Mensch Jewish Delicatessen is a restaurant I have wanted to check out forever! I found out from their Facebook page that they moved to Gastown in the new year which was a bit of a disappointment because they used to be much closer to us.
The Restaurant
Now located at 212 Carrall Street in Vancouver, they are in hip and happening Gastown. A friend of ours goes out for brunch every Sunday and invited us on a cold and wet Vancouver day. Reg and I said, “Hell yeah!” He has been almost as excited about checking them as out as me!
The Menu
I am glad I did a little online reconnaissance ahead of time because their brunch menu was not up on the chalkboard. It was on a piece of paper at the cash and even though I knew what they offered, I still struggled trying to pick the perfect item.
I loved that you could pick up some rye or challah bread with your brunch!
It was busy so by the time we got to the front I finally figured it out. I got the Breakfast Reuben (which was half a sandwich) which came with pastrami, an over easy egg, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, Dijonese sauce on rye bread for $12. I also got a side Matzah ball soup for an additional $3.
The Eating Experience
There is one very long communal table that runs down the length of the restaurant and the place was pretty packed with people. My soup was seasoned perfectly but I only had one piece of carrot in it. I ate my soup as I waited for them to call our number for our order.
The Reuben was delicious but I wish I could have put a regular mustard on it because the Dijon was a bit lacking for all that amazing slow brined, smoked and hand-cut hot pastrami. I love having my sandwiches dripping with mustard!
I wish I could say that I liked the coleslaw and the pickle which I normally adore. The coleslaw was so one note and the pickle just tasted of white vinegar. Funnily, I love super sour kosher pickles which Reg does not like. For once he liked the pickle more than me. Quite a lot. Our friend agreed with me though, not a fan.
Overall Experience
This is a very casual dining experience of Jewish deli food. The brunch prices are very reasonable but I was hoping for more flavour for my foodie buck.
Their new location is fantastic and worth the trek in the rain. Going with friends was a blast but it is not the kind of place you eat and talk for hours.
I am glad I finally got to Mensch Jewish Delicatessen. Eating there was quite the experience and that meat was pretty damn phenomenal.
I think they will fit in well with the Gastown neighbourhood and have lots of regulars, especially those who like those pickles (shudder).
I give brunch at Mensch Jewish Delicatessen four out of five wooden spoons. I liked it, am glad I went but not sure I will go again.
I sure wish Edmonton had a real Jewish deli — I miss the delis of Winnipeg so much! And *sob* matzo ball soup! I wouldn’t care if it did have only one piece of carrot *sob*
We do have a kosher bakery in the city but that’s it. But because they keep Orthodox hours (not open any evenings but definitely closed Friday evening and all day Saturday, plus Sunday as well I believe), it’s very hard to get there to buy anything if you work a standard Mon-Fri work week.
Oh I am so sorry Edmonton doesn’t have one! I feel your foodie pain. I wish matzah was easier to find, I would make my own food with it. Too bad that even the bakery is tough to get to. 🙁 Yes, impossible hours if you’re working!
I’m a Jersey girl (or was born and raised), and part Jewish myself. We had lots and lots of Jewish Deli’s as well as ate Jewish foods. Fun stuff, for sure.
I bet the eating in Jersey is phenomenal! Nice.
Depends. How do you feel about bagel shoppes and doughnut shoppes on every corner, mixed with pizza pallors, and both jew and non-jew delis?
Most of which I can’t eat anymore but the memories are good.
Happy Friday my friend.