Newspaper reporters must rely on official spokesmen and people who will be quoted by name. The beauty of blogging is that you can apply the "normal people" standards and post about the new Pita & Rye deli in Fulton because there has been public talk by the people involved. That's why I posted about the deli three weeks ago.
Pita & Rye circulated a press release today with quotes from owner Jay Fridkis and Rabbi Hillel Baron, who will supervise the kosher kitchen. Baron, who runs Congregation Ahavas Israel, says in the release that this will be Howard County's first kosher food establishment.
I echo all the hopeful comments on the prior post. A kosher deli may deliver New-York-quality ingredients, and that could be a great thing. Bon Fresco has proven that great sandwiches can pack a house, so I'll second the anonymous comment emphasizing the need for the deli and the diners to do their part:
Everyone out there on Howchow - we have to support it or it will close! Let's say it again, we have to support or it will close! Again...get the idea?Check out the Pita & Rye Web site here.
Owners of Pita & Rye, whoever you are - you are risking a lot, we know, to give us a deli. Please don't screw it up. I beg you. Give us the good stuff, throw out the bad, and smile when you serve us. Give us good value & a good pickle.
I know Jay Fridkis. He is a good guy, and I know he'll do a great job opening Pita & Rye.
ReplyDeleteShoot. I keep kosher, and I work two minutes away from Maple Lawn. I'm going to gain soooo much weight being forced to go there every day for lunch to support them, not to mention takeout for dinner....
ReplyDeleteYeah Jay...a real deli thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy for you Jay! and for our community! Jewish Howard County gets stronger every day!
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! Thanks Jay and Rabbi Baron!!
ReplyDeletei love anything New Yorky in Maryland- it's always good!! I hope people actually go to this deli. The pizza place in maple lawn didn't make it and it was pretty good!!
ReplyDeleteThe pizza place didn't have Looney's next to it for that long. With the # of people Looney's brings to Maple Lawn, it will only help.
ReplyDeleteI work Tuesdays and Thursdays in Maple Lawn- I foresee a lot of lunches in my future!
ReplyDeleteGood Matzo Ball Soup, Corned Beef, and Pickles. Can't wait!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait! I haven't had a proper corned beef sammich since I moved here from Cleveland in 2006. I was spoiled living there with all the awesome ethnic food.
ReplyDeleteYay, yay and yay! As a former NY/NJ gal living in MD and working in Maple Lawn, I ask that you please stock up on kishke and kasha knishes. These are two delicasies that are too difficult to find and I find it difficult to live without!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait! Hope it's really good because there are too many bad, "faux" delis around.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteI put in my vote for great chopped liver on rye with a little onion and of course a great pickle.
ReplyDeleteEver been to Corky and Lenny's in Cleveland and Florida? I great place to eat and shmooze. Hope this is half as good!
ReplyDeleteJen - You think the ethnic food in Cleveland is to be missed? Have you been to DC? Your comment has me snickering at its ridiculousness.
ReplyDelete@Shaun...Yes I'm very aware of the wonderful food and options DC has. I simply don't have the time to go down there. I work full time and have a 2 year old. As much as I'd love to get down there I don't have the time to do so. Having a deli right here in Columbia I'll actually be able to get to it.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the kishke!!
ReplyDeleteYes! I am so excited to hear this! Fantastic post! I just found this blog and I am so happy because I will be moving back to HoCo for the summer. I can't wait to try out some of your recommendations!
ReplyDeleteThis rocks!
ReplyDeleteThe choice of location is good. They're just a few minutes down US-29 from the Lubavitch synagogue, which AFAIK is the only Jewish Orthodox synagogue in HoCo. And they're conveniently located near APL, which has a bunch of Jewish Orthodox commuters who will now be able to eat out for lunch.
It's not planned as a full Jewish-style deli. We still need one of those. But Pita & Rye will be awesome in its own way -- some real deli items, including some unique items for HoCo, and an Israeli-style menu. Plus, it will be wonderful having a local genuinely kosher place for when kosher folks come visiting.
I'm looking forward to trying out Pita & Rye. Even if they're not good initially, I'll happily give them a year (and many visits) to figure out the ropes. Hopefully they will prove worthy of much repeat business.
Very excited to hear this! I don't keep kosher but that doesn't mean I haven't been craving a Jewish deli in the area, and wishing I didn't have to travel to Pikesville just to get knishes! Now if we could just get a Jewish bakery in the area like those up in Pikesville (not that the challah at Great Harvest isn't pretty good) ... I'd love some good rugelach ...
ReplyDeleteThe entire HoCo Jewish community is talking about it. That is always a good sign. They will have fresh deli, fresh bread from the bakery, deserts, and all good things kosher. They are working on also having pareve cheese (they are looking for one that tastes good). Rabbi Baron will be extremely good at being the mashgiach (he has done a lot of kosher supervision for the O-K). Can't wait for some real pastrami and corned beef.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: you don't need to drive to Pikesville for knishes. Charter Deli in Hickory Ridge has knishes. Unfortunately, they're currently square knishes.
ReplyDeleteAnother way to get knishes is frozen. Most local supermarkets carry at least Gabila (again, square) knishes. Or, on one of your drives to the Pikesville area, stop off at 7 Mile Market, and you can buy frozen round knishes. They've got a box with a dozen round knishes (brand: "Smackin' Good") for $7. Nuke for 2 minutes on high.
I know Jay too...and he's a putz with a capital P. One of the most annoying people I have ever met.
ReplyDeleteI called Pita & Rye and spoke to a gentleman who said the deli is planning on opening May 22. Get your tastebuds ready!
ReplyDelete