Merkaz

I was not a big fan of the lamb sandwich I decided to try out during my first visit to Merkaz because it was extremely salty - not sure if this was the condiments in the sandwich. Also the meat was extra well done. I did however enjoy the coffee.

WARNING: Every Bill is 15% higher than marked b/c there's a surprise 10% fee on every bill that's applied after 8% tax and then the suggested tip is based on that double-inflated amount. Even though the food is good, and the service is friendly, that does not overcome the nasty surprise. There's no notice when you sign the ipad. There's no notice on the menu at the cash register. The only notice is on one of 5 or 6 different overhead boards with menu items and prices. So, if you don't look at the right one AND see the notice, you'll be surprised AFTER you pay and get a receipt which is where the overcharge is revealed. As a result of all this, I give 1 star and put it on my gMaps List "Places to Avoid." The food is very good, BUT NOT Good enough to overcome this because you can get as good Israeli food and middle eastern food nearby without the nasty surprise. What's worse is that this customer-service blunder is completely avoidable. Just drop the surcharge and raise all your prices by 10%. Then you won't deliver a nasty surprise.

Great addition to midtown village! Hummus and schnizel were delicious. I can't wait to try everything else on the menu. Service was also on point. I will be back soon.

Great tasting food! They have a few seats outside. Online order was placed and finished right on time. In person ordering available too. Wish they sold the humus smaller size.

Breakfast: ordered the 'Egg on Pita' and a cappuccino to go. The cappuccino was mild but well flavored. Now the breakfast sandwich was great. It is a unique offer in Philly, with a tangy yogurt sauce, a thyme forward herb mix, and the cucumber/tomato salad some of you will recognize from Goldie. The sandwich was ate 20 minutes after it came off the grill and was still amazing. Can't wait to try their lunch offerings!

This place was recommended to me by a friend and lived up to the hype! The hummus was fantastic and as creamy as Zahav’s in my humble opinion. The brussel sprouts were the special with it the day we went and it was incredible! The lamb pita was recommended to me and did not disappoint! The drinks were also amazing. The Yemenite latte was full of flavor. I loved it, but beware if you don’t like cardamom.

I live across the street from this place and have been watching in anticipation over the last few months as it's been coming together. Got to try it out on day one and was pleased with the short wait both to order and then for the food which I took to go. The guy who took my order was very knowledgeable of the food which was helpful for me, having no idea what hummus foul was. I heard that Zahav, the sister restaurant has some heavenly hummus, so I knew I had to try this particular iteration. It did not disappoint. On another level. I also got the Yemenite Latte. Very tasty subtle flavor. I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu... I'm excited about their breakfast that they serve til 11.

Love this super authentic Israeli street food restaurant. Reminds me of the pitas I've had in Israel. There are good veg and meat options. Seating is limited so it gets really packed. Not a good place to go with groups. Weekday lunch time was more crowded than a weekend evening, 6:30pm about half an hour before close. It's over priced but the quality lives up to the $9-12 for a pita stuffed with veggies, salad, meats, hummus, etc. Would not recommend take out if you're going more than a few blocks because the pita will get very soggy.

Small menu, but def helps with decision fatigue! lol Got the lamb pita sandwich and really enjoyed it! The pita is soft/pillowy while still having great structural integrity! The pita was able to hold all of the ingredients without ripping! The pita sandwich included a mix of cucumbers/tomatoes and tehina. The lamb was a little too salty, but still very tasty! Service is outstanding here! My friend and I were talking about what to order and one of the workers must have overheard us contemplating over whether or not we should order the shakshuka. He came to tell us that the oven wasn't working so they couldn't make shakshuka :( he apologized and later they got the oven to work and they brought us shakshuka on the house :,( this was so sweet and I was taken aback by the kind act. The shakshuka was warm and perfectly spiced. It came with two seasoned pita breads! I would definitely come back here! Quick & casual spot to grab a meal w/ excellent service.

I was really looking forward to coming here, since I have friends that are completely obsessed, but this was just not my favorite place from Michael Solomonov. As someone who is completely obsessed with Dizengoff, I was just hoping this would be the same. I tried the chicken hummus dish and the chicken was delicious and the pita was delicious, but the hummus was just average. I think I would definitely return for the chicken pita, but maybe just not try the chicken hummus again. The inside decor was also really pretty and bright with fresh plants hanging from the ceiling. They also have outdoor seating, which was great.

Absolutely delicious, best hummus ev err! If you're looking for a quick casual bite to eat, but not just anything -- you want something special... this is it! Mike Solomonov does it again. You can get a pita sandwich, or choose to have it over hummus with the option of pita or cucumber on the side along with a seasonal chopped salad. We got 1 Cauliflower and 1 Sabich (Eggplant) both over the best hummus ever (Yes I know I repeated myself). Both were absolutely delicious, but my favorite of the two was the eggplant. It was just something different than I've ever had before. The warm crispy eggplant over the creamy hummus made me weak at the knees. The staff was nice and helpful when ordering and our meals came out quickly. I really enjoyed the aesthetic of the space, it has a modern but authentic feel.

Counting down until I go back. I have had this on my List for awhile and so glad I finally got to go and I want to go back. I ate this so quickly and loved each bite. I will be back. The staff also was amazing!

I love love love Michael Solomonov places. We were in center city for some work and it felt like the most perfect time to try Merkaz. It's very sandwich/ salad kind of a place. Staff is extremely friendly. There is seating inside and outside. We opted to eat outside. They also have salatims to purchase. The sandwiches come in small containers that make them a little difficult to eat. They look cute, don't get me wrong, but I think it could have been packaged better. Overall, I definitely recommend this place.

My best friend raved about this place so I made sure to check this place out while visiting Philly. I ordered the cauliflower bowl since I'm a pescatarian and loved every bite. I typically am not the biggest fan of pickles, beets or cauliflower so I was so happy that I was able to enjoy every aspect of my meal. Would definitely come back here again!

A wonderful addition to the various Solomonov Ventures. It probably ranks above Goldie, Lazor Wulf, but below Zahav. Being able to get the salatim At a non-Zahav venue Is incredible. Still, they do taste slightly inferior to the original versions and they really need to bring back the Philly vegan cheese steak

This is the place in center city Philadelphia for Israeli fast food. My friend treated me and I decided to get a couple new items this time (all of which were amazing). Highly recommend the shakshuka if it is a weekend. It comes out in a little skillet. The hummus is amazing as well. It was probably one of the best hummuses I have ever tried. The mint tea was good but I would have preferred if they got rid of some of the leaves before serving this. The leaves just kept getting in my mouth and kind of ruined the experience.

Oh man. So good. Yelp brought me here the first time, but the delicious food brought me back. I've fed my family with takeout here, so we've tried a lot of the menu. The cauliflower is great. The eggplant is good. The chicken is good. Fresh food with quality ingredients and plenty of flavor. Their pita is delicious. And the salatim are my favorite things. The salads are fresh and super-flavorful and are the reason I dream about Merkaz. The cabbage salad and the carrot salad are fantastic. My husband has enjoyed their house made sodas as well.

Delicious food! I came here with a couple of friends for lunch, and we shared a few items: - Sabich Hummus Platter - Smash Kebab Hummus Platter - Chicken Schnitzel Salad I had heard the Sabich was really good, but I was nervous, as I had some when I was in Israel, and not much can compare. However, the Sabich was amazing, the eggplant was perfectly crispy, and you cannot go wrong with hummus at a Michael Solomonov restaurant. Absolutely a must! The smash kebab was also really good. Tons of flavor and a the kebab is decent size. The Chicken Schnitzel Salad was another excellent option. The chicken was cooked perfectly and I loved the crust it had. the salad was delicious, crisp fresh lettuce, and a tasty dressing. Pita came with the two hummus platters, it was soft and warm and perfectly fluffy. The pita at Michael Solomonov restaurants tend to be my favorite pitas in the city. We did not try any sandwiches, as we figured that would be tough to share, but I would 100% come back for more platters and to try the sandwiches and other menu items. Their hot sauce is also fantastic, I would recommend trying some. it packs a punch, but I love a good amount of spice. If you enjoy some heat, it definitely will enhance your meal to the next level. Pro tip: always order extra pickles, the pickles are amazing and I personally cannot get enough of them! A small, casual place with super friendly staff and great food.

Love their food! I first came here through a Yelp event, and I'm SO glad they brought Merkaz to my attention because I've definitely returned since then. The food is so flavorful - my favorites so far have been their hummus and sandwiches. I love that they have great vegetarian options as well. Their interior is also simple and somewhat small but clean and inviting. It's set up well as a lunch/to-go spot, but I'm just bummed that they close so early; not really a viable spot to eat dinner there with friends because it closes by 6pm. Price point is solid and great to have another delicious Solomonov option around!

Michael Solomonov can do no wrong, he has enriched the Philly food scene. Pro tip- if you can't get a rez at Zahav and are craving their yummy hummus, go to dizengoff or Merkaz! Merkaz is a more fast food kind of joint with no more than 3-4 tables and high top counters. The menu is divided into breakfast lunch and dinner, breakfast is served from 7-11, the regular pita sandwiches are available from 11 to close, with za'atar chicken dinners from 4-7. We have only ever been there for lunch and tried the hummus, chicken schnitzel sandwich and lamb sandwich, truly light and delicious. Another regular told us that we can get the sandwiches in a bowl and dip the pita. I was lucky enough to try their coffee and it is oh my gosh! Must try. Eat away Philly!

For some reason I just got around to trying this place out. Another Solomonov hit! We went for lunch and had the Tehina chicken salad bowl, the smash kebab pita sandwich, the sabich (eggplant) hummus platter, and a side of the beets which was the daily salatim that day. I also had the hibiscus grapefruit gazoz. Everything was very good. I especially liked the smash kebab sandwich (packed with flavor) and the hummus platter we got. Everything was fresh. Definitely recommend the sandwiches and hummus platters for lunch! I'll have to come back to try the dinner options.

Went here to sample as a Yelp elite event. Then I realized OMG this wasn't just another middle eastern spot but a solomonov israeli eatery. How did I miss out on this place? So I've come back again. They need an app like at Goldie so I can build on the rewards from draining my bank by eating all of their stuff... now I'm craving K'Far pastries again I haven't tried any of their meat dishes but I loved the eggplant-Sabich, and the cauliflower shawarma and was recommended from all the salads the carrots and chickpeas as was told they are in limited rotation. I was browsing my cookbooks Zahav and Israeli Soul and see so much of the menu can be recreated made at home too. My Moroccan friend was super happy with this place and it is well worth the $10 for sandwiches and $5 for salads. The pitas were stuffed generously with cucumber salad or cabbage and the sauces paired deliciously with the ingredients. I didn't miss meat at all. The only thing I wished I had was a Tehina shake from Goldie to go with this I will be back when craving more!

There may be a line out the door when you get here, but it is well worth it! I had the lamb pita sandwich the first time I was here and it was seriously delicious. Make sure to try the harissa and green sauces as well. It's slightly on the pricey side for lunch but not bad for the quality ($9-13 without sides or a drink). The line does move relatively quickly. If you're coming for lunch try to get there before noon to avoid the rush!

Solomonov & Cook at it again! Mercaz is a pita sandwich shop also located in Center City. Great for a casual meal with friends, though the restaurant setting isn't as conducive to group seating as Dizengoff or Goldie are. Came in at 5:30pm on a Friday evening with 4 of my friends, and it wasn't crowded - maybe 6-8 other folks in the restaurant. Atmosphere: Well-lit and casual atmosphere. I see this being a popular casual lunch spot / super busy during lunchtimes. When we went, our orders came out within 5-10 minutes. Servers were friendly, and there's an open kitchen view. Group seating wasn't great - there's only one table that can seat ~5-6 to one table. The rest are all on high-chairs, but in one row vs. a table - in total, there's maybe room for 15-20 people total. I'd recommend smaller groups (max 4) come during busy times. Food: Nothing absolutely WOW'ed me like Dizengoff's hummus or Goldie's tehina milkshakes, but I would come back for the lamb pita sandwich - it's crispy lamb, stuffed in a pita pocket with tomatoes and cucumber. And a pickle on the side. Overall, quite filling! There were some inconsistencies among the orders - 2 of my friends also got the lamb sandwich - one of their pitas quickly fell apart, and the sauces dripped out from the bottom. Mine was mostly intact, though the pitas get a bit soggy at the end with the sauce. Still tasty though! Also recommend trying their hibiscus grapefruit gazoz - flavored sparkling water/soda. Not too sugary - on the light and refreshing side. Overall: 4/5 - While I think I'll still frequency Dizengoff or Goldie more, this was a great addition to Philly. I'll be back for a tasty pita sandwich - I'd love to try their other toppings as well. Just not during busy lunch times!

This is an awesome lunch or light sinner spot. Don't mind me I am a weirdo and love adding peas and corn to a lot of things that most people don't think need them.. So in the picture, those do not come in the dish! For $11 I got cauliflower shwarma hummus platter. Decent amount of hummus and it is so delicious. Cabbage, a pickle, and two good sized pitas. A new favorite.

Fantastic hummus. Easily the best I've had in Philly. I do wish the chicken salad were less salty, and that everything (from the beet to the cauliflower) were more regularly stocked. The roast chicken and the whole cauliflower require a full 24 hrs notice. I get it - but also, can you guys simply have a few on hand at all times? Or at least prepared and ready to sell? I don't plan a day ahead like this... perhaps I should, but it's not my style. On top of that - salatims are regularly out of stock. Additional categories of food items would make this a must have weekly place. The hummus alone is enough to get me to order it for delivery anyway, but they'd have more of my money with additional categories for sides and meals. All in all - Merkaz is far superior imo to dizengoff and Goldie. In fact, Dizengoff at Whole Foods gave me food poisoning once (around 5 years ago?) and I swore never to come back. Merkaz renewed my faith in the restaurant group. It's so dang good. Just stay away from the eggs (my friend also have a haminado egg and felt sick afterward). I don't understand the business model - but the food is damn good.

Really solid and as expected from a CookNSolo restaurant. Pita is fresh and has that perfect amount of chew to it. The egg and veggies inside the sabich pita was either all very well prepared. Egg was perfect hard boil and seasoned. The eggplant was fried but not over fried. The fresh cucumber & tomatos were just that, fresh. The sauce was also as expected. All in all it was a nice lunch. I didn't experience any line issue but can see how it will be super packed and hard to manuever inside when there is a lunch rush.

Merkaz is an incredible addition to the Solomonov family of restaurants in Philly. It's adorable inside, the huge floor to ceiling bay windows are a great touch and I love the consistent sort of branding and colors they have with the menu (similar to Diz's and Goldie's). The food is amazing - we had the sabich (fried eggplant) pita sammie to split with a selection of salatim (which they let us pick, so we opted for the beets, eggplant, and chickpeas) and hummus with a marinated egg and fava beans. The fried eggplant was an absolute delight, and the pita bread was soft and fluffy and perfect. The marinations on everything and the bursts of flavor with all of the salatim were perfect companions to our pita sandwich. The hummus is of the same quality and perfection of the hummus at all other Solomonv joints. Merkaz is in my opinion what I want Goldie's to be - it's got your pita sammies but much more, and the option to have salatim with your meal is perfect. Zahav also does this, but Merkaz has this at a very casual atmosphere, and also in a way that lets you get a great taste of Israeli cuisine minus the huge lines and really hard to get reservations of Zahav. They've got Jerusalem bagels with labneh, a variety of other great pita sammie options, and of course, Yemenite lattes. You absolutely have to stop by and give it a try - there's tons to enjoy all for extremely reasonable prices.

The sandwiches are pita based. I tried the egg sandwich as well as chicken schnitzel. Both are well seasoned with spices with fresh veggies including chopped cucumber to give a crunch. The chicken schnitzel isn't breaded, tender and not dry. The salatim has very strong spice. Hummus is really smooth, highly recommended

I think this concept from Michael Solomonov is pretty cool. Simple menu placing Israeli ingredients at the forefront. I've eaten here twice now, getting the sabich (eggplant) my first time and the cauliflower on my latest visit. I was pretty happy with both, but don't find myself especially eager to go back necessarily. I think the best part is the Dizzengoff hummus. I'm not at all upset with the shop, but don't think it's worth going out of my way for at the end of the day.

I stopped by after a workout to fuel back up (eat back my calories) since I've gotten this as a rev from several people. And...I hate how much I like it. This is probably my favorite now behind k'far. All of the Solomonov places are a bit pricey like in the $20 ish range for lunch so if you're cool with that, cool cool. Small tables and bar seating, there were also a lot of to go orders like mine. I got the hibiscus grapefruit soda like drink and wow it was so refreshing. This is gonna be an addiction. I got the lamb pita sandwich and wowowow yeah, I'm hating that it's not two half's of a pita but also thinking yeah this is enough or I'd be fat eating this all the time. The lamb was perfectly seasoned with a bit of char and chew. I loved it paired with the assortment of cabbage, cucumbers and tomatoes. Already thinking about this sandwich again right after I ate it. Might have to make it a weekly thing.

Excellent fast lunch! I walked by here and stopped in for a fast lunch today. I had the Sabich hummus platter. The fried eggplant was delicious! The hummus is wonderful, topped off with a hard-boiled egg, drizzled with olive oil, and accompanied by pita bread. Also a side salad with a pickle. Amazing!

Solid first experience with Merkaz. As a lover of Middle Eastern cuisine, this place has been on my radar for a while. Yesterday I decided to place a delivery order for lunch. There are two chicken options - schnitzel (fried) or chicken salad. Honestly, I would have preferred a simple grilled chicken, but I went with the chicken salad. It was tasty, and I loved the addition of some crunched up potato chips, but I felt like something was missing. The pickle on the side, adorably wrapped in a tiny paper bag, was a great add-on, however. I also ordered a side of hummus because, a) never miss an opportunity to get some of Solomonov's hummus and, b) it was only five bucks for an eight ounce container! Looking forward to trying more of the menu.

Lamb shawarma and chicken schnitzel pita are fantastic. Now let's talk about something special. Grab a $6 to go chicken tahini side and a fork and have your mind blown! Enjoy/you're welcome

Soooo good! My favorite is the sabich pita. They have an interesting selection of drinks too.

The Sabich pita was TO DIE FOR. The fried eggplant had a mix of creamy and crunchy textures, and all of the flavors were mindblowing. Definitely go here.

Another Solomonov hit! The pita sandwiches here are packed with flavor. The pitas themselves are soft, light and fresh. The lamb pita is good but the new mushroom cheesesteak is amazing! The mushrooms have a great meaty texture that should satisfy the pickiest carnivores. Combined with the tartness from the pickles and spicy kick from the peppers the flavors of the mushroom cheesesteak are just divine.

Tasty fast-casual concept from Cook n Solo. There's a lot of similarity between these dishes and ones at Zahav. Decent alternative if you're craving this kind of food nearby. I had the eggplant pita - the eggplant's fried exterior was a bit soggy and the whole thing was tough/bland. Was a bit disappointed with this one, but along with the toppings and pita it sort of made up for it.

Before covid-19 I was planning to stop here for lunch. I'm working from home now and it finally hit me that I can get lunch from Merkaz delivered. I ordered the lamb pita. I don't know the full list of ingredients stuffed in that pita with the lamb, but it all meshed together perfectly. The lamb itself was cooked perfectly. I devoured that tasty sandwich quickly and I'm looking forward to my next order.

Exceptional. Had the lamb shawarma. Not at all gamey and the meat had such a nice buttery crisp. The toppings were also not overwhelming and distracting of the taste of the sandwich but rather complimentary. A spot that lived up to the hype. Unfortunately for $15 a sandwich it's not a place to frequent. However definitely a delicate treat for every once in a while.

WOW! I am OBSESSED with hummus here! It's from the same folks that brought us Zahav and Dizengoff, so of course it's the same wonderful hummus, just now accessible without a 3 month wait for a table! Though their open times are somewhat limited. The restaurant is self-service with seating that gets taken up quickly on busy days. Must orders are the Hummus Foul (breakfast only) and the lamb pita sandwich (delicious and very hearty). I wasn't a fan of the chicken schnitzel. Prices are on the more expensive side but the food is great quality. I can't wait for it to re-open after the coronavirus because I'm craving their hummus so bad!

Amazing hummus and pita bread. Quick and friendly service. Cute interior cafe style. Perfect for a casual lunch.

Merkaz is delicious. I could live off their lamb and be happy as a clam. Served with grilled onions and peppers, tehina with a slight kick to it, Israeli salad (ok well no salad for me), and placed in a perfectly sized pita, the lamb is infused with such a delicious grilled charcoal flavor that it keeps me coming back for more. The also have great hummus at Merkaz a la Dizengoff. When we went most recently we were lucky enough to score Brussels sprouts as the topping and it was to die for. And Merkaz also has a great selection of side items like beets that you can enjoy with your meal, so really Merkaz might be more accurately called Dizenkaz. If they only decided to start serving those addictive fries from Goldie, then my meal would be the perfect trifecta of Goldiedizenkaz. Not that I am dropping any hints or anything like that :)

[to the tune of "Beautiful People" by Ed Sheeran] Philly on a chilly day in the winter, Need to get warm from the inside out And I just have a feeling This is the spot to eat when you are downtown (Round here) everybody's looking for some sabich And they wanna know the best in town In Center City, you can't beat the one at Merkaz Don't mind the lines, this pita's like a cloud This hummus, so good Schnitzel makes me melt I could use some help Ordering everything on the menu It's all made so fresh And the shawarma, fire I never have leftovers.... Beautiful pitas. Tight space, fly jams always playing in the background, and gazoz so refreshing they'll knock your socks off: Merkaz is a win for me. The pitas were so filling, I might struggle to eat a whole one on a normal weekday, but my brother went as a kinda brunch on the weekend and it felt like such a perfect meal! We shared the sabich, hummus special, and a mixed grill, and I think I'd go back for the mixed grill again and again. CooknSolo does it again! Don't go w/ a big crew, you might struggle to find space together unless it's during off-hours!

Visiting Philadelphia and heard this was a place we should check out for breakfast. I love shakshuka but 90% of the time I am too lazy to make it myself (or too tired at 0530 to make it). Ordered 4 shakshuka because my kids decided they needed to have it in their life too (and to be honest, who doesn't?). I also ordered a Yemenite Latte. My kids had hot cocoa (and they fancified it for them, which was just great, my kids felt super special). The shakshuka hit the spot. It was about 70 degrees too cold outside and the warmth and spice of the dish was everything I needed on a freezing morning. The eggs were slightly overcooked, but that's okay, the stew more than made up for it. That latte though, you want it - trust me. It's a warm hug of a latte. If you haven't already, check this spot out, it's awesome.

Michael Solomonov has done it again. When I first heard about Merkaz, it sounded like just a marriage of Dizengoff and Goldie, but nothing terribly revolutionary or new. Don't get me wrong, I love Goldie and Dizengoff; I just couldn't fathom anything better than those Goldie falafel sandwiches. Clearly, I still have lots to learn about Israeli street food! Merkaz brings together the best of both worlds - fresh and perfectly smooth hummus and simple yet heavenly pita sandwiches packed full of flavor. What's even more exciting about this place is the fact that you can indulge in this goodness for breakfast! The pita sandwiches are available after 11am. I got the cauliflower pita sandwich, which was just perfect. I can't wait to come back and eat my way through the rest of the menu! For the LaCroix lovers out there, don't miss out on the sparkling beverage options - lemon cardamon or hibiscus grapefruit!

Merkaz is my new Solomonov obsession, though I wish it was closer to both my apartment and my office! Though I know my wallet is thankful for the distance. I came around 11:30am on a Saturday; at that time, they no longer serve breakfast and instead are serving their lunch items. I got the Sabich (fried eggplant, haminado egg, chopped salad, amba, and tehina in a pita). It was so delicious! The eggplant especially was perfect - crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I can't wait to come back to try the cauliflower pita for lunch, some of the homemade Gazoz sodas (looking at you, lemon cardamom), and try EVERYTHING on the breakfast menu!

In terms of decor and service - 5 stars all around but the food just didn't do it for me. The chicken salad pita was way too salty. My friend got the eggplant pita sandwich and she agreed her sandwich was a bit salty as well. Overall though, a very fresh hardy meal. If you in in the area, it's worth checking out.

Got the lamb shawarma hummus platter. Portion in my opinion was small for the price ($15). Honesty I felt like there was hardly any lamb and the lamb wasn't even that great....felt like I got scraps. I've had WAY better lamb shawarma. This was whatever. The hummus and sauces were good. And the pita was good too. Overall, I wouldn't try again. You can find WAY better lamb shawarma like at Saads where you get your money's worth too.

Got take out from here a couple days ago during the times of coronavirus. A fantastic dinner experience! We got the chicken dinner to go with two gazoz drinks as well. At first the price seemed a bit steep but the quality of the food and the quantity more than made up for it. EASILY enough food for 4 people (we were 2...whoops). Where to start...the hummus was fantastic. So smooth and creamy and a very large helping of it. The two side dishes were fantastic. The beets were well cooked but not mushy with great flavor. The corn dish actually might have been my favorite part of the meal! Not sure what the ingredients were but it was so delicious. Also had a small dish of mint tehina which was great as well. The chicken was fantastic. Maybe a smidge salty but great flavors and so juicy. Even the breast meat was cooked perfectly. They gave us heating instructions for when we got home which didn't ruin it at all. Pita was soft and delicious and we got 4. Staff inside were very nice and helpful. Gazoz was made fresh when I got there to pick everything up. Delicious food, great price, what else could you want! Will be back for the lamb dinner for sure.

Michael Solomonov's casual restaurants focus on doing just a few dishes extremely well, and the bright, airy Merkaz specializes in pita sandwiches, hummus platters, and salatim, prepared side dishes sitting in the refrigerated deli case. My pick from the Pita Sandwich menu was the Cauliflower Shawarma, which came with pieces of roasted, shawarma-spiced cauliflower florets, along with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and roasted veggies (onions, peppers, tomatoes), along with creamy tehina sauce and a pickle on the side. But I was an even bigger fan of the "Smash Kebab" sandwich, which featured a lean ground meat patty, which was perfectly grilled and spiced, and was served with veggies and tehina in a fluffy, chewy pita bread. I also got a side of the super creamy hummus and a salatim made of crunchy pickled cabbage mixed with a creamy, acidic dressing, along with zhoug, red onions, and dill. All the food here was fresh and delicious, showcasing the vibrant flavors of Israeli cuisine!

Will I ever be disappointed by a Solomonov + Cook restaurant? Restaurant by restaurant, I'm am more and more convinced that that's a big no. Merkaz has been on our list for a while, and after joining a Hanukkah cooking class hosted by Chef Mike himself, we were inspired to try yet another one of his ventures. We ordered take out for a Friday night - the restaurant even called a day in advance to ensure that we ordered for Friday and not Thursday, and I really appreciated this double check. I was the last person to pick up a meal that day, and I felt badly for making the staff wait to close up, but the workers were incredibly friendly and did not seem to mind at all. The space itself looks so cool - very modern decor with lots of mirrors and plants around. Can't wait to eat in person when safe to do so! Our order was ready to go, and the server made our gazoz drinks in real time - a nice touch. We don't usually order drinks to go, but we were very intrigued by the gazoz and their unique flavors. I opted for the maple lime and my fiancee for the hibiscus grapefruit. The drinks were definitely refreshing and pretty light in flavor - similar to a La Croix in the strength of flavor, but still delicious and refreshing. A nice addition to our meal and to the menu! For our meals, we both went for the lamb pita. This is a MUST! The pita itself was so fresh and light, truly some of the best pita I've had. The sandwich was overflowing with lamb, which was complimented nicely with deliciously creamy and flavorful tehina and savory peppers and onions. We both didn't want it to end, the flavors were that good. We could tell the sandwich was high quality, and the lamb perfectly meshed with the other flavors. We supplemented our meal with the daily salatim, a roasted eggplant with date and molasses. It almost tasted like candy - the flavors were so rich and nicely brought out the flavor of the eggplant while showcasing the sweetness of the molasses. Our only regret is not getting extra pita to house the salatim and to enjoy longer! Merkaz is another hit from the Solomonov family that should not be missed! I can see this being an excellent lunch spot, but also hit the spot for dinner (if you can wait that long to enjoy!). Highly recommend the lamb pita, and definitely get some extra pita to enjoy. We can't wait to revisit and hopefully enjoy our delicious meal inside the restaurant! Thanks for making the Philly restaurant scene extraordinary!

I live across the street from this place and have been watching in anticipation over the last few months as it's been coming together. Got to try it out on day one and was pleased with the short wait both to order and then for the food which I took to go. The guy who took my order was very knowledgeable of the food which was helpful for me, having no idea what hummus foul was. I heard that Zahav, the sister restaurant has some heavenly hummus, so I knew I had to try this particular iteration. It did not disappoint. On another level. I also got the Yemenite Latte. Very tasty subtle flavor. I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu... I'm excited about their breakfast that they serve til 11.

I've only tried the chicken schnitzel pita sandwich from Merkaz, but it was very tasty. It was a good size, filled with some tasty Israeli salad and a big piece of fried chicken. Not the greatest chicken I've had, but it's pretty thin so tough to keep it juicy. Very flavorful though and went great with the veggies and sauce. I'd like to go back to try the lamb next time.

Merkaz is yet another great Solomonov & Cook venture! Definitely has a more casual feel to it, similar to Goldie. My friend and I came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning (served until 11 AM) and had no problem finding seats. We got almost everything on their breakfast menu! My favorites in order were: the pita that came with our order (absolutely amazing, soft, and pillowy), Hummus Foul (warm fava beans, haminado egg, cilantro), Shakshuka (two baked eggs in a spicy tomato and pepper stew), and the Egg in a Pita (served with chopped salad, labneh, za'atar). The hummus was one of the best I've had in my life! The tomato stew in the shakshuka was also delicious. Another highlight of the meal was my Yemenite Latte! Holy moly. It has a lovely mix of cardamom, ginger, cinnamon. Do yourself a favor and get this! Service was alright. They did double charge me for something, but noticed the error on their own and corrected it. My one somewhat major regret is not getting the Salatim here. Oh well, there's always next time!

Stopped in with the family to grab a light, casual bite and we were pleasantly surprised. We usually opt to dine in more formal settings when we head to the city, but so glad we came here! There were 3 vegetarian options on the menu, and all were fantastic. The cauliflower pita was so flavorful and just mind blowing. I loved the sabich, but feel like it could have used more season, flavor, complex flavors. The mushroom cheesesteak one was so so good as well. Wish they had listed ingredients more clearly or marked what was vegan or not, because I had thought the mushroom one was vegan but had a layer of cheese in it :( other than That it's a very cute place inside, and they have delicious sodas. There's not much seating, so have a backup plan in case it's busy

Ever since Merkaz opened up, I've been waiting eagerly to have a chance to go. I finally got around last weekend late in the afternoon, excited and very hungry. For context - I've had some of the sandwiches on the menu at occasional popups they have at Dizengoff and I've loved those! From that previous experience, I wanted to get the Sabich but they had sold out! That was a bummer considering it didn't seem that late in the day! I ended up getting the Lamb Shawarma instead, and this was honestly a mixed bag. The pita held together wonderfully with the ingredients, and the combination of the seasoned lamb (slightly on the saltier side) went well with the fresh chopped up cucumber salad in the sandwich. I also really liked the Tahina - as a whole a good combo of tastes! But here's what put me off...the lamb was far too chewy! While the quantity of lamb was reasonable, the toughness of the meat was disappointing. Knowing the high standards Solmonov restaurants set, I'll give the sandwich another chance some day - but for the time being, the Sabich is what I'd love to get there for next. I'll update this review with further things I try here! On a side note - the place has a bright and airy interior, with high ceilings and plants abound. Welcoming decor, and an interesting menu.