I stumbled upon Makor HaBracha just around the time my stomach was signaling to my brain that it was ready for lunch. This small eatery is located in HaCarmel Market, near the entrance to the market’s meat section. I took a menu – one side is printed in English. I quickly settled on having a pita sandwich but I didn’t know filled what. When it came time for me to order, I asked the cook to make a recommendation. He simply replied, “kebab”. A kebab pita it was. I stood back and watched him turn and shuffle bits and pieces of meat and onion back and forth on the griddle. I could see the edges of the meat slices getting charred and the onions were on the verge of caramelizing. Oh, it looked so mouth watering; I just wanted to reach over and grab a piece of pita, tear it half and use it swab down the griddle to sop up all the juices. It seemed like an eternity before we locked eyes again. He had a pita pocket in one hand and his tongs, pointed at the metal containers holding the condiments, in the other. With my right hand, I made a sweeping motion to the left – I wanted it all! So, in to the pita went pieces of grilled beef, followed by onions, pickled vegetables, hummus, tahini and bunch of other delicious things. The pita sandwich was bulging at the dough seams! I handed over 22 NIS and immediately took a bite of the sandwich. It was delicious! Lesson learned? Always listen to the cook!
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Makor HaBracha. Classic Israeli Street Food
I stumbled upon Makor HaBracha just around the time my stomach was signaling to my brain that it was ready for lunch. This small eatery is located in HaCarmel Market, near the entrance to the market’s meat section. I took a menu – one side is printed in English. I quickly settled on having a pita sandwich but I didn’t know filled what. When it came time for me to order, I asked the cook to make a recommendation. He simply replied, “kebab”. A kebab pita it was. I stood back and watched him turn and shuffle bits and pieces of meat and onion back and forth on the griddle. I could see the edges of the meat slices getting charred and the onions were on the verge of caramelizing. Oh, it looked so mouth watering; I just wanted to reach over and grab a piece of pita, tear it half and use it swab down the griddle to sop up all the juices. It seemed like an eternity before we locked eyes again. He had a pita pocket in one hand and his tongs, pointed at the metal containers holding the condiments, in the other. With my right hand, I made a sweeping motion to the left – I wanted it all! So, in to the pita went pieces of grilled beef, followed by onions, pickled vegetables, hummus, tahini and bunch of other delicious things. The pita sandwich was bulging at the dough seams! I handed over 22 NIS and immediately took a bite of the sandwich. It was delicious! Lesson learned? Always listen to the cook!
