So Ali Karwan – Hummus Abu Hassan Jaffa is one of the oldest and most famous hummus restaurants in Israel. Furthermore, its original branch is on Dolphin Street in Jaffa and there are two more branches located on Shivtei Israel Street. In fact, it has been rated the best hummus restaurant in Israel on many lists. The restaurant is famous for its loyal crowd of Arabs and Jews, laborers and tourists; sitting side by side and crammed to the same tables, and the long line that lurks at its entrance every day at noon. The hummus joint was founded by Ali Karawan, known as Abu Hassan.
The Story About Humus Abu Hassan Jaffa
So Ali Karawan Hummus started out as a hummus seller off a cart in the Ajami neighborhood of Jaffa. In 1959 he opened his first restaurant on Yefet Street, which did not last. In the early 1970s, he opened a restaurant on Dolphin Street, corner Yehuda HaYamit. This restaurant is still active today. After decades in which Karawan refused to open additional branches; a larger hummus restaurant was opened on Shivtei Yisrael Street, not far from the original restaurant.
Due to the success of the branch, which despite its size is also characterized by a long line of diners at the entrance; led to the opening of a third restaurant; Pearl of Jaffa – Brothers Karawan, which also offers fries; falafel, and salad. In October 2007 Karawan died after years of minor involvement in the management of the network during which his son Ibrahim served as the director.
About the Restaurant Humus Abu Hassan Jaffa
So the original restaurant of Abu Hassan on Dolphin Street is small, overcrowded, and almost uncluttered. It is open from eight in the morning and closes when there is no more food, usually in the early afternoon. Due to the long line that is steeped in the entrance, hummus is eaten sitting together with other diners around the same table, as is customary in many working restaurants. Restaurant service is fast, efficient, and sometimes even aggressive. The reservation and serving are very quick, and the waiters often urge the diners who have finished eating to make room for those waiting in line.
So the restaurant’s menu is very limited. The restaurant serves only four basic courses – hummus, masabacha, brown beans and labane – and dishes that combine them. The famous dish of the restaurant is the triangle (in Arabic: Mutha’alat, in Hebrew: Meshulash), a triangular dish that includes hummus, brown beans and masabacha. Also with the dishes, pitas, fresh onions, and saucers of hot sauce with lemon salt are served. The restaurant does not offer the guests a written menu for viewing around the table but presents the various dishes and their prices on the wall of the restaurant.