Hobby’s in Newark and Harold’s in Edison made Food Republic’s list of 18 must-try Jewish delis in America.
New Jersey has no shortage of Jewish delis, serving up the likes of smoked pastrami on rye, potato knish, kugel, and plenty of pickles to go around. Two of them were just named to a national list.
Food Republic set out to identify the 18 must-try Jewish delis across the country. Their list includes heavy hitters across New York, California, Illinois, and yes, New Jersey. Here in the Garden State, we are well aware of our contributions to the Jewish deli landscape, and now, we have the national recognition to prove it.
Pull up, order the pastrami (extra mustard), and don’t forget a crisp Dr. Brown’s soda to wash it all down. Here are the two NJ delis that made the cut.
Hobby’s Delicatessen & Restaurant – Newark
Just around the corner from where the New Jersey Devils take the ice, Hobby’s is serving up all of the usuals you would expect to find at a Jewish deli. Corned beef platters, crispy French fries, potato knish, cured beef tongue, and tuna salad scatter the tables, but it’s of course the pastrami that Hobby’s is known for. Hundreds of pounds of the housemade pastrami is piled high on sandwiches each day. As a bonus, many call their onion rings the best New Jersey has to offer.
The Brummer family has been running Hobby’s since 1962, but Food Republic notes that a deli has been located at the address since 1910—marking over 100 years of Jewish deli heritage in the space.
Note: Hobby’s is not a kosher deli.
Harold’s New York Deli – Edison
Harold Jaffe’s story began at Verona’s Claremont Diner, then took him to NYC where he cut his teeth at the legendary Carnegie Deli. The result? Harold’s New York Deli—an Edison gem serving a bit of everything from Jaffe’s career, and doing it all bigger than most. That means gargantuan pancakes and egg platters are on the list, but most know Harold’s for the Jewish deli staples. Softball-sized matzoh balls come floating in rich chicken broth, smoked salmon is layered on a toasted bagel with two extra bagels on the side for sharing, and the pastrami sandwiches come piled comically high—the XL option feeds four to seven (not a typo). Sure, it costs $105, but it’s not a bad deal when you consider the size.
Jaffe combines traditional deli culture with a bit of whimsy at Harold’s, and it’s a favorite amongst Jewish deli enthusiasts for that exact reason.
Note: Harold’s is not a kosher deli.
Be sure to check out Food Republic’s full list of 18 must-try Jewish delis in America.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
