Turk Lahmajoun :TLV

There are many places in Tel Aviv where you can eat shawarma. Some are better than others and there are places I would definitely recommend staying away from. This place however is a place I would suggest to anyone who is craving shawarma. Located on the corner of Nachalat Binyamin and Yehuda Halevi, Turk Lahmajoun serves one of the best shawarmas in the city. You can order between three types of shawarma which include the lamb doner, pargit (spring chicken), or turkey. You can have your shawarma on a plate with salads, in a pita, baguette, laffa, or in a lahmajoun. If you dont know what lahmajoun is, it is a flatbread topped with spiced ground beef or lamb. It hails from Turkey and Armenia. Like most shawarma joints, you can get as much salads and pickles with your meal to eat on the side. Besides shawarma, you can order grilled meat skewers called in Hebrew shipudim. The real reason however to go to Turk Lahmajoun is the shawarma. Its one of the best shawarmas in the center of the city. Easy to find like I said before on the corner of Nachalat Binyamin and Yehuda Halevi, just bring an appetite and discover one of the best in the city.

Texas Barbecue: Tel Aviv

One of the specific American foods that I miss and crave at times here in Tel Aviv is old school Barbecue. I am not referring to putting meat on a grill and calling it a barbecue. I am referring to meat that has been slowly cooked with wood smoke. The taste of slow smoked brisket or short ribs is incomparable. It is an authentic taste of America that any homesick American will want to comfort their souls. It is a good thing that my friend told me about this place called Texas Barbecue in the Ramat HaChayal neighborhood of Tel Aviv. When you walk into the restaurant you immediately smell the wood smoke which is a good sign in my opinion. By the smell you know they are actually smoking the meat and not just cooking it in an oven. The menu reads like any other barbecue menu except it does not have any pork. Meats include brisket, beef short ribs, pulled beef, pulled chicken, chicken wings, half smoked chickens, rib eye steak, beef sausage, and smoked salmon. Side dishes include mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, french fries, baked beans, and sweet potato wedges. You can order a meal with your choice of meats and sides, a sandwich with choice of side, salads, family meals, or if you come during the afternoon there are business lunch deals. It is definitely worth the trip to Ramat HaChayal which is in the northern part of the city. If you are an American craving barbecue, Texas Barbecue is your best bet in the Tel Aviv area.

Yam Yam: Tel Aviv

If you like shellfish, Yam Yam is the place for you to try in the heart of Tel Aviv. Located right off of posh Rothschild Boulevard, Yam Yam specializes in classic shellfish preparations which will leave you wanting to come back for more. The appetizers I would highly recommend is the bacon and shrimp skewers, and the tempura shrimps. The shrimps were not overcooked and dry which is key to eating good shrimp. The tempura shrimps were by far my favorite as it was still crisp even when coated in sweet chili sauce. As for the main dishes, you can choose between shrimps, calamari, mussels, or a mix in a choice of sauces or fried. Choice of sauces include white wine garlic butter, curry butter, and white wine and cherry tomatoes. The atmosphere is extremely casual and deserves to be situated on the beach instead of center city Tel Aviv. Yam Yam will not set you back in the wallet as well. Most main dishes cost 45 shekels which is very reasonable considering its seafood. For real, if you are craving seafood Yam Yam is the place for you.

America: TLV

When I miss home its not just the friends and family that are still in the States, it the food as well that I miss. For whenever I am home sick I would make the American classics at home or head to my favorite hamburger joint. Tel Aviv did not have a restaurant that represents the diverse cuisine found across all fifty states. That is until America opened up on Ibn Gavriol. America specializes in interpretations of American comfort food classics. Wings, burgers, and fried chicken are obvious foods that are featured on the menu. Other American classics included on the menu are barbecue chicken, baby back ribs, short ribs, and macaroni and cheese. America also features the American classics from south of the border. Great tacos, quesadillas, and tostadas can be had here as well. The wait staff is friendly and very helpful. The atmosphere is great as well with live music on the weekends. Overall, America is a must eat restaurant for the homesick American living in Tel Aviv.