon Ave
(between Francisco Ave & Richmond St)
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 465-5675

Cynthia wrote:If you're in the city, Hashalom on Devon is great. Married couple, on from Israel and one from Morocco -- so both Israeli and Moroccan food on the menu. We were there a while back, at the end of the Devon-athon, and it was great. (And when food is that good after a day of eating, it must be really good.)

I believe that Hashalom is no more....

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3640&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=hashalom&start=30

I will second scme of the choices - Taboun Grill (http://taboungrill.com/) as my top choice with Mizrahi Grill (http://www.mizrahigrill.com/) and menghal grill (http://manghalgrill.com/) being close seconds. BTW Menghal is Hebrew for grill

Also note all of these are strictly kosher restaurants and will close early Friday afternoon and will be closed on Saturday.

Thanks, we are in Andersonville, sorry I forgot to mention that! And thanks WeinsteinS for the reminder on strictly kosher hours. I could so see us showing one Saturday afternoon and being disappointed. I'll look more into the suggestions and locations and then be sure to report back on our experience!

bjt

If you're in Andersonville, then Manghal is closest, beating Taboun by about 10 -15 minutes.

spinynorman99 wrote:If you're in Andersonville, then Manghal is closest, beating Taboun by about 10 -15 minutes.

but IMHO Taboun is better and worth the extra 10 mintes - my favorite at Taboun is the Special Grill but everything is excellent

tarte tatin wrote:

Cynthia wrote:If you're in the city, Hashalom on Devon is great. Married couple, on from Israel and one from Morocco -- so both Israeli and Moroccan food on the menu. We were there a while back, at the end of the Devon-athon, and it was great. (And when food is that good after a day of eating, it must be really good.)

I believe that Hashalom is no more....

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3640&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=hashalom&start=30

Well, that's a pity. I did a Google search before posting, and there was no hint on any of the sites that came up that it was closed. I should have known that LTHforum would have more information than the rest of the Internet. I'm sorry they're gone. I don't get to Devon often, but there are places I count on when I do get there.

Cynthia wrote:

tarte tatin wrote:

Cynthia wrote:If you're in the city, Hashalom on Devon is great. Married couple, on from Israel and one from Morocco -- so both Israeli and Moroccan food on the menu. We were there a while back, at the end of the Devon-athon, and it was great. (And when food is that good after a day of eating, it must be really good.)

I believe that Hashalom is no more....

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3640&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=hashalom&start=30

Well, that's a pity. I did a Google search before posting, and there was no hint on any of the sites that came up that it was closed. I should have known that LTHforum would have more information than the rest of the Internet. I'm sorry they're gone. I don't get to Devon often, but there are places I count on when I do get there.

No, Hashalom closed a while back. A real shame, we loved that place.

as somebody who spent his childhood in Israel, I would strongly suggest Taboun. I would also suggest the "shnitzel" - that is typical israeli kid food, and my kids love it. the fried appatizer mixed plate is also really good, although a kid might find it a little spicy, as is the falafel.

As most people know- the food(s) of The Levant - is basically the same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levantine_cuisine

Fallafel, Shwarma,Hummous, Pita Bread ,et al- are consumed by not only Israeli's- but by Jordanians, Syrians, Palestinians,& Lebanese.
And- who makes some of THE BEST food of that region, here in Chicago?- Chef Nasser @ Dawali
(both at his "old" place on 4911 N. Kedzie as well as his brand-spankin'-new spot on
1625 N. Halsted- down the street from Alinea!)
In fact - Chef Nasser has proudly mentioned that an Israeli customer of his said that his HUMMOUS- was as good-
as any he's eaten back home in Israel.
So- for an introduction to Israeli food- take him to a Syrian mans restaurant- and talk to the Chef-
and learn amazing facts about food, history and overlapping cultures!

Hombre de Acero wrote:As most people know- the food(s) of The Levant - is basically the same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levantine_cuisine

Fallafel, Shwarma,Hummous, Pita Bread ,et al- are consumed by not only Israeli's- but by Jordanians, Syrians, Palestinians,& Lebanese.
And- who makes some of THE BEST food of that region, here in Chicago?- Chef Nasser @ Dawali
(both at his "old" place on 4911 N. Kedzie as well as his brand-spankin'-new spot on
1625 N. Halsted- down the street from Alinea!)
In fact - Chef Nasser has proudly mentioned that an Israeli customer of his said that his HUMMOUS- was as good-
as any he's eaten back home in Israel.
So- for an introduction to Israeli food- take him to a Syrian mans restaurant- and talk to the Chef-
and learn amazing facts about food, history and overlapping cultures!

sorry, that isn't really accurate. that is sort of like saying that all chinese food is basically the same, or all indian. israeli food has taken a lot of elements of levant food, but also ads a lot of eastern european foods. on top of that, some of the building blocks of levant food- falafel, humous, kebe, various cooked salads, are very different in israel. frankly, I really enjoy lebanese food, and very often you will find lebanese houmous that is much better than what you might get in israel, but they are different. If you want to try israeli food, try israeli food

What makes Israeli hummus "Israeli" other than that it is prepared and served by Israeli Jews? Is it topped with schnitzel and served with knish instead of flatbread?

What makes Israeli hummus "Israeli" other than that it is prepared and served by Israeli Jews? Is it topped with schnitzel and served with knish instead of flatbread?

Habibi wrote:What makes Israeli hummus "Israeli" other than that it is prepared and served by Israeli Jews? Is it topped with schnitzel and served with knish instead of flatbread?

Generally next to nothing. However, when the kid asks for "Israeli" I would assume that it's a cultural issue as well as cuisine so that you'd introduce concepts like "Kosher" and why certain foods are consumed and others not. You may also want to go to a Halal establishment to compare and contrast the cultural differences similarities. But while you can certainly get hummus at some Greek and Turkish restaurants along with other dishes one would consider to be "Middle Eastern" it presents a different experience. For the original poster it presents a teaching opportunity in that there are no clear borders when it comes to foods. However, he did ask for Israeli so it was a reasonable starting point.

Spiny,

I couldnt agree with you more. I was merely responding to the suggestion that Israeli hummus is different from other preparations. I know of no difference and was asking for clarification.

I applaud the OP's goals and agree that if the kids want Israeli, they should get Israeli. If they want falafel and hummus, however, Hombre's suggestion isnt a bad one.

Habibi wrote:Spiny,

I couldnt agree with you more. I was merely responding to the suggestion that Israeli hummus is different from other preparations. I know of no difference and was asking for clarification.

I applaud the OP's goals and agree that if the kids want Israeli, they should get Israeli. If they want falafel and hummus, however, Hombre's suggestion isnt a bad one.

Hummus, I'm not really sure there is a difference in overall recipes, although I do find the hummus at Mizrahi tastes different than, say, Bab al Salaam. Now, baba ganoush, the typical Israeli recipe mixes eggplant with mayo (not as gross as it sounds), so that IS different.

That said, there are all sorts of differences between Israeli restaurants and Arabic ones, big and small. Of course, the kosher angle matters some (effecting the price at least!), but also no cheese or seafood dishes. Still, even that does not amount to what makes the experience different for me.

Things that stand out at Israeli places: fresh cut french fries, especially as compared to rice; cabbage salads, Moroccan style salads*; a fluffier, softer pita (I like Israeli style pita much better, I like that you are served much more in Arabic places); Yemminite style "zhug" hot sauce; sandwiches stuffed with the works; shwarma made from turkey instead of lamb or beef; milder seasoning on the kefta. It just is.

*Up-thread, Globetrotter mentioned the Eastern European influence on Israeli food, but schnitzel aside, I believe that Israeli food is more heavily influenced, probably majorityly influenced by the Sephardic migrations. Thus, you see much Iraqi (kubbeh in the soup instead of matzah balls), Moroccan, and Yemmeni influences in Israeli food.

yes, if you took a specific dish, like humous, standing alone, you probably couldn't tell the difference. but taken as part of a meal, there are differences. that doesnt' mean one is better than the other, but looking for an authentic experience, you will find differences between lebanese and israeli.

if you want to get very isoteric - when you go to taboun and ask for olive oil on the table, you wil get crappy olive oil, compared to what a palestinian or lebanese would consider acceptable. if you order humous with meat, in a lebanese place the meat will be cut into peices about the size of a small olive, while in an israeli place it will br ground lamb. I could list 50 such differences (no wonder my mother calls me a pretentious A-hole)