Kosher
Heaven
On Earth
Deli Masters: 184-02 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows 353-3030
Cuisine: Kosher Eat-In Delicatessen
Hours: Open for lunch and dinner only,
11am to 9pm.
Credit Cards: All Major
Deli Masters is preparing to celebrate its’
45th Passover, and owner Johnathan Kalan is ready. “I’m only the third owner in
45 years of business,” said Kalan, whose eatery has a seating of 95 and is
conveniently situated along Horace Harding Expressway. It’s a cozy place, where
patrons can order deli specialties, or take a seat in the spacious dining boothes.
The highly-regarded deli boasts gourmet meats and salads prepared by Hebrew National. One
thing that is noticed right away is how fresh everything looks at the deli counter, and
how the scents remind one of a favorite home-cooked meal. “We’re very proud of
the fact that all of our turkey is sliced right off the bird,” said Kalan. The staff
at Deli Masters are personable and immediatelly welcome you into the “family”.
A fresh bowl of pickles and cole slaw are brought
to the booth to get one set up for a fun food fest. On this cold March day, nothing could
have started the day better than a cup of hot chicken soup, served with a generous-sized
Matzoh ball, for $2.75. There’s a large selection of fine tasting knishes and
appetizers to sink your teeth into, ranging from $2-5.95, including Kasha Knish, which is
made from a wheat grain, potato, and other treats such as fried Kreplach (kosher wantons),
frankfurters and knockwurst.
All of the classic deli selections are
available-pastrami, brisket of beef, corned beef, turkey, salami, roast beef and the like.
A $7.50 lunch special includes soup, a sandwich, a side of french fries, and coffee or
tea. For dinner, patrons can choose from a variety of chicken and beef, including chicken
friccasse, london broil, flanken, liver, with prices averaging between$9.5 to $14.95. One
can select from a series of entrees, some of which are empire kosher, including chicken in
a pot, flanken in a pot, even the “I Don’t Know” Platter, which is a
freestyle selection of three appetizers for those who can’t make up their minds.
Dinner specials are served everyday for $11.95, $9.95 for the Early Bird. For lunch, we
had brisket of beef and corned beef sandwiches, both fresh, hot, and generous in portion,
with a well-made side of hearty french fries.
Yes, for most, when one enters a kosher deli,
thoughts come to mind of sinful brisket of beef sandwiches, corned beef sandwhiches, and
frankfurters doused with spicy mustard and ketchup. But vegetarians can indulge in
numerous delicacies here as well; there’s a wide selection of vegetarian treats;
salads (egg, garden), as well as Israeli specialties-hummus, tahina, eggplant picant,
falafel and more. Vegetarian prices range from $3.95 to $8.95.
Also of high caliber are the desserts, which are
a steal at an average of $2.25-chocolate blackout cake, seven layer, marble, or rugalach,
apple streudel, or watermelon, fruit, jello. On this occasion we tried the blackout cake
and apple streudel. Both were very fresh, and very delectable.
Whether you are Jewish or not, having Deli
Masters is a heavenly blessing to the neighborhood, that will continue to find the
regulars who crave a good sandwich, soup and conversation, coming back for more.
— Linda Sheridan |
