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Awwfooshnickins t1_j6avcpc wrote

I think zaftigs might be the only one that this goyim knows about. I feel like I just saw another “delicatessen” recently, but without firsthand knowledge, I can’t vouch.

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igotyourphone8 t1_j6ax19a wrote

I recently got a wonderful Reuben at Mamaleh's. I have friends who absolutely swear by S&S in Inman.

Anyone have recommendations for a potato knish? Haven't had one since I lived in New York.

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Pinwurm t1_j6axlw2 wrote

Zaftig’s, Mamaleh’s, Lendy’s, S&S. In that order (my opinion). Mamaleh’s is the most ‘upscale’, but you pay a premium for it. Zaftig’s is just best all around.

Our Father’s used to be my favorite for pastrami, but they have closed during the pandemic. Miss ‘em. There was a time where I heard some rumblings of a return, but that’s all fizzled out.

A lot of people also like Michael’s Deli in Brookline. It’s a great sandwich shop, but it’s never quite scratched the itch that a classic Jewish deli does for me. I’d still recommend giving it a try anyways.

Keep an eye out for Lehrhaus, which is a Jewish tavern opening in Somerville soon (maybe next few weeks?). They’ll have a full restaurant - head chef is a James Beard semifinalist, so I’m pretty hopeful.

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hazardousnorth t1_j6bg3fm wrote

It's tough, because the Jewish population/presence in Boston is a shadow of it's former self, and compounding the issue is the interest on the part of the current generation to continue, preserve, and maintain this particular style of food.

As a "jew-ish" man who grew up dining at the Titans of Kosher /Jewish eateries in New York, I too lament the dearth of passable Jewish delicatessen -style eateries in my adopted hometown. Mamelahs is certainly what I would suggest to visiting friends and family if they were looking for the experience, and Zaftigs as well, but not to anyone looking for legit Kosher, as neither of them are.

(Unless a newcomer has burst upon the scene, Rubin's of Brookline which closed several years ago, was the only certified Kosher deli in the Boston area)

Kupel's bakery in Brookline is probably the best authentic kosher bakery left in the immediate Boston area, as well as Rosenfeld's Bagel co. in Newton Center, if you were hankering for a bagel vit a nice schmear. There are certainly plenty other good Jewish and jewish-style spots, most of them to be found In Brookline, Newton, Needham, and those other western suburbs where the bulk of Boston's Jewish population drifted to.

this article has a fairly comprehensive list of worthwhile places to eat but investigate before schlepping blind: the article is pre-pandemic and some places might have relocated or closed.

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StinkFloyyd t1_j6bpz1l wrote

Don’t go to Mamalehs. They recently started charging like a 10% additional fee on receipts for “living wage.” Instead of just appropriately, pricing their menu items so that they can pay their employees fairly, they fraudulently keep their prices low up on the menu board, and then tack on the surprise fee on your receipt when you get to the register.

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CatOwlFilms t1_j6bwyyb wrote

I’ve been to Mameleh’s and Kupel’s, and to me both were good but Kupel’s was 1/3 the price

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edc6996 t1_j6cx6ss wrote

Barrys Village Deli in Waban/Newton has always been my favorite, not sure if that counts as Boston!

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Wtf_is_this1234 t1_j6d6knf wrote

Any place that serves meat and dairy together isn't a real "Jewish" deli. Therefore there are no Jewish delis in the Boston area anymore.

What you have are places that have been bastardized to sell to non-Jews. Kind of like how most Chinese food in America isn't real Chinese food.

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AllyourBace1010 t1_j6dajcb wrote

If you’re willing to travel a little outside the city I’ve had good experiences at Fressers in Randolph.

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CatCranky t1_j6dg4nf wrote

I’m not Jewish but I’ve been to Malmehs and liked it, also Zaftigs and Kupels. I know it’s not the same as New York.

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Charzarn t1_j6f2dq9 wrote

Replying to StinkFloyyd (#1,571,972)

It’s only a problem if you were not going to Tip in the first place, in which case the 10% is making sure those workers get paid.

Otherwise they could raise the price and have it all baked in but honestly it only is an annoyance to those who don’t tip which maybe they are okay with not having your business, who knows?

Anyway, I do agree that we should just pay people.

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sea_of_joy__ t1_j6fuedg wrote

S&S is NOT GOOD AT ALL. My GF is Jewish and she likes it however for their tuna salad.

I like Kupels in Brookline. It’s decent. The best Jewish restaurants are in the rust belt cities like Cleveland or Philadelphia.

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StinkFloyyd t1_j6fzqv6 wrote

Replying to Charzarn (#1,592,121)

I wouldn’t tip when ordering a sandwich at a counter. That’s why I take offense at Mamalehs dishonesty.

Do you tip the cashier at Home Depot? How about the receptionist at your doctors office? Then why the person who makes a sandwich?

Don’t get me wrong - I always tip 20%-25% at a restaurant. I tip my barber 30%. But those people put an extensive effort into giving me great service and I choose to thank them in that way. Forcing tips when one is otherwise underpaying their employees is bogus. What’s worse is they don’t tell you until you see it in your receipt.

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Stirling-Newberry t1_j6g1um4 wrote

Go to the Red Line and take a train to The City. If you must Kupel's, Rosenfeld's, or Michaels or Zaftig's (if you don't want the real thing)

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StudioBrighton t1_j6ixbgx wrote

Replying to Wtf_is_this1234 (#1,588,787)

I'm from Colorado, and the most Jewish deli my Jewish family went to had all sorts of combinations of cheese and meat, despite the pairing not being kosher. They would give kids Bazooka Joe bubble gum when leaving where the wrapper and cartoons were written in Hebrew.

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StudioBrighton t1_j6jknyv wrote

Replying to Wtf_is_this1234 (#1,620,359)

You know there's a vast swath of Jewish Americans who don't keep Kosher to that extent right?

​

There's an entire cuisine theory about how immigrants had to modify their food after coming to America because of available ingredients. And how that doesn't make it any less authentic, it's just changed the category of what's authentic. Trying to gatekeep what is and isn't authentic gets ridiculous fast, because how far back do you go? "Authentic" Italian food doesn't have tomatoes because they came from America, etc.

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