Lee Ave, Williamsburg

For a walk on Lee Ave in Chassidic, Billburg, I'd like a rundown of snacky food available there.

The best delicacy shop on Lee is on the main drag, near or on a corner, down some steps. I can't remember the name but it starts with an S. 'Schott's'? 'Schein?'

Whatever you do, don't go to the decrepit Meal Mart at Taylor and Lee. Dirty and smelly; the worst of that type of place.

In contrast, around the corner (a short block away from where Taylor meets Lee, on Division) is a clean, friendly bakery owned by followers of the Viener Rebbe. Sorry I don't know the name, but when we were there last fall, the bran muffins were good versions of the standard item. Didn't try much else but lots looked good. It faces a litle square. On school days (that includes Sundays usually), orange buses usually park by the square. (There is a yeshiva on the same block as the Meal Mart.)

Hope that helps. You might try the Kosher board too. FWIW, my mom is totally sold on the Williamsburg butchers. Once in a while she takes me shopping there. We almost feel like pilgrams because she grew up there and we lived there again for a couple of years in the 60's after I was born.

Have fun.

eu

In general the deli-groceries in the area sell fish, dairy products and non-dairy products but no other flesh-derived foods. You can find really good chocolate bars from Israel and Europe (Rosemaries seem especially popular), kid-oriented kosher candy, tons of jewish/central european baked goods (no fresh bagels or bialis that I recall however), in season, needleless sabras, pickled and smoked fish and kosher cheese.

What are needleless sabras?

An updated thornless version of the prickly pear cactus fruit indigenous to Israel (or sabra). My Israeli cookbook says that the 'improved' sabra is perenial, whereas the old, thick-skinned, thorny one's season is two months long.

The one I tried in Williamsberg was pretty bland. They're still an interesting fruit. I've even seen a recipe for flambeing them.

All the best.

eu

I know that bakery and the very best thing there are the donuts they make (only once a year during Hanucka)-jelly and bavarian cream chocolate frosted. Sooooo good!

I have poked around in the stores there and haven't found anything good, with one exception. There's a bakery whose name I can't recall (I will check it next time I'm in that neighborhood) on Division Street (I think) right near the service road to the BQE. It has INCREDIBLE chocolate babka. The best I've ever had. I'm sorry for the vague location info. Someone else must know this place. When I get the actual name and address, I'll post it.