Comments on: Dining: Parkway Deli and Restaurant

By: lilkunta

lilkunta — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:35:53 +0000

JenD that review was from 2yrs ago. At that time Jon has just sold rdc to Kirsten Poole/Jerry. Now 2 yrs later Kirsten sold it solely to Jerry. Hollinger. Chef Janice Mclean left rdc for to go back to morrison clark inn(DC). From what I have read Jerry is worse than Kirsten. No maple syrup with the hallah french toast. JOHN EMMANUELSON PLEASE COME BACK ! Editor's note: This is a review of the Parkway Deli, not RedDog Cafe. For a more recent review of the deli, please see my Burger Quest report from this summer. The Penguin hasn't confirmed the claims in this comment. -- JD (Oct 19, 2009)

By: Lea

Lea — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:09:49 +0000

I am astounded at the behavior of the weekend manager at Parkway Deli. Last Saturday night (April 18), I was going to dinner, heard shriek and thud, and looked up to see a car driving on the sidewalk in front of the Parkway. It knocked into a metal trashcan, circled around, and pushed a Prius around into a space two over from where it had been parked. The trash can hit two men eating outside Parkway Deli, knocked them out of their chairs, and knocked over their table. They were scratched and shaken up, but nothing broken. The driver was an elderly woman who was also unhurt. After the two men were bandaged up, they returned to see if they could get a replacement meal for the one that had been knocked to the ground by the accident. The manager angrily told them to ask the woman who caused the accident to buy them a new meal, and refused to speak to them further. The men had bought their meal just before they were knocked out of their seats at the sidewalk table. Thankfully, the rest of that strip center was nicer. The folks at TPSS co-op comped a meal for them, and the folks at Red Dog ran to their assistance right after the accident. I couldn’t believe that the manager at Parkway wasn’t more concerned about his customers and couldn’t bring himself to be compassionate or even community-oriented. The man wasn’t threatening to sue; he just wanted to eat the meal he had already paid for. I won’t return to Parkway Deli after that experience.

By: Jennifer Deseo

Jennifer Deseo — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:23:00 +0000

You can read The Penguin's review of RedDog Cafe here.

By: lilkunta

lilkunta — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:03:10 +0000

Parkway Deli French Toast is great.

JenD, pls do a post on RedDog. I was surprised to learn that John E sold it so now Kirsten owns it. I love Redsog’s mangoe smoothy, chicken ripighi, & potato wedges.

Also, JenD, pls dont call yourself fat. You may have meat on you but that doesnt mean you’re fat.

By: Rock Creek Villager

Rock Creek Villager — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:17:44 +0000

Penguin

Makes sense Wayne Ave garage (that is what I meant!) is crowded ’cause its free after 6 pm. As you say, who can resist. Certainly not me! However, the garage on Ellsworth doesn’t seem as congested on weekday nights. Maybe it’s the hotel connected to Wayne Street. The 2 garages seem to me equally close to the restaurants and shops.

Parkway Deli is worthy of 2 postings per year!

By: Woodsider

Woodsider — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:40:22 +0000

I can’t believe how many people bash the Parkway’s Matzoh ball soup. It’s delish. My theory? We’re often conditioned to like things the way mom or bubbe made them. Ours tasted like the Parkway which is probably why I love it. And Tzimmes? I can’t stand that crap with the marshmallows and brown sugar. My grandmother made it with predominately carrots, of course, and (get this), tiny matzoh balls, pieces of lamb and carmelized onions. I’ve yet to find anyone who makes it that way. I could eat a pound of it.

By: The Dad Report

The Dad Report — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:20:49 +0000

Trekkie, you’re right that the Matzoh Ball soup is lacking as a Matzoh Ball soup. I like it, but I don’t think of it as authentic. Just as I’ve grown to like Einstein Bagels though they’re not real bagels to me. Does that make sense? I’ve been all around here and haven’t found any soup like that in NYC. I love the Stage Deli’s Mish Mosh.

Woodsider, my mother-in-law (whose parents were Jewish emigrants from Russia) loves ALL of the European Jewish delights. She currently lives north of Chicago. In fact we’re going to see her this week. She lives in a predom Jewish area, Highland Park. Even there, it’s no easy feat to find some items. However, there is a deli called Max’s that has excellent Matzoh Ball soup, Mish Mosh, brisket and corned beef. (slightly fatty of course)

We recently traveled to NYC and went to Barney Greengrass on Amsterdam at 86th. Had a wonderful breakfast for myself, lovely wife and two daughters. Total bill about $75.00, hello is this thing on? One look at my wife’s face as she took a bite of her lox and bagel was priceless. As I read thru the menu I could only think of my mother-in-law back in Chicago. The second we got home I ordered her some treats from Barney Greengrass. I got her some rye, some sable and the highlight for her, nova wings. She loves nova wings, ate them as a kid. She can’t find them anymore in Chicago and wouldn’t eat them in a restaurant if she did. Why not I asked her? “What, and have people see me gnawing on nova wings?”

One place I can point you to is in Baltimore. It’s called Attmans and it has the best corned beef (slightly fatty of course) that we’ve found anywhere around here. Same for the sliced brisket sandwich with their own mustard. Don’t get me started on mustard. BTW, if anyone is interested I have a killer brisket recipe.

And lastly, up New Hampshire Ave where Randolph Road crosses is a big shopping center. In there is Upper Crust bakery. They have the best Rugelah anywhere. We always take some to Chicago with us. Mom sez they’re some of the best she’s ever had. High praise indeed.

Oh yeah, try their New York Rye too.

By: Woodsider

Woodsider — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:13:41 +0000

There’s another great thing about the Parkway that some readers might relate to: the “bringing back childhood memories” factor.

For those of us who grew up with European Jewish traditions (or really anyone for that matter) and had doting grandmothers & mothers who have since passed on, the Parkway is a place where we can have many of their specialty dishes again.

Since my grandmother & mother are both gone, I donn’t have anyone to make me matzoh ball soup, latkes, etc. So every time I go to the Parkway, starting with the first smell of the soup and nibble of latkes, it never fails to remind me of all the great memories I have of these two great ladies and how much I miss them.

By: Thayer Ave., too

Thayer Ave., too — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:00:36 +0000

Depends on your wine budget.

Decent wine, and I’m in. If you’re limited to the box-o-vino, my grandmother can probably help you out.

By: Thayer Avenue

Thayer Avenue — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:41:00 +0000

You have a sommelier?? Dammit. I need to get me one of those. Maybe Thayer Ave., Too is up to the task…