Ishtabach

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Information About Ishtabach

About Ishtabach

The essence of Jerusalem's Machaneh Yehuda comes to New Jersey. Opened in November 2024 by Shlomo Elbaz, Ishtabach in Toms River brings you tradition and innovation, with a menu and recipes from the original location in Israel.

Shlomo was born and raised in Jerusalem, and visited the Ishtabach there weekly. Once he moved to America, he found himself missing the sounds and comforts that come from living in Israel. And more than anything, he missed Ishtabach's flavors. It was then he realized; those flavors need to come to Lakewood.

That dream became a reality when he partnered with the Israel Ishtabach to open the Tom's River location. While the restaurant stays true to the Israeli flavors, there are also slight changes to adapt to the American tastes. Even the environment has been pain stakingly designed to bring you more than a place to eat. It brings you a cultural experience like you would get in Israel.

Seated right at the center of their menu is their Shamburak, a Kurdish inspired pastry with multiple options of filling.
Each Shamburak begins with a dough base that is bruched with sesame, before being layered with mashed potatoes, slow cooked onions, and chimichurri. Filled with meat and baked, the crust comes out crisp and golden brown.

Shamburak isn't the only thing that Ishtabach is known for. Also on the menu are the Frena sandwiches. The Grilled Baby Chicken Frena specifically, served with matbucha, garlic confit, and fried eggplant, standsout with the Aioli Schnitzel Frena, both being fan favorites. Also on the list of items which has people coming back is the Asado Arancini. These fried risotto bites stuffed with pulled short rib is something guests haven't stopped talking about.

And of course, it wouldn't be an Israeli restaurant without falafel and shawarma. You can't claim to be an Israeli style restaurant without those basics, and boy do they have them. Fresh Shawarma from the spit and Falafel area always available for those cravings.

And you can't forget about their Thursday and Friday specials, filled with all the food you want for Shabbos. With Leil Shishi spreads featuring chulent and Kugel, and Friday lunch with the uber popular Schnitzel Challah and more, it rounds out the menu with a Shabbos flair.

The atmosphere inside envelops you in the Israeli essence. The Jerusalem stone accents and arched doorways create an environment that reminds you of your time in Israel. And the thing that ties it all together, the open kitchen, gives you a sense of involvement and theater, letting you watch your dish go from thought to reality. Shlomo, and the entire Ishtabach team, look forward to seeing you so you can enjoy the dream.

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