Yossef’s Laffa-Milia opened one year ago in the Community Garage on Reisterstown Road. The fully vegetarian and vegan-friendly food truck featured authentic Israeli street food items like falafel, shakshuka and delicious pita. The name Yossef’s Laffa-Milia is an ode to the family that runs the business, Yossef Shavi, his wife and children. His son-in-law Eliran also works with them.
Prior to opening the food truck, Yossef and his wife Hana were bored in retirement. They always wanted to open a food truck and incorporate different flavors from Israel. They opened Yossef’s Laffa-Milia as a way to bring their love of Israeli food to their community.
Sadly, on June 10, the Yossef’s Laffa-Milia social media accounts posted that they unexpectedly had to close due to a violation of local zoning regulations.
“We had a health inspection which passed, thank God,” Alona Shavi, Yossef’s daughter, said. “The issue was that the shipping container where we built our kitchen had no zoning, even though that shipping container had been sitting there for seven years.”
The post received over a hundred reactions, with many customers commenting their sadness.
“Oh no, the best food in town,” Simone Martini commented. “Be strong, before you know [it] everything will work out.”
Others commented with humor: “All the Dinovitz’s (who are now starving without our go to!) are sending all our support and prayers!!” Cathy Dinovitz commented.
After they closed, the Greater Baltimore community felt their absence.
“I was quite saddened to hear about the temporary closure,” Casey Spigel of Pikesville said. “The food was as authentic as it gets outside of Israel.”
Spigel says that their favorite part about the food truck was feeling like they were really in Tel Aviv grabbing a falafel. In addition to the great food, the Shavis always made their customers feel like part of their family.
“I [can’t believe I] really was in a parking lot in Baltimore. The food, the vibe, it’s definitely missed by many,” Spigel said.
Pikesville resident Rivkah Tyler was also disappointed by the closing. “They are one of the most friendly and delicious Israeli food around,” Tyler said. “My husband, who is extremely picky on his Israeli food, loves Laffa-Milia.”
In recent months, the food truck also recently began grilling meat separate from their vegetarian kitchen. “The shwarma was so good,” Zachary Givarz of Pikesville said. “It’s the best I’ve had in the United States. I can’t wait to enjoy another wonderful meal there with my family.”
A month before the closing, popular kosher restaurant reviewer Elan Kornblum, owner of the account @greatkosherrestaurants, paid them a visit, bringing more traction to the food truck than before.
“Meeting with Yossef and Hana was such an incredibly fun moment. A must try,” Kornblum said in his post. The restaurant reviewer liked them so much, he posted for them again two days before they closed, encouraging people to stop by.
While the food truck has temporarily shut down, the Yossef’s Laffa-Milia brand has not stopped as their social media accounts continue to stay active. On Father’s Day this year, they posted for their father Yossef.
“In a time of uncertainty — with our kitchen container shut down, and war still raging in Israel — we’re taking a moment to honor the kind of strength that never wavers,” the post read. It was accompanied by a video of Yossef Shavi cooking as he always did.
As this week marks the food truck’s first anniversary, the Shavis look toward the future of Yossef’s Laffa-Milia. “We are absolutely overwhelmed by the people showing us love and letting us know that they do miss us and they’re waiting for us to return,” Alona said. “If all things come together, we do hope to be open in the next few weeks.”
Many past Yossef’s Laffa-Milia customers are hopeful for their reopening. “I am counting down the days to place my orders again as I am sure they are as well,” Tyler said.
Despite the unfortunate events of their temporary closing, the Shavis believe this was a blessing in disguise.
“We absolutely, wholeheartedly believe that Hashem has a reason for everything with the good and the bad that comes with it,” Alona said. “We will start posting and letting everybody know what’s happening and how it’s happening and when it’s going to be. So, stay posted.”
Shira Kramer is a freelance writer.
