Good food. $40 minimum credit or debit charge. The credit card company charges this business higher fees than other companies.
(3)
Natalie C.
Love this place. Best glatt kosher restaurant in philadelphia. Portions are huge. Friendly staff. Very attentive. Sundays are always packed. Make sure to reserve ahead of time. Everything comes out perfect and fast, and there is always a rabbi on site. Really cute decorations too. Family business so you know you're getting the attention you deserve.
(5)
Hezakiah L.
We've been going here practically since they opened five years ago since I consider their shawarma one of the best in the city.When the wife called and suggested we go have dinner at Judah's tonight,I was game as always. After five years of getting my favorite shawarma, I decided to try off the specials board since I spotted liver and onions.I ordered it with a side of green beans and a side of zucchini. This was the best liver and onions I have ever had and i've had plenty. The large amount of perfectly cooked and seasoned liver was smothered in tender,not mushy, seasoned onions. I always like the veggie sides here.They are never the boring plain oiled or steamed you find everywhere. The green beans with chopped onion was in a light sauce flavored with a hint of tomato that accented the beans instead of overpowering them with that acidic tomato tidal wave you get in many tomato base sauces.The zuke was cut in big thick pieces in an olive oil ,turmeric and other spices sauce that was great. I was stuffed after this meal and at 6'3 and 335lbs, it takes some food to fill up. So,I now have a new favorite at Judah's and if you love liver and onions,you need to get there.Looking forward to the next five years LOL
(5)
Anthony L.
This past Wednesday, I had my first experience with Israeli food at Judah. I was a little nervous going in but an Israeli client of mine was taking my wife and I out to celebrate our recent wedding, and he insisted that this place was authentic and delicious. I can't vouch for the authenticity, but I can definitely confirm the deliciousness! We started off with pitas a slew of different salads. The potato salad, carrot salad, israeli salad, and roasted eggplant salad were all great. I'm ususally not a big fan of potato salad OR carrots, but the way they are prepared here changed my mind at first bite. The pitas were perfect. Warm and flavorful, they were the ideal vessel to scoop up bites of the different salads. From there we moved on to a roasted eggplant appetizer, house made hummus and a falafel platter. The eggplant was unlike anything I have tasted. Very savory and smothered in a creamy and tasty sauce. The hummus was easily the best i've had, although i've only had Sabra and other store bought brands. The falafel..i'm struggling to put into words how great these were. Let's just say I wish I had about 75 of them in front of me now. For our main entree the wife had salmon and I went with the chicken shawarma. The wife loved her salmon. She couldn't rave enough about it, and salmon is her go to fish when she's feeling so inclined. The chicken shawarma piled over rice with a bit of israeli salad mixed in, is SENSATIONAL. The chicken is seasoned to perfection and roasted, then thinly sliced into piles on your plate. I have been thinking about it periodically (every 10 minutes) for the last 3 days. I need it in my life again..and soon. The interior is nice but won't blow you away. I'd probably elevate this place to 5 stars if they update the dining area. That being said, if you live in the Northeast Philly area, or you don't, or you just want to try Israeli food for the first time, check out Judah! They say you always remember your first, this place is no exception.
(4)
Ciril M.
The food here is great. I had the lamb kafta kabob in a lafa and devoured it. Ask for extra hot sauce if you like it spicy. My kid had a burger from kids menu, but it's big enough adults. Service took a little longer than usual, but overall I recommend it!
(4)
Syvan T.
I am absolutely obsessed with their shnitzel in a lafa or in a pita! I've been coming here for my fix for many years. My family comes from the far suburbs just for the shwarma. I took my boyfriend here one afternoon and he introduced me to the lafa. He was so excited about it because he hadn't seen it anywhere but in Israel. They are a bit pricey but it's really the only place around that we like and it's kosher, so it's worth it. If they keep making the shnitzel I'll keep coming.
(5)
Kev G.
Uh I think I went to the wrong place? Got take out. Had very high hope for this place. The girl was very friendly. First it's very very expensive which I don't mind if the food is good. The food here is meh. The shawarma was very very dry. The falafel is very crisp and tasty. The baba is ok. Not the best I've had but it's ok. The pita is good not great. Better if it was served warm though. Overall wasted $25 for this and not happy.
(2)
Lady E.
This place is in a strip mall and will surprise you. It has a "deli" type of feel to it with tables in the front for you to sit and eat. I also enjoyed the eclectic decorations. You don't go to this place for ambiance, you go for good food. Wow do they have delicious food! We ordered the lunch special and it came with a lot of food including vegetable soup, warm bread, meat and two sides. We had the baby chicken and shawarma for the meats. The shawarma is a mix of lamb and chicken. This such a delicious and tender shawarma. My partner has tried a lot of shawarma from a variety of places and he stated that "this was one of the best shawarma he has ever had." The tahini sauce was spot on. The white rice was cooked perfectly and was yummy. Trust me, I am very critical of rice being an experience Latina rice cooker. I was surprised at the high prices on the menu but, after we ate the food, we decided that it was well worth the price for the care that went into the food. This was authentic Mediterranean food. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did! The waitress (possibly the owner's daughter?) was so sweet and provided excellent service. See you guys again.
(5)
Ryan A.
They have great falafel and nice strong coffee to go along with it. Bring cash to pay for anything less than $20.
(5)
Kelley M.
Never had a shawarma before here so I can't compare to anyone else's, but it was pretty yummy. I'll allow my boyfriend to force me to come here again. Service was great even though they had 2 large parties taking up most of the seating.
(4)
Inga R.
This Is my frist time here and the place is pretty small and cozy. The service here was great and the food came out fast. It's BYOB but make sure it's something kosher or they won't let you drink it. Everything was delicious but my roasted eggplant app was AMAZING. Very good food, will be back.
(5)
Elliot P.
Love Judah! Came here a while ago with a big group of people and honestly, no one liked it as much as my wife and I did. The service was fine, the decor was nothing special. The food though - terrific. I've been here a few times, and each time I get something different. The kafta kabobs and the shawarma are what I remember the most though. They were some of the best I've ever had. I don't how some people don't like this food. Yes, it's expensive, but it's just full of flavor, juicy, just everything you want in a meal. The bread is warm and fluffy; the hummus is creamy, the meat is high quality and cooked to perfection. It's Kosher, so it's great if you are or have to eat with people who are. For me, it's annoying because they're closed on Friday night and Saturdays. I'm not sure if they open up after Shabbat on Saturday night, but I think I remember checking and they don't. Also, make sure you're coming with someone who eats meat. As far as vegetarian items are concerned, there isn't a lot to choose from. The wife used to eat only vegetarian and fish, and the only thing she could eat here was the falafel. I don't know that fish is generally only served with dairy and this is a meat restaurant, but there's no reason (that I know of) why they can't serve fish. I've been to plenty a kosher restaurant that does serve fish with meat.
(5)
Pourio L.
Not bad when it comes to Jewish/Israeli Mediterranean style foods. I've actually been to Israel and had all of the foods that this place offered so in a small way, I guess I was comparing foods from the motherland to out here in suburbia Philadelphia. I found their chicken shawarma to be much better than their falafal (even though normally I'm a huge falafal fan). There was decent amount of flavoring and freshness and the chicken was grilled just right. Service was good and friendly. No complaints but at the same time, the food didn't really blow me away or impress me tremendously. I would probably go again but it'd be because there's really not much else that's good to eat around here. Parking: Large shared lot Price: $8-$18 per person Wait: Few minutes to get seated
(3)
Nathaniel G.
****Note: This is a review of the catering Division of Juda**** I attended a Bat Mitvah last night that Judah catered. Being a catering director for numerous companies there were many things lacking. I tried as much as I could to analyze service, food, etc...as I am seeking a caterer for my Son's comming event. As I have eaten at Judah before and enjoy Mediterranean food, I was far from impressed. They had thier hummus, which I love, Lamb Kufta (Kebab), Chicken Shawarma... COCKTAIL HOUR They had some sort of soup with root vegetables in it but no bowls! When I asked the server if they could bring out some bowls they said that the soup goes over the cous cous on a small flat plate. It was very hard to eat. There were utensils (forks, spoons and tongs) for every different item, BUT...caterer did not put them in thier respective bows/serving platters (Big Mistake!). So when the onslaught of 200 guests came into the room guests were putting 2 or 3 spoons into the same salad!! I had to remove a spoon from one platter and use it on another platter!!! This causes contamination and me, being allergic to gluten, I didn't want to really eat ANYTHING because I didn't know which utensil had been in another serving bowl and what food it had already come into contact with. YOU must have designated serving utensils for each item and PLEASE put it in the item it goes with so this confusion and disorganization does not happen!! I even asked a server why he didn't put the serving utensils in the food that it goes with. She had told me that they had originally set it up that way, but the owner came out and told them to take serving utensils OUT OF THE PLATTER?!?! Also, there were "Back of the House" tongs on the buffet!!! You know, the ones with the melted plastic handles on top of the stainless steel!!! COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE! Then there were two different types of cocktail plates!! If you don't oprder all the same plates AT LEAST, let the round ones run out instead of having round and square plates on the buffet at the same time! DINNER Beautiful gold chargers were set on the Dining Tables. After the Appetizer/Salad course the servers cleared the chargers as expected. But then 10 minutes later they came out and put the chargers back on the table!! They should have kept them back in the kitchen. If a mistake was made and the Supervisor wanted them left on the table, then oh well!! Once you clear something (a dirty plate or DIRTY CHARGER) you don't RETURN IT TO THE TABLE!!! Especially when you don't know which charger goes onto what seat setting!!!!!! I got back a charger with fingerprints on it, AND THEY WEREN't MINE!!! Lost my appetite. I ordered the steak. It came out dry and tough. The sauce was ok. But the most embarrassing thing of all was that the servers took our food orders, it was a 3-way choice, and then they "waved," the food!!!! Meaning that all the servers carried two plates each and kept coming in waves to serve the entire room. SOO, the right number of fish and steak came out to our tables but no one knew who got what!!! Very messed up. I felt bad for the servers! They did the best they could in spite of the bad setup. You should not serve in a WAVE if it is a choice entree, no way. The plus of the night was the service, it was great. I actually tried to hand my server a $10 bill and he replied, "We are well taken care of by our boss, he is generous to us." I was shocked!!! Never heard this before... but I figured the servers were trained to say this and I insisted he take it, but he said, "That's not necessary sir." Then here's what happened. I left my cell phone at the location accidentally. I had to drive back and get it. As I was walking up the ramp I saw our server leaving. He looked upset. I asked him what was wrong. He said "Nothing Sir." Then I insisted he tell me. He said that the owner of Judah had promised them an hourly wage and gratuity. But after the event they were given an hourly wage and told to leave with no gratuity! I was shocked, I said to the server well your boss will surely take care of you tomorrow, right? Our server said no, this was the first time he met the owner, and this was his first job with him! I told him he did a wonderful job and I was sorry the owner lied to him, I gave him the $20 and this time he accepted. This company needs to get it together. Get thier priorities straight. Bring in someone to teach them how to cater, just the basics. The one highlight of the evening, the servers, seemed to be mistreated and lied to! I was upset when I came back and ran into our server. The stinginess was alarming, it makes me question the character of the owners of this company. I didn't have a YELP account until now. But I HAD to create one in order to make this post because I felt so compelled to. I will not be using them for my son's party and I probably won't go the the restaurant either.
(1)
Kasia A.
Awesome place! I have been craving Israeli food for so long! This place was just as good as Israel! The staff was very nice and I felt like I was back in Israel it was just great!
(5)
Lisa B.
Very yummy food! We had the lunch special and really enjoyed every bite! However, it was a bit pricey for lunch.
(4)
Jeanine P.
Loved the atmosphere, staff was very friendly and the food was OUT OF THIS WORLD! A friend posted a pic on FB and I knew we'd be checking it out and we we're NOT disappointed. The hummus was the best I've ever had and the falafel was incredible. I'd definitely recommend the carrot and cabbage side dish and save room for some rum balls for dessert!
(5)
Tuff Cook E.
I learned one important thing from eating here - I don't need to eat liver again. I wanted to try it one last time, I did, I think I'm set for life now - that taste really stays in your mind. It was prepared very well, this is not a slight on the restaurant, I'm just saying.... We're not Jewish and so didn't know that although this restaurant is a byob, no wine is kosher (unless it's been prepared super specially). But, our waitress informed us that all beer is kosher, so we popped to the pizza place next door to get beer. Apparently they don't allow anything nonkosher in their restaurant even if they aren't the ones drinking it. Non-kosher vapor smells? bad mojo? I dont know- but, it's their place so..... Sadly because we were there on for dinner they do lot allow you to order any sandwhiches, pitas, or shwarmas. So we had to get full on meals even though I had read that the shwarma was the thing to get. So my partner got the mixed meat grill (with liver) and I got a meditteranean platter of hummus, pita, babaganoosh, etc. It was very good and fresh. The prices are really high though. I live in Philly and we have a lot of halal places that serve similar foods - shwarma, shiskebobs, pitas, etc .. and they are abour 1/3 of the price here. Might be because we had to both order full meals. Still, just 2 of us - no apps and no dessert it was over $50. And this is not a 'fancy' place. Not the place to go for a romantic meal either - it is all one room, lots of families with lots of kids.
(3)
Ted L.
very good food and service, being there so many times mostly for lunch. little pricey but we love the love so we don't mind
(5)
Jen W.
My new favorite middle eastern food! My family and I ordered the appetizer platter (hummus, Israeli salad, falafel, fries), lunch special (shawarma, cold slaw, fries, vegetable soup), shawarma in a pita, and Judah burger. They all tasted amazing. Fresh and crisp. Pita bread was heaven in carb form. Loved the hummus! The chef and the owner both came by our table personally to see if we enjoyed our meal. Service was great. The place is small but so cozy and comfortable.
(5)
Wael B.
I only come here for the shawarma. The reason is because it is the BEST place for shawarma in the city. I'm middle eastern and eating shawarma is my hobby. I have been to every place that serve shawarma in the city and this is the best place. Its not on the expensive side but it is worth it.
(5)
Aryeh W.
Amazing food, fresh, tender, tasty..., not too oily , spiced to perfection. The Shwarma is perfect. So is shish- kebab. Service is Excellent! Bottom line awesome food!!!!!!! I defitly recommend, if you looking for a awesome Israeli restaurant? This is the place.
(4)
raquel s.
Excellent service from a young college kid getting ready to go back to school. Unfortunately, I just had this sandwich in Italy, and then in NYC after wandering off the street because it looked amazing. I was hoping carefully searching for a place with chicken shwarma would provide an even better result than my random find. For some reason, I didn't take the name into consideration, and when I saw Mediterranean Restaurant, I was surprised to find out they only serve Israeli food. That means no tatziki sauce. Tahini and hummus instead. Not the worst thing, but a surprise. The chicken shwarma did come off of the spit. It was ok.. the pieces were a bit thin and lacking in salt. The pita bread is packaged--it was soft but really lacked that homemade/fresh flavor and feel. In Philly, I always thought the bread makes the sandwich... I was disappointed that the lamb kabob was actually like little fried/grilled lamb sausage patties. They were red (raw) in the center so I had to send them back. They were pink the second time around. They did send out some pickled vegetables. I never had vegetables I didn't like before until I tried these. Not too many places give you something like that for free, just for being a dining guest, so I definitely won't knock them for not liking them. In fact, that was one detail I definitely liked.
(2)
Bob M.
Very good & authentic israeli kosher restaurant in the northeast. The falafel was very good, reasonably priced. The laffas are huge! I had to save half for later. A good variety of food, both vegetarian and meat (lamb, chicken) dishes so both meat-eaters & vegetarians should be happy. Service was good. They also have turkish coffee, which was pretty good.
(4)
Zanna H.
I have been here several times and it is pretty consistent. I enjoy the falafel in a pita the most. But the laffa sandwiches are good as well. Just be warned that they are very large. I like their hummus it is nutty and flavorful. The salad portions are generous but nothing special for the price. Stick to the sandwiches to get more bang for your buck. The staff is very friendly and the pace is leisurely so don't expect to zip in and out on a lunch hour. They are kosher with Rabbi on site. Also they keep the sabbath so they close early on Fridays and are closed all day Saturday. They are byob but will only open/permit kosher wines.
(4)
Danan R.
Slightly pricier than other kabob places in the area, but I love the chopped liver and tender, deliciously seasoned lamb kabob. Plus, the Israeli salad rivals Zahav's and the Turkish coffee is excellent. The best kosher option in the area, for sure.
(5)
Walter C.
If you're looking for the real deal in Kosher food, this is the place. The salads alone are worth the visit. Service is great and very attentive. The menu has many choices. And you have to finish with the Baklava and Turkish coffee.
(4)
dennis c.
If ever want to see what a cafe in downtown Jerusalem is like dine at judah's. The menu is extensive . My wife and I are vegan so we have to find places that prepare food that is vegan. The wait staff is friendly and the food is worth putting this restaurant on your once a week list. Shalom shalom
(5)
Neil S.
Upon walking in, my family and I got the kind of double take gringos in predominantly ethnic establishments often get, but fortunately the waitstaff didn't bat an eye. Now I know how all the white guys walking into Indian restaurants feel, sorry guys! Anyways, Judah's food is for the most part rather enjoyable. The breads are incredibly fresh, perfectly toasted on the outside, and pillowy soft. They nearly melt in your mouth and the flavor lingers for quite some time. This applies to both the pita and the lafta, although I preferred the slightly thinner and softer lafta more. The hummus, though presented very elegantly, failed to impress flavorwise. Texturally it was quite creamy with just the right amount of grit to let you know you were eating chickpeas, but it needed the punch of good olive oil and a little more salt to carry it further. The complimentary pickled cauliflower and carrots were pleasantly tangy and crisp. My shawarma lafta was HUGE, bigger and more filling than a Chipotle burrito. Although the lafta was delicious, it was way too big for one person. The chicken was exquisitely spiced and the contrast between the crisp outer bits and tender inner bits was fantastic. My parents' falafel was perfectly crunchy on the outside and wonderfully soft and moist on the inside. The slightly sweet, spicy, and hearty fritters paired excellently with the sandwiches' condiments. Service was uneven, our waitress for the first half was apathetic but her tag-team partner for the second was friendly and pleasant. Judah's a bit heavy on the wallet but the food's quality is great, as attested to by the huge weeknight dinner crowd. Definitely stop by here for a great Middle Eastern sandwich on wonderful bread.
(4)
Chris S.
I want to love this place because I enjoyed the vibe and service, but the food I chose, while well-prepared and probably top-notch, wasn't my preference. The hummus was good but I've had better (this was a little bland for my taste). The shawarma lafa was the biggest thing I've seen since I saw that whale penis at the Georgia Aquarium. It weighed at least 5 pounds - no shorter than a foot. So, you do get some of your money's worth. Coke in a bottle too - score.
(3)
Karen S.
Judah is delicious and luckily right around the corner from me!! Having spent much time in Israel i can say without a doubt it's the real deal. It's kinda small but the decor is really cute!!! I really enjoyed the ambiance and the Israel radio. Order the falafel in a laffa, it's amazing. The schug (spicy sauce) is a little ketchup-y for my taste, and the prices are a little high for the amount that you get, but overall it's really tasty and a great place to have lunch. Babaganoush comes with piping hot, fresh pita bread!! Turkish coffee is wonderful too.
(4)
Stan J.
Food was excellent. Wonderful atmosphere, great Israeli music, and the service was great and lightning fast. The portions were so big! If I come back to Philly! I'm definitely making a stop here.
(4)
Shimon A.
delicious food, fresh and always served with the right seasoning. staff is friendly, and the place is nicely decorated. the hummus and shawarma is the best i tasted, and the best thing about it is that its GLATT KOSHER....
(5)
bill c.
$36 for two Judah salads with chicken? Too much $$ for my tastes. Salads were decent.
(3)
Gerald F.
nice people, great soups, nice falafel, awsome pita and laffe.
(4)
Reid F.
If you like good, fresh, Israeli food, this place is yummy. Everything is genuine, from the Shwarma that's sliced off of a vertical, rotating spit, to the amazing hummus and kebabs, and even to the Israeli-style pita. The atmosphere is more like a deli, and the food is fairly expensive, but it is also kosher and excellent.
(5)
Sam L.
Small, home-y place. Awesome lafa.
(5)
Jeffrey Z.
I've eaten here four to five times, as it fills a niche of Israeli food very nicely. The atmosphere is homey and the staff pleasant. The food ranges from good to very good, with most dishes quite tasty. Quantities are generous. Judah may lack the gourmet feel of Zahav, but it lacks the pretentiousness and high prices as well. They both have their place, but for a causal lunch or dinner in an inviting venue with reliably good food, Judah earns its place as a regular on my list.
(4)
Jon W.
I really love this place, the food is amazing. I thought the prices were a little high but the food is good enough to make up for it. I paid 10 bucks for a shwarma but it was excellent. Everything I are there was great including the desert. The dining area is also very relaxing.
(5)
C G.
Pricey but obscenely delicious. 5* for food, had schwarma and lamb kofta in a pita. Very filling compared to other similar pitas.
(4)
Ilya H.
Oh how I love this place! The most authentic Israeli restaurant in Philly. The shawarma, falafel and sabich are very authentic and highly recommended.
(5)
genya d.
Fantastic, fresh, middle eastern cuisine, Glatt Kosher, very clean and friendly. Nice, family friendly atmosphere and service, cute interior. More like an upscale deli inside, no tablecloths, but perfect for what it is. Really delicious kabobs, rice, amazing Tahina and hot sauce.
(4)
Randy K.
Today was my first visit but not my last. My Dad and I had a wonderful lunch and can't wait to sample the rest of the menu. The restaurant was very clean,the staff was lovely and our meal was delicious! Everyone should be just as happy as we were. Thanks for a great experience.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
David K.
Good food. $40 minimum credit or debit charge. The credit card company charges this business higher fees than other companies.
(3)Natalie C.
Love this place. Best glatt kosher restaurant in philadelphia. Portions are huge. Friendly staff. Very attentive. Sundays are always packed. Make sure to reserve ahead of time. Everything comes out perfect and fast, and there is always a rabbi on site. Really cute decorations too. Family business so you know you're getting the attention you deserve.
(5)Hezakiah L.
We've been going here practically since they opened five years ago since I consider their shawarma one of the best in the city.When the wife called and suggested we go have dinner at Judah's tonight,I was game as always. After five years of getting my favorite shawarma, I decided to try off the specials board since I spotted liver and onions.I ordered it with a side of green beans and a side of zucchini. This was the best liver and onions I have ever had and i've had plenty. The large amount of perfectly cooked and seasoned liver was smothered in tender,not mushy, seasoned onions. I always like the veggie sides here.They are never the boring plain oiled or steamed you find everywhere. The green beans with chopped onion was in a light sauce flavored with a hint of tomato that accented the beans instead of overpowering them with that acidic tomato tidal wave you get in many tomato base sauces.The zuke was cut in big thick pieces in an olive oil ,turmeric and other spices sauce that was great. I was stuffed after this meal and at 6'3 and 335lbs, it takes some food to fill up. So,I now have a new favorite at Judah's and if you love liver and onions,you need to get there.Looking forward to the next five years LOL
(5)Anthony L.
This past Wednesday, I had my first experience with Israeli food at Judah. I was a little nervous going in but an Israeli client of mine was taking my wife and I out to celebrate our recent wedding, and he insisted that this place was authentic and delicious. I can't vouch for the authenticity, but I can definitely confirm the deliciousness! We started off with pitas a slew of different salads. The potato salad, carrot salad, israeli salad, and roasted eggplant salad were all great. I'm ususally not a big fan of potato salad OR carrots, but the way they are prepared here changed my mind at first bite. The pitas were perfect. Warm and flavorful, they were the ideal vessel to scoop up bites of the different salads. From there we moved on to a roasted eggplant appetizer, house made hummus and a falafel platter. The eggplant was unlike anything I have tasted. Very savory and smothered in a creamy and tasty sauce. The hummus was easily the best i've had, although i've only had Sabra and other store bought brands. The falafel..i'm struggling to put into words how great these were. Let's just say I wish I had about 75 of them in front of me now. For our main entree the wife had salmon and I went with the chicken shawarma. The wife loved her salmon. She couldn't rave enough about it, and salmon is her go to fish when she's feeling so inclined. The chicken shawarma piled over rice with a bit of israeli salad mixed in, is SENSATIONAL. The chicken is seasoned to perfection and roasted, then thinly sliced into piles on your plate. I have been thinking about it periodically (every 10 minutes) for the last 3 days. I need it in my life again..and soon. The interior is nice but won't blow you away. I'd probably elevate this place to 5 stars if they update the dining area. That being said, if you live in the Northeast Philly area, or you don't, or you just want to try Israeli food for the first time, check out Judah! They say you always remember your first, this place is no exception.
(4)Ciril M.
The food here is great. I had the lamb kafta kabob in a lafa and devoured it. Ask for extra hot sauce if you like it spicy. My kid had a burger from kids menu, but it's big enough adults. Service took a little longer than usual, but overall I recommend it!
(4)Syvan T.
I am absolutely obsessed with their shnitzel in a lafa or in a pita! I've been coming here for my fix for many years. My family comes from the far suburbs just for the shwarma. I took my boyfriend here one afternoon and he introduced me to the lafa. He was so excited about it because he hadn't seen it anywhere but in Israel. They are a bit pricey but it's really the only place around that we like and it's kosher, so it's worth it. If they keep making the shnitzel I'll keep coming.
(5)Kev G.
Uh I think I went to the wrong place? Got take out. Had very high hope for this place. The girl was very friendly. First it's very very expensive which I don't mind if the food is good. The food here is meh. The shawarma was very very dry. The falafel is very crisp and tasty. The baba is ok. Not the best I've had but it's ok. The pita is good not great. Better if it was served warm though. Overall wasted $25 for this and not happy.
(2)Lady E.
This place is in a strip mall and will surprise you. It has a "deli" type of feel to it with tables in the front for you to sit and eat. I also enjoyed the eclectic decorations. You don't go to this place for ambiance, you go for good food. Wow do they have delicious food! We ordered the lunch special and it came with a lot of food including vegetable soup, warm bread, meat and two sides. We had the baby chicken and shawarma for the meats. The shawarma is a mix of lamb and chicken. This such a delicious and tender shawarma. My partner has tried a lot of shawarma from a variety of places and he stated that "this was one of the best shawarma he has ever had." The tahini sauce was spot on. The white rice was cooked perfectly and was yummy. Trust me, I am very critical of rice being an experience Latina rice cooker. I was surprised at the high prices on the menu but, after we ate the food, we decided that it was well worth the price for the care that went into the food. This was authentic Mediterranean food. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did! The waitress (possibly the owner's daughter?) was so sweet and provided excellent service. See you guys again.
(5)Ryan A.
They have great falafel and nice strong coffee to go along with it. Bring cash to pay for anything less than $20.
(5)Kelley M.
Never had a shawarma before here so I can't compare to anyone else's, but it was pretty yummy. I'll allow my boyfriend to force me to come here again. Service was great even though they had 2 large parties taking up most of the seating.
(4)Inga R.
This Is my frist time here and the place is pretty small and cozy. The service here was great and the food came out fast. It's BYOB but make sure it's something kosher or they won't let you drink it. Everything was delicious but my roasted eggplant app was AMAZING. Very good food, will be back.
(5)Elliot P.
Love Judah! Came here a while ago with a big group of people and honestly, no one liked it as much as my wife and I did. The service was fine, the decor was nothing special. The food though - terrific. I've been here a few times, and each time I get something different. The kafta kabobs and the shawarma are what I remember the most though. They were some of the best I've ever had. I don't how some people don't like this food. Yes, it's expensive, but it's just full of flavor, juicy, just everything you want in a meal. The bread is warm and fluffy; the hummus is creamy, the meat is high quality and cooked to perfection. It's Kosher, so it's great if you are or have to eat with people who are. For me, it's annoying because they're closed on Friday night and Saturdays. I'm not sure if they open up after Shabbat on Saturday night, but I think I remember checking and they don't. Also, make sure you're coming with someone who eats meat. As far as vegetarian items are concerned, there isn't a lot to choose from. The wife used to eat only vegetarian and fish, and the only thing she could eat here was the falafel. I don't know that fish is generally only served with dairy and this is a meat restaurant, but there's no reason (that I know of) why they can't serve fish. I've been to plenty a kosher restaurant that does serve fish with meat.
(5)Pourio L.
Not bad when it comes to Jewish/Israeli Mediterranean style foods. I've actually been to Israel and had all of the foods that this place offered so in a small way, I guess I was comparing foods from the motherland to out here in suburbia Philadelphia. I found their chicken shawarma to be much better than their falafal (even though normally I'm a huge falafal fan). There was decent amount of flavoring and freshness and the chicken was grilled just right. Service was good and friendly. No complaints but at the same time, the food didn't really blow me away or impress me tremendously. I would probably go again but it'd be because there's really not much else that's good to eat around here. Parking: Large shared lot Price: $8-$18 per person Wait: Few minutes to get seated
(3)Nathaniel G.
****Note: This is a review of the catering Division of Juda**** I attended a Bat Mitvah last night that Judah catered. Being a catering director for numerous companies there were many things lacking. I tried as much as I could to analyze service, food, etc...as I am seeking a caterer for my Son's comming event. As I have eaten at Judah before and enjoy Mediterranean food, I was far from impressed. They had thier hummus, which I love, Lamb Kufta (Kebab), Chicken Shawarma... COCKTAIL HOUR They had some sort of soup with root vegetables in it but no bowls! When I asked the server if they could bring out some bowls they said that the soup goes over the cous cous on a small flat plate. It was very hard to eat. There were utensils (forks, spoons and tongs) for every different item, BUT...caterer did not put them in thier respective bows/serving platters (Big Mistake!). So when the onslaught of 200 guests came into the room guests were putting 2 or 3 spoons into the same salad!! I had to remove a spoon from one platter and use it on another platter!!! This causes contamination and me, being allergic to gluten, I didn't want to really eat ANYTHING because I didn't know which utensil had been in another serving bowl and what food it had already come into contact with. YOU must have designated serving utensils for each item and PLEASE put it in the item it goes with so this confusion and disorganization does not happen!! I even asked a server why he didn't put the serving utensils in the food that it goes with. She had told me that they had originally set it up that way, but the owner came out and told them to take serving utensils OUT OF THE PLATTER?!?! Also, there were "Back of the House" tongs on the buffet!!! You know, the ones with the melted plastic handles on top of the stainless steel!!! COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE! Then there were two different types of cocktail plates!! If you don't oprder all the same plates AT LEAST, let the round ones run out instead of having round and square plates on the buffet at the same time! DINNER Beautiful gold chargers were set on the Dining Tables. After the Appetizer/Salad course the servers cleared the chargers as expected. But then 10 minutes later they came out and put the chargers back on the table!! They should have kept them back in the kitchen. If a mistake was made and the Supervisor wanted them left on the table, then oh well!! Once you clear something (a dirty plate or DIRTY CHARGER) you don't RETURN IT TO THE TABLE!!! Especially when you don't know which charger goes onto what seat setting!!!!!! I got back a charger with fingerprints on it, AND THEY WEREN't MINE!!! Lost my appetite. I ordered the steak. It came out dry and tough. The sauce was ok. But the most embarrassing thing of all was that the servers took our food orders, it was a 3-way choice, and then they "waved," the food!!!! Meaning that all the servers carried two plates each and kept coming in waves to serve the entire room. SOO, the right number of fish and steak came out to our tables but no one knew who got what!!! Very messed up. I felt bad for the servers! They did the best they could in spite of the bad setup. You should not serve in a WAVE if it is a choice entree, no way. The plus of the night was the service, it was great. I actually tried to hand my server a $10 bill and he replied, "We are well taken care of by our boss, he is generous to us." I was shocked!!! Never heard this before... but I figured the servers were trained to say this and I insisted he take it, but he said, "That's not necessary sir." Then here's what happened. I left my cell phone at the location accidentally. I had to drive back and get it. As I was walking up the ramp I saw our server leaving. He looked upset. I asked him what was wrong. He said "Nothing Sir." Then I insisted he tell me. He said that the owner of Judah had promised them an hourly wage and gratuity. But after the event they were given an hourly wage and told to leave with no gratuity! I was shocked, I said to the server well your boss will surely take care of you tomorrow, right? Our server said no, this was the first time he met the owner, and this was his first job with him! I told him he did a wonderful job and I was sorry the owner lied to him, I gave him the $20 and this time he accepted. This company needs to get it together. Get thier priorities straight. Bring in someone to teach them how to cater, just the basics. The one highlight of the evening, the servers, seemed to be mistreated and lied to! I was upset when I came back and ran into our server. The stinginess was alarming, it makes me question the character of the owners of this company. I didn't have a YELP account until now. But I HAD to create one in order to make this post because I felt so compelled to. I will not be using them for my son's party and I probably won't go the the restaurant either.
(1)Kasia A.
Awesome place! I have been craving Israeli food for so long! This place was just as good as Israel! The staff was very nice and I felt like I was back in Israel it was just great!
(5)Lisa B.
Very yummy food! We had the lunch special and really enjoyed every bite! However, it was a bit pricey for lunch.
(4)Jeanine P.
Loved the atmosphere, staff was very friendly and the food was OUT OF THIS WORLD! A friend posted a pic on FB and I knew we'd be checking it out and we we're NOT disappointed. The hummus was the best I've ever had and the falafel was incredible. I'd definitely recommend the carrot and cabbage side dish and save room for some rum balls for dessert!
(5)Tuff Cook E.
I learned one important thing from eating here - I don't need to eat liver again. I wanted to try it one last time, I did, I think I'm set for life now - that taste really stays in your mind. It was prepared very well, this is not a slight on the restaurant, I'm just saying.... We're not Jewish and so didn't know that although this restaurant is a byob, no wine is kosher (unless it's been prepared super specially). But, our waitress informed us that all beer is kosher, so we popped to the pizza place next door to get beer. Apparently they don't allow anything nonkosher in their restaurant even if they aren't the ones drinking it. Non-kosher vapor smells? bad mojo? I dont know- but, it's their place so..... Sadly because we were there on for dinner they do lot allow you to order any sandwhiches, pitas, or shwarmas. So we had to get full on meals even though I had read that the shwarma was the thing to get. So my partner got the mixed meat grill (with liver) and I got a meditteranean platter of hummus, pita, babaganoosh, etc. It was very good and fresh. The prices are really high though. I live in Philly and we have a lot of halal places that serve similar foods - shwarma, shiskebobs, pitas, etc .. and they are abour 1/3 of the price here. Might be because we had to both order full meals. Still, just 2 of us - no apps and no dessert it was over $50. And this is not a 'fancy' place. Not the place to go for a romantic meal either - it is all one room, lots of families with lots of kids.
(3)Ted L.
very good food and service, being there so many times mostly for lunch. little pricey but we love the love so we don't mind
(5)Jen W.
My new favorite middle eastern food! My family and I ordered the appetizer platter (hummus, Israeli salad, falafel, fries), lunch special (shawarma, cold slaw, fries, vegetable soup), shawarma in a pita, and Judah burger. They all tasted amazing. Fresh and crisp. Pita bread was heaven in carb form. Loved the hummus! The chef and the owner both came by our table personally to see if we enjoyed our meal. Service was great. The place is small but so cozy and comfortable.
(5)Wael B.
I only come here for the shawarma. The reason is because it is the BEST place for shawarma in the city. I'm middle eastern and eating shawarma is my hobby. I have been to every place that serve shawarma in the city and this is the best place. Its not on the expensive side but it is worth it.
(5)Aryeh W.
Amazing food, fresh, tender, tasty..., not too oily , spiced to perfection. The Shwarma is perfect. So is shish- kebab. Service is Excellent! Bottom line awesome food!!!!!!! I defitly recommend, if you looking for a awesome Israeli restaurant? This is the place.
(4)raquel s.
Excellent service from a young college kid getting ready to go back to school. Unfortunately, I just had this sandwich in Italy, and then in NYC after wandering off the street because it looked amazing. I was hoping carefully searching for a place with chicken shwarma would provide an even better result than my random find. For some reason, I didn't take the name into consideration, and when I saw Mediterranean Restaurant, I was surprised to find out they only serve Israeli food. That means no tatziki sauce. Tahini and hummus instead. Not the worst thing, but a surprise. The chicken shwarma did come off of the spit. It was ok.. the pieces were a bit thin and lacking in salt. The pita bread is packaged--it was soft but really lacked that homemade/fresh flavor and feel. In Philly, I always thought the bread makes the sandwich... I was disappointed that the lamb kabob was actually like little fried/grilled lamb sausage patties. They were red (raw) in the center so I had to send them back. They were pink the second time around. They did send out some pickled vegetables. I never had vegetables I didn't like before until I tried these. Not too many places give you something like that for free, just for being a dining guest, so I definitely won't knock them for not liking them. In fact, that was one detail I definitely liked.
(2)Bob M.
Very good & authentic israeli kosher restaurant in the northeast. The falafel was very good, reasonably priced. The laffas are huge! I had to save half for later. A good variety of food, both vegetarian and meat (lamb, chicken) dishes so both meat-eaters & vegetarians should be happy. Service was good. They also have turkish coffee, which was pretty good.
(4)Zanna H.
I have been here several times and it is pretty consistent. I enjoy the falafel in a pita the most. But the laffa sandwiches are good as well. Just be warned that they are very large. I like their hummus it is nutty and flavorful. The salad portions are generous but nothing special for the price. Stick to the sandwiches to get more bang for your buck. The staff is very friendly and the pace is leisurely so don't expect to zip in and out on a lunch hour. They are kosher with Rabbi on site. Also they keep the sabbath so they close early on Fridays and are closed all day Saturday. They are byob but will only open/permit kosher wines.
(4)Danan R.
Slightly pricier than other kabob places in the area, but I love the chopped liver and tender, deliciously seasoned lamb kabob. Plus, the Israeli salad rivals Zahav's and the Turkish coffee is excellent. The best kosher option in the area, for sure.
(5)Walter C.
If you're looking for the real deal in Kosher food, this is the place. The salads alone are worth the visit. Service is great and very attentive. The menu has many choices. And you have to finish with the Baklava and Turkish coffee.
(4)dennis c.
If ever want to see what a cafe in downtown Jerusalem is like dine at judah's. The menu is extensive . My wife and I are vegan so we have to find places that prepare food that is vegan. The wait staff is friendly and the food is worth putting this restaurant on your once a week list. Shalom shalom
(5)Neil S.
Upon walking in, my family and I got the kind of double take gringos in predominantly ethnic establishments often get, but fortunately the waitstaff didn't bat an eye. Now I know how all the white guys walking into Indian restaurants feel, sorry guys! Anyways, Judah's food is for the most part rather enjoyable. The breads are incredibly fresh, perfectly toasted on the outside, and pillowy soft. They nearly melt in your mouth and the flavor lingers for quite some time. This applies to both the pita and the lafta, although I preferred the slightly thinner and softer lafta more. The hummus, though presented very elegantly, failed to impress flavorwise. Texturally it was quite creamy with just the right amount of grit to let you know you were eating chickpeas, but it needed the punch of good olive oil and a little more salt to carry it further. The complimentary pickled cauliflower and carrots were pleasantly tangy and crisp. My shawarma lafta was HUGE, bigger and more filling than a Chipotle burrito. Although the lafta was delicious, it was way too big for one person. The chicken was exquisitely spiced and the contrast between the crisp outer bits and tender inner bits was fantastic. My parents' falafel was perfectly crunchy on the outside and wonderfully soft and moist on the inside. The slightly sweet, spicy, and hearty fritters paired excellently with the sandwiches' condiments. Service was uneven, our waitress for the first half was apathetic but her tag-team partner for the second was friendly and pleasant. Judah's a bit heavy on the wallet but the food's quality is great, as attested to by the huge weeknight dinner crowd. Definitely stop by here for a great Middle Eastern sandwich on wonderful bread.
(4)Chris S.
I want to love this place because I enjoyed the vibe and service, but the food I chose, while well-prepared and probably top-notch, wasn't my preference. The hummus was good but I've had better (this was a little bland for my taste). The shawarma lafa was the biggest thing I've seen since I saw that whale penis at the Georgia Aquarium. It weighed at least 5 pounds - no shorter than a foot. So, you do get some of your money's worth. Coke in a bottle too - score.
(3)Karen S.
Judah is delicious and luckily right around the corner from me!! Having spent much time in Israel i can say without a doubt it's the real deal. It's kinda small but the decor is really cute!!! I really enjoyed the ambiance and the Israel radio. Order the falafel in a laffa, it's amazing. The schug (spicy sauce) is a little ketchup-y for my taste, and the prices are a little high for the amount that you get, but overall it's really tasty and a great place to have lunch. Babaganoush comes with piping hot, fresh pita bread!! Turkish coffee is wonderful too.
(4)Stan J.
Food was excellent. Wonderful atmosphere, great Israeli music, and the service was great and lightning fast. The portions were so big! If I come back to Philly! I'm definitely making a stop here.
(4)Shimon A.
delicious food, fresh and always served with the right seasoning. staff is friendly, and the place is nicely decorated. the hummus and shawarma is the best i tasted, and the best thing about it is that its GLATT KOSHER....
(5)bill c.
$36 for two Judah salads with chicken? Too much $$ for my tastes. Salads were decent.
(3)Gerald F.
nice people, great soups, nice falafel, awsome pita and laffe.
(4)Reid F.
If you like good, fresh, Israeli food, this place is yummy. Everything is genuine, from the Shwarma that's sliced off of a vertical, rotating spit, to the amazing hummus and kebabs, and even to the Israeli-style pita. The atmosphere is more like a deli, and the food is fairly expensive, but it is also kosher and excellent.
(5)Sam L.
Small, home-y place. Awesome lafa.
(5)Jeffrey Z.
I've eaten here four to five times, as it fills a niche of Israeli food very nicely. The atmosphere is homey and the staff pleasant. The food ranges from good to very good, with most dishes quite tasty. Quantities are generous. Judah may lack the gourmet feel of Zahav, but it lacks the pretentiousness and high prices as well. They both have their place, but for a causal lunch or dinner in an inviting venue with reliably good food, Judah earns its place as a regular on my list.
(4)Jon W.
I really love this place, the food is amazing. I thought the prices were a little high but the food is good enough to make up for it. I paid 10 bucks for a shwarma but it was excellent. Everything I are there was great including the desert. The dining area is also very relaxing.
(5)C G.
Pricey but obscenely delicious. 5* for food, had schwarma and lamb kofta in a pita. Very filling compared to other similar pitas.
(4)Ilya H.
Oh how I love this place! The most authentic Israeli restaurant in Philly. The shawarma, falafel and sabich are very authentic and highly recommended.
(5)genya d.
Fantastic, fresh, middle eastern cuisine, Glatt Kosher, very clean and friendly. Nice, family friendly atmosphere and service, cute interior. More like an upscale deli inside, no tablecloths, but perfect for what it is. Really delicious kabobs, rice, amazing Tahina and hot sauce.
(4)Randy K.
Today was my first visit but not my last. My Dad and I had a wonderful lunch and can't wait to sample the rest of the menu. The restaurant was very clean,the staff was lovely and our meal was delicious! Everyone should be just as happy as we were. Thanks for a great experience.
(5)