{"id":570199,"date":"2026-08-01T11:24:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/570199\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T11:24:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:24:13","slug":"good-food-with-better-prices-at-jerusalems-food-truck-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/570199\/","title":{"rendered":"Good food with better prices at Jerusalem\u2019s Food Truck Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

A little over a year ago, I was sent by In Jerusalem to cover the annual Jerusalem Food Truck Festival<\/a> (Auto Ochel) at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade, and I wrote about how I was struggling to feel normal amid the conflict with Iran.<\/p>\n

This year, I went because… I was struggling to feel normal amid the conflict with Iran.<\/p>\n

It really does drive me crazy how fast the night changes.<\/p>\n

At this year\u2019s festival, however, the goal wasn\u2019t to \u201ceat my feelings.\u201d This year, I wanted to experience the best the city has to offer.<\/p>\n

The festival provides an amazing opportunity for locals and tourists to try new foods from new places without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n

\"GoodGood food, good company, and a sunset over the promenade that doesn\u2019t cost you anything at all. (credit: Shir Perets)<\/p>\n

As one of many young Israelis with a crippling Wolt<\/a> addiction, I know all too well how expensive takeout can be these days. Much of the beauty of the festival lies in the fixed pricing: restaurants prepare a special menu with special prices, and nothing costs more than NIS 45.<\/p>\n

As it is every year, the promenade is divided into meat and dairy sections, and every truck is kosher. Unlike every year, however, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and focus on places I\u2019d never tried.<\/p>\n

Eating your feelings without breaking the bank<\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t big on the dalgona coffee trend \u2013 the whipped, ultra-sweet instant coffee foam that took over social media during the pandemic lockdowns \u2013 and I\u2019m not big on it now. So the pareve Alpro Katzuf truck for specialty coffee was a bit of a miss for me, though the caffeine boost was lovely. I picked the Kukikatzuf (NIS 25), which you should absolutely stir vigorously before drinking.<\/p>\n

The gentle breeze and setting sun made me drowsy straight out the gate, so even if it wasn\u2019t my favorite, having a drink while looking out at the gorgeous view was a great way to kick off the event.<\/p>\n

Next, I headed to the Racheli Ver Nir truck, and the pecan salted butter cheesecake<\/a> (NIS 40) was truly my winner for the night. I love a sweet and salty combination, and I will definitely be a returning customer.<\/p>\n

On the meat side, I\u2019ve actually eaten at almost every place serving this week, but tucked away at the end of the line was FR\u00c4NKCO, and so I snagged one of its Paris-style veal hot dogs (NIS 45), which honestly, probably could\u2019ve fed a family of four. Talk about bang for your buck.<\/p>\n

\"FrancoFranco Paris-style veal hot dog: Big enough to feed a family of four, probably (NIS 45). (credit: Shir Perets)<\/p>\n

Because I was unfortunately limited by what my own body could safely hold, I made sure to send some proxies to sample more options \u2013 special thanks to Omer Shamir and Maya Zanger-Shamir for their notes:<\/p>\n

The Palomino fish and chips (NIS 45) had \u201cextremely good\u201d fish, while the chips were \u201cnothing to write home about.\u201d<\/p>\n

From Super HaMizrah, the taco asado (NIS 45) was \u201csavir,\u201d so, just fine.<\/p>\n

Their favorite was Pitmaster\u2019s pit mix (NIS 45), which was described as \u201cvery very very good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hard for things to feel like ‘normal’ after over 1,000 days of war<\/p>\n

After living through over 1,000 days of war, it\u2019s hard to feel like things will ever get back to \u201cnormal,\u201d if such a thing ever existed. But as sure as the sun will rise again, the Auto Ochel returns with the summer, and for a brief period, we can enjoy the view with a good bite at a better price.<\/p>\n

Maybe that\u2019s the real trick to feeling normal again \u2013 not forcing yourself to feel okay, but finding a night out that\u2019s good enough to make you forget you\u2019re trying. The Auto Ochel isn\u2019t just a festival; it\u2019s Jerusalem\u2019s reminder that the best things in this city are still the simple ones: good food<\/a>, good company, and a sunset over the promenade that doesn\u2019t cost you anything at all.<\/p>\n

Monday, July 27 through Thursday, August 20; 6-11 p.m., Jerusalem\u2019s Armon Hanatziv Promenade.<\/p>\n

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