Izenberg's Cafe

1600 Butler Pike
Conshohocken, PA 19428
(610) 828-8900
Website

I was recently out doing some holiday shopping in Plymouth Meeting, and really worked up an appetite. There was no way I was making it back to the city without stopping first for a snack.

Izenberg's Cafe is an unassuming little brick box attached to an auto shop on the Butler Pike, just outside of what's considered "Conshohocken Proper." It's a Jewish-style deli owned by a husband-wife duo, Julia and Fred Izenberg. "We cook our own savory meats, prepare all of our delicious soups from scratch, bake our own cakes, cookies, brownies, pies and other baked goods, and never, ever cook from a can or a box. Only fresh produce and top quality goods help us complete our delicious foods."

Here Julia is showing a bit of exaggerated enthusiasm towards a couple with a cute baby eating some bagels.

The menu is pretty extensive for such a tiny little kitchen - Fred's back there most of the time, putting care into all of his creations. Even though I really just needed something small(ish) to hold me over, I couldn't resist the sight of piled-high meat sandwiches on their "specialty items" page.

I went with the Hot BRISKET, and Julia was quick to back me up on the decision.

Don't let the aforementioned photo fool you - it's not served on rye, it comes on a kaiser roll, as well it should. It's served with fried onions, provolone and a creamy horseradish mayo that really stole the show. The brisket itself was tender and of very good quality.

But, it was dry. There was nary a sign of any jus. The creamy horseradish sauce helped to make up for some of the dryness, but only on the top half. I don't know if they keep it dry-wrapped back there like it's lunch meat, or what, but the sandwich could really use a lot more beef gravy to sweeten the deal.

A friend, whose self-control is much stronger than mine, did the health-conscious thing and got the veggie wrap. It too was a little dry, but isn't that what's to be expected of something as boring as sliced vegetables rolled up in a tortilla?

If I lived in the Conshohocken area, I'd probably visit on a semi-regular basis. I'd get to know Julia and Fred and have them whip up some jus for the benefit of the community.

-posted by gabulous