List of Jewish delis facts for kids
A Jewish deli is a special kind of restaurant that serves delicious sandwiches and other yummy foods. Imagine a place where you can get a huge pastrami on rye or a tasty corned beef sandwich!
Jewish delis also offer fresh salads like tuna or potato salad. You might find warm side dishes too, like crispy latkes (potato pancakes) or sweet kugel (a baked noodle dish). For dessert, don't forget famous black and white cookies or sweet rugelach pastries. These foods are all part of Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine.
Some Jewish delis serve kosher food. This means the food follows special Jewish dietary laws. Other delis are "kosher-style." This means they serve many traditional Jewish dishes but might mix meat and dairy, which is not allowed in strict kosher rules. For example, kosher-style delis often have Reuben sandwiches.
Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, called Ashkenazi Jews, brought the idea of the deli to North America. They helped make these tasty restaurants very popular in American culture.
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Famous Jewish Delis in the United States
Many Jewish delis have become famous across the United States. They are known for their classic sandwiches and unique atmosphere.
- Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli
California
California has many popular Jewish delis, especially in the Los Angeles area.
- Brent's Deli – A well-known deli in Northridge, Los Angeles.
- Canter's – Located in the Fairfax area of Los Angeles.
- Langer's Deli – Found in Westlake, Los Angeles.
- Nate 'n Al – A famous spot in Beverly Hills.
- D.Z. Akin's Delicatessen – A popular deli in San Diego, California.
Illinois
You can find great delis in Illinois too!
- Manny’s Deli – A classic deli in Chicago.
- Kaufman's Deli - Located in Skokie, Illinois.
Indiana
- Shapiro's Deli – A long-standing deli in Indianapolis.
Minnesota
- Cecil's Deli - Found in Saint Paul.
Michigan
- Zingerman’s Deli – A very popular deli in Ann Arbor.
New York City
New York City is famous for its Jewish delis. Many of them have been around for a very long time!
- Barney Greengrass – Located on the Upper West Side, Manhattan.
- Ben's Kosher Deli - Found in Queens and Long Island.
- Katz's Delicatessen – A famous Kosher style deli in the Lower East Side, Manhattan.
- Liebman's Deli - A popular spot in the Bronx.
- Mile End Delicatessen – Known for its Montreal-style smoked meat in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.
- Pastrami Queen – This deli took over the space of another famous deli, Fine & Schapiro.
- Russ & Daughters – This place started as an "appetizing store" (selling smoked fish and other deli items) and now has a café and restaurant on the Lower East Side.
- Sarge's Deli - A well-known deli in Manhattan.
- Second Avenue Deli – A certified kosher delicatessen in Murray Hill, Manhattan, with another location on the Upper East Side.
- Zabar's – An appetizing store on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, famous for its smoked fish and other deli items.
Oregon
Washington
- Dingfelder's Delicatessen, Seattle
- Zylberschtein's, Seattle
Washington, D.C.
- Call Your Mother
- Loeb's NY Deli
Jewish Delis in Canada
Canada also has a rich history of Jewish delis, especially in Montreal.
- Dunn's – A well-known deli in Montreal.
- Chenoy's – Another popular spot in Montreal.
- Caplansky's Delicatessen – Located in Toronto.
- J&R Kosher Meat and Delicatessen – A kosher deli in Montreal.
- Schwartz's – A very famous delicatessen in Montreal.
- Shopsy's – A classic deli in Toronto.
- Wilensky's – A historic deli in Montreal.
Delis That Are No Longer Open
Sadly, some famous Jewish delis have closed their doors over the years.
- Bens De Luxe Delicatessen & Restaurant – A Montreal deli that closed in 2006.
- Bloom's restaurant – A London-based deli that closed its last location in 2010.
- Carnegie Deli – A very famous deli near Carnegie Hall in Midtown Manhattan. It closed on December 31, 2016.
- Jerry's Famous Deli – Two locations in Los Angeles that closed in 2020.
- Lindy's – Two locations in Manhattan. The original closed in 1969, and the second closed in February 2018.
- Loeser's Deli
- Main Deli Steak House – A Montreal deli that closed in 2023.
- Mort's Palisades Deli – A neighborhood favorite in Pacific Palisades, California, that closed in 2007.
- Reuben's Restaurant - This deli closed in 2001.
- Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House – A Jewish delicatessen in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. It opened in 1954 and closed in 2008.
See also
- List of kosher restaurants
- Lists of restaurants
- Pastrami on rye – A classic sandwich made famous in New York City's Jewish delis.
- Save the Deli – A book about the history and future of Jewish delis.
