Cambridge, MA (The Joy of Food) — Mamaleh’s is a modern delicatessen reborn into a civic space that lacks the chubby neon sign, battered counter, and leather booths of other delis with which you’re probably familiar. And yet, as a working Jewish deli, all the classic hits are served here: latkes, babka, smoked fish, chopped liver, and matzo ball soup.
Like any good Jewish deli, they don’t stop there; they also bake everything too: bagels, bialys, challah, and a rotating case filled with scratch-made sweets and desserts. The deli meats are also cured, brined, smoked, roasted, braised, and steamed in-house.
At a deli, I can usually enjoy a good, fresh bagel and continue my quest for a decent cup of coffee in the United States.
The everything bagel here arrives at your table thoroughly slathered with schmear, although it is neither toasted nor warm from the oven. If we’re talking texture, the dough is appropriately chewy and crunchy, but I’d give the edge to other bagel purveyors in the city who can deliver the product warm. Bagelsaurus is one such purveyor, also in Cambridge and a few Red Line stops away.
If you’re coming in for something more substantial, sandwiches at nearby tables look hefty and about as thick as encyclopedias.
As expected, there are classic egg creams on the menu in vanilla or chocolate flavors, each sweet, thin, and fizzy. Yes, seltzer will do that. If you’re after something a little thicker, there are milkshakes too in all sorts of interesting flavors. Maybe a bourbon raspberry walnut shake is what you’re after, all swirled together with vanilla ice cream. On the more traditional side, Mamaleh’s earns a high mark in my book for being able to execute a passable cappuccino.
And as you’ll look around, you’ll notice that the neighborhood is just as immaculate as the space you’re in: Mamaleh’s is a hop, skip, and a jump away from the MIT campus. It is so close that most of the workforce at Mamaleh’s appears to be students who no doubt enjoy the delicious perks of the job.
Written by Joy
Thanks for reading. The Joy of Food blog celebrates eating well, traveling often, and living la dolce vita. San Diego, California is home base, but thoughts are from all over. Reviews and photos help to highlight wonderful (or not) food experiences from around the world.
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I seem to remember their raspberry jam was pretty good, too. Very seedy.
Yes it’s clear they use the good stuff here, either by making it themselves or sourcing things that are high-quality.
Mmm… Been awhile since I had a bagel. I’m usually lured away be a donut with that sugary glaze reflecting the florescent lights calling to me to come take a bite.
Ha ha yes it can be a toss up. I don’t eat many bagels at home since I don’t think San Diego does a good job with the taste, texture, or really any part of what a bagel is supposed to be. But a good donut I have been very guilty of enjoying!