The cost of living affects all of us, but price gaps still exist in central Israel. And when I say “central Israel,” I mean the cities that physically border Tel Aviv. I have already driven taxi passengers with stunned expressions, shocked purely by the prices inside the city, people who cannot understand how anyone manages to live like that. Everything is more expensive in Tel Aviv, but try selling a falafel portion for 20 shekels or more in Bat Yam and see how that goes.
If you really want to confront reality head-on, take a walk down Balfour Street in Bat Yam. Two short blocks are enough to provide a clear reflection of Israeli life. Not all of us want to face that reality, but it's impossible to ignore.
Every time I pass along Balfour Street on my way toward Jaffa, I scan the area carefully, checking who opened what and what's new in the neighborhood. Most of the eatery spots are traditional, and that works in their favor. You will not find upscale restaurants here, not even by accident. This is genuine street food.
A few months ago, shortly after most falafel stands in Israel managed to exhaust both my patience and my wallet, I made a decision. I would deliberately seek out inexpensive falafel shops that deserve more attention. So far, I am happy to say I have stuck to that mission, finding modest and good places that do not try to drain your bank account.
These days, I pay close attention to every falafel stand I pass. I admit there are not many truly cheap options left. I know there are affordable spots around Bnei Brak, but finding falafel in the Bat Yam area for just 10 shekels felt like a real discovery.
Some time ago, I caught a glimpse of a winning combination: “10 shekels per portion.” At first, I did not even register the name. I kept driving, assuming I had misread the sign. But no, I was not mistaken. Falafel Daniel is still selling a portion for 10 shekels, and it is not a bad portion at all. It is actually very good.
As usual, I arrived with no expectations, prepared to taste falafel that felt “too cheap to be good.” I paid, and only then were the falafel balls fried fresh on the spot. The falafel was green and very tasty, slightly too salty for my liking, but the salads were clearly fresh. Even the pickled cucumber was sliced thin, exactly as it should be.
I received a generous and satisfying portion with excellent falafel balls at a minimal cost. There's really no need to pay more than that.