Legendary Israeli Skewers Restaurant Opens New Branch in Tel Aviv

The iconic skewer restaurant "Oved BaKfar" from Or Yehuda launched its new branch in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, nearly a year after announcing its expansion to the city. The new location, named "Oved BaIr," is situated in a spacious, wood-paneled building near the tennis courts in the Hader Yosef neighborhood in northern Tel Aviv, at the edge of the sports complex parking lot. Originally a nursery, the site now attracts a broad clientele beyond athletes, as evidenced by long queues forming outside just on the second day of its soft opening.

Currently, the restaurant operates from 12:00 to 16:00 during this trial period, with plans to extend hours later. The immediate popularity recalls the original Or Yehuda branch’s busy atmosphere. The menu at the Tel Aviv branch is identical to the original, featuring skewers such as kebab for 48 shekels, chicken thigh for 43 shekels, liver for 38 shekels, entrecote for 65 shekels, and veal sweetbreads for 96 shekels. Starters include salads at 36 shekels, hummus for 32 shekels, and fries for 31 shekels, accompanied by freshly baked pita bread served hot.

The restaurant’s roots trace back about 26 years to a former nursery building in Or Yehuda, founded by Oved (Ovadia) Shakuri in 1999, who learned the craft from his father Yaakov Shakuri, a butcher and shepherd who immigrated from Baghdad. Today, the family business is run by Oved’s son Kobi Shakuri, alongside other family members. The restaurant gained cultural prominence two years ago when singer Odaya Azulai released a hit song titled "At Oved BaKfar," cementing its status as a local culinary landmark popular with celebrities and influencers.

Despite its success, the original Or Yehuda location faces ongoing bureaucratic challenges regarding land use, with authorities disputing that the restaurant’s operation exceeds the official zoning plans. This legal dispute remains unresolved as of now.