Where’s the Mexican food?
About a month ago, Rebecca (my co-blogger and skinny friend), exposed the sushi take-over in Jerusalem. Like a lot of people, she was happy to see Jerusalem swimming in seaweed. But me-I am still waiting for the Mexicans to cross the border.
Did you know that there are no Mexican restaurants in Jerusalem? Some may want to argue that the restaurant Poyo Loco in Talpiot is Mexican, but they would be wrong. First of all, I don’t think a Mexican restaurant menu should offer salsa, spaghetti and hummus. And it doesn’t matter now anyways because the restaurant closed down.
And don’t even go there with, “La Boca is Mexican,” because what you want to say is, “La Boca is a strange and expensive restaurant. They claim to serve Spanish food, yet all I could find in my tiny portion was an Israeli salad wrapped in a tortilla.” So don’t go there.
Here’s the deal. I am originally from Los Angeles, so baby food came in a taco. I need rice and beans, guacamole and nachos. And no matter how similar it looks, a falafel wrapped in a lafa does not equal burrito.
Doesn’t anyone else feel me on this? I think it is time we start focusing on the real problems in Israel. For too long this conflict has been about Arabs and Israelis, East versus West, unification and disengagement-but the real issue is Mexican food. If we can’t solve the problem of having at least one Mexican restaurant in all of Jerusalem, how can we ever try to manage the above mentioned matters?
Is this a plea? Yes. Am I begging? Of course. Do I dream about fried beans with melted cheese and slab of sour cream? I’m doing it right now.
I think we can make this happen-together! We need someone rich to invest; a cook who can make burritos and an opening night with all you can eat nachos. Imagine, instead of every corner being lathered in falafel grease, there might actually be a couple burrito stands leaving oil stains too. People will know the difference between a lafa and tortilla. And, then Rebecca can write another post about the city’s new obsession with burritos.
I think in some way this might help put us back on the road map. The road map to my belly!
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44 Responses to “Where’s the Mexican food?”
Posted by: Rebecca - 02/27/2008
maybe I wouldn’t be so skinny if there was mexican…. you are quite a funny girl.
Posted by: Avi - 02/27/2008
I agree! I have been saying that Israel lacks Mexican (although apparently Tel Aviv has some traif Mexican)! There used to be some Mexican on Nachlat Shiva (years ago, sadly I discovered the shuttered restaurant) and for about a week there was a pseudo-Mexican burrito place on Shlomzion HaMalka (bad nachos, though) but it closed quickly.
I guess we have to make due by getting the Mexican at Mega and making it ourselves. As for me, I’m just happy to find tortillas and salsa.
Posted by: Dave - 02/27/2008
Isn’t the literal translation of burrito “little donkey”? We’ve got enough of them (120 to be exact – and maybe not so little) getting paid for not going to work in a building round Givat Ram way that looks more like a railway station than anything else (and NO CROCS OR JEANS ALLOWED)
Posted by: Benji - 02/27/2008
Be careful what you wish for. Tel Aviv has some pretty bad ones.
This Texas Jew is wishing too, Molly. A few years ago, I ordered Mexican nachos at a bar in Jerusalem. They brought pita chips with zaatar.
Posted by: Molly - 02/27/2008
These stories make it hurt even more! Oh the pain. I just want to be able to sing “nacho man,” like Homer…and like Homer, eat some nachos!
Posted by: danny brothers - 02/28/2008
Yeah, the the idea of making your own Mexican food… Great in theory, but considering 10 tortillas at my supermarket costs about 30 shekel…
In Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, being that it is the “bread-basket” of the South, we have about a million illegal Mexican workers. It’s great b/c of all the tasty Tex-Mex and stam Mexican places. Alas, even Israel can’t satisfy my kosher needs.
Wanna start our own “Loco Pollo”?
Posted by: Molly - 02/28/2008
I really want to start something that involves burritos and nachos! Lets do it!
Posted by: danny brothers - 02/29/2008
First thing first, let’s get TOSTITOS in this freaking country!
Posted by: MarinNYC - 03/24/2008
I think the reason jerusalem doesn’t have any good mexican places is because Mexican food is not Kosher. I also don’t think many Israeli’s would like heavy Mexican food. I mean of course if you are familiar with the stuff here in the U.S then yeah you are used to eating it and can accept it, but if you are a stranger to it alot of people find it too heavy, and most of the food isn’t considered kosher. Fried beans with rice and some cheese is safe to it alone. Yet you cannot truly enjoy it as it should be with a burrito with chicken or meat or some fried flautas or enchiladas suizas. Mexican food is good, but I don’t really see it thriving in a country with such food restricitions. How many “spanish themed” restauarants are there….none because hispanic food is not kosher.
Posted by: Vicky - 07/05/2008
Hi Big Falafel…
I am the co-owner of the (most) authentic Mexican food joint in the country. It’s called Caballero’s, Bograshov 39, Tel Aviv. I personally HAND make, the refried beans (pinto, NOT black beans thank you very much) which are sacrilege to a 1/4 mexican born and raised in the streets of So. California myself. Unkosher all the way, established 2 years July 16. We serve hot homemade nachos, guacamole, salsa, burritos, cheese enchiladas, chicken or beef enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, etc, etc.) Personally, I think Israel is ready for Mexican food, but people HAVE to know you exist, which is our problem. 80% of our customer base is American or foreign. We are constantly told that our food is great, but we struggle to be seen. If you would like to try our food, call us and we will be happy to accomodate you, especially for travelling all the way from Jerusalem. I am sure my sister and I will be happy to welcome you with a free Maragarita as well. (I know how it feels to miss comfort food.) We have a website, which is kind of under construction, on http://www.rest.co.il – enter “Caballero’s” in the search. Phone: 03-620-4466
Vicky
Posted by: Brittani - 07/22/2008
i am american and i am spending a year here. I have been dying for Mexican food. i dont understand this no mexican restaurants because its non kosher there is something called tofutti cheeses that i think would be a great substitute so make a good kosher mexican restaurant now!!!!!!!! PLEASE
Posted by: Molly - 07/22/2008
I hear you! I was just in America and ate so much salsa that I think I burned a hole in my stomach…but it was worth it…Maybe you should try to convince Vicky, who wrote a message above and is the owner of Caballero, to open a Kosher Mexican place in Jerusalem and use soy cheese…She already has her customers- we just need a place to eat!
Posted by: Dave - 08/12/2008
Mikes Place in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv has some Mexican dishes. Really helps to diminish the craving for the Jerusalem bound soul.
Tarantino also has wraps, kinda Isramex but not bad, fairly easy on the wallet too.
Posted by: Molly - 08/12/2008
I can’t say I have ever been brave enough to eat at Mikes Place…but I probably wouldn’t start with Mexican. Tarantino’s is awesome, but I wouldn’t say that just because they wrap it up, it’s Mexican…I am still in search of salsa bars, refried beans and nachos that make you gassy just thinking about them.
That said I will be trying out Vicky’s Mexican restaurant in Tel Aviv to see if she can soothe a mean craving. Just writing this makes me hungry for a mean tostada!
Posted by: Carmelita Viner - 08/29/2008
When I lived in Israel I ate at Caballeros many times. It’s as close as you can get to “real” mexican food, and I totally love the tacos. no hamburger meat, only real, true cooked beef in spices, so the meat is cooked clear through. my hubby and me always begged them to go kosher and move up to Jerusalem. my husband is impressed with the quesadillos — read here, no corn on it … just a nice cheesey tortilla, and if you like it crispy, you just ask. the salsa is authentic, really tasty. the margaritas and mojitos take us back, and make us feel like we’re right back in San Antonio. in fact, when I come back to Israel (being stuck in Ireland, where mexican food is totally tasteless and also full of corn, and served with a side of … fried potatoes … aaaagh. and last thanksgiving (and they should do it again) they closed up and didn’t serve Mexican, but had a proper and true american thanksgiving dinner with apple pie that only an american could know, pumpkin and pecan. those gals really know their stuff. ask them about the family picture on the wall, too. you can’t go wrong. Carm
Posted by: Molly - 08/29/2008
you make me hungry! I need mexican!
Posted by: Isabel - 08/29/2008
I am Mexican, and believe me either nachos and burritos are not Mexican Food, I Believe is the same that happens with food around the world, I ate some Argentinian in France, and is not the same, if you need mexican food, come to Mexico, we can offer you good food, with pleasure.
Posted by: Molly - 08/31/2008
I agree with you about mexican not being mexican in America…but that is what I know and when I say I miss mexican, I am saying that I miss the American style of mexican food. That said, I would love to go to Mexico and it the real stuff! But when are you going to bring it to Israel so I can have it everyday?!
Posted by: Conservative apikoris - 09/17/2008
I don’t know why everybody thinks that good Mexican food needs to be treif. The excessive cheese on meat dishes thing is, I think, a Gringo innovation, part of a plot by the Dairy Council to have people eat cheese with everything.
I myself had a very good Tex-Mex dinner this evening in honor of Mexican Independence Day. OK the place wasn’t kosher, and don’t ask me what they used to make the refried beans, but other than that, my bistec ranchero has absolutely no cheese on it. They also have carne guisada, which also doesn’t have cheese, also carne asada (at least in Texas, it’s usually made with a skirt steak, a kosher cut of beef) and fajitas, there’s lots of stuff that a kosher Israeli Mexican restaurant could put on its menu. The salsa and guacamole are, of course, not a problem, and most use ingredients that are very commonly found in Israel: tomatoes, onions, lemons, cilantro, hot peppers.
In fact Mexican food is much milder than Israeli food. True, every time I visit Texas, I get a good case of indigestion, but I went to Israel for two weeks, and I guess I ate at too many of those little places that sell skewers of grilled meat with “all the salad you can eat,” salad laced with hot chile peppers. The day before we left, I made the mistake of ordering a “red pepper salad” at the Yemenite Step Restaurant in Jerusalem (is it still open?). That did it. My tummy shut down and couldn’t take anymore, and it was straight Ashkenazi food for the rest of my stay.
That never happens when I go to Texas, I gobble down on Mexican chow right up until they start boarding the flight home.
Posted by: Ralph Levy - 10/11/2008
To Vicki
I am a blogger and I live in Texas and I have lived in Israel. I also own a restaurant ad site. Tex Mex will sell great there because of the Americans there. But I would recommend getting a great website with lot’s of pictures. I would never know about Caballeros unless I saw the site here. Will try it on my next trip. Hope you have Mole and Soft Tacos. Here are some examples.
http://www.mitierracafe.com/default.html
http://www.tacoxpress.com/
My non food blog
http://ralphsrant1.blogspot.com
Posted by: Angelica - 02/14/2009
you ppl are dumb burritos and hard tacos are not from mexico
Posted by: Sammy Camhi - 02/15/2009
Hi, we just opened a new mexican place in Zichron Yaacov. We’re 100% koshser. Our menu features original “Fish Tacos” in corn tortillas, beef, chicken and vegeterian tacos as well as a whole bunch of mexican side orders (beans, guacamole, salsa, etc.) We have a salsa bar which we stock up fresh every day that includes chipotle and salsa verde made from fresh tomatillos. Next week we are adding a variety of “burritos” to our menu. We are called “Amigos” mexican grill, at the lower end of the “midrajov” in Zichron. We’ll be happy to serve you. Yummmmmmmmmy. Thanks.
Posted by: Molly - 02/15/2009
Sammy- I really must be dreaming! Just tell us where and when and we will be happy to come and check it out! I know a lot of people who will want to share in this good news! And maybe you can think about opening up in Jerusalem next! Good luck and tell us exactly where you are located and your hours!
Posted by: Katie - 02/16/2009
I am loving this topic… I have been dying for Mexican.. and so my hubby took me to Sangria’s in Ramallah on V-day. Decent homemade salsa and the chicken fajitas were wonderful.
Also, if you want to make your own… Just inside Beit Hanina if you head in from Neve Yaacov is a grocery store called Jafar… they have tortillas (flour and hard shells) and they occasionally have a large bag of tortilla chips (for around 20nis – I know pricey but you have to splurge sometimes). And, they also have salsa. Plus, this grocery store carries tons of American imports and it is very friendly and clean, worth visiting.
Adios’
Posted by: Sarah - 02/17/2009
Angelica, you are dumb. The burrito originates in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua Mexico and the Taco has an even older history.
Posted by: Sammy Camhi - 02/25/2009
Thanks for your kind words Molly.
We are called “Amigos” Mexican Grill in Zichron Yaacov, HaNadiv 15, at the lower end of the “midrajov” (04-629-2258.) We are open for lunch and dinner from 11AM to 9:30PM, Thursdays until 3AM!!! and motzei shabbat until 11PM. I will certainly contact you when we are ready to open in Jerusalem!!
Posted by: Benyamin - 04/12/2009
I guess I missed out on this one. My bro and I went to enjoy Caballero’s and found a disappointing site at the address. I don’t care what is there now but it surely aint Mexican. As a losingoption, we made our way to Mexicana for our dinner. It was good but far from what our tastes had desired. There is a place close to my home in Florentine – Mezcal has a limited menu but as close to ‘real’ as I have yet found here.
I am hoping to find that Caballero’s has merely moved to a bigger location. I too am from Los Angeles and grew-up on this cuisine, these days I am preparing my own Mexican at home and often with alternate ingredients. I sure would love to get in touch with Vicky and her sister for some recipe comparisons.
In any case, let’s hope that both cities are over-run with Chile Colorado!
Posted by: Mexicoetal.com - Mexican Food - 05/20/2009
You could also order from Mexicoetal.com – Mexican Food if you get really hard up for some Mole. I bought the ready to eat kind. So putting some of that over my in-laws cooking (just about everything is boiled) was enough to save me the embarrasment of declining to eat what was served. I passed it off as something a friend sent me to try on my food, and that he would like for me to write a review of., etc,etc,etc.. They took that story hook line and sinker, and even took some of my mole and poured it over their own food.
Posted by: Benyamin - 06/10/2009
Good News! Long time Israel resident and Canadian guy “Mike” (formerly of Mike’s Place – not the founder) has opened “Mike’s Kitchen” in association with Yankee’s Bar near Zion Square. So why is this good news? Because he is developing a menu that includes some Mexican favorites and this former Angelino is assisting him. While the menu is a bit on the eclectic side, the Mexican dishes will be authentic Los Angeles taquiera style food. You know, Sonora with the L.A. touch!
Grand opening is scheduled for the end of June.
Posted by: Molly - 06/10/2009
Benyamin- You wouldn’t joke about something like this? I mean you couldn’t! I am already there in mind and spirit and come the end of June I will be there physically too! Can you tell us more: Is it Kosher? What are the hours? When is the grand opening date? Name some dishes! Will there be a salsa bar? I am now drooling!
Posted by: Debbie Z - 06/10/2009
Molly, I wasn’t about to read all the comments, but here’s the deal. Firstly, I was incredibly surprised to find the canned makings of a Mexican feast on sale at the Mega in the Mall- tortillas, different sauces and beans. Now, I don’t do canned stuff, and I had a Mexican meal a few months ago, and I was pretty much able to find all the ingredients I needed for it pretty easily (except chili powder, which I import from the U.S.)- they even sell pinto beans, canned and fresh. And yes, I used the Toffuti sour cream, which went pretty well. In addition to the meat and chicken fillings for tacos and enchiladas, plus chili and cornbread I made homemade enchilada sauce, salsa and frijoles. My Texan friend thought it was quite authentic. Let me know if you want recipes.
Posted by: Molly - 06/10/2009
Debbie- this is what I got from your comment: Molly, I made awesome Mexican food the other day and would now like to invite you for a meal. I will cook for you and you will feel the Mexican come back into your soul and stomach. Please say I am right!
Posted by: Benyamin - 06/11/2009
Molly – I would not joke about such things, after-all this is Mexican food and a very serious matter for we displaced eaters. Everything at Yankee’s is at Mike’s discretion and we are dealing with limited space but anytime I can convince him of something I will. If left entirely to his personal desires, Mike would serve nothing but Mexican but to be practical, that alone does not support a Jerusalem kitchen.
I will post more about the grand opening as the exact details come together. My plan is to augment the event with my own enchiladas, hand-made frijoles and tortilla chips with red and avokado salsas. Of course, any suggestions on “getting the word out” will be greatly appreciated. Cheers to all!
Posted by: Ruth - 06/18/2009
so the big question: is Mike’s Kitchen going to be kosher?
Posted by: Benyamin - 06/24/2009
First, to Ruth…No, This is not a kosher restaurant. To be brutally honest this would defeat the menu of a Sonora style Mexican menu. Now, to everyone…We will be having our Grand Opening party on Saturday, July 4. There will be the usual bar specials and eclectic menu and 5 bands on tap for the evening as well as an impromptu jam session later. In about 24 hours there will be a proper announcement prepared from the Facebook group for Mike’s Kitchen. Cheers to all!!!
Posted by: Molly - 06/24/2009
Benyamin- I wrote about the new place last week check it out! http://www.thebigfelafel.com/a-new-taste-of-the-jerusalem-food-scene/
Posted by: Benyamin - 06/24/2009
Molly – Thanks so much! However, I must insist that you come as my guest and sample our enchilada plate. This has been the favorite so far. In any case, please come and enjoy a dinner as our guest and then tell me what you think.
Officially we are in Nachman Square – just behind Hotel Kikar Zion on Solomon street 12.
Posted by: Molly - 06/24/2009
Ok- but Becca and I come together as a team!
Posted by: Benyamin - 06/24/2009
Then you both come with my invitation, please.
Posted by: Ariel & Rebecca - 06/28/2009
Caballeros is absolutely fantastic! I have been craving this resturant since I left Israel and went home. It is incredible and everyone is so nice and helpful. If I could, I would live in that resturant just to eat the yummy food! It is so authenic. I have been to Mexico and Caballeros is WAY BETTER! I ate so much and I could go for round two. Caballeros HERE WE COME!
Posted by: Molly - 07/01/2009
Benyamin- Are you now open? What are the hours?
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