Abu Hassan (restaurant) facts for kids
Customers lined up in front of Abu Hassan on HaDolfin Street
|
|
| Founded | 1970s |
|---|---|
| Headquarters |
Jaffa
,
Israel
|
|
Number of locations
|
3 |
|
Key people
|
Ali Karawan (until 2007) Ibrahim Karawan |
| Products | Hummus |
Ali Karawan – Abu Hassan (Hebrew: עלי קרוואן – אבו חסן, Arabic: علي كروان – أبو حسن) is one of the oldest and most famous hummus restaurants in Israel. Hummus is a delicious dip or spread made from mashed chickpeas. This special restaurant started in Jaffa, a city in Israel. It has three locations, with the first one on HaDolphin Street. Many people think Abu Hassan serves the best hummus in Israel!
People from all walks of life, including Arabs and Jews, workers and tourists, love to eat here. They often sit together at the same tables. You'll usually see a long line of hungry customers waiting outside, especially around lunchtime. The restaurant was founded by a man named Ali Karawan, who everyone knew as Abu Hassan.
Contents
The Story of Abu Hassan
How It All Started
Ali Karawan, the founder of Abu Hassan, began his journey selling hummus from a small cart. He used to push his cart around the Ajami neighborhood in Jaffa. This was how he first shared his tasty hummus with the community.
In 1959, Ali Karawan tried opening his first restaurant. It was on a street that is now called Yefet Street. However, this first restaurant didn't stay open for very long.
Opening the Famous Restaurant
Ali Karawan didn't give up! In the early 1970s, he opened a new restaurant. This one was on Dolphin Street, at the corner of Yehuda HaYamit. This is the original Abu Hassan restaurant that is still very popular today. It has been serving delicious hummus for decades.
Growing Bigger
For many years, Abu Hassan only had one restaurant. Ali Karawan didn't want to open more locations. But eventually, a larger Abu Hassan restaurant was opened. This new branch was on Shivtei Yisrael Street, not far from the first one. Even though it was bigger, it also had long lines of customers waiting to get in!
Because this second branch was so successful, a third restaurant was opened. It's called Pearl of Jaffa - Brothers Karawan. This location offers more than just hummus. You can also buy fries, falafel, and salad there.
A Family Business
Ali Karawan passed away in October 2007. For several years before that, his son, Ibrahim Karawan, had been managing the restaurants. Today, the family continues to run the famous Abu Hassan hummus spots.
What Makes Abu Hassan Special?
The Dining Experience
The original Abu Hassan restaurant on Dolphin Street is quite small. It can get very crowded inside! It's open from eight in the morning. The restaurant closes when all the food is gone, which is usually in the early afternoon.
Because of the long lines, customers often share tables with other diners. This is a common way to eat in many busy restaurants. The service at Abu Hassan is very fast and efficient. Waiters work quickly to serve everyone. Sometimes, they might even politely ask diners who have finished eating to make room for new customers.
The Menu
Abu Hassan has a very simple menu. They focus on doing a few things really well! The restaurant serves only four main dishes:
- Hummus: The classic chickpea dip.
- Masabacha: A warm hummus dish with whole chickpeas.
- Brown beans: Cooked beans, often served with olive oil and spices.
- Labane: A creamy, tangy strained yogurt.
They also offer dishes that mix these main items. The most famous dish is called the "triangle." In Arabic, it's "Mutha'alat," and in Hebrew, it's "Meshulash." This special dish combines hummus, brown beans, and masabacha in one plate.
When you order, your meal comes with fresh pita bread, raw onions, and small dishes of hot sauce with lemon salt. You won't find a paper menu at your table. Instead, the different dishes and their prices are written on the wall for everyone to see.
