OXYMORONIC

I am certain that my daughters and many others would be thrilled with the announcement that Chicago now has a "vegan Jewish deli." Me...not so much.

One of my daily foodie on-line periodicals, chicago.eater.com, announced that Sam & Gertie's, 'World's First Vegan Jewish Deli, Debuts with Meatless Chopped Liver. I counted two of the most oxymoronic phrases in this single headline: Vegan Jewish Deli and Meatless Chopped Liver. Let me just say -- NO, say it isn't so. Read the article here: https://chicago.eater.com/2020/1/10/21060611/sam-and-gerties-worlds-first-vegan-jewish-deli-open-uptown-chicago

Friends, this a niche I cannot believe we needed.

Sam & Gertie's debut is further evidence of the decline of America's food culture and, with that, the well-publicized apparently inexorable death spiral of the true Jewish deli continues. (See, Pastrami on Rye: An Overstuffed History of the Jewish Deli)

I respect those who practice veganism, especially those in my family, but does the world really need a vegan restaurant claiming to be a deli? Even one that announces that it is "...a place, for example, where Ashkenazi Jewish Chicagoans can introduce a vegan spouse to their culinary heritage, or where a Jewish vegetarian can taste chopped liver for the first time in 30 years." NO...whatever this Deli may serve, it ain't chopped liver, nor pastrami nor any other traditional deli "animal product." I admire those who have chosen the vegetarian path; but, were they interested and willing, I would be honored to bring them with me to Katz's or Riverdale's Leibman delis, and place some chicken soup, then a pastrami with some deckle, not lean, on rye with deli mustard and a half-sour in front of them and challenge them to resist. 

Luckily, in the Chicago area we can identify a kosher Jewish deli and a number of the "Kosher-style" delis some/many of which seem to continue to thrive. Try Manny's or Eleven City Diner in Chicago and Kaufman's, Max's or Max & Benny's in the north suburbs. Or take a trip to Manhattan.

So, like "airplane food," "deafening silence" and other classic oxymorons, add "vegan Jewish deli" and "meatless chopped liver" to the list. Soon to be followed by the announcement that the founders of Sam & Gertie's:

"...are getting ready to embark on their next venture -- Porferio D.F, a vegan taqueria and cantina..."

Can't wait.

Rwexler