New York Style Deli/Restaurant in Boston Metro-West - Joan & Ed's Deli
Written: Jul 17 '06
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Pros: Huge menu, Great quality, Good service, Desserts
Cons: Can get really crowded at peak times
The Bottom Line: Even if you have to wait, Joan and Ed’s is definitely worth going to and I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy you ended up eating there
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| jps246's Full Review: Joan & Ed's Deli |
If you want big portions of well-made, tasty and reasonably priced sandwiches, entrees , desserts, and breakfast and you’re in the Boston Metro-West area, stop by Joan and Ed’s Deli Family Restaurant in Natick. You’ll find yourself overwhelmed by both the hospitality and the food.
No matter what you want, from a cup of coffee and a bagel to a full dinner, Joan and Ed’s have got it and everything in between. They serve so many different kinds of things – the menu is five pages long and with the sandwiches alone – if you can’t find something you like, you probably don’t like a good sandwich.
Where is this place?
Joan and Ed’s in located in the Sherwood Plaza on the eastbound side of Route 9 in Natick, Massachusetts. It’s in the same plaza that the Christmas Tree Shops is in, along with Newbury Comics and several other smaller retailers.
The plaza is accessible by traveling eastbound on Route 9 and there’s plenty of free parking available in the plaza parking lot.
When can I eat there?
During the week, Joan and Ed’s opens at 9:30 and on Saturday and Sunday, they open at 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday they stay open until 9:30 p.m., while Friday and Saturday’s they are open until 10 p.m. and they close early at 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Joan and Ed’s has both a dining room and take-out service, which gives you a choice when it comes to eating. The busiest times are during lunch and during dinner. Lunch is also very busy for the take-out service, as people come in on their lunch breaks to get something to bring back to their office.
If you’re looking to go when there’s the smallest crowds consider mid-afternoon or later in the evening around 8 or so. Generally the crowds are thinner and you can quickly get a table.
So what can I eat?
While a lot of the choices at Joan and Ed’s are a bit beyond my comfort level, even for a picky eater like me, I am pretty much overwhelmed by the amount of choices available on the menu.
If you like breakfast and you’ve gotten to Joan and Ed’s late, you’re in luck – the full breakfast menu is served all day and you’ll find all your typical breakfast fare along with what they call some of their signature dishes such as the Super Omelette or New York’s Finest (a bagel with lox and cream cheese).
Not in the breakfast mood, then you’ve got to delve into the full lunch and dinner menu which is filled with deli sandwiches, salads, burgers, latkes, reubens, dinners and knishes. Not only that – there are so many different combinations and choices, that you could probably eat at Joan and Ed’s every day for a month and not ever have the same thing twice.
My personal favorite is called the Gobbler, which is a freshly roasted turkey breast on a bulkie roll with cranberry sauce and stuffing, along with a big bowl of turkey gravy for dipping. That and their french fries – which come plain or with gravy are some of the best I’ve found in the area. Even though I’m supposed to stay away from fried foods – when I’m at Joan and Ed’s, I’d be remiss in not getting an order of fries.
Whenever you order (besides breakfast and dessert) you get a plate of pickles and coleslaw (not my favorite, but my partner loves them).
Other favorites of friends and family include the pastrami reubens and rachels, the roast beef sandwich (which I can vouch for being great), the turkey club and the potato pancakes. My Mom thinks that those potato pancakes are so good that she orders extra when she’s there to take back with her when she goes home and she lives in New York!
Besides our favorites, the menu includes standard deli sandwiches that can come with various kinds of breads and cold cuts and toppings, various reubens and rachels, and several different dinner entrees that include meatloaf, steak, stuffed cabbage, liver and onions and hot corned beef and cabbage to name a few. There are also several different chicken entrees including both fried and grill chicken meals.
There is a small vegetarian section on the menu, but with some creative ordering, a lot of the items on the menu could be made for a vegetarian (probably not the roast beef sandwich though).
You’d have to be crazy to not get dessert at Joan and Ed’s. They greet you when you walk in – glass-doored refrigerators filled with homemade cakes, pies, cookies and other desserts including cheesecakes and éclairs. They advertise that they have always have over 52 different desserts to choose from – not including their specials!
Sometimes we just go in for coffee and a dessert – the slices of cake are big enough to be a meal by themselves and Joan and Ed’s makes a great place to relax later in the evening. You can sit with your friends and enjoy your coffee and dessert.
The portion sizes on the menu items are more than ample for most people. We almost always end up leaving with a doggie bag – mostly because we want to save some room for dessert.
How much is this going to cost me?
Prices at Joan and Ed’s are quite reasonable – expect to spend around $10 a person if you’re just looking for a sandwich and a drink – a few dollars more if you want a side item like fries or a potato pancake. The dinners are a few dollars more, averaging anywhere from about $10 up to about $15.
Desserts run from about $3 to about $6.
All in all, you get what you pay for – the portions are big and the quality is excellent. I highly doubt anyone leaves this place unsatisfied. I know I never have.
Service
Joan and Ed’s is very warm and hospitable. You’ll get a big greeting upon walking in and the attentive wait staff will take care of you once you’ve sat down. Even at the most busy times, the kitchen staff keeps the food coming and I’ve never experienced an overly long wait here – even when the place has been packed.
My Thoughts
When I get a hankering for New York style deli food, I usually find myself wanting to go to Joan and Ed’s. It’s the best place in the area that I’ve found and it’s just like the places I used to go growing up in New York.
The prices are reasonable, the service is good, the quality is excellent and the portions are big enough that you’ll end up having a meal for the next day.
Try going during the off-peak hours and you’ll avoid the big crowds, but honestly, even if you have to wait, Joan and Ed’s is definitely worth going to. I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy you ended up eating there.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The fries with gravy are so good!
Best Suited For: Friends
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