Wise Sons Jewish Deli: Not Kosher, But Most Definitely Hipster

Kosher Jews (or, if you are familiar with the comedic stylings of Larry David, Woody Allen, or Lower East Side grandmothers, “Good Jews”) are bummed—bummed!—that the premiere Jewish deli in the Mission is not kosher, as the taker of the above photo observed, “fffuuuucccckkkkkk bacon this sucks.”, nevermind, we're idiots (and, in my case, vegetarian, so please excuse my bacon-pastrami-prosciutto-italllooksthesametome ignorance).

A few weeks back, Grub Street also got curious about the lack of kosher certification and spoke to the owners of Wise Sons to get their thoughts on the matter:

[While] we know that keeping kosher hasn't been important for some of the biggest, most long-running Jewish delis in the country (Katz's, Canter's, Langer's), we thought we'd ask co-owner Evan Bloom for this thoughts on the issue. “For us Jewish Deli has always been a cultural eating experience,” he says. “Judaism and kashrut [Jewish dietary laws] are not intrinsically linked though we do choose not to serve shellfish and pork.”

Uh, isn't bacon pork? (We're still idiots). Well, no matter.  In the Grub Street mini-interview, Evan goes on to explain that their meat is more “ethically raised” than the kosher equivalent at the same price-point, so they opted for the animal-welfare over certified kosher.

Anyway, should you find yourself born a goy, or just unconcerned with 'keeping kosh', might I recommend trying their challah french toast?  It'll change your life, and by change your life, I mean you won't stop eating it until you balloon 20 pounds and people cease finding you sexually attractive.

A worthy cause of obesity, if I do say so myself.

[Thanks Ben!]

Comments (12)

I believe they make “bacon” from pastrami. The pic above looks pastrami-esque.

Yup, we make that “bacon” from pastrami folks

why do they close at 3

I don’t understand how these guys can make such a horrible place! I had to wait in line before they opened and then a half hour after for the most anemic white fish sandwich I have ever seen(could you spare the cream cheese?)

How about hiring some more people, so we all don’t have to wait a half hour for a sandwich? How about some quality control if you are gonna charge and arm and a leg? Which I don’t mind paying if it’s GOOD!

David’s on Geary does better, and they are disgusting! But all the Marina folks with strollers were there, buying the hype. I just want a good jewish deli in town…going to LA for deli is getting old.

Thanks Wise Sons dude, but I don’t have another half hour to wait, even for a free sandwich. I will wait for you to get your act together, and the hype to die down, and give it another try…thanks for the snark about cod vs white fish, much appreciated, and yeah it was anemic, I assure you.

Wait, sorry guys, but I just feel like if they were open past three then there would be no problems. Wise Sons - you’re great! Just, you know, meet us halfway.

Maybe someday make a lengua sandwich too?

yelp 2.0

There is just no market to justify spending money on making a deli kosher when there is so little demand. There are so few Orthodox/Haredi Jews living in San Francisco that it would be silly to make Wise Sons kosher. As far as I know there are only two kosher places in the whole city, which just shows that the population just isn’t here.

wise sons you rock! thank you!

overhyped hipster crap food.

Woah, woah, woah, wee woah? Where’d my suggestion of lengua sandwich post go dog? Katz makes a nice tongue sandwich in NYC. Cow tongue is enjoyed all over this planet but not on UpTown? Agh hell.

http://katzsdelicatessen.com/menus/

It’s a “Delicacy” Dammit!