Jaunted - Tag: Best-Jewish-Delis-Map

Chicago: Where To Order Up Obama's Favorite Corned Beef Sandwich

Jennifer Kester — 2009-09-01T17:14:44-05:00

We can't deny constantly craving some overstuffed pastrami sandwiches and potato latkes with applesauce. So Jaunted is taking a look at the Best Jewish Delis in the World. Got your own suggestion for tasty goody delis? Let us know.

Chicago is more known for its deep-dish pizza than its Jewish deli food. But if you do a little homework, you'll be able to find some authentic standouts, like Ashkenaz and Manny's, where Chicagoans like President Obama head when they crave some hot, peppery pastrami or a ginormous corned beef sandwich. Aren't you happy we do your homework for you?

But don't expect an ambiance to match the food at this no-frills, family-owned joint. The eats are served cafeteria-style at the old-school South Loop restaurant, with the workers in white aprons and old-fashioned deli hats lining the long counter.

Los Angeles: Get Your New York Deli Fix At LA's Famous Pico Kosher Deli

Omri — 2009-08-05T16:54:29-05:00

In Los Angeles there are delis, there are delis, and then there are the Places Where The Jews Eat. Pico Kosher Deli, which sits just a few blocks north of LA's heavily Orthodox Beverlywood district, definitely falls into that last category. It's the oldest kosher deli in the city and, unlike some other "Jewish-style" delis, you'll find nary a trace of dairy in the kitchen. Bacon, it goes without saying, is literally and metaphorically traife.

The deli is small, with an L-shaped counter in the front and a dining area to the left that you have to walk around a wall to reach. They've only got a handful of tables and booths back there, and there's no way they can accommodate more than fifty or sixty customers.

Given that PKD regularly ranks as one of the top 5 LA delis, things can get very crowded around lunchtime.

Toronto: Best Jewish Delis in the World: Pancer's in Toronto

BS — 2009-05-19T10:53:00-05:00

You might not guess it, but those Canadians sure know how to do Jewish delis. Our neighbor to the north has not one, but two legendary Jewish joints that rival the greats in New York and LA.

In addition to Schwartz's Deli in Montreal, there's also Moe Pancer's in Toronto, a North York legend that's been turning out homemade corned beef and pastrami since 1957. The deli, now being operated by the third generation of the same family, claims to have served Toronto some 6 million sandwiches over the past half-century, and it seems just about every order has earned rave reviews.

The original Moe Pancer famously said that he was a "five meat kind of guy," and served a limited, back-to-basics menu. His eponymous deli has expanded since then, and you can now order all the standards, from latkas and borscht to baby beef and chopped liver. But we still side with the old man—you can't beat a hot pastrami sandwich done right, and at $7 Canadian ($6 U.S.), you can't beat the prices here, either. (But you'll want to shell out an extra buck for a side or sour dills.)

Related Stories:
· Moe Pancer's [Official Site]
· Springtime in Montreal: Schwartz' Deli on Saint Laurent [Jaunted]
· The Best Jewish Delis in the World:: Chicago's Ashkenaz [Jaunted]

[Photo: Pancer's]

Philadelphia: Best Jewish Delis: Philly's 'The Famous'

BS — 2009-05-12T11:21:53-05:00

The world of Jewish delis can be divided down a very distinct line; there are those that try to put a modern, all-inclusive spin on the classic delicatessen and those that will tolerate absolutely none of that blasphemy.

Firmly a member of the latter, authentic camp is Philadelphia's Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, which has been luring hungry diners to the corner of 4th Street and Bainbridge in Queen Village since 1923. From the very retro signage to the massive, art deco dining room, the restaurant almost looks like it should be viewed in black-and-white.

Brookline: Best Jewish Delis: Zaftigs in Boston

BS — 2009-05-05T10:01:49-05:00

If you've ever been to a Jewish Deli and thought "these latkes are great, but they'd be better with a side of bacon," then boy has Boston got a deli for you.

Set on Harvard Street in the Brookline neighborhood, Zaftigs is one deli where you won't want to take grandma, because while they've got all the kosher classics, they don't keep strictly kosher.

The restaurant serves all the traditional offerings—potato pancakes, blintzes, smoked whitefish salad—along with a few Jewish fusion options like BBQ brisket quesadillas. It may perhaps be the first time you'll have ever had an opportunity to taste "Jewish fusion."

Breakfast, which is served all day, features banana-stuffed French toast and cheddar-apple omelets. Those not enough choices for you? Don't worry, you can always opt for a BLT, just don't tell grandma.

Related Stories:
· Zaftigs [Official Site]
· The Best Jewish Delis in the World:: Katz's in New York [Jaunted]
· The Best Jewish Delis in the World:: Chicago's Ashkenaz [Jaunted]

[Photo: Zaftigs]

Baltimore: Best Jewish Delis in the World: Attman's in Baltimore

BS — 2009-04-28T09:01:45-05:00

When Shira Lazar went behind the counter at Schwartz's Deli in Montreal, it got us craving some overstuffed pastrami sandwiches and potato latkes with applesauce. So this week Jaunted is taking a look at the Best Jewish Delis in the World. Got your own suggestion for tasty goody delis? Let us know.

Attman's Delicatessen in Baltimore proudly identifies its East Lombard Street location as being right in the heart of "Corned Beef Row." Once the center of B-More's thriving Jewish cultural and culinary scene, the street is no longer quite at its deli heydey, but the 80-year-old Attman's makes it still worth the trip.

With playful retro signs hawking all kinds of cured meats, the interior of Attman's looks like it hasn't been updated since it opened in 1927, and the food has also blessedly avoided any trend-induced changes. "The Original" Cloak and Dagger sandwich is corned beef topped with coleslaw and Russian dressing, served on rye, while the jumbo kosher hot dog is placed on a seeded role and topped with a grilled slice of bologna. Genius!

Being Maryland, no eatery can resist the lure of the state's favorite crustaceans, so while kosher-keepers will avoid this one, others can opt for a cup of Maryland crab soup instead of matzo balls.

Related Stories:
· Attman's Delicatessen [Official Site]
· The Best Jewish Delis in the World:: Katz's in New York [Jaunted]
· The Best Jewish Delis in the World:: Chicago's Ashkenaz [Jaunted]

[Photo: Mark Barry]

Indianapolis: Best Jewish Delis in the World: Shapiro's in Indiana

BS — 2009-04-24T08:56:43-05:00

If there's one thing we've learned in researching our best Jewish delis series, it's that there are a boatload of genuine delis in places you wouldn't necessarily expect. So if you think everywhere between Katz's and Langer's is just deli flyover country, think again.

One such institution with an extremely devout following is Shapiro's, which opened way back in 1905 in Indianapolis. Unlike its coastal cousins, this deli is known more for its corned beef than its pastrami. Of course, the concept is not that different—hot, salty meat, sliced thin and piled high on rye, plus mustard, cheese and a pickle to boot.