Rubin's Kosher Restaurant
- Nearest Transit:
Harvard Avenue (Green)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street, Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
24 Reviews for Rubin's Kosher Restaurant
Meh.
Good matzo ball soup. Good latkes. Good waitress (she warmed up to us after she realized JUST how much fun we were).
High prices. I realize it's kosher, but it's still expensive to me.
Maybe I'm not ordering the right thing... I just don't really get it.
Shalom-
I have some bad news for you Rubin... I went to Michael's first.
While this place is good, and I am sure I would be totally in love with it if I had no other local Jewish Deli to compare it to... Michael's is just so much better. Yeah the people are nicer in Rubin's... but the food is not nearly as good, and the inside is just too depressing for words. The colors made me think of shut-ins for some reason, and I never want to be in that place again. The plate of tongues sitting in the case of equally unappetizing foods really didn't help me to love the food either.
Thank the Lord that Michael's is so close.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
I'm not Jewish, but I eat that way. I grew up in Ohio going to Corky and Lenny's, KILLER Jewish deli, and when I moved to Boston all those years ago I did the circuit of faux-Jewish places. [Zaftigs? seriously?] One day as I was beginning to question the palates of the local Jewish community, I stumbled upon this gem. PERFECTION!! Yes, it's expensive, good kosher meat is, and I think it's worth every penny, plus I LOVE LOVE LOVE tongue. GIMME GIMME GIMME!
Rubin's- I heart you.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
Not impressed.
The food at Zaftig's is much fresher. My Whitefish Salad was off. It was pretty gross.
The service was really slow, and it wasn't even crowded.
Don't tell anyone, but I'm not Jewish. I don't know if there's a word for what I am, but it's the shiksa equivalent of a fag hag. Someday I'll take Rod Carew's lead and convert, but for now, I'll go to Rubin's.
This was actually the first Jewish deli I'd ever been to. I came because I was vegan at the time and wanted some fake cream cheese. I don't know if they still have it, since it was quite some time ago, but they offered bagels with Tofutti cream cheese back in the day. Thus began my love affair with the chosen people. Since then, I've gone back for the basics, corned beef on rye, pastrami, matzo ball soup- yum. I haven't tried the knishes yet, but will now that Orly has sung their praises. The food is great, your immature friends can laugh at the idea of "tongue sandwiches" and you can get in touch with your inner senior citizen.
People thought this was:
Funny (8)
Cool (3)
Like a time warp..truly kosher...extremely filling
as others have mentioned, rubins is actually kosher. imagine!
the decor is pure kitsch, which is great, but not as great as a hot cold cut platter.
i do need to mention that the accompanying tomato slices looked absolutely dreadful and for $16+ those babies should be bright fire engine red. then again, does anyone come here for the veggies? nein. i am starving now.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
In a land of faux Jewish delis, Reuben's stands out as the only actual Kosher option around. That's why it gets 5 stars, it's the sole occupant of this niche market.
The sandwiches are pricy but they are massive! People complaining that they are overpriced or "normal" sized must have gone to Zaftig's by mistake. A)Kosher meat is expensive; B) They are like 3 inches thick!
Great knishes and good matzo ball soup. The crap that Boston tries to pass as Knishes amazes me! Eat here and you'll never get a "knish" from Stop & Shop, Whole Foods, or the S&S again. Of course, no one can make matzo ball soup like my Bubbe and she makes it for free, so I'm not paying 5 bucks for a bowl. Good kishkas. It's a true Jewish deli so don't go expecting kitch or ambience, it's about the food. Go to Zaftig's if a picture of a fat lady makes up for mediocre food to you.
I don't recommend Rubin's for catering. We got extra lean pastrami and corned beef for my brother's bar mitzvah. Well, the top layer you could see on the tray was extra lean and the rest was extra fatty! We totally got played. So my Dad went back to complain, and the manager was a jerk. Dad drives a suburban and was watching way too much Sopranos at the time, and so he made some joke about putting the manager through the meatcutter. Let's just say I'm glad I don't look like my Dad or I def. wouldn't be welcomed here.
People thought this was:
Useful (8)
Funny (12)
Cool (7)
Rubin's, is a great Jewish deli in the heart of the Jewish community in the Boston area. Situated on Harvard Street, it is in close proximity to the other Jewish landmarks in Brookline, it is the only kosher deli in the immediate area. While the prices may be viewed pricey by some, the quality of their food is the top of the line. Being that they are a legitimate Jewish deli, you will not find any treyf (non-kosher fare). If you are looking for an authentic experience, you should look farther then Rubin's.
If you are in search of a huge portions of authentic Jewish soul food come here! Their knishes are wonderful and don't have that frozen taste that every other knish in the city has. Their chopped liver is amazing and their matzo-ball soup is great as well. The sandwiches are huge and often big enough to share with someone. It is a bit on the pricey side but that is to be expected with any place serving huge portions of kosher meat.
My favorite sandwich to order here is a pastrami with chopped, coleslaw and Russian dressing on rye. Sooooo good! Make me feel like a kid again.
The best thing about Rubin's? Unlimited soda refills! It drives me nuts that so many restaurants charge ridiculous amounts for fountain drinks. It's just not right. Unfortunately, the sandwiches are a little on the pricey side, but that overstuffed $12 hot pastrami really hit the spot. $12 is quite a lot to pay for a sandwich that doesn't even have a side except pickles, but it really was quite good and definitely beat nearby Zaftig's hot pastrami. Also, I'm sure it's a bonus that it's kosher, though that doesn't really factor into my own lifestyle.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
didn't try their food but had to get a condolence package for my friend
they were very accommodating unlike Michael's which was "too busy"
and very friendly and helpful.
The food is good enough, but it's just SO EXPENSIVE. I don't keep kosher, but if I did, I suppose I'd go there more often. I'm sure that's why they can keep their prices so high, because they really don't have competition. But since I don't keep kosher, I simply can't justify spending that much on a sandwich, even if it is decent -- especially in a restaurant completely devoid of ambience.
Dude, I swear that some of the people who review on Yelp smoke crack. $30 for sandwiches? I don't think so. If you paid $30, perhaps it was because you don't understand how American money works. Oy. STFU and get out of here.
Anyway, Rubin's is the best Jewish deli in Boston. That being said, it's nothin' compared to 2nd Avenue Deli or Carnegie Deli in NYC. Boston just doesn't have anything that compares to that. But you're in Boston, and you're craving an authentic Jewish deli, this is your best bet.
I love the fact that in a Kosher deli it's either vegetarian or it's meat. It's much easier to order if you're a vegetarian.
I usually just get the matzah brie, which I love. But they have really good french toast, as well as excellent egg salad sandwiches.
03/03/2008: Went here for lunch. Had a really bad spinach knish and a "hot borscht" that was essentially a can of shredded beets that they warmed up (probably in the microwave). The cobb salad was okay. Minus one star. It's a sad day.
--------------------------------------
Sunday morning. Our second day in Boston on a mad search for an apartment. We flew in from San Francisco the morning before and had been spending most of our time in this new city getting stuck in rotaries and one way streets.
A quick search on Yelp had originally convinced me to go to Zaftig's for breakfast. But when we got there, a line had spilled out the door and around the building. Didn't we spend the early half of the morning getting dragged around Boston by an angry real estate broker who used scare tactics to try and get us to sign a lease with him? I didn't have the energy.
Then, we spotted Rubin's. Quiet, sitting alone on a small parking lot. Hey there, you look promising. So we went in.
The knishes were good and bad. Meat: good. Sweet potato: bad. My Blueberry Stuffed challah french toast? Okay, had better. My coffee? Good, strong, nutty. T's Gramercy Sandwiche? Fantastic! Loaded with thin-sliced pastrami and shredded corned beef. The slaw inside had just enough seasoning to complement the meat without overwhelming it. The light rye held it all together just right.
Another cute little spot in Boston that makes me only a tiny bit less sad about leaving California.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
I love Rubin's. Coming from the south, I searched the northeast for decent barbq. I went to Virgil's in NYC and RedBones in Somerville. Nothing satisfied. Then I went to Rubin's. Baby, it's the best! I like it better than Corky's in Tennessee. It is boneless, gristleless, fall apart/melt in mouth delectable, with scrumptious sauce. It doesn't come with sides of potato salad, cole slaw and beans, but they can be ordered on the side if you must have them. Order the pecan pie for dessert--ask to have it warmed up. Yum!!
I also love the open face turkey sandwich. It's perfect comfort food during a cold spell. They have real turkey on your choice of bread, garlic smashed taters, smothered with cream gravy, with real cranberry sauce.
Bonus for dairy impaired--allergic or lactose intolerant--ABSOLUTELY NO DAIRY PRODUCTS!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Mmmmm their challah french toast is so yummy.
I like the bland kosher pickles they give you in the beginning.
I like the fire engine red booths and dim lighting.
I like people watching here.
I like the service.
I like looking at the menu and marveling at the amount of whitefish and other Jewish delicacies.
I like it, period.
Everyone else I know likes it too and agrees that it is way better than Zaftig's with much less of a wait and more authenticity.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
A real deal deli that could be in New York, West Hollywood or Brookline. The deli case means business, tongue, corned beef, pastrami, whitefish and knishes. The latkes are great.
The fire engine red, circular booths are smokin hot! Dont wear shorts baby, you'll stick.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
One of the best Reubens in Boston. Rubin is one of the better deli's in Boston and offers the best in Kosher food - from Cornbeef to Matza Ball Soup this place offers a great meal.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Rubin's is the #1 kosher Jewish deli in Boston. They have all my favorite sandwiches, grilled items, matza ball soup, kishkas -- everything.
High, high quality and good service, but be prepared to pay for it to the tune of $15+ a person. I think it's worth it and can be found there at least once a month.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I am sorry and hope this won't offend any of my Jewish friend. I have to tell you that Rubin is one of the worse deli I have been. It is just terrible. Well, it deserved one star from me because of the nice man behind the counter. I had cornbeef sandwich with whole grain mustard and my Jewish woman friend had reuben sandwich. Sorry, just plain wheat or grain bread no fries or cole slaw or veggie but kosher picked spear. Her reuben was terrible too. Guess how much it cost me????? I just said "WHAT???". I paid because I wanted my friend to try Rubin since I heard this is the best Jewish deli and this could be important to her. Over 30 dollar for the plain sandwiches and worse one... I am sorry, folk. I don't know how important Kosher kitchen to you. To me, this is a rip off. I would go to Coolidge Corner Club house, Parish Cafe, Zaftig Deli, or else where. Please don't waste your money going there. Make your own sandwich.... at home. I rank them as worse as that Redneck BBQ at the corner of Harvard and North Brighton... I do not like the fact that they take advantage of being a kosher kitchen and rip Jewish people off while being in a Jewish community. Sorry to be honest. Fact is the fact, folk. Choice is your to make.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
A lot of people love Rubin's, but I'm not a huge fan. I mean, I like it, don't get me wrong - but DAMN are they expensive. I mean, "$12 hamburger" expensive. Tasty? Yes. But worth it? Not really.
Their deli is delicious. Their sides are scrumptious. Their soups sizzle and scintilate. And their entrees entice you to enjoy eating in their entirety. (Also, my alliteration is awesome).
But as I said, be prepared to spend to for both the quality and the atmosphere - only one of which is truly worth paying mucho dinero.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
this is a non-impressive restaurant setting, though it has it's own 4 car parking lot and has an extensive deli counter for take out. i wouldn't give Rubin's as high a rating if it weren't for the fact that when my mother comes to town she literally begs me to take her here for a $11 pastrami sandwich which can only be described as "normal sized". but my god, she friggin loves that sandwich and doesn't even put up a fight about the cost. so it must be worth it.
this is my 100th yelp!
its only fitting that i am able to write about tongue sandwiches in this milestone yelp, since i LOVE tongue sandwiches. with mustard.
get the knishes, get the tongue, and let the kosher good times roll!
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
I'm a meat eater, but not…
Instead of being a 4-year-queer, I was a… -
I'm Useful!
My top 10 most "useful" reviews, as rated by Yelp… -
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
Lost isle of Sandwich
Have you noticed how we, as a society, have lost…
Hot and New
- T.W. Food
18 reviews
Cambridge, MA
- Yo! Berry
42 reviews
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
- Four Burgers
22 reviews
Neighborhood: Central Square
- Baraka Cafe
94 reviews
Neighborhood: Central Square
- Rangzen Tibet Restaurant
72 reviews
Neighborhood: Central Square