Breakfast with the homophonously challenged
Written: Aug 26 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great food at modest prices, clean, friendly
Cons: I'm not a fan of their blintzes
The Bottom Line: Affordable family restaurant with a NY kosher deli flair.
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| carnut2k4's Full Review: TooJay's |
WhoJays?
Way back in 1981 a couple of businessmen who shared a common name (Jay) decided to go into the restaurant business. In a quaint plaza on the north end of Palm Beach Island they opened the very first TooJay’s Deli (sic). Apropos of the local customer base, TooJay’s was to be a New York ‘kosher-style’ restaurant. They have since grown into a chain of more than 20 restaurants, all within the state of Florida. To my knowledge, no one has yet explained to these two Jays that their chosen name is…‘off’.
Some provenance
I’ve eaten at four or five of their locations, but most of the time it’s at the original one in Royal Poinciana Plaza on Palm Beach. It’s just a few steps away from what was once Au Bar and a stones throw away from Testa’s (review to come soon!) and Chuck and Harold’s. It was at Au Bar on the 31st of March, 1991 that Senator Ted (hiccup) Kennedy and his nephew, William Kennedy Smith, met Patricia Bowman – who of course later accused Smith of raping her on the lawn of what was then the ‘Kennedy Compound’. What does this have to do with sandwiches? Nothing - just an interesting side note.
Back to the food
TooJay’s has an extensive menu covering breakfast, lunch and dinner. All offerings lean towards New York Jewish food. They do offer a substantial selection of burgers and chicken sandwiches of course, but you can get that anywhere. They have a long deli counter overflowing with salads (try the Dill Chicken Salad!), meats (pastrami, corned beef, brisket, salami, turkey, chopped liver, etc.) and desserts.
All of the salads are prepared on site and they’re all delicious. TooJay’s also bakes on site and the breads and desserts are really well above average. If I get a sandwich there it’s always on their Rye Bread. Fresh and soft with a hearty crust. It’s great stuff. The baked goods are always worth saving room for too. They have the expected key lime pie, cheesecake, chocolate cake, etc. They pride themselves on their signature “Killer Cake” which is a short, heavy chocolate cake. It’s way too rich for me personally. Essentially it’s a big wheel of fudge – but denser. They have a whole assortment of Rugelach (little fruit filled pastries). The slices of cake are massive. They offer a 3fer special which nets you 3 half slices so you (and presumably the person you’re dining with) can sample 3 different cakes but only consume one and a half slices total. It’s not exactly diet-friendly but it gives the illusion of ‘doing the right thing’. The sandwich meats are National Deli brand.
National Deli started as a non-kosher off shoot of Hebrew National. It’s made the same way from the same cuts but isn’t produced under the scrutiny of products bearing the Kosher certification. It made it possible for Hebrew National to mass produce foods at a much lower cost, and resale price point, to be distributed to the non-kosher majority of consumers. If you’re like me and are only concerned with taste, then close your eyes and you won’t be able to tell the difference between the two brands.
To wash it all down they offer all the standard soft drinks, a few domestic and imported beers and the complete line of Dr Brown’s sodas. TooJay’s always manages to serve up excellent meals in a timely fashion at a fairly low price. Figure on a sandwich, fries and a drink running you around ten dollars. Desserts run three to five dollars.
Other stuff
Each location is unique, but all look like typical deli/restaurants. Nicer than a Denny’s – but not nice enough to pass for a date restaurant. I always find them to be clean – including the restrooms – and the staff is always friendly and fast. Counter service is offered for those on the run and they also offer local delivery during lunch hours. I eat at TooJay’s twice a month or so and have come to rely on their consistency. With twenty five years under their belt it’s clear they’ve mastered the formula for success – a clean, friendly atmosphere where exceptionally good food is served at a low price. Who knew it could be that simple?
www.toojays.com
Reservations..............not taken / needed
Vegetarians...............salads, potato pancakes, etc
Bathrooms.................always clean
Kid Friendly...............yes
Hours.........................7 days by location
Dress Code................none
Parking......................parking lot / free
Wheelchair Access....yes
Credit Cards...............visa, mastercard, amex, discover
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
carnut2k4
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Jason
Location: in the wind
Reviews written: 99
Trusted by: 59 members
About Me:
The pool's in but the patio ain't dry
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