Mensch Jewish Delicatessen closes on Broadway—but will reopen in Gastown

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      If you haven't had a chance yet to check out the smoked pastrami sandwiches or the Reuben on fresh-baked rye bread at Mensch Jewish Delicatessen, there's some unfortunate news: their East Broadway location has closed down.

      But fear not, for a new location is in the works.

      To back up a bit, Mensch first opened as a pop-up at 666 East Broadway in July. Thanks to popular demand, it decided to become permanent at the location in September.

      On December 20, the deli had to close as the landlord decided to discontinue leasing the building.

      Undaunted, Israeli-born chef Nitzen Cohen will relanch Mensch as a pop-up deli once again (for the next few months) in the former Salty Tongue space in Gastown at 212 Carrall Street.

      Mensch Jewish Delicatessen
      Olivia Sari-Goerlach

      The good news is that while the former small Broadway location only had seats for 12 people, the new larger space seats 50 people and includes a longtable.

      By phone, Cohen said the menu will remain the same for now, including Lior's babkas. Housemade pastrami, beet-cured lox, Labneh cheese, and egg salad will be available for purchase by the pound.

      "And maybe more baked goods if there will be more demand," he added. "We want to create a true delicatessen experience in Vancouver."

      Mensch Jewish Delicatessen

      Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday, as well as Sunday brunch (from noon to 3 p.m.).

      Cohen added there's some more promising news. He's also considering holding monthly Jewish Shabbat dinner menus as well. Cohen said that the food will be non-kosher but will be traditional Jewish-style Eastern European cuisine, just like his mother grandmother used to make.

      The Gastown pop-up will have a soft opening in mid-February and will have its official launch on February 27.

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook

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