So, we noticed something tonight...

[mr_teem]

Poll Rein's Deli: A New York-style Jewish deli

Comments

[dirkcjelli]

It is a New York Jewish-style deli, not a New York-style Jewish deli

[mr_teem]

Aha! Bad hyphen placement. They need a better editor.

[benndragon]

Because Jews have always known that catering to Gentile tastes is essential in a mostly-Gentile world. Let *them* eat ham!

[londo]

Yeah. Jewish restrictions are pretty clearly *for Jews*, and they can feed treyf to gentiles all day.

[mr_teem]

Yep. Good point. Also, as I mention below, I had brainfaulted and forgotten that Jewish ¬⇒ kosher.

[castalusoria]

I know a great many Jewish folks who may not eat, say, pork chops, or ham, but they do eat BACON.

[lobotomymonkey]

Related:
I always associate the Reuben sandwich strongly with New York Jewishness.
But it is clearly not kosher (corned beef and swiss cheese).

[hungrytiger]

It's a Jewish deli, not a kosher deli. Not the same thing. I'm Jewish and am comfortable eating whatever I want.

[mr_teem]

(smacking forehead icon)

Yep--that distinction hit me this morning. Last night when we were there citabria brought it up comparing her experiences with NYC kosher delis.

[hungrytiger]

Actually, it's interesting that this conversation points out that Rein's serves pork, but not that they're open on the Sabbath (and the High Holidays, I believe).

Being Jewish is really two different things, there's the religious aspect (including temple, laws, and observances) the cultural/community aspect. To me the classic "Jewish Deli" is part of the cultural heritage of being a Jew so it really doesn't faze me that the management Reins doesn't choose to run their restaurant as an observant one.

I've been trying to compare this to catholic run restaurants serving meat on Friday's, but that's not quite fair since Rein's advertisises their jewishness.