08/18/08

Closest you're gonna get in the Hartford Area

by ntuitive1

OK, I grew up in the Bronx and ate Jewish deli pretty much all the time every week from the time I was a small child. I am now 50 years old and living in Connecticut. That said, I am a "tough room" when it comes to such deli. In spite of that, Rein's has my heart for satisfying the memory of my youth. Dining here is like stepping into a time machine - Like going back to a deli in the Bronx circa 1972! OK, it's not Katz's or Carnegie when it comes to the pastrami and rye, but what on earth is even close to that? I don't expect a place like Rein's, with it's apple-cheeked, blonde, blue eyed staff to live up to that (I still laugh at that given that I'm used to a 60-something balding, paunchy Jewish man wearing a gray jacket). Especially not in Vernon of all places! But on the other hand, considering where it is and who is preparing the food, this is pretty good stuff, and pretty authentic. I appreciate the entrees that take me back to my youth. Where else can you get kasha varnishkes anywhere in this area? Or sour pickles that are EXACTLY like I remember? Or salad platters like "back in the day" with a scoop of tuna salad, potato salad and cole slaw (which are all very good, BTW). Or S&S cheesecake (which is made in the Bronx)? Or borscht with sour cream? Most people around here don't even know what that stuff is. So I have to appreciate Rein's as the labor of love that it is, and a "facsimile" of my youth. The food is just on that side of authentic to blend into my memories of what the real thing tastes like like an impressionist painting. My Dad still lives in NY and although he goes to Kosher delis in his neighborhood, he still prefers Rein's. You can't beat the prices compared to NY delis. You can live with some of the meat not being quite as fabulous as a result. It is still good. There is plenty more on the menu that is just as good as NY deli and prepared exactly as it should be. I can't believe how hard some people are to please!

• Pros: A step back in time, Food great, just like the old days
• Cons: none!

08/06/06

ech

by jodella

Im from an area where we have good jewsih delis on every corner. I researched this one to try to find an equivalent. The business, service , and menu choices were the same. The pickles on the table were reminicent of the famous Carnegie deli in NY. This is where the similarities stop. The food was good, dont get me wrong. The sadwiches were nothing compared to NY delis ( even back home in the detroit area) they were about 1/2 the size. And if you are extpecting the double baked jewish rye...give up. its regular bread you could get in the grocery store. Whats a deli without that???? Its awesome that this place is open tio midnight everynight!! I evem asked a server if they had knishes.. they said .. whats that? argh

• Pros:  its the only deli in the area
• Cons: small sandwiches, no jewish rye bread, BUSY BUSY

This suburban deli is home base for yakking pals, homesick New Yorkers, hungry families and anyone with a cold.

by Contributor

The Scene

Though not as harried as its Manhattan counterparts, Rein's spacious dining room and adjacent cocktail lounge embody Big Apple spirit. The deli has homemade cheesecakes, a perennially busy take-out counter, bowls of thick, salty pickles on every table and efficient servers who can balance several plates on one arm.

The Food

Rein's is a magnet for folks with a hankering for comforting, caloric food like potato pancakes, knishes, bagels with sturgeon, stuffed cabbage, chopped liver and chocolate egg creams. "Fressers" (overstuffed sandwiches with a half pound of meat) are easily big enough to share. The East Sider, a triple-decker with turkey, pastrami, chopped liver, coleslaw and Russian dressing, is particularly tasty. Have a cold? A bowl of Rein's soup served with golf ball-sized matzoh balls is sure to cure you.

01/29/03

Best Deli in Conmnecticut

by equity6

We eat at Rein's often. The sandwiches, though not up to the standards of the great NYC delis ,are nevertheless very good. The hot dishes like franks and beans and potato pancakes are great. Love the matzoh ball soup. Great cole slaw and potato salad. Very prompt and friendly service and good takeout, too.

• Pros: deli meats, service, variety
• Cons: location, crowded

08/29/02

New York Deli in the 'Burbs

by grubby

If you are looking for a New York Deli (without the surly waitstaff) this is the place.

08/08/02

delis

by samiam872001

Incredible food from the sandwiches, to the matzo ball soup, to doctor browns soda! We make it our stop on the way to and back from anywhere on the way thru Vernon!

• Pros: quick seating, great waitstaff
• Cons: always crowded

07/30/02

Where to go when your hungry!!!!

by tootsie06105

Best pastrami, best cheesecake and other great desserts!!!! I've been going to Reins for 30 years. That says it all!!!