Our favorite duo in the Jewish cooking space are joined by Elyssa Heller, chef and owner of Edith's Sandwich Counter, another iconic chef breathing new life into this very special cuisine. Elyssa sits down with Liz and Jeffrey to explore her aversion to the boring deli sandwich, how that inspired the birth of Edith's, which Dr. Brown's soda flavor cures hangovers, and where she stands on the great Morton versus Crystal Kosher salt debate.

With two locations across New York City, Edith's Sandwich Counter is known for innovating on traditional deli food with flavors from Jewish cultures around the world. Visit them in person and learn more at https://edithsbk.com/

Episode Show Notes:

Jeffrey's Cel-Ray Recipe: https://www.gefilteria.com/cel-ray

This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Stella Hofferman.

Got a burning question on Jewish cooking and deli culture? Submit your question at https://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline!

Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more.

This show is an Original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital platform for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required.

Catch episode highlights on Heeb Media's YouTube page!

Follow:

Instagram: @gefilteria

Instagram: @heebmedia

YouTube: @HeebMedia

Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish subculture and entertainment! Become a member here: https://heebmedia.com/pages/becomeamember

Liz and Jeffrey are back for Episode 2 of Meet Me At The Deli—and they've invited a special guest to slide into their vinyl deli booth. Chef Aaron Israel of the legendary Brooklyn eatery Shalom Japan joins our co-hosts to talk about the science and art of a good matzoh ball, how to keep your matzoh balls intact, and the most pungent dish the Gefilteria duo has ever pickled.

Shalom Japan is most famous for its Matzoh Ball Ramen, which you'll hear Jeffrey and Liz talk about in the episode, as well as for its Shark Tank-Approved Matzoh Ball Ramen kits. Visit their Brooklyn location and learn more at https://shalomjapannyc.com.

Episode Show Notes:

Mile End Deli, a Montreal-style deli in Brooklyn: https://www.mileenddeli.com/

Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen in San Francisco: https://www.wisesonsdeli.com/

Food Stories Conversation Card Deck: https://foodstories.cards/products/food-stories-conversation-card-deck

Guinness World Record for Largest Matzoh Ball Soup: https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/03/06/jewish-chef-eitan-bernath-sets-new-guinness-world-record-making-largest-matzah-ball-soup/

And a special shoutout to Wolf, whose pickle science fair project may not have won an award, but has made his dad and Jeffrey, as well as our podcast community very, very happy.

This episode was produced by Felicia Reich and edited by Stella Hofferman.

Got a burning question on Jewish cooking and deli culture? Submit your question at https://tinyurl.com/GefilteHotline!

Meet Me At The Deli is co-hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. Visit gefilteria.com for recipes, workshops, The Gefilte Manifesto cookbook, and more.

This show is an Original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital platform for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required.

Catch episode highlights on Heeb Media's YouTube page!

Follow:

Instagram: @gefilteria

Instagram: @heebmedia

YouTube: @HeebMedia

Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish subculture and entertainment! Become a member here: https://heebmedia.com/pages/becomeamember

For generations, Jewish delis have served as the heart of Jewish culture — secular synagogues where diners kvell, kvetch and gather over their shared love of this cuisine. Brought to you by Heeb Media, the tradition lives on, reimagined by two chefs breathing new life into Eastern European Jewish cooking.

Welcome to Meet Me At The Deli, a food advice show hosted by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz of The Gefilteria. New episodes air every other Thursday.

Follow @gefilteria and @heebmedia on Instagram and catch episode highlights on Heeb Media's YouTube channel.

Recipes, recommendations and more from today's episode:

Queer Soup Night

Liz’s Deli Recommendations

• Lido’s Kosher Deli
• 2nd Ave Deli

Jeffrey’s Deli Recommendations

• Katz’s Deli
• Mill Basin Kosher Deli

Deli-Inspired Restaurants and Luncheonettes

• Mile End Deli
• Gertrude’s 
• Elbow Bread
• S&P Lunch

10-minute Seder

Sour pickle recipe

Gilda recipe

Got a burning question about Jewish cooking? Submit your question to the Gefilte Hotline!

Meet Me At The Deli is an original podcast by Heeb Media, an independent digital platform for subversive Jewish culture. Circumcision not required.

Support this show by subscribing, rating, and leaving us a review. Join the Heeb Media Guild and shape the future of Jewish entertainment!

Explore all links for The Gefilteria: https://linktr.ee/gefilteria

Discover original and featured shows from the Heeb Media Podcast Network: https://heebmedia.com/pages/listen-1

Welcome to Meet Me At The Deli, a food advice podcast by the Gefilteria. Come with your burning questions about eating and cooking while Jewish, and leave with a fresh perspective on what the future of deli cuisine looks like.