(Jewish Journal Editor’s note: This week, the Jewish Journal debuts its “Kosher Nosher” feature that will include dining experiences at kosher as well as vegetarian and vegan establishments.)

Do you long for the bygone days of New York’s classic Jewish delicatessens? Well, that era can still be experienced at Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers in Boca Raton.

Makes sense that Ben’s has that distinct “Taste of New York.” After all, Ronald “Ronnie” Dragoon, the CEO and founder of Ben’s, first opened his kosher restaurants up North nearly 50 years ago. There are seven locations: Carle Place, Greenvale, Woodbury, Manhattan, Bayside, and Scarsdale. And 15 years ago, Boca established Ben’s Hamish tradition.

The walls are filled with nostalgic memories of New York. In fact, I was sitting in a booth between The Statue of Liberty and The Empire State Building, both etched in glass. And, all around the restaurant were framed quotes like: It is better to be good to an enemy than not.

“Ben’s Kosher Deli is a family-owned and operated restaurant and delicatessen that has been serving up the finest authentic New York Kosher delicatessen and eastern European comfort foods since 1972,” according to Boca manager Alan Knoop, who has been with the restaurant for nine years, and was very attentive throughout my visit.

As a former New Yorker who keeps kosher, I have visited Ben’s in the past to try their overstuffed turkey sandwich and other lunch choices.

During my recent dining experience there, I started with a bowl of chicken soup, followed by the oriental chicken roll-up wrap.

My guest chose to start with a bowl of the mushroom barley soup, followed by one of the menu’s comfort foods – traditional brisket dinner. The brisket was lean and delicious according to my guest.

Our server, Ryan, who has worked for Ben’s for five years, was very personable and knowledgeable about the menu, and told us that “some of his patrons are Holocaust survivors, and he feels privileged that he has had the opportunity to serve them.”

Aside from our selections that evening, Knoop noted that the extensive menu includes overstuffed hot pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, and prime rib on the bone is Sunday’s special.

“Customers can’t get enough of the all-you-can-eat pickles and fresh cut coleslaw. All of Ben’s soups, salads, sandwiches and dinners and desserts are freshly prepared,” said Knoop.

Throughout the pandemic, Ben’s has continued to do what it does best.

“We have been open from the beginning of the pandemic. Of course we spaced everyone, sanitized the tables and chairs and served individual-size condiments. Pre-COVID-19, we could seat around 242 people,” Knoop said.

Regarding catering and delivery, Ben’s provides these services for any occasion, including boxed meals.

“When we cater a BBQ, we can send a chef to do the cooking on a portable grill at the event, or you can have a Do-It-Yourself BBQ. It’s the same food but you do the cooking,” Knoop added.

For Rosh Hashanah, Ben’s will be offering special dinner packages to go. Packages for six or 10 can be ordered for pick-up or delivery by calling the catering hotline: 1-800-344-BENS. Orders must be placed at minimum 48 hours’ notice and order minimum is $100.

Rabbinical supervision on premises (except during the sabbath when the restaurant is purchased by a non-Jew.)

*Hours: 11:a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday-Monday.

*Address: 9942 Clint Moore Road, Boca Raton (facing U.S. 441).