Chocolate Rugalach

[Userfriend]

I am looking for FABULOUS chocolate rugalach. I've tried the ones at Hymie's in Merion and they just aren't fabulous. Anyone know of other places to try them? They used to sell them by the pound at Clements Market before they closed, and they were to die for. They were made off the premises and brought in. I cannot remember who made them, but they were serious.

PLEASE not in center city, South Philly or NE Philly. I cannot get to those places.

Mostly interested in Main Line area, Manayunk, Roxborough, East Falls, Andorra, Lafayette Hill, Blue Bell, Plymouth Meeting, Conshohocken, King of Prussia or any place reasonably close.
Thanks!

[Userfriend]

The search is over!! I am ecstatic to report I have now had the most delicious rugelach in my entire life. I found them in a very unexpected way. Over the holidays I visited some friends who I have not seen in a long time. They live in Horsham, PA. On my way over there, I saw a bakery in a little shopping center near their apartment (Upper Dublin Shopping Center) and on a whim I stopped to pick up something to bring to my friends. I chose a beautiful cake, and just as I was about to pay for it, I noticed that they had several different kinds of rugelach, including chocolate. They were $.80 each, and I bought 6 of them. I left them in the car for myself when I arrived at my friend's place. The next day, I opened the bag and tasted the rugelach and I almost fell on the floor. They were the richest most delicious buttery outstanding rugelach I have ever had. Unfortunately, Horsham is very much out of the way for me, but I guess I will have to make the trip every so often now that I know they have such fabulous rugelach. If you live anywhere near the Dublin Bakery at 3626 Welsh Road in Willow Grove, go there. Everything I bought there was GREAT!!!

[gibsongirl76]

Roling's makes terrible everything. I grew up with that family and they are lovely people, but I avoid their bakery.

I buy rug each from Bestcake Bakery at Haverford and City Ave. $9.99/lb and they are good enough to make you put up with the surly service.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

I agree that most of Rolings' offerings are average at best, but their challa is quite good and their bagels are some of the best I've had everywhere. My family has done several taste-offs against several different NYC paces, and Rolongs bagels always rank among the best. Great chewy texture.

(I agree, though I wouldn't make a special trip for Rugelach).

[Strocophate]

Zabar's in NYC has wonderful chocolate rugelach. They're $14/lb: http://www.zabars.com/zabars-fresh-ba...

[Dee S]

+1 on the Zabar's rugelach. My friend always gets a large one and sends me home with the leftovers. Can't niss and well worth the price. May have to order some myself!!

[Red Head]

Curds and Whey in Jenkintown has wonderful chocolate rugalahs. They call them schnecken though. I'm not sure about the price but they are very delicious.

[Strocophate]

Schnecken and rugelach are slightly different. The former is made with sour cream and is an individually made pastry. Rugelach are made with cream cheese, and are sliced into pieces from a long roll.

[Red Head]

They may be originally may have been different types of pastries but I believe in Philadelphia the names are interchangeable. I grew up in New York and the pastries are always called rugalach; here in Philadelphia the same ones are called schnecken. The traditional way to make rugalach is to roll into a circle, cut into triangles and roll individually. Rolling into a roll and slicing is a short cut that works well.

[barryg]

Rolling's in Elkins Park has great rugalach, never tried their chocolate one though.

[Userfriend]

Thanks for your suggestion. Roling's does not have a website. I wish I could see a pic and check the price. Do you know how much they are? Thanks again.

[barryg]

Don't know the prices sorry. Try calling them.

[ithimis]

I order mine by mail from http://www.mymothersdelicacies.com/

[Userfriend]

Thanks for the suggestion. I just looked at the ones you suggested, and they are $16.00 per pound for the chocolate ones. That's pretty steep. Before I order them, I need to ask you how terrific are they?? Would you say they are fabulous? Thanks for your help.

[ithimis]

I used to complain when they were only $8/pound. We have tried many brands from upscale grocery brands to other bakeries and my family always judges the others by them as the standard (my wife usually says the others aren't worth the calories). I have used Joan Nathan's recipe and even home made didn't come close. I love the chocolate slightly microwaved so the chocolate just gets soft and the dough warm. My favorite were the cheese but they no longer ship them. My sister in NH complained the year we didn't send them to her for the holidays. So I guess my answer is, at least to my family, they are worth it.