I struggle with Jerry's Famous Deli. Let me start off by saying I've been to Jerry's dozens of times and with each trip I come away a little awe struck and a little disappointed. You see, I walk into Jerry's and I find myself mumbling as I am escorted to the booth..."the menu is the size of War and Peace...what the hell am I gonna order this time...my god, what in the name of Julia Childs do they expect from me!" When I do finally get the nerve to open the damn thing, I sit and stare at it, reciting it line for line as if it's a rosary and that's just friggin' screwed up because this is a some-what jewish deli and I was raised methodist...BUT THATS NOT THE POINT!

The real issue is the massive document that Jerry's Famous Deli is based on. This menu has hundreds of variations and I can't decide weather this is a good thing or a culinary conundrum of the highest consequence. On the night in question, my sweet partner chose a mix of poached eggs, fruit and cottage cheese. (How decisive of her) I, on the other hand, decided to have the bratwurst and scrambled eggs which I acknowledge is on another level of twisted but after all, it's their menu.

The food was really very good. We have experienced a considerable amount of deli fare and Jerry's never disappoints. You'll find the breakfasts and the sandwiches tend to be the most popular. We witnessed several deli style sandwiches making their kitchen exit and were very impressed with the altitude. (these things were piled high!)

The prices at Jerry's is where my disappointment lies. Keeping up with a menu of this size has to take it's financial tole and ultimately the diner has to pay the price. Expect to pay considerably more for your whats-it salad concoction than pretty much any where else. Will it be worth it? Can't help you there. The Restaurant Rant is only a food junkies traffic cop and cuisine is still subjective.

In context, a trip to Jerry's Famous Deli is not unlike a trip to the library. There's no way you can read the whole damn thing so just order what you came for in the first place. rps.