Afif Sbit, Legendary Owner of Haifa's Falafel HaZkenim, Passes Away at 40
Afif Sbit, the legendary owner of Haifa's iconic "Falafel HaZkenim" stall in Wadi Nisnas, has passed away. For over 40 years, he preserved a cherished culinary tradition of simplicity and generosity.
Deep grief has descended upon the Israeli street food scene following the passing of Afif Sbit, the man who transformed a modest stall at 18 Wadi Street in Haifa into a beloved national culinary institution. For over 40 years, Sbit stood behind the counter of "Falafel HaZkenim" in Wadi Nisnas, fiercely preserving simplicity, quality, and the famous tradition of handing a piping-hot falafel ball to every customer who walked through the door.
The history of the stall began in the 1950s, when an elderly couple, George and Najla Afara, opened a small nook in the Wadi and prepared homemade falafel on a Primus stove. The place operated without a sign, with Arab residents calling it "Falafel Najla" and Jewish residents dubbing it "Falafel HaZkenim" (The Old People's Falafel). Sbit, a loyal regular customer, purchased the stall in 1984 after the founders grew older, and officially established the popular nickname as the official name of the Haifa institution.
For decades, Sbit arrived at the stall every day at early dawn to prepare the falafel mixture according to the original recipe handed down to him. He insisted on deep-pot frying and simple serving, welcoming everyone with a smile and generosity—from the mayor to unknown students. His funeral will take place today at the Catholic church in Haifa, and he will be laid to rest at the Kfar Samir cemetery, leaving behind a magnificent culinary legacy.
