Pumpernick's Deli — Restaurant in Montgomery Township

Unfortunately, for those of us 'of an age', the once ubiquitous Jewish Deli has gone the way of the dinosaur, for more reasons than I have the time or the inclination to list. We may wind up healthier in avoiding much of what it offered, but we are nonetheless poorer as well.

Pumpernick's is my official guilty pleasure - and I might add that I pile on the guilt frequently. It's a 45 minute ride from my residence and the unofficial meeting place for Greater Philly based friends and family.

If you're gonna go to a Jewish Deli it may as well be a really good one: pickle bar, cured and smoked meats, and of course the 'what's the use talking' Motzah Ball Soup, though my favorite is the Mushroom Barley. The hot pastrami special, artfully stuffed into really fresh Jewish rye is worthy of Billy Crystal's glowing description of 'an MLT where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe'.

Pumpernick's is a notable success, a professionally operated enterprise with a broad and demanding menu and an even more demanding clientele - one of a relatively few Jewish Delis remaining - a contemporary homage to a vanishing genre. The pace can be frenzied because the place is usually packed at meal time and Weekend Brunch will find you waiting patiently in the reception area for your table, assuming of course you were able to find a parking space within the same zip code as the restaurant.

It's worth it. Everything works - the people watching, the meet and greet that invariably finds you somebody you or your cousin Hoibee (Herb now) haven't seen for half a century, the suave hip movement that earns you your space at the pickle bar, even down to the iced tea that is never off-flavor, the rich rugelach, cheesecake and other Lucullan pastries and all the other fine items that go into a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet - and lest we forget, the atmosphere which is pure unadorned (and unmitigated) chaos. Understandable in some ways. After all it does take my wife about 10 minutes to order breakfast because of the demands she makes and the substitutions and the 'if they don't have this and if that can't do that' that is part of the conversation. At least she is an equal opportunity neurotic. At Italian restaurants it takes her even longer to determine whether or not to order the eggplant parmesan and her quizzing of the server covers everything except perhaps the provenance of the farm that the eggplant was grown and harvested. Just sayin . . .

So for these folks to have operated a Jewish Deli for lo these many years and lived to tell about it, they must be pretty good at what they do. For this reason I forgive them occasional frustration as they try desperately to clear tables and to seat efficiently, especially when Sadie must have a booth not too near the pastry case (too tempting) and Trudy has to make sure the brisket is tender, not to mention the oft spoken, 'Make sure that's a nice piece of fish'.

I'm a fan. I give Pumpernick's my heartiest...

I came here on a Friday night and it was busy as heck! Since I was alone I was seated immediately, at an awkward table by the kitchen door. This is fine, because the place was packed and I was able to be seated immediately. I was also waited on rather quickly. When I first walked in I couldn't help but notice the delicious looking pickle bar! Had to have it! I guess it came with the sandwich I ordered, because I didn't pay extra for it. It was great, nice combination of half sours, dills, sliced cucumber, pickled tomatillos, vinegar base coleslaw, hot and sweet peppers, and more. The menu was huge, so many sandwiches to choose from and mostly diner type fare. I kept it simple and ordered just a 'hoagie.' I want to say it was the Brooklyn hoagie. The thing came open-faced and gigantic! Two huge meat packed open halved sandwich portions. It also came with a steak knife. Obviously I could have cut the thing up and eaten it. Probably should have done that. But I put the two halves together and closed the sandwich, and proceeded to nibble away at this monstrosity of a sandwich. It was fantastic! But since I couldn't get the whole sandwich in my mouth for each bite, it was awkward to eat and I didn't get the full flavor experience. Nevertheless very filling, very good. I also had an unsweetened iced tea, that I had to question the waitress if there's actually sugar in it. The unsweetened iced tea had a raspberry flavoring which gave it a sweetness. She confirmed there was no sugar, but I'm still doubtful. I'm not diabetic or anything, so really doesn't matter. Just watching my calories. Overall very affordable and good experience. Walked away stuffed with a $15 bill. I even bought a bag of Tate's chocolate chip cookies on the way out, and my life has never been the same. I...

I recently hosted my annual Chanukah Party and once again turned to Pumpernick's for catering, and I am overjoyed with the exceptional service provided by Jeff and the entire team.

Jeff, in particular, was my go-to person for all catering orders, and his expertise and attention to detail made the entire process effortless. The variety of dishes we ordered was extensive, ranging from fish platters with delicious whitefish, nova lox, and kippered salmon to mouthwatering deli platters featuring corned beef, pastrami, and beef tongue. The Kugel, Knishes, Blintzes, Brisket, and more were all absolutely delightful.

Pumpernick's consistently delivers catering that goes above and beyond expectations. The food is not only delicious but also reflects the highest quality. The presentation of each platter is a work of art, showcasing the care and skill that goes into every detail. It's clear that Pumpernick's takes immense pride in their craft.

The delivery service is always prompt, and the team is incredibly helpful in setting up, ensuring that the entire process is stress-free. Pumpernick's has become synonymous with reliability and excellence in catering for my events.

If you're looking for a catering service that combines delectable cuisine, stunning presentation, and impeccable service, Pumpernick's is the answer. I wholeheartedly recommend them for any occasion. Thank you, Jeff, and the entire Pumpernick's team, for making my Chanukah Party a culinary delight and a...