Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli Is Open in Rehoboth!
It has finally happened!
After months of tantalizing facebook posts and news from food columns and restaurant owner Warren Rosenfeld himself, our vast Sussex County nightmare is over.
Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli has opened on Route One.
And it was good!
Actually, great. And what seemed like forty years of wandering in search of a great pastrami sandwich in Rehoboth has ended. Let there be light on the mustard!
And while we celebrate the authentic menu, please know that Rosenfeld’s also offers traditional breakfasts of bacon and eggs, waffles, lunch favorites, and many other deli favorites.
But for those who have seeking the real thing, here it is. While I was party to a preview of the restaurant a week or so ago, and deadline precluded me from sampling everything on the menu, I can tell you it is time to celebrate.
The chopped liver is divine, the rye bread is perfect, and all I can say about the cheesecake is this: It rivals Juniors in NYC, taking a page from the old Lindys, and Stage deli, too. Bonnie sampled the chocolate éclair and did not relinquish a bite to me. Her smiles said it all.
And pickles! The sour pickles (and tomatoes) are authentic and my only disappointment was that there were no half sours available—those bright green NEW pickles. Somebody tell Warren!
As for that pastrami, it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The corned beef wasn‘t ready yet when I visited, but having trekked to Rosenfeld’s in Ocean City for a fix, I can report you will not be disappointed.
The new Rosenfeld’s is located on the east side of Route One, adjacent to the newly renovated WaWa at Wolfe Neck Road. It’s a medium sized restaurant, with simple décor, but for one thing: giant murals.
Taking a page from New York Times’ famed cartoonist Al Hirschfield (he used to have the front page of the Arts section with his cartoons of Broadway shows and performers), Hirschfield impressionist and Lewes resident Thomas Scott Roberts has festooned the walls with fanciful Hirschfield-like cartoons of some of the most celebrated Jewish names in show biz and sports. Sports? Okay, a few are from sports! I won’t give away the caricature identities, as guessing is part of the fun of dining at the deli.
Things I am looking forward to: potato latkes, whitefish, stuffed cabbage, matzo brei, and a chocolate egg cream. If you don’t know what that is, I will be happy to give you the 4-1-1. But just know, it includes no egg and no cream.
Naturally, there will be a deli case in the store for carry-out like corned beef, smoked fish, and all the other delicacies offered by a traditional Jewish Deli. And yes, they have Dr. Brown’s soda, diet and regular. There will be breads for the holidays, and all the special foods we have been missing here in Rehoboth.
Rosenfeld’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 7:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. I can already see myself changing allegiances for my breakfast or lunch meetings.
So come to the deli and say Shalom. Or just say hi. It will be to your delight. I’m so glad Warren Rosenfeld parted the sea of sushi, pizza, and seafood to make room for his Jewish Deli in Rehoboth. Congratulations. Mazel Tov!