DGS Delicatessen

The old school Jewish deli is a classic eating establishment that should be preserved forever. The smell of the corned beef, pastrami, smoked fish, and pickles is enough to make anyone hungry for a larger than average sandwich. The Jewish deli is a happy place where anything on the menu is guaranteed to comfort any troubled soul. However, the old school Jewish deli is changing with the times. Many of these Jewish delis are closing down which is sad news to any lover of the sandwich making arts. There is light at the end of the tunnel however with a new breed of Jewish deli. The Jewish deli is modernizing and is trying to acclimate to the changing times. These new delis are taking a page from the tradition of making everything in-house, while serving new interpretations of deli classics. They have become the place to go if you want the traditional corned beef on rye with a drink list that serves signature cocktails and craft beers. I may not like the fact that the old school deli is a dying dining establishment, but these new school delis take their inspiration from the old school delis. You cannot innovate without understanding and loving the traditional ways of doing things. In Washington D.C., DGS Delicatessen is the modern Jewish deli that is taking the lead in the modern Jewish deli movement. They make their own corned beef and pastrami in house. They smoke and cure their own whitefish and salmon. They even make their own pickles. The house made products that they serve make the difference between an average deli and and extraordinary deli. DGS blends the traditional deli menu with reinvented classics. Some of their traditional offerings include corned beef, brisket, pastrami, stuffed cabbage, matzo ball soup, smoked whitefish, chopped liver, smoked salmon, Challah french toast, and potato latkes. DGS blends these traditional deli classics with their reinvented dishes such as their flounder schnitzel, grilled eggplant rueben, and fried chicken and french toast. DGS serves lunch, dinner, and has a killer bottomless brunch. For $27, you can choose between an appetizer and entree, or dessert with an endless supply of mimosas, screwdrivers, or bloody Mary's for your brunch. When I brunched at DGS I tried their bloody Mary, matzo ball soup, and the DGS pastrami hash. The matzo ball soup featured a well seasoned chicken broth with a massive matzo ball which was tender, soft, and fluffy. The worst thing possible is having a hard matzo ball, DGS avoids this and you should definitely try their matzo ball soup if you are a fan. The DGS pastrami hash features their house made pastrami, roasted peppers, potatoes, mustard sauce, and sunny side up eggs. The hash was fantastic for brunch and as a hash fan I would order it again for brunch. For Jewish deli fans in Washington, DGS is one of the only options. They make delicious food that blends the traditional with the modern. If you are craving Jewish deli in D.C., DGS is the place to satisfy your cravings.