Mob Deli Brings Authentic New York Pastrami Experience to Tel Aviv's Allenby Street

Amid the ongoing light rail construction chaos on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv, a new culinary gem called Mob Deli has opened, offering an authentic New York deli experience. Founded by brothers Hagai and Amotz Bar Lev, Mob Deli features a massive 300-kilogram American-made smoker used to prepare their signature brisket pastrami and other smoked meats. Hagai brings extensive culinary experience from renowned restaurants in Israel and Europe, while Amotz has a background in restaurant management and hospitality studies in Australia. Before launching in early 2024, the brothers traveled across the United States to refine their vision and source professional equipment.

Mob Deli emphasizes handcrafted quality, producing almost everything in-house, from sourdough rye bread to slow-smoked, carefully brined meats. Their flagship pastrami brisket sandwich, priced at 71 shekels, consists of 130 grams of tender, cherry wood-smoked beef brisket served on rye sourdough with mustard mayo, pickled cucumber, and red onion. Another highlight is the lamb neck brioche sandwich (73 shekels), featuring rich meat with chimichurri, garlic aioli, mixed greens, and pickled hot pepper. A surprising standout was the cold-smoked salmon bagel (56 shekels), praised for its freshness and balanced flavors.

While the prices are relatively high for quick lunch sandwiches in Tel Aviv, the quality justifies the cost due to the premium ingredients and labor-intensive preparation methods. Mob Deli does not use processed meats but invests dozens of hours in curing and smoking, baking bread on-site, and making sauces from scratch. For those seeking uncompromising quality and craftsmanship, Mob Deli offers one of the best sandwiches currently available in Israel, rivaling legendary Manhattan delis.

Mob Deli is located at 49 Allenby Street, Tel Aviv.