I've been to Elijah, DZ Akins, City Deli, and sorry but none of them are really that good.
Does anyone know of a decent, honest-to-goodness Jewish deli in San Diego?
By Josh
on Aug 24, 2006 03:58 PM
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Growing up in the Northeastern US I've given up on deli out here. City deli is as good as I found in my short time here - one good sign is the bucket of pickles on the table. The corned beef and pastrami are quite good (I think they make it themselves) but the weak link is the lack of good rye bread.
I have heard of a place in LA that supposedly has better pastrami than any deli in NYC. I'll have to check that one out.
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My family likes DZ AKINS, they also have the pickles on the table and an extensive menu of ethnic dishes and desserts. They bake their own rye and also like to take one home with us. It is also great for kids.
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DZ Akins isn't very good, IMO. Their tableside pickles aren't sour, and their food is overpriced and mediocre. I feel exactly the same way about City Deli. I was hoping someone might know of an undiscovered gem, but sounds like there aren't any.
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Josh, when you say their pickles aren't sour, I would say that half-sours are the standard in NYC and I tend to rate a deli for the halfness of them. If you meant they are sweet, then it's time to move back east!
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DZ's pickles are more like quarter sour than even half sour. IMO Anything less than full sour may as well be a cucumber anyway.
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The meats - i.e. pastrami, corned beef, etc. - are Vienna Beef products; yes, the same folks that make really great, all beef made from bull meat, hot dogs.
My beef with DZ Akins is that the portion sizes are obsurdly huge. And America wonders why it's got a weight problem! Do we REALLY need to eat that much food.
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The portion sizes are what make Jewish deli's Jewish deli's. you cant have a wimpy pastrami/tongue/corned beef sandwich. What i do is order extra bread and take home what i dont eat, then you get two sandwiches for the price of one.
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Yeah, I know portion size is one of the things that makes a Jewish deli a Jewish deli and that providing a good value (i.e. a lot of food) for a small or very reasonable price was a very good thing. It's still a lot of food and our lifestyles have since changed. I do, however, really like your idea of ordering extra bread and making a second or third meal out of the first :-)
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Funny, I've never considered portion sizes as being relevant to the quality of the deli, which is not to say that's what I think you and MVNYC are saying at all.
Certainly we Jews do tend to like larger portions, but that's not the aspect that I lament. DZ Akins gives plenty of food, it's just plenty of mediocre food.
If I could just find a decent whitefish salad sandwich I'd be happy.
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Replying to Josh below-I didnt mean portion sizes equated good quality, it was just a common theme in all good Jewish Delis i have been to that the sandwiches were large.
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I have not found anything good out here. The above mentioned ones arent very good in my opinion. I usually just wait unitl i visit my family back in NYC.
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I was encouraged by The Place on El Cajon Blvd. when it first opened, but haven't been up that way in some time. Anyone else been there recently?
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there are no good delis in SD--that is IF you've had good deli in NYC, LA and elsewhere. we save our sheckels and waists for Brent's Deli in Northridge. EVERYTHING is good there!
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DZ Akins is where most of my Jewish friends like to go for the foods they grew up with, but I agree that it's pretty mediocre and certainly not cheap. Nothing here compares to NY and LA. There are a few outposts of some of the major delis in Las Vegas - don't know how those compare to the originals.
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Does anybody have any experience with Hershel's Deli in Encinitas and how it compares to the other delis mentioned ?
http://www.hershelsdeli.com/
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Hershel's abruptly closed last weekend. Even the employees didn't know until they showed up for work and found the locks changed and the restaurant completely cleaned out inside.
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they suck! it looks like they heat up the pastrami before they serve because pastrami will shrivel when its heated, but when its freshly sliced it doesn't.
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Give Milton's in Del Mar a try. Its no Katz's but its not bad.
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Milton's falls far below a good deli, plus more expensive to boot. Rye bread was not fresh, pastrami was dry. Not satisfying from a meal or a deli standpoint.
That said, we just found out that Brent's Deli will deliver to San Diego. :-) Didn't ask about the delivery charge though!
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Agreed about Milton's. I went once, got a tuna melt and hated it. The tuna was weirdly sweet. Also got some hammentashen fron there that was also not too great. On the other hand, the tuna melt and the hammentashen from City Deli are decent when I am having a craving.
Is here anywhere at all in SD to ge whitefish?
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Crest Cafe in Hillcrest used to have a killer tuna melt. I haven't been there in ages, but I would bet it's still on the menu. They are also open late.
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If you are from NY and comparing it to NY deli's, you will be very disappointed with the Jewish deli offerings here in San Diego. Your best bet is to save your NY deli appetite for when you visit Vegas or Beverly Hills/Fairfax.
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If you like everything bagels, I think the ones at PL Bagels on Voltaire in Point Loma are yummy!
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Strangely enough, the best bagels in San Diego are to be had at People's Coop. I'm don't remember the bakery that supplies People's. You could always just give them a call.
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If you are looking for a good Jewish deli in San Diego...fogedabodit!!I have searched for 30 years and found zip. About 6 months ago, I posted a question on this board about where to find decent lox in this town -- not "good" because experience was taught me to lower my expectations, just decent -- (I gave up on bagels long ago). I swear to God that the very first reply said, "What is lox?" (The Chowhound Webmaster removed that to another board) Another poster suggested the Marine Room brunch (oy vey) and then some others got upset because I suggested that DZ Akins was awful and that no serious hound would go there.
As far as pastrami goes, the best that I have been able to find is at "The Place" about 67th and El Cajon. The deli is in the back of a small kosher grocery and consists of about 4 tables. There are lots of Orthodox, Chabad (Chabadies?) and foreign-born Jews (I can't tell where they are from) who go there. (They are very nice, but seem confused when someone comes in off the street) Anyway, the pastrami is decent, but its about $9 for a small sandwich, no deli atmosphere, Dr. Brown's, Reuben's, pickles or other items that you might expect from a NY Jewish Deli.
I have been to many of the Beverly Hill places that people rave about and while they are definitely better than the SD fare, they still are not very good. I really miss the old pastrami burrito that I used to be able to get by the federal courthouse in downtown LA-- don't laugh at the burrito part--it was not traditional, but it was awesome!
So if you find anything remotely like a NY deli, please let us know. GOOD LUCK.
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What's the general consensus on Elijah's Deli in La Jolla? Pickles on the table and good size sandwiches!
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The palce is generally weak. The breads have a stale quality to them and their bagels are awful - oversized and underflavored. Sometimes, the whitefish salad is not offensive; you can take it home and fix it up.
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Elijah's was much better when it was Sampson's. The new owners ruined it.
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Haven't tried Elijah's but Sam's Son was about as good as it gets in San Diego
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Pickles on the table and large sandwiches do not necessarily make a good deli. I thought their pastrami was oily, bread too soft and pickles not fresh enough. Latkes were ok but nothing great. Save your $$ and waistline for the LA and NYC delis.
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You are all just making me shed a tear in remembrance of good whitefish. When I get back east, i's always on the top of my list. I can't believe I used to take good deli for granted.
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I love (LOVE) good whitefish salad. I've been to Elijah's - I disagree with Cpt. Jack, I think it's a hair better than Samsons, which isn't saying much.
As for pickles on the table, that doesn't mean anything. DZ Akins and City Deli both do the same, and they're bad news.
In NYC, the pickles on the table are FULL SOUR (for the most part anyway), and are actually good.
I thought the whitefish salad at Elijah's was decent. However, they don't make it themselves and buy it premade. You can see the containers in the deli case up front. Also, their rye bread sucks and they don't have pumpernickel!
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I agree with Josh that Sampson's was nothing special either. I just liked it better than Elijah's, just my opinion. I will be in NYC next month and smoked whitefish at Barney Greengrass is a given.
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I am sufficiently jealous. I'm trying to get the girl to agree to a NYC jaunt in spring - if so, Barney's is on the list and this time I'll be bringing some home.
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I buy Lasco smoked white fish and make my own. When back in Philly Famous Deli made my favorite.
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Try Milton's in Del Mar...
http://www.miltonsbaking.com/deli_tra...
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It's not a Jewish deli but a damn good deli in El Cajon next to airport and off of Bradley and 67..
Antonelli's Deli..turkey/cheese on rye is outstanding and only $5.25 and huge.
www.antonellisdeli.com
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Ok, wait a sec there beach hen, are you saying there is a sandwich place in east county that is passable?
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beach hen..HA!
yeah, Antonelli's Deli frigging rocks..it's out where double wides rule and getting fancy is taking the wheels off your house!
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I am laughing! SOOOO true. I will try Antonelli's. Do they have good pastrami? My husband is mad for quality pastrami.
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I'm a turkey chick with extra sharp cheddar on rye with extra mayo and extra pickle on the side and I don't eat red meat except the ocassional patty melt or double double..they do have pastrami but don't know how good it is..
Dag..go this weekend and report back!
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Nice going Dag, beach hen, I like it!! Been by but never went, with a name like Antonelli's do you think they have some great Italian coldcuts?? Let us know when you go. BTW BC - the wheels on by deluxe condo are very shiny.
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Here's a heads up for all you pastrami snobs ....navel pastrami(which is the best IMO) . I've been buying it for the same price as regular @ Frazier Farms deli counter. It is in Vista. Heaven!!
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Is that pastrami made from the belly button?
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Beach Hen, what a hoot, wish I'd thought of that :-D
Have you tried this place - http://www.tommysitalianrestaurantand... - it's gotten some love over on the eGullet.
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We have not eaten there. Two delis to try! In East County!
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never heard of the place DD..
this beach hen likes to get back to the barn before dinner time but I'll put it in the vault for future, possibly lunch time jaunt.
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Antonelli's is definitely worth a try. Great food and cheap. Chris' liquor in P.B. is good too.
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Canters on Fairfax in Hollywood is the best west coast (east Coast deli) Here in San Diego my vote is for Miltons in Del Mar, right off the freeway. DZ's, IHO is close in but over priced, too croweded with limited parking and the food is not that great. City Deli is OK, but not for real authentic jewish deli food. Take it from me, I was born and raised in Tenafly, NJ and I grew up and worked at Abe & Ruths (Gooter) deli. Now that was authentic.
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Milton's is your vote for the best deli in the San Diego area????????????
Are you serious? What could possibly make that generic restaurant with unremarkable food your top choice? To me, it doesn't look, smell or taste like anything even approaching a deli...just another shopping center food spot masquerading under a theme, in this case a "deli". DZ may be over priced, but the feel and taste is there. But Milton's? Couldn't find a place with sandwiches and soup more unremarkable, and nothing in that place reminds me in the deepest recesses of my mind, of a real deli.
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LOL. It's pretty funny to see someone get so upset about Milton's, and then recommend DZ Akins.
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lol, i wouldn't say I'm upset, simply incredulous that Milton's could be on anyone's "best" list! I've been there couple of times and wonder each time where I left my sanity or memory...DZ ain't purrfect but what else is there...and their kreplach is better than I've found elsewhere around here...Elijah's fails to capture my imagination, although I do luv their steak and eggs...lol
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I'd rather go without than eat at DZs.
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Don't deprive youself Josh. As I have said in the past, Barney Greengrass, Katz's and Yonah Shimmel all overnight express. Yum Yum, give me some.
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I 2nd Josh. Better no deli than bad deli.
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Milton's is not a good example of a deli. Dried out turkey, rye bread and unremarkable food. Akin to saying Jasmine has good dim sum. I'd rather wait for a trip to Brent's Deli in Northridge for the good stuff!
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Love this thread, I keep hoping that there will finally be a decent deli down in SD. No body seems to want to step up to the plate (so to speak). I guess I am thankful that mom still lives up on the westside of LA, and when I go and see her I can get my fix.
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Unfortunately, SD didn't have enough ethnic population, back in the early 30's, 40's, 50's 60's etc. to bring a real Jewish deli in town. I can't expect SD to have a Katz or Carnigee deli but, I'd like to think someone, other than DZ's, can give birth to one. Would be a real hit!
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If there is not sufficient pressure to force Elijah's to improve, then why would you expect it to be a real hit? (yes, I realize that much of the Jewish population around La Jolla does not have New York roots, but I digress)
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That's just it, I don't expect they'll improve, you know you can't change the spots on a leopard. I'd hope for a fresh new place with fresh new owners who love serve a great sammie without the NYC rep.
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Actually, San Diego did have a substantial ethnic population, but that was based around the tuna fishing and canning. East European Jews didn't have any experience fishing for tuna, and so San Diego had no allure, unlike the Sicilians, Filipinos, Portuguese, and Mexicans.
That said, San Diego didn't have much of a pizza scene until Bronx opened up, so, you never know. I just hope its a place like the 2nd Avenue Deli, and not Katz or Carnigee.
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In the 30's through 50's San Diego had a massive Italian and Portugese ethnic community based around the tuna fishing fleet. Up until the 1970's San Diego was the Tuna capital of the world but over fishing and cheaper imports cut the fleet down to just a couple of boats which still operate today. Most of the Italians who founded Little Italy were fishermen and the community is located next to the waterfront because the piers where they used to moor their boats used to be right there. The San Diego History Society publishes a number of excellent history books on various subjects including this one.
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Canters is really good but Langers has better pastrami sandwiches. I still love the potato salad at Canters though. As for San Diego.. I lived there from 1974 to 2005. There used to be one great Jewish Deli on El Cajon Blvd. I can't remember the name of it but it was around 40th St. They had the best of everything. Since that I have yet to find a good Deli unless I go to Katz's in NYC.
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Just a friendly reminder, Folks. The focus of this board is finding great food and drink in San Diego county, food available in other locales is not going to help anyone find good food in San Diego and we are removing all out of scope replies.
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Carnegie Deli pastrami is now available at Costco, at least the one on Morena Bld I visited yesterday (and I suspect all of them). The pastrami is unsliced, is variable by weight (2+ pounds), and is cheap (approx $5/lb). It is damn good; much better than you can obtain at any San Diego deli.
While I'm on the subject of Jewish deli food, I was recently at Elijah's and found that the matzoh ball soup there was pretty decent, which came as a surprise to me. I won't vouch for any of the other items on their menu. The sandwich I had there was meh.
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They have had Carnegie Deli pickles at Costco for a while, but the last 2 jars we bought were mushy and tasted different than they had before.
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I tried the Carnegie pickles. They were awful. Nothing like the pickles you get at the actual restaurant. Stick with Bubbies.
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Order online or by phone from Gus's NYC. Their pickles rock.
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64 dollars for a gallon of pickles delivered from Gus's. I like pickles, but not that much.
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I'm perfectly happy with Bubbie's or Strub's. Both are damn good sour pickles.
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Tommy Pastrami is supposed to open a site downtown next month. I know its a chain but I am keeping my fingers crossed that they are good. I agree that there is no good deli in SD and it breaks my heart.
http://www.tommypastraminydeli.com/ho...
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I love a good deli and this is something San Diego is really lacking. Some of the best deli's I've been to in San Diego have been Cheers Deli in San Carlos and Brown Bag in Point Loma.
Cheers is a liquor store/deli and they make a phenomenal sandwich. Their menu is huge and I have sampled a good portion of it and I have never been disappointed.
Brown Bag is a hole-in-the-wall type place but the first thing when you notice when you walk in is the huge bakers oven in the back...that's right, they make their own bread fresh and it makes all the difference in the world. The bread is amazing and I love that place. I'm surprised no one has mentioned those places.
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>I'm surprised no one has mentioned those places.
They probably weren't mentioned because the original poster was asking for a "decent, honest-to-goodness Jewish deli" and the two delis you mentioned don't fit that description.
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Been here 2 years now, tried every wannabe Jewish deli looking for a Carnegie or Nate 'n Al's, would settle for Art's or Jerry's, but alas nothing even comes close. Don't bother because disappointment taints whatever you eat. Like a previous poster said..."fuggedaboutit". My best suggestion? Get in the car, head north and don't stop 'til you can smell the Corned Beef on Rye with Coleslaw and Russian Dressing and hear the pickles crunching. OMG, my stomach is so homesick...
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There are no good Jewish Deli's in San Diego or the area. Canter's and Langer's are better but too far away. I was born and raised in Bergen County, NJ and it would be difficult to compare to what we have out here. Same with good pizza. Bronz pizza is good on washington as well as the one on 25th. But that is as close as we are going to get for now. And like many of us I have looked, compared, eaten at them all and it simply is not the same. As they say regarding NYC pizza it has to be the water.
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