The Chicago Traveler

Tel Aviv Kosher Pizza

by Matt B on December 5th, 2007

The eight-day Jewish holiday Hanukkah began last night, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple at the time of the Maccabee rebellion. To all our Jewish friends and readers, Happy Hanukkah!

In honor of the season, I present a little restaurant that is quite unimpressive from the outside. The sign is worn and faded, and if you didn't know any better, you'd probably think it was out of business. But trust me, there's plenty going on inside Tel Aviv Kosher Pizza. The dinner rushes are fast and furious, yet the restaurant never gets overly thunderous or noisy.

This hidden hot spot (on the same block as Taboun Grill) is the embodiment of 'no frills.' There are no servers here, so step up to the counter and choose from a diverse menu of American, Latin, and Israeli dishes for incredibly low prices. Jewish law dictates that meat and dairy must not be eaten together, so Tel Aviv does not serve any meat on the premises. Don't let that drive you carnivores away though. The nachos are spectacular here, even better than at some Mexican eateries I've been to. The vegetable and onion soups are hearty and perfect for the winter, and the tuna sandwiches served in a pita are light and tasty. Bring a friend, and share the gooey lasagna served with a stout tomato sauce. The namesake pizza, usually ordered New-York-style, isn't as remarkable as one would hope, but at $2 a slice, it's a cheap kosher thrill that can't be beat.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) striatic, polomex

Tel Aviv Kosher Pizza ($): 6349 N California Ave; 773-764-3776
Sun ' Thurs: 11:00 a.m. ' 11:00 p.m.
Fri: 11:00 a.m. ' 2:00 p.m. (winter), 3:00 p.m. (summer)
Sat: 2 hrs after sundown ' 1:00 a.m.
Street parking difficult
Public trans: Bus # 93, 155

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POSTED IN: Pizza, Restaurants