Hummus Eliyahu

Broochim Habaim folks to the hummus that started it all. Both from a historicity standpoint, with the first branch (sniff) being founded in 2008, and on a more personal level, with Hummus Eliyahu being an OG hummus I had tried on an early visit to Israel. I have actually had the pleasure of consuming the original first sniff in Yokneam, Israel, which, as an aside, helps prove the rule that the dirtier or more industrial an area is, the better the food will be (see: Hello Taimen in JLM gas station for further reference). This review will be of the sniff in Sarona Market. As I've said time and time again, I'm not a chain gal. I'll often say, take me to a mom-and-pop shop and I'll go home with the proprietor and make an honest woman out of his daughter. This was not that, but damn was this good. It’s a super thin hummus. Not highlighter glossy, but more of a classy marble look. The taste is unmistakable and has a 3,000-year mouthfeel to it that almost has me singing “Avadim Hayeinu, Hayeinu.” It has a pine nut richness to it without being overly heavy on tahina. The accoutrements that accompany this magical bowl of heaven are pickles and onion. The real Israelis among us know the minhag is to take the onion and dip it in the hummus (with the latter cutting the acidity of the former). I did as the Romans do, and I'll tell you my voice got 8 decibels deeper as I did it. This is a run-don't-walk hummus. Big leagues level — to the best of my knowledge, you won't find a better chain in the world.