Tuesday, June 22, 2010

AND THE WINNER FOR BEST ISRAELI HUMMUS IN LA IS... CHAPA

A friend took me to Chapa, a new place a few months ago in a small strip mall on Crescent Heights and Wilshire.

For those not familiar with LA, Wilshire is one of the hubs of the business area in Los Angeles and so finding a small Israeli place there is kind of wierd.
That said, the Israeli consulate, the Jewish federation and Nu Image, the Israeli owned production company that has already produced hundreds of successful features with many Hollywood stars are all located there so it's an area that has a lot of Israelis that will appreciate a great hummus place.

The place looks uninspiring. I went back there with an American friend to see how a local will react to the food and ecor and he didn't understand it.  But for Israeli's this place reminds them of many famous Hummus places in Israel that have that grundgy run down atmosphere.  It's like for a New Yorker to come to Los Angeles and enter Canters or Jerry's deli... and be reminded of Carnegie Deli or 2nd Avenue deli.
It feels authentic and real. For others it might just look run down and greasy...

The food is really tasty. Try their Falafel, it's superb. The Hummus is very Israeli style.
They give large portions and are very generous with all their food. The pitas were fresh.
The chicken Shawarma, according to some is a little too greasy.  I didn't try it - but an Israeli friend who tried it claimed it's just like in Israel in any Shawarma Joint.

Prices were great and unlike many of the other places I've reviewed - were logical and made me want to come back.

If I have one complaint about the place it was that because it's so packed during lunch- you have to stand in a long line and wait and also it takes awhile to get the food.
Guess, I'm not the only one that discovered how good the food is here.

Since in past reviews of new places, after the initial newness of the place faded and the owner started serving small portions of unfresh food - this time I waited and visited the place three times before writing this review and it was always great - only the lines to buy the Hummus got longer and longer - proving that some people can be suckered some of the time- but most people- especially middle eastern food lovers can't be suckered all the time.
A lot of people are fed up with the expensive price of mediocre food they get in other places and so the rumor of Chapa's wonderful food and cheap prices has spread fast and people are going there to curb their Hummus craving.

This place isn't meant for a romantic middle eastern place for a date. But if you already have love and want to treat her to good food or ...
If you're on a love break and just want great Hummus in the meantime -
This Hummus place will do the job perfectly.

I wish Chapa a lot of success and hope they won't be influenced by their competitors and raise prices and lower the quality and quantity of the food once they get a little more established.

In the meantime - all I can say for lunch: CHAPA IS FIVE FALAFEL BALLS in my blog!


6256 Wilshire Blvd
Los AngelesCA 90046
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
(323) 936-2460

3 comments:

  1. My name is Lior Cohen and I would be the first to agree with this post,
    I eat there at least twice a week and it just like home. and for those who want a very good Israeli Shawarma It is highly recommended.
    Also i just heard they opened a new location in Sherman Oaks on Burbank Blvd and Kester ave and there's lots of new tasty things on the menu.

    Lior Cohen
    Beverly Hills,CA

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  2. What an amazing restaurant!!! The food is very tasty, healthy, and of high quality!!! The service is fantastic and the location is ideal. I visit Chapa Grill on Wilshire at least 3 times per week. When I am there I feel as though I am at home. Wish they had branches all over the place. I highly recommend visiting this place!!! You cannot find anything better to eat in this city at the same price. Two thumbs up! :)

    Ehud

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  3. My husband and I absolutely love the rotisserie chicken at Chapa. We order it with steamed vegetables. It is a healthy, delicious meal ----and reasonably priced. We have lunch at Chapa Grill at least 4 times a week. Recently, we've been taking our mother there for dinner. We've also referred family & friends. They all love it!!

    Angie
    Los Angeles, CA

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