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At Last, Frelard’s Long-Awaited Jewish Deli Schmaltzy’s Will Open Thursday

The Napkin Friends offshoot is ready to serve up pastrami sandwiches, matzoh ball soup, and more

Two hands holding a slow-roasted tri-tip, spiced tomato jam, and chimichurri sandwich on a bun.
A slow-roasted tri-tip, spiced tomato jam, and chimichurri sandwich.
Courtesy of Schmaltzy’s

North Seattle’s about to get a meaty new lunch spot. After more than two years of preparation (and a few construction delays), the highly anticipated Schmaltzy’s Delicatessen will open Thursday in the West Woodland neighborhood, an area most refer to as Frelard. The offshoot of the popular food truck Napkin Friends will serve up from-scratch pastrami sandwiches, corned beef, lox, and matzoh ball soup, along with some salads, in a cozy restaurant at 928 NW Leary Way.

This spot will also serve as a prep space for Napkin Friends’ latke press sandwiches, as well as its catering operations. But there will be a robust menu at the deli itself. Owner Jonny Silverberg has been tinkering with a variety of concoctions, including a sandwich called The Flavor Bomb, with slow-roasted tri-tip, spiced tomato jam, and chimichurri, chicken parm schnitzel on challah bread, and smoked trout salad.

Silverberg started construction on the restaurant back in October of 2017, with plans to open as early as last December. But, as with many such projects in the Seattle area, delays from “permitting and general construction annoyances” set things back. “While it is taking considerably longer that I had hoped, the space is shaping up to look amazing and I am chomping at the bit to open and share it with everyone,” Silverberg told Eater Seattle.

Schmaltzy's

928 NW Leary Way, Seattle, WA