The Pros And Cons Of Where You Live

[Dan]

I would expect you to know by now what value I place on that word/adjective. Even if it were under a השגחה I would trust, JLM isn't the entire country. Some people actually go to Israel without setting foot in JLM the entire time they are there...

1. You can research yourself if they meet your standards.
2. Chaval.

[VacationLover]

It's not only the sauce. In the attempt to make it "mezonos" the dough is sweet. In general I find that Israelis have a tendency to like things much sweeter, and no appreciation for proper food flavors. The amount of sweetener (be it sugar or otherwise) that they put in their beverages is mind boggling. Even water or seltzer is commonly flavored.

Coca Cola and Sprite in Israel is clearly sweeter than that of other countries.

[yos9694]

It's not only the sauce. In the attempt to make it "mezonos" the dough is sweet. In general I find that Israelis have a tendency to like things much sweeter, and no appreciation for proper food flavors. The amount of sweetener (be it sugar or otherwise) that they put in their beverages is mind boggling. Even water or seltzer is commonly flavored.

You just described all Hungarian food

[mevinyavin]

Coca Cola and Sprite in Israel is clearly sweeter than that of other countries.

They use sugar and not corn syrup. That is bound to make a difference.

[mevinyavin]

In general I find that Israelis have a tendency to like things much sweeter...

And of course, Heinz ketchup is not true ketchup because it isn't sweet. TRUE ketchup is the ketchup INVENTED by Osem. Heinz has no right to call their product ketchup.

This is a funny piece of history: https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4614736,00.html
The outcome is that Heinz is no longer permitted to write קטשופ (in Ivrit) on their labels. Apparently, Osem actually won the suit!!!! It nows says "mitbal agvaniot" (tomato dip) on all Heinz ketchup bottles. (It still says ketchup in English, though.)
This can only happen in Israel...

[ExGingi]

And of course, Heinz ketchup is not true ketchup because it isn't sweet. TRUE ketchup is the ketchup INVENTED by Osem. Heinz has no right to call their product ketchup.

ALOL!

[Sam 77]

J2 on bais yisrael is from the best you will get here

[ExGingi]

The responses I am getting here regarding Israeli pizza seem to indicate that people are living in a JLM bubble. There are other places in the country, and believe it or not, some people look for a kosher place to eat because they need to get something to eat, not because the restaurant is a destination to try out.

[ExGingi]

And of course, Heinz ketchup is not true ketchup because it isn't sweet. TRUE ketchup is the ketchup INVENTED by Osem. Heinz has no right to call their product ketchup.

If Heinz ketchup "isn't sweet" I don't even want to imagine what Osem ketchup is like. Heinz has "high fructose corn syrup" as its 3rd ingredient (and the 4th is corn syrup)!

[Euclid]

If Heinz ketchup "isn't sweet" I don't even want to imagine what Osem ketchup is like. Heinz has "high fructose corn syrup" as its 3rd ingredient (and the 4th is corn syrup)!

Osem ketchup is tomato jam

[Dan]

If Heinz ketchup "isn't sweet" I don't even want to imagine what Osem ketchup is like. Heinz has "high fructose corn syrup" as its 3rd ingredient (and the 4th is corn syrup)!

Can't be worse than Henny's best.

Don't stock up on Heinz with sugar on the after Pesach sales?

[yfr bachur]

The responses I am getting here regarding Israeli pizza seem to indicate that people are living in a JLM bubble. There are other places in the country, and believe it or not, some people look for a kosher place to eat because they need to get something to eat, not because the restaurant is a destination to try out.

so what's the issue?
That's my point exactly. It may not be destination pizza, but it's filling and edible
I just named JLM places bec those are top of mind for me, the same way I named the local joints in flatbush where I come from.
Pizza shemesh/extra pizza are chains, found in many cities - not the greatest pizza by a long shot, but a kosher place to eat with edible food.
It's not like their putting sauce and cheese on a choaclate rugaleh! its just sweetish bread.
Pizza Hut is kehilos nationwide afaik.

[bochur22]

Pizza Hut is kehilos nationwide afaik.

The one by Ramot Mall is Rubin

[bochur22]

Oddest places to find sesame:
5. On my baguette, but only every tenth sandwich (the bakers were in the mood?), even though the same bakery doesn't usually put it on
4. On home fries
3. On pizza
2. Topping on cheesecake
1. In my shirt pocket, even though I stopped eating sesame two years ago (!!)

(American Israeli) Friend of mine has a pizza store. He opened a new branch, and hired an agent to get him his initial stock of ingredients. When he shows up for the opening, he was surprised to see a 5kg bag of sesame seeds he didn't ask for. The agent explained, "I saw you forgot to put sesame seeds on your list, so I got you some."

I heard of an American trying to explain sesame chicken to an Israeli: "It's like Rugelach, but with chicken inside"

[Dan]

Pizza Hut

Yuck

[bochur22]

J2 on bais yisrael is from the best you will get here

Big Apple on Paran is pretty good too

[Dan]

Big Apple on Paran is pretty good too

Have you tried Craft (NY style) or Anthony's (Italy style)?
Nothing else in Israel comes remotely close IMHO.

[TheAsh]

Have you tried Craft (NY style) or Anthony's (Italy style)?
Nothing else in Israel comes remotely close IMHO.

Pizza Roni is great as well. AYLOR about Rabbanut Mehadrin though.

[mevinyavin]

The responses I am getting here regarding Israeli pizza seem to indicate that people are living in a JLM bubble. There are other places in the country, and believe it or not, some people look for a kosher place to eat because they need to get something to eat, not because the restaurant is a destination to try out.

Hey, I went from a Brooklyn bubble to a JLM bubble. What do I know about pizza? All I can tell you is that every time I ate pizza outside of Brooklyn or JLM, it wasn't good. On the other hand, in Brooklyn itself, I have a 50% like rate on the pizza I would be willing to eat, kashrus-wise, and in JLM, it is more like 70% (again, of what I am willing to eat). So I just don't understand the generalizations.
It's okay. There have already been other indications that I don't know my way around food like other forum members... 

[yfr bachur]

Have you tried Craft (NY style) or Anthony's (Italy style)?

As far as I can tell, they are both Rabbanut (Mehadrin).
Many, many locals don't accept that as first (or third) choice....
And a pizza emergency don't qualify 

In a city that has so many Truely "Mehadrin" options, (i.e. Eida, Rubin, landau, sheiris, kehilos....) why do so many "heimish" visitors insist on reinventing the wheel, not trusting local experts, "doing their own research"...
So you won't be able to eat in every highly rated place, or eat the breakfast buffet in the hotel you got on points, you won't go hungry, I promise!