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Tel Aviv Kosher Meats Deli & Restaurant
Rating Details »
Categories: Sandwiches, Meat Shops, Bakeries, Grocery, Kosher [Edit]
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset2495 Irving St
(between 25th Ave & 26th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 661-7588
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
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18 reviews for Tel Aviv Kosher Meats Deli & Restaurant
Tel Aviv Kosher Deli and Restaurant has been on Irving Street for years. It offers an array of specialties that are sure to please. And, the Gefilte fish is delicious.
Meter parking available. Not easy to find as Irving Street is heavy with traffic.
This place used to be SO freakin good! Then a nice young couple bought it and evidently don't know how to run a store. The stock is ancient and expensive. They don't refresh anything and they don't seem to get regular orders.
The meat is virtually non existent even though they kept the sign on the wall.
I'm so sad this place has gone down hill, I used to love coming in.. Now when you go in, they barely speak to you or acknowledge your existence. I did some minimal shopping and when I got to the counter, she rang it up, took my credit card and bagged it without a single word to me. I don't think she even looked at me.
Stay away from this place, its not worth your time or money.. Hopefully they will realize that they suck and will sell it to someone who actually wants to run a business.
Update : I just got this message from the owner.
roman a. - i think you dont know what are you talking about
you eat to much cucamber and you look like fat
If I could give them zero stars I would.
If you are looking for a good store with nearly equivalent food, check out Europa Express Market on Judah near 15th...
Ordered food to be delivered for a weekend event (a Jewish event that needed kosher food, not to mention an opportunity to impress and get a lot of future biz from a big Jewish organization!).
Didn't show up. Left a message on colleague's voice mail asking her to come pick it up instead. Yeah right! Thanks!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/6/2009
Read to bottom for why they only get one star.
Decent selection of Israeli groceries, OK selection of… Read more »
I have no idea how I managed to go so long without finding out about this place. Having grown up on Israeli products, I was understandably very excited to go. Most Middle Eastern markets I go to only carry a handful of products from Israel, and they usually include random things like green olives or hummus.
Tel Aviv Market has a bigger selection than I expected from the photos, and for the most part carried all the basics: Osem soup crackers, Bissli and Bamba, and halvah included. There's also an awesome selection of refrigerated items, which -- let's face it -- are what Israel totally rocks at. I found Daniela pudding, what i'm pretty sure is white cheese (that's what they call it in Israel, but I think it's edam), Ski, and more Sabra products than I knew existed.
I was disappointed to see there was no Milky pudding (which literally had me out of the house in two minutes once I saw the photo on this page), and I was also hoping for some Gamadim and some of that delicious date spread.
I saw plenty of the babka everyone else on here was crying about, but I'm pretty sure I've never had it (Bad! Bad Jew!) so I didn't bother. I did catch a glimpse of the rogelach just seconds after handing over my credit card, though, but I suppose that will have to wait until next time -- my bag was full of Crembo.
Update: I called to ask if they do special orders because they didn't have Milky when I went in, and the woman who works there (Ossi?) said she'd give me a call when the next shipment comes in. I'm boosting this place up to 5 stars when that happens.
My great uncle used to work here before he passed away and even though it's changed ownership since then, this shop still brings back the memories.
The friendly man at the counter didn't even bat an eye when I, the asianish looking girl that I am, came in for a fresh loaf of gefilte fish for my Passover dinner table. He just smiled and asked me if I would need any kosher silverware to go with, which made me quite happy. Because honestly, sometimes all a hapa Chinese-Jewish girl ever really needs is acceptance. And by the way, their gefilte fish is delicious. Those jars with the lumps of cat food (err, I mean carp) suspended in jelly do not even compare.
Besides meats, salads and other prepared foods, they have plenty of Israeli grocery items, including Elite chocolate bars and a large variety of wines. All perfect for someone with an imagination who is currently wishing she was anywhere but this dreary block of the inner Sunset.
I'm not Jewish...but I like kosher stuff every once in a while.
Good selection, interesting finds. Although this is not a real deli...more grocery store, with plenty of kosher goods.
Parking is hell.
Good selection of kosher meats, great homemade knishes, and a nice variety of kosher wines. And they even have chocolate babka. Nice, friendly staff; this is a cool neighborhood spot where the customers are likely to strike up a conversation with you... just because.
Excellent place!! As a transplanted East Coaster, I can tell you this is a gem!!!
Wide selection of goodies and I can always count on finding something new to try.
The new couple have set up a few tables inside so you can enjoy a sandwich there.
I went in search of chocolate babka, and unfortunately, Tel Aviv Kosher Meats Deli and Liquor -- you have failed me!
I found cinnamon babka and other delectable looking treats, but no chocolate babka. The guy behind the counter was nice enough and explained that they sell out quickly and would get more soon.
I have been there many times in the past, few owners have changed and the new owners (Young couple) have turned this place around!!!
The place is spotless (Which for me is very important), the selection is huge and the meat and poultry is extremely lean and the food that they cook over there is delicious.
I love the service and the personal care one receive at the store or when I call to place an order, I just love it.
If you keep kosher like me there aren't many good places to go to and have most of the items you are looking for, all I can say is thanks Tel Aviv kosher market for serving the Jewish community in the bay area!!!
I stopped by last week and found out that they have a daily menu as well as special menu for Passover, I might not have to cook that much Yeh!!!! Here it is in case you are interested:
Poultry
Grilled chicken - Marinated chicken mixed with herbs cooked in the oven
Roasted chicken - Rotisserie chicken
Chicken with olives - Cooked in tomato sauce with Moroccan herbs and seedless green olives
Schnitzel - Pan fried chicken breast breaded with Matzo meal and sesame seeds
Stuffed cabbage - Cooked in tomato sauce, filled with Turkey
Stuffed bell-peppers - Cooked in tomato sauce, filled with Turkey
Meat
Lamb chops - Slow cooked with prunes and onions
Mussaka - Stuffed eggplant with ground beef or chicken, in marinara sauce and
Moroccan herbs (In the oven)
Pastels - Potato pancakes filled with ground beef & onion
Stuffed cabbage - Cooked in tomato sauce, filled with beef
Stuffed bell-pepper - Cooked in tomato sauce, filled with beef
Fish
Gefilte fish - Ground fish patties
Salmon - Slow cooked with special herbs, vegetables and garlic in tomato
sauce (Moroccan style)
White fish fillet - Pan fried
Soup
Matzo ball - Vegetables, garbanzo beans and chicken with different herbs
Vegetarian
Grilled potatoes - with home spices and garlic
Shakshuka - Fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, bell-peppers and tomato sauce slow cooked and toped with eggs.
Salads
Babaganush - Roasted eggplant with garlic mayonnaise and herbs
Moroccan Matbuha - Tomatoes, bell peppers and garlic slow cooked in tomato sauce and herbs
Coleslaw - Cabbage & carrot salad with mayonnaise
Israeli salad - Tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and parsley mixed with olive oil & spices
Potato salad - Herbs, potatoes, carrots, pickles, and eggs cut to small cubes in mayo
Schug - spicy sauce
Red cabbage - Shredded into small pieces mixed with mayonnaise and sugar.
Persian cucumber & onion salad
Carrot salad
Mixed vegetables (pickled in brine)
You can call and order anything you like and they also deliver
The new ownership here is amazing. Quality of products are great, especially the meats. She is so concerned with making customers happy, i actually have decided to wait to buy things at her store if i'm at the supermarket, but could buy it there. Bought london broil twice, and our shabbat guests raved about it consistently. They carry the Wise brand organic chicken and might start carrying kosher buffalo meat and kosher venison. The takeaway food that they have is also very good.
When I lived in the city I'd come here to get my fix of Jewish/Israeli food. I love the sandwiches they make here. This is more of a small market with a deli counter than a restaurant-deli, but i'd just order sandwiches here and picnic in Golden Gate park.
If I could, I'd give this place 3.5 stars...but will settle for 3, since it doesn't really merit 4, IMHO.
Reading the other reviews people have posted about this place, I was half-way convinced despite evidence to the contrary that I'd never actually been here! But, alas, I have, and my experiences tell me that it is nothing like the other descriptions I've read today.
This is NOT a real deli. If you are looking for a NY-style kosher deli, this is not going to meet your expectations. This is a grocery store that sells kosher items, Israeli goods, a lot of the basics from Manischewitz wine and broth to frozen blintzes, and some homemade prepared foods, such as the afore-mentioned gefilte fish, schnitzel, etc.
The prices are a little steeper than I'm used to for a lot of these goods, half of which you can find for a few bucks less at the La Playa Safeway five minutes away. But, it's within walking distance of my apartment, so convenience trumps all else in this case.
There are TONS of frozen Jewish delights, from barekhs to blintzes, kosher hamburger meat to latkes, and much more. The problem, to me, is that there isn't a lot of FRESH stuff: everything's been frozen, shipped in. Once I asked if they had any pita bread...they did, but it was frozen. I don't like any bread that's been frozen, then thawed: it just doesn't taste as good! I also once tried to order 1 lb. of kosher tongue...but was informed that the tongue was frozen, came whole, and I'd have to buy the whole thing, which was 5 or 6 lbs!! In what alternate universe would I ever be able to eat that much tongue?!!! Like I said before, this is not a deli. This is a grocery store. Don't be fooled by the meat counter board that lists off their prices per pound for many kosher meats...half the time I inquire about getting some, they're all out. My SO used to joke that he thought Tel Aviv Kosher Meats was a front for the Russian mob because it was suspicious that they never had anything he ordered in stock! Now, I don't honestly think they are a mob front...they are a lovely local business that caters to Orthodox Jews seeking kosher products that aren't as easy to come by in this city, such as kosher butter, cheese, canned goods...but cost considerably more than their non-kosher cousins.
Why do I continue to go here? The people who work here are really nice, polite, and always wish me a good Shabbos. One of the younger guys who works there always is very chatty with me, all smiles, and a genuinely lovely human being. But this, still, is not my primary reason...
It's for the challah. Baked in Oakland at the Grand Bakery and shlepped across the bridge to be sold on Fridays, it's like manna from heaven!! This bread is everything a challah should be: egg-y, doughy, soft and dense, rich in flavor (and fat, no doubt!), perfect to be consumed fresh or refridgerated and then used for challah french toast!
On a side note, they also carry babka, cinnamon or chocolate, the latter of which is DIVINE!!! In a city that doesn't have a lot of places to purchase such a delicious ethnic treat (David's deli doesn't even carry it: I once went in there and asked if they had a babka...the guy behind the counter looked at me with confusion and asked me, "A WHAT?!"), this is a service to the community that very few groceries or restaurants offer!
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: This store is like most in the Sunset: crowded, cluttered, with overly narrow aisles and boxes blocking some of the turning radius in "open" spaces. I would say that if you are in a wheelchair, you'll probably want to just roll up to the counter and ask whoever's working there to help get things for you. Otherwise, you probably will find this store very diffuclt and frustrating to negotiate. Luckily, English is spoken here, and they are generally friendly and helpful.
Now, as far as this being the ONLY place in the Bay Area to sell a lot of these items, that's quite untrue: There are TONS of Russian Jewish groceries on Geary that sell similar and/or identical items, East West deli on Polk carries many fresh items, such as homemade gefilte fish, and most grocery stores carry matzoh, Manischewitz, Streits, Mother's brands items, etc. In Palo Alto, there is a huge Orthodox Jewish community around California Street, and the Molly Stones there has all the kosher comforts of home, including kosher tooth paste! And don't even get me started about Berkeley! So, this is definitely NOT the only game in town...but I am happy it exists, for all its priciness, because it adds something to the Outer Sunset neighborhood that no other store or restaurant does: a bit of Jewish flavor!
Are you having houseguests from Crown Heights, Brooklyn or West LA and don't have a single thing in your house that meets their dietary restrictions? Never fear! Luckily for you there's a kosher deli in the Outer Sunset. How good does a hot pastrami sandwich sound right now?
Their matzoh ball soup is very plain, broth only, but has gotten me through some serious flus. Knishes are pretty good; I bought some half-sour pickles there once that were a bit past their prime. Service has always been super-friendly. Plus it tickles me somehow that there's a kosher deli in the Sunset.
Not a bad falafel sandwich, especially given the location. It's adds variety to the area. The other deli items are good too.
I usually avoid the whole "Aww, shucks, I miss New York" thing, but at times, I honestly do. Fortunately, I can swing by here, the only place like it in the city, and get some babka and challah. Woohoo!
definitely try the knishes. tasty and a lot lighter compared to other versions i've previously had. they're pillowy soft, but not doughy; a lovely crust, and definitely not greasy. (these are triangular, similar to a turnover. also, they're not potato-based.)
my last visit, they had 3 different knishes available: potato, spinach, & mushroom.
