Next year, the American burger chain Shake Shack is expected to open its first branch in Israel. This fact made us hungry for a little more fast international culinary in the Holy Land, so we sat down and thought about what other chains we would like to see in our provinces soon. The catch: Brands that don't get another chance are ones that have been here before and failed (see Starbucks, Wendy's, Nandos, Sbarro, Subway and Duncan Donuts... Did we miss someone?) Otherwise we won't get out of it. So who made the list? Open a big mouth and find out.
Five Guys – A Tale of Five Guys (and One President)
Where?
Usa.
What is being prepared?
Mostly burgers, but also hot dogs, milkshakes and a few less significant sandwiches.
Why her?
True, there is no shortage of hamburger chains in the US that have not yet lit a griller in Israel. We can count about twenty of them, some not bad at all and others even fine. But for some reason we have a special affection for Five Gays, which was founded 37 years ago and now has about 1,700 branches in North America, the Far East, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
Five Guys, Photo by GettyImages
Maybe it's her crisp but busy and delicious burgers, which come in two sizes: "small" (one patty) and "regular" (two patties), and make no mistake: the small sandwich will blow you from here to America, as you can load it with about 15 free topigins – including premium toppings like roasted mushrooms and jalapeno peppers.
Maybe it's the fresh fries cut on the spot, fried with the shell (forget frozen industrial fried) and one serving of it is easily enough for two diners. It may be peanuts, which are freely distributed as a complimentary snack (though those who are allergic must be careful). There is a chance that this is the inviting retro-diner design and it is quite possible that these are the reasonable prices - about 13 dollars (47 shekels) for a satisfying meal of hamburger, fries and free-filling drinks. Apparently, these are all the reasons together.
Another bite: Not only are we fans of Five Guys, but it turns out Barack Obama is too. It is known that the former president of the United States used to buy him and his team lunches at a branch of the chain located near the White House (Five Gays was actually founded in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.), and there are photographic records of this. "Good blas de" barbecue sauce.
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Tim Hortons - Donut balls of the Canadian hockey idol
Where?
Canada.
What is being prepared?
Coffee, donuts, pastries, sandwiches and breakfasts.
Tim Hortons, photo: PR
Why her?
It's no secret that international coffee chains that have tried to penetrate the Israeli market have failed miserably, since the local audience prefers blue and white coffee. Starbucks folded from here very quickly with the stirrer between its legs, while McCoffee Bean remained only one wayward branch in Jerusalem, which we believe is aimed mainly at tourists. Still, we'd give Tim Hortons a chance, Canada's leading coffee chain and the third largest in the world.
Her coffee is great (we order mostly the mocha), but the item on the menu that steals the show in our opinion is the "timbits" - small doughnut balls in different flavors (the excess dough from the hole, actually). From personal experience: it is possible to load a few dozen such timbitses into a colored box, and eliminate them long before the conscience realizes that it is supposed to begin to suck.
A branch of the chain in China, photo: GettyImages
Although the vast majority of the chain's 5,000 branches are located in Canada, Timiz (that's what the locals call it) can also be entered in the United States, Mexico, Britain, India, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and other countries, with branches expected to open in the Far East next year. Can we be added to the list as well?
Another bite: The network is named after Tim Horton, a legendary hockey star who founded it in 1964. Today it is owned by Burger King's parent company (RBI), which already operates in Israel, so there really are no excuses.
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Jollibee - Sweet spaghetti and tuna pie from the Philippines
Where?
The lippins, of course.
What is being prepared?
Fried chicken, burgers and spaghetti like you've never tried before.
Why her?
No, we didn't choose Filipino Network just to sound exotic. Although Julibi was founded in the Asian country in 1978, it now has about 1,500 branches around the world, not only in Asia but also in North America, Western Europe and the Gulf States. On the surface, the chain offers routine fast food dishes (burgers, chicken, etc.), but its twist is the Filipino style of the dishes, which usually boast sweet sauces with intense flavors that you won't find in other chains.
Jollibee, photo: PR
Special citations are awarded to the famous "Julie Spaghetti" dish, which swims in a thick sauce to which you can add slices of sausage and other toppings; The super crunchy Fried Chicken sandwich is recommended as a starting point, and the option to add extra rice to the dishes.
Another small bite: While the competitors usually make do with routine desserts such as apple pie or chocolate, Jolivi indulges with less banal fillings such as: mango, peach, pineapple, coconut and... Tuna?! Yes, tuna. Deal with it.
Jollibee, Photo by GettyImages
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Chick-fil-A – Flying on the chicken
Where?
Usa.
What is being prepared?
Chicken breast. Fried, grilled, in a sandwich, rap or as nuggets - anything goes.
Why her?
No tricks and no shticks - just checks. With all due respect to the breakfasts and salads also offered online, those who visit Chick-Fil-A are looking for only one thing: fresh, juicy and well-seasoned chicken breast dishes. The highlight of this American brand, founded almost 80 years ago and operating nearly 3,000 locations (the vast majority in the US and some in Canada), is its crispy, golden and juicy chicken breast sandwich. Imagine a delicately coated schnitzel, only much thicker and chunky, which also comes in an advanced Spicey edition. Order one of these two, with or without vegetables, and thank us later - just not wholeheartedly please.
The chain's chicken, photo: PR
We will also not complain about those who prefer the grilled chicken version of the dish in favor of eradicating heartburn, or will settle for a handful of nuggets. The main thing is to go all the way with the chicken.
After several unsuccessful attempts to expand to other countries, the chain has set itself the goal of opening new branches in Europe no later than 2026. It's really far from flying all the way to the United States every time.
Chick-Fil-A, Photo: GettyImages
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Nordsee – Swimming with the current
Where?
Germany.
What is being prepared?
Quick fish dishes.
Why her?
Because sometimes, believe it or not, it's better to put something relatively nutritious in your stomach. German Nordsea closes this corner for us with a menu based on fresh fish on a plate or sandwich - and even, it has sushi. Although her fish and chip cone is quite a tempting snack and the salmon burger certainly deserves a special mention, we feel best about ourselves after the salmon fillet dish with spinach and potatoes. The tuna and mozzarella salad goes too.
Nordsee, Photo: PR
Nordsee currently operates about 370 restaurants, mainly in Germany and Austria, but you will also find it in other countries throughout Europe and the Middle East (such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates). She is also invited to immigrate to Israel – by sea, of course.
Another bite: Nordsee, or at least the fishing company that later became Nordsee, was founded in Bremen, Germany in 1896. No, we weren't a hundred wrong, and that's probably what makes it the oldest restaurant chain in the world. Respect.
Nordsee, Photo: GettyImages
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