Meet Me At The Deli

Eleven episodes. Countless insights from the world’s foremost Jewish food experts and food friends we’ve welcomed onto the podcast. This is the Best of Meet Me At The Deli, where Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria take listeners on a culinary journey through the Jewish foods they love, the snacks and bites they absolutely do not, the flavors making a post-assimilation comeback, and the questions that may have crossed your mind as a deli goer and devoted Jewish food lover. So slide into the vinyl seats of the deli booth alongside Liz and Jeffrey for all the hits of Meet Me At The Deli… so far. Then go back and catch up on all the episodes you missed. This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Pasha Toub. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking? Submit your questions at http://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline or email podcast@gefilteria.com ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto Cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital nonprofit for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required.

Slide into the deli seats with Liz and Jeffrey for this week's episode, where this time, they get to ask the questions with guest Nora L. Rubel about her new book, Recipes for the Melting Pot: The Lives of the Settlement Cook Book . Learn about The Settlement Cook Book and the bad-ass that was Lizzie Kander, the founder of a settlement house in Milwaukee, who left a legacy of Jewish immigrant cooking through this enduring recipe book. Topics include a brief history of The Settlement Cook Book , the most successful charitable cookbook in American history, the noteworthy absence of garlic and kosher food, and the intended versus actual audience. The trio kibitz about vegan deli sandwich names, bathhouse influencer etiquette, and much, much more. Nora L. Rubel is the author of Recipes for the Melting Pot: The Lives of the Settlement Cook Book . She is the Chair of Religious Studies at the University of Rochester, and is incredibly proud to share this project with the world. Find her newest book, released on Colombia University Press, here : https://cup.columbia.edu/book/recipes-for-the-melting-pot/9780231566162/ Learn more about Nora: https://www.norarubel.com/about-nora.html Show Notes: Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks (Book Launch location): bonnieslotnickcookbooks.com Kitchen Arts & Letters (Panel location): kitchenartsandletters.com 97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement by Jane Ziegelman: Barnes & Noble Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day by Alexander Smalls & J.J. Johnson (with Veronica Chambers): Bookshop.org HOPWTR x Hot Girl Pickle — Pickle Lemonade: hopwtr.com/products/pickle-lemonade Spicy Moon (vegan Szechuan restaurant, multiple NYC locations): https://www.spicymoonnyc.com This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Pasha Toub. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking? Submit your questions at http://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline or email podcast@gefilteria.com ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital nonprofit for subversive Jewish culture.

Reporting LIVE from the Sour Cream Sierras...is green borscht actually a thing? Should anyone ever scoop a bagel? Liz and Jeffrey take Meet Me at the Deli on the road for a special live episode from the Borscht Belt Festival in Ellenville, New York, where they (alongside three passionate guests) answer both listener and live questions about foods, traditions, and debates that define Jewish American cuisine. From the origins of the Reuben sandwich and cholent to the psychology of immigrant food culture, plus passionate takes on mustard, chopped liver, cinnamon raisin bagels (and more!) this live episode is packed with food history, comedy, and plenty of kvetching. Dan Vetrano is a comedian and host of Get Work , a live comedy show where comedians interview for real jobs using fake résumés. Learn more at www.danvetrano.com . Willie Zabar is a New York comedian, writer, and member of the legendary Zabar family. Learn more about Willie at www.williezabar.com . Rounding out the panel is Rocco Marinaccio, professor of literature, food studies, ethnic studies, and New York studies at Manhattan University. Show Notes: The Borscht Belt Festival: https://www.borschtbeltfest.org/ The Borscht Belt Museum: https://www.borschtbeltmuseum.org/ Rhapsody in Schmaltz by Michael Wex: https://wwnorton.com/books/Rhapsody-in-Schmaltz Hungering for America by Hasia Diner: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691059757/hungering-for-america The Vilna Vegetarian Cookbook: https://archive.org/details/VilnaVegetarianCookbook Daniel Kahn and the Painted Bird – "Borscht Revisited": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bX9_q-_u3c&list=RD3bX9_q-_u3c&start_radio=1 This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Pasha Toub. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking? Submit your questions at tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline or email podcast@gefilteria.com ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital nonprofit for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required.

The fated day at the deli has finally arrived. Liz and Jeffrey tackle the big question head-on by going back and forth about what might, or might not, make a food "Jewish." Is there such a thing? How do we know? What about Chinese food on Christmas? Only listeners will have the inside scoop. Other topics include the Borscht Belt (with a live podcast announcement), gut-healthy deli options for our food sensitivity affected listeners, and the ethics of a blueberry bagel. Show notes: The Gefilteria's Featured Recipes (lots of gluten free and dairy free options!): https://www.gefilteria.com/recipes Chef Ari Miller's Fishtown restaurant, Post Haste, a favorite of The Gefilteria and a stop on Jeffrey's trip to Philadelphia: https://www.posthastephilly.com/ This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Pasha Toub. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking? Submit your questions at tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline or email podcast@gefilteria.com ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital nonprofit for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required.

If you like creative sandwich names, dueling regional pastrami styles, and glizzy banter, you’ll love this week’s episode with one very special guest. Liz and Jeffrey gear up for the Fourth of July with New York-based journalist and proud Texan, Adam Chandler, author and food columnist at The Wall Street Journal . No better expert could be better equipped to join our hosts as they answer listeners’ burning questions about Texas- versus New York-style pastrami, the Jewish history of the hot dog, and whether the tradition of sandwiches named after celebrities is alive and thriving, or ready to retire. Exploring food trends at the intersection of business and culture, Adam is the author of Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey into the Heart of America’s Fast-Food Kingdom , as well as 99% Perspiration: A New Working History of the American Way of Life . Order your copies of Adam’s books on his website, www.adamchandler.com , and read his musings on fast food, American life, and more on his Substack, The Crunchwrap. Show Notes: The Great Nosh, the ultimate Jew-ish summer picnic Ten Restaurants That Changed America by Paul Freedman “The Time Rahm Emanuel Sliced Off his Finger at Arby’s” from Eater The history of Schlotzky’s, the Texas deli chain Adam referenced How Nathan’s Famous developed the kosher-style category, starting with hot dogs This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Pasha Toub. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking? Submit your questions at tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline or email podcast@gefilteria.com ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital nonprofit for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required.

Most Americans underestimate how much industry and tradition shape our Jewish and Southern food. This week, Liz and Jeffrey sit down with Michael W. Twitty, the renowned culinary historian and James Beard Award–winning author of The Cooking Gene and Koshersoul. The three dive into how industrialization transformed kosher foods from trusted community staples into mass-produced, low-quality products, and how that shift may be behind the decline of once-great Jewish delis. They also explore ways in which certain traditions are kept alive, the best foods for pickling, and so much more. A prolific writer and food justice advocate, his unique perspective on Black, Jewish, and Southern culinary crossovers adds a special flair to this lively discussion, especially during Pride and Juneteenth month. Learn more about Michael and purchase his all of books, including Koshersoul, here: https://michaelwtwitty.com/ Show notes: Pre-order Queer Soup Night: The Cookbook : https://combospress.com/products/queer-soup-night-the-cookbook Information on the women-led Kosher Meat Riot of 1910: https://www.thejewishnews.com/community/the-jewish-women-behind-the-detroit-kosher-meat-riot-of-1910/article_47223202-21a0-11ef-b468-9749a64402cb.html An illuminating article Michael wrote about Juneteenth for Atlas Obscura: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/history-of-juneteenth-food This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Stella Hofferman. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking and deli culture? Submit your question at https://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline or email podcast@gefilteria.com ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital nonprofit for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required. Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gefilteria/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heebmedia/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeebMedia

The one where Liz and Jeffrey answer the age-old question, "What about p'tcha?" This week, Liz and Jeffrey defend some of their hottest food takes, try an extra crunchy peanut snack, and explore the rich tradition of the gelatinous delicacy known as p'tcha, or gala. Show notes: The adult Jewish summer camp Liz mentioned (Trybal Gatherings): https://www.trybalgatherings.com P'tcha recipe from friend-of-the-podcast, Darra Goldstein: https://www.jewishfoodsociety.org/recipes/ptcha-calves-foot-aspic This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Stella Hofferman. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking and deli culture? Submit your question at https://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline or email podcast@gefilteria.com ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital nonprofit for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required. Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gefilteria/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heebmedia/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeebMedia Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish subculture and entertainment! Become a member here: https://heebmedia.com/pages/becomeame ...

Our favorite Jewish cooking experts are joined this week by cookbook author Shannon Sarna. Shannon has written several cookbooks about Jewish food, including Modern Jewish Baker: Challah, Babka, Bagels & More and Modern Jewish Comfort Food: 100 Fresh Recipes for Classic Dishes from Kugel to Kreplach . Shannon was also Founding Editor of The Nosher, the popular website dedicated to Jewish food. Listen in as the trio talks about matzo balls as big as a baby's head, getting kicked out of delis, and their favorite delis from outside of major Jewish food centers. Liz brings pickle-flavored sour straws and matzo granola for the group to share, and the reactions are... mixed. Show Notes: Deli recommendations from around the country: Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan: https://www.zingermansdeli.com/ Kenny & Ziggy’s in Houston, Texas: https://www.kennyandziggys.com/ Larder in Cleveland, Ohio: https://larderdb.com/ Goldie’s Bagels in Columbia, Missouri: https://www.ordergoldies.com/ Liz's Farmer's Cheese recipe for Shavuot: https://www.gefilteria.com/farmers-cheese This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Stella Hofferman. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking and deli culture? Submit your question at https://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital nonprofit for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required. Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gefilteria/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heebmedia/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeebMedia Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish subculture and entertainment! Become a member here: https://heebmedia.com/pages/becomeame ...

In this extra-special solo episode, Jeffrey regales us with tales from his adventures at Bagel Fest West. Liz discovers the tiniest pink Himalayan salt packet ever to exist. The two unpack the makings of a great mock chopped liver, along with the reason why chefs decide to write a cookbook. And Jeffrey uncovers a corned moose recipe from a fan residing in the Great White North. Show Notes: Liz's Mock Chopped Liver Recipe: https://www.gefilteria.com/mushroom-mockchop Jon's Corned Moose Recipe: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aLqzYKSkd5ygCZ_qr7kWoqtlVA25zEZq/view?usp=sharing New York Times article about private equity-backed bagel shops: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/dining/private-equity-bagel-business.html More information about BagelFest: https://www.bagelfest.com/ LA Delis Jeffrey enjoyed during his trip for Bagel Fest West: Langer’s Deli: https://www.langersdeli.com/ The Nosh of Beverly Hills: https://www.thenosh.com/ Factor’s Famous Deli: https://www.factorsdeli.com/ Canter’s Deli: https://cantersdeli.com/ Belle’s Bagels: https://www.bellesbagels.com/ This episode is dedicated to Jim. May his memory always and forever be a blessing. This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Stella Hofferman. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking and deli culture? Submit your question at https://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit http://gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital platform for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required. Catch episode highlights on Heeb Media's YouTube page! Follow: Instagram: @gefilteria Instagram: @heebmedia YouTube: @HeebMedia Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish subculture and entertainment! Become a member here: https://heebmedia.com/pages/becomeamember

Our favorite duo in the Jewish cooking space are joined by Elyssa Heller, chef and owner of Edith's Sandwich Counter, another iconic chef breathing new life into this very special cuisine. Elyssa sits down with Liz and Jeffrey to explore her aversion to the boring deli sandwich, how that inspired the birth of Edith's, which Dr. Brown's soda flavor cures hangovers, and where she stands on the great Morton versus Crystal Kosher salt debate. With two locations across New York City, Edith's Sandwich Counter is known for innovating on traditional deli food with flavors from Jewish cultures around the world. Visit them in person and learn more at https://edithsbk.com/ Episode Show Notes: Jeffrey's Cel-Ray Recipe: https://www.gefilteria.com/cel-ray This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Stella Hofferman. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking and deli culture? Submit your question at https://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an Original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital platform for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required. Catch episode highlights on Heeb Media's YouTube page! Follow: Instagram: @gefilteria Instagram: @heebmedia YouTube: @HeebMedia Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish subculture and entertainment! Become a member here: https://heebmedia.com/pages/becomeamember

Liz and Jeffrey are back for Episode 2 of Meet Me At The Deli—and they've invited a special guest to slide into their vinyl deli booth. Chef Aaron Israel of the legendary Brooklyn eatery Shalom Japan joins our co-hosts to talk about the science and art of a good matzoh ball, how to keep your matzoh balls intact, and the most pungent dish the Gefilteria duo has ever pickled. Shalom Japan is most famous for its Matzoh Ball Ramen, which you'll hear Jeffrey and Liz talk about in the episode, as well as for its Shark Tank-Approved Matzoh Ball Ramen kits. Visit their Brooklyn location and learn more at https://shalomjapannyc.com . Episode Show Notes: Mile End Deli, a Montreal-style deli in Brooklyn: https://www.mileenddeli.com/ Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen in San Francisco: https://www.wisesonsdeli.com/ Food Stories Conversation Card Deck: https://foodstories.cards/products/food-stories-conversation-card-deck Guinness World Record for Largest Matzoh Ball Soup: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/03/06/jewish-chef-eitan-bernath-sets-new-guinness-world-record-making-largest-matzah-ball-soup/ And a special shoutout to Wolf, whose pickle science fair project may not have won an award, but has made his dad and Jeffrey, as well as our podcast community very, very happy. This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Stella Hofferman. Got a burning question on Jewish cooking and deli culture? Submit your question at https://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline ! Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more. This show is an Original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital platform for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required. Catch episode highlights on Heeb Media's YouTube page! Follow: Instagram: @gefilteria Instagram: @heebmedia YouTube: @HeebMedia Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish subculture and entertainment! Become a member here: https://heebmedia.com/pages/becomeamember

For generations, Jewish delis have served as the heart of Jewish culture — secular synagogues where diners kvell, kvetch and gather over their shared love of this cuisine. Brought to you by Heeb Media, the tradition lives on, reimagined by two chefs breathing new life into Eastern European Jewish cooking. Welcome to Meet Me At The Deli, a food advice show hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. New episodes air every other Thursday. Follow @gefilteria and @heebmedia on Instagram and catch episode highlights on Heeb Media's YouTube channel . Recipes, recommendations and more from today's episode: Queer Soup Night Liz’s Deli Recommendations Lido’s Kosher Deli 2nd Ave Deli Jeffrey’s Deli Recommendations Katz’s Deli Mill Basin Kosher Deli Deli-Inspired Restaurants and Luncheonettes Mile End Deli Gertrude’s Elbow Bread S&P Lunch 10-minute Seder Sour pickle recipe Gilda recipe Got a burning question about Jewish cooking? Submit your question to the Gefilte Hotline ! Meet Me At The Deli is an original podcast by Heeb Media , an independent digital platform for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required. Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish entertainment! Explore all links for The Gefilteria: https://linktr.ee/gefilteria Discover original and featured shows from the Heeb Media Podcast Network: https://heebmedia.com/pages/listen-1

Welcome to Meet Me At The Deli, a food advice podcast by the Gefilteria. Come with your burning questions about eating and cooking while Jewish, and leave with a fresh perspective on what the future of deli cuisine looks like.