If there is one cuisine that identifies New Yorkers, it is delicatessen food. We were happy to go back to an old favorite of ours, Deli Masters, which serves American and European kosher food. Owner Jonathan Kalan, a veteran of Israel’s 7-day war, took over in 1990.
Although we arrived at a usually slow time for a restaurant, there was a long line at the deli counter picking up food to take home. This reflects their popularity.
After being seated in the dining section, our waitress brought a large bowl of crispy cole slaw and another bowl of half-sour and dill pickles.
When Jonathan came over to greet us, we asked him to help us select some of his most popular dishes.
My first choice was the old-fashioned Chicken Soup with a huge, light Matzo Ball and tiny noodles while my partner enjoyed the same broth and noodles with Kreplach ($3.95 each).
Then we ordered our favorites: Tongue Polonaise - very thin slices of tongue in a sweet and sour sauce ($15.95) - and Stuffed Cabbage - stuffed with ground beef also in a sweet and sour sauce ($12.95). We accompanied these with Dr. Brown’s soda ($1.75 each).
On the menu, there are all the expected kosher favorites from Chopped Liver to Kasha Knish. Israeli specialties from the grill include Chicken ShishKabob ($12.95) and vegetarian dishes range from Hummus ($4.95) to Babaganouch ($5.45). There is also an Israeli Combination Platter & Falafel ($8.95).
Salad platters include chicken or tuna salads ($8.95) and the Kosher Chef Salad special with three meats and a hard-boiled egg on a bed of lettuce with tomatoes and peppers ($13.95).
Sandwiches are special at Deli Masters!
Combination sandwiches include “Build Your Own” with any two meats at $11.50 and the “Deli Master Delight” at $24.95. The Deli Masters’ Triple Decker Sky Scrapers are all $12.50 for a long list of 11 sandwiches. Some of the more interesting are the Corned Beef, Pastrami and Salami with cole slaw with pickles, the Hard Boiled Egg, Chopped Liver and Turkey with onion, lettuce and tomato as well as the Create-Your-Own Special with three meats and the “works” ($12.50).
Jonathan is proud of his take-out service and his “home and office” catering service. (He catered one of our birthday parties so we can attest to there being good service as well as good and tasty food,)
If you still have room, try the dairy - free kosher desserts - they are all $2.95 each. Try the 7-Layer Cake, the Marble Cake or the Baked Apple.
Deli Master is already planning a special take-out for Thanksgiving - a 16-pound turkey dinner with all the trimmings, which will serve 10 to 12 people. Call for further information and place your order in advance.
Deli Masters
184-02 Horace Harding Expy.
Fresh Meadows, NY
Phone: 718-353-3030,
Fax: 718-353-8356
Cuisine: Kosher
Hours: 7-days-a-week. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Parking: Curbside and adjacent residential block
Prices: Appetizers: $2.95- $8.95;
Salad Platters: $5.95- $13.95;
A la carte entrees: $11.95- $19.95 and Desserts: $2.50- $3.95.
Catering: Available for home, office and on-site.
Accessible: Yes, no stairs.
Credit Cards: All major cards.
