I bought a groupon for Rubin's, and decided to try it for lunch. I started out with the Israeli latkes, a mix of potato, carrot, and zucchini. They were served with a big bowl of applesauce, just like I remembered from a Jewish friends' house when I was a kid. I forgot to mention that they bring a plate of half-sour wedges and pumpernickel to the table for free. (How can you beat that?) I decided on the pastrami & corned beef sandwich topped with russian dressing and cole slaw. Delicious. Was a little expensive, but still cheaper than the comparable deli's in NYC. Staff was very friendly and helpful I will definitely be going back.
(4)
Raymond W.
I stopped in for some good, classic deli fare, but only got a fraction of what I was looking for. The chicken noodle soup with a matzo ball was rather bland and I some salty crackers didn't help much. The pastrami was thinly cut and wasn't particularly juice as I couldn't tell the difference between the pastrami and the corned beef. The rye was soft and moist though. The best part of the meal was the onion rings (think cafeteria, but and fresh out of the fryer as good as it'll get good). Won't come close to the best in NYC, and probably one of the few options in the Boston area. If you're too lazy to try different options by all means, but Zaftigs it worth the detour and wait.
(2)
Amy E.
Rubin's is okay, if you have the money to spend on half a pound of meat (if you get a deil sandwich, be prepared to to take at least half home). I've gone there while attending college and like normal college kids, didn't have the cash to splurge on kosher fare. I went with a relative once and between his sandwich, mine, knishes and a Dr Brown, the total was past $50. My cousin ended up taking 2 knishes and half of his sandwich home, while I took at least 2 thirds back to my dorm. Too much meat for too much money. Not worth going back on a regular basis.
(2)
Kuidaore Sensei X.
I can't speak on other dishes, as I only went there for a reuben sandwich, which was very underwhelming. First off you'd think that a place named "Rubin's" would have a pretty good reuben. The wait for the sandwich was unnecessarily long (it's a simple sandwich and they weren't busy) and there's not nearly enough meat involved for it to ever be considered a proper deli sandwich. Flavorless kraut and buttered grilled bread (did I order a reuben or a tuna melt?) made this sandwich ultimately forgettable. To top it all off, you get nothing with your sandwich, no pickle, no slaw, nothing. At $14 save yourself some dough and disappointment and head down to Michael's Deli instead.
(2)
Denise F.
I thought it would be cool to check this little diner. I went for breakfast and the service was really bad. They all seem to collect near the kitchen and talk to each other and never really looking our way. The food was decent for the price but I just think there are better places for breakfast so I won't be returning.
(2)
Robert R.
Skip the Second Ave Deli in NY and come to Rubins! Great service, Relaxed, and friendly Clean, and great food especially the lean corned beef, crispy latkes, pickled tomatoes.
(4)
Shira K.
There is no reason that their bagels are SO LAME! Their chicken soup is fatty, and their sandwiches are ridiculously expensive and fatty. Go to Zaftig's. Much much better. We got a bagel from dunkin donuts that was far superior to these bagels. I'm serious. They should be ashamed to sell these.
(1)
Chip C.
Matzo Ball Soup - Chicken soup was decent enough, but I went for the optional matzo balls which literally tasted as if they were sitting in fridge uncovered for a while. Not only that the matzo balls where lukewarm. Definitely not worth $7 Corned Beef Sandwich - I got the "overstuffed" expecting a large NYC-esque sized sandwich. Admittedly I am a bit of connoisseur of good kosher corned beef and this rendition was off the mark. The flavor was just not there. The pumpernickel bread was limp and flavorless. Service - This was the worst part, we were largely ignored as our server chatted with friends nearby. The other tables got pickles to munch on, we got nothing. Needless to say I will not be back and will continue my kosher food quest elsewhere.
(1)
Adam E.
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.
(4)
Mike K.
What is up with kosher places and terrible service. TLDR: service: meh, food: bad We came to Rubin's a few months ago for a midday meal and had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. We wanted to get an appetizer and a couple of sandwiches, but when we started ordering the server informed us that they were out of pretty much two thirds of the appetizer menu. Frustrated we decided to skip the appetizer and just go with the sandwiches. I ordered a hot corned beef sandwich on pumpernickel bread, which was $12. When the food came here is what $12 bought me: two soggy slices of whole wheat bread (remember, I ordered pumpernickel). A small slab of extremely fatty barely warm corned beef. My girlfriend's fare wasn't much better. As a side dish they served one green pickled tomato. The sandwich was tasteless, made from low quality ingredients, and made poorly. They got the bread wrong and didn't toast it, they couldn't heat up the meat, and the portion was ridiculously small for the price. This is some of the worst Ashkenazi Jewish food I've ever tried.
(2)
Irene R.
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.
(2)
Rich R.
Awesome.. Great food & service... Cute hostess too.
(5)
Dan W.
The food was pretty good, no real complaints there, but there is no value; it is just too expensive.
(2)
Allie G.
Barf. O. Rama. (Sorry--to be fair--*kosher* barf-o-rama.) I'm convinced that the owners and/or their friends are writing these overwhelmingly positive reviews. Or that they're from long, long ago, when previous owners had a different kind of place in mind. How else could there be such a disconnect between what I visited today--just so excited to be headed to "Boston's Best Deli"--and what they report? Let me set the scene: hubby (he's Jewish, mind you, so this review gets a little street cred) and I wake up early and decide to forgo a turn around the reservoir in exchange for some fab breakfast at Rubin's. We've given too much hard-earned money to Zaftigs, and I was up for something less unapologetically bready than Kupel's. Plus, we've heard it's THE BEST. So we overlook the former-bank/funeral-home atmosphere and head on in. We're pretty pleased with ourselves at this point--no suckers to atmosphere here! Once inside, we're seated by the window. Cool. Only one other table is filled. Menus. Selection looks good, but--wait--what? Bagel with non-dairy cream cheese and lox $13??? Ex-squeeze me? Okay, well, I'll go with it. When in Rome. We both settle on the more recessionally-priced two eggs w/ home fries and bagel. No butter allowed, apparently--just margarine (has G-d heard of triglycerides?). I'm just asking--I swear that's not rhetorical or anything. Eggs come out shaped like chip-chop ham (if you're from the midwest, then you know what I'm talking about here--for the rest of you, that's like scrambled eggs that have been cross-hatched with thousands of tiny knives--more of an egg hash). Home fries are coated in a strange orange-paprika coating that seems like a soggy fried coating. BUT not yummy. Just weird. Tasted, well, tasteless on one hand, sort of metallic on the other. Ick. I order OJ, and it's of the chalky-mix variety. I try to pawn half off on my husband, but he's not having it. Really still trying to love this place, we wonder if maybe we should have ordered a sandwich. But who can afford it? Unfortunately for my husband, the waitress, who's very pleasant and all, informs us that she dropped his bagel and so has to make another. That's fine, but then she returns to tell us they're all out of plain bagels (it's 10:00 on a Sunday morning), so will an egg bagel do? He agrees through his teeth. We try to look on the bright side and concede that at least she told us and didn't just brush the dust off the bagel... ...though around then we begin to bet that Kupel's has loads of miraculous fluffy white plain bagels coming over the morning bagel mountain... Depressing interior (red and black, very vinyl-loungey, with pops of patriotic blue), food that is slightly offensive at best, just plain silly prices...on the upside, the folks behind us were talking about Ford Maddox Ford. Despite this, we're not even up for giving it a second chance. When we left, my husband could see my Yelp-review wheels turning, and he seemed really sad. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "I feel actual PITY. I WANT it to be good. I WANT to give it a good review. But it was so awful." He's going to make a great Jewish mother. Our hope is that Rubin's makes a turn-around. We are here when it does! NB: We ended up going to Zaftigs for dinner, for what we called "the corrective meal."
(1)
Kara B.
The matzoh balls are light and fluffy. The pastrami is out of this world. The "new" pickles and Celray seal the deal. It's a bit pricey, but maybe that's what quality costs these days.
(4)
Heather G.
A solid kosher deli option when dining with kosher-friends, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. First off, the interior is drab and depressing. Something about this place screams "I need a makeover"...perhaps some new carpeting or investment in better tables/chairs. The setup is cramped and crowded when the restaurant is full. Always feel like I am eating right on top of other diners, and the floor plan is tough to navigate to and from your table on a busy day, because the place is filled with socializing people who migrate to each others' tables to stand and chat, blocking the pathways. Traveling in this particular circle, you are bound to run into 10 people you know here on any given visit. Onto the food. The pastrami sandwich is very good, as are the pickles. However, the meatloaf dinner is to be avoided. I know meatloaf is generally unrecognizable, but this was above and beyond. Had a delicious california chicken wrap (with avocado) which is my solid go-to when dining here. The wraps are all tasty options for the price (yes, this place will just be more expensive than non-kosher counterparts...that is life).
(3)
Nicole E.
I thought this was a restaurant, not a rudeness factory. Apparently I was wrong. Just like I was about so many other things at this place. Generally the purpose of a restaurant with catering service is to make food, bring it to you, and be professional and courteous while tending to your customers. Especially when someone is giving you almost $500 worth of business. Not the case here! We had some kosher folks who needed everything to be 100% kosher. Ok. We've done this before and have used Rubin's many times in the past but this was our biggest order to date- dinner for 17 people. We attempted to order online but that was an absolute disaster. They don't have a current menu up and they no longer had certain items on the menu. We were then told "that [ordering online] was our first mistake". Glad to know you discourage your customers from using services you offer. That's super cool. Then they couldn't even make something close to what we wanted after all of that. Next we wanted some assorted cookies but they only wanted to give us chocolate chip because it was "easier for them". Um ok.... I thought we order something and you, ya know, give it to us. What we got wasn't even good anyway. It's not that hard to make chocolate chip cookies, but then again the folks at Rubin's have amply proven that they can mess up anything.
(1)
Rehan B.
Rubin's is a nice homely restaurant. The service was good and the servings were huge. The chopped liver was not that great. The corned beef pastrami and challah french toast were pretty good. Not a bad option for lunch.
(3)
Aia Y.
Very old school the food I didn't like and the serves also BUT The catering for holidays is good
(2)
Brook T.
I have only been to Rubin's once. I never think to go there for some reason. The mother was up from New York and I thought I would bring her to true Brookline kosher. Off to Rubin's it was. Firstly, they give you pickles to start. PICKLES! It was a glorious. Not a lot of places to that and I was very impressed. Let me not forget to mention that they have Dr. Browns soda. The down side is that the sandwiches are REALLY expensive. My brother just got a average pastrami sandwich there and it was really nothing to write home about. (obviously I had some). I had french toast because I am crazy about challah bread french (on the quest to find the best: see Zaftigs review). It was okay. I don't even recall what my mother got so it must not have been that memorable. A-OK is it. I would go back. Just have to wait until I have a fresh paycheck in the bank account.
(3)
Lauren V.
I am all for variety, but do you know what stresses me out? Menus that read like epic novels. Why, in a place called Rubin's, a place that should specialize in the making of Reubens is there no such offering on the menu? Oh the irony. I thought for sure I would be able to thoughtlessly order a Reuben and be done with it. Oh no. Rubin's has too much. Too much on the menu, too much in the display case. I get it. "Yes, I need another minute to think about it, I'm only on Chapter 6: Gourmet Sandwiches!" Agh! I can't decide!! In the end I went with the Romanian pastrami. Which is just like regular pastrami. Same thing with different names? Most likely. It was pretty fatty and delicious. No condiments, so I doused it with yellow mustard. Fantastic. We also ordered the foot-long hot dog. It was good, but I don't normally taste the sodium deposits in my food- I wouldn't order it again. The waitress was nice and I appreciated the abundance of pickles. I would seriously order a plate of these alone. Soooo good. I also wish the drinks were larger, we were served iced teas in tumblers full of ice? I mean, really? The food is so salt-laden, I needed a Big Gulp-sized drink not this puny sip-and-a-half of iced tea that required numerous refills. Would I go back? Yes, my boyfriend loves it. But it will probably never be my suggestion.
(3)
Jason C.
One of my favorite places to go. The sandwiches are a little expensive (as sandwiches go) but it's well worth it for how good they are and how much you get! The stuffed french toast was pretty good too. A definite must for any fan of Jewish cuisine or just deli food in general!
(4)
Lindy L.
I keep kosher. I love kosher food. I felt that the decor was VERY diner-esque, I ran into a person I knew and it was very funny. The chicken soup is delightful! It was just what I needed on a cold rainy night to warm the soul. Zaftig's, although I've heard it's good, is not kosher. The expensive factor can only be chalked up to the fact that it is a KOSHER deli, so there are people who "designate" sites kosher who need to do their job properly. that's why it's so expensive.
(4)
Liz E.
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.
(2)
D S.
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.
(3)
Christopher M.
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.
(5)
Ken M.
I was expecting to be blown away by Rubin's based on recommendations and based on the sucktasticness of Zaftigs. Well I should have placed my bar lower. The place is cute enough, but the food is definitely not good enough to warrant the prices or the prestige heaped upon this place. For value, I'd say 2 stars, food, maybe a four, but probably just a three. The Red Onion in Burlington, Vermont blows this place away, hands down. Why did we just pay $40 for lunch? The meat and the cole slaw was very very good, the pumpernickel bread was lacking and sliced so very very thin. I've had better mass market bread from the grocery store. I need a good sandwich shop and welcome recommendations.
(2)
Steven E.
I love Rubin's. Went there once for lunch, and the wrap that I had was overpriced but very very good. Its kosher, so I sort of expect it to be overpriced. As for the catering, I used them many times and they have never disappointed. They are the best caterers I have used, when ordering for over 20 people. I picked it all up myself, but they packed it all very well, and I got quite a lot of food for what I paid for. The food tasted home made and was exceptional and delicious. Pluses: Delicious Food Lots of Choice Friendly Staff Minuses: Expensive Close Early on Friday, and are not open on Saturday
(5)
K D.
Prices are way too high for a corned beef sandwich, that isn't even overstuffed. I understand that it is Kosher, but $13 for a very thin sandwich was not worth it. People are extremely friendly, yummy pickles.
(2)
Ben C.
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.
(4)
Orly M.
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.
(5)
jazzy l.
This place has been here since the day I was born. We liked the Potato Latkes and we were disappointed with the Rueben sandwich. No cheese used but only a swiss dressing. Kosher sandwiches are $12/one. The pumpernickle bread was nothing too special to rave about. Not sure why this place is still popular. The hot borscht was okay too.
(3)
Jessica G.
Hmmm. The food here was, um, interesting at best. Not in the positive sense of the word either. I have eaten Kosher many times before, and KNOW that it can be good. This is no good. Not to mention, ridiculously pricey. Just an FYI, Zaftigs is across the street.
(2)
Eve L.
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.
(4)
Dave B.
Without a doubt the best Kosher deli in the city, as close as you'll get to authentic NY deli. Frankly, this place really needs to modernize their decor if they want to survive...but the food still can't be beat. The negative reviews here seem to be born mostly out of ignorance, mostly from people that ordered things I would never even think to try in this place. The key to enjoying Kosher deli is KNOWING WHAT TO ORDER. You want a sandwich? Great! Forget the roast beef, that's an Italian deli specialty. Forget the turkey breast, I don't even know why they sell it here. Tuna fish? Ridiculous. I'm sure what they've got is decent, but those aren't Jewish deli specialties. Go for any combination of the following: hot pastrami (the Romanian is made onsite from their own recipe), hot corned beef, hot tongue, and chopped liver. YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY "I DON'T LIKE LIVER" IF YOU'VE NEVER TRIED JEWISH CHOPPED LIVER. This has no resemblance to the leathery "liver with onions" that your grandmother made, it's a totally different kind of food. Try it. And don't whine about how "gross" tongue sounds...it's all the same animal and tongue is absolutely delicious. Where do you think you're going? We're not done yet. We haven't talked about the bread. You want either pumpernickel or marble. Cissel? That's like eating cotton...every Jew knows that bread should be tough enough to spread cold butter on. I suppose you can do an onion roll if you insist. And the condiments? That's SPICY mustard. Honey mustard is an abomination and I don't think there's even a Yiddish word for "mayonnaise," except perhaps, "drek." Other good items on the menu include the knishes (especially potato, the spinach are kinda so-so), potato pancakes, and the borscht (that's beet soup for the Goyim). But honestly? Just stick with the sandwiches because that's what this place is all about. Munch on the pickles - I prefer the half-sours (the bright green ones) but the dills are good, too - and wash it down with a Dr. Brown's Cream Soda. Yum. Finally, a note for those of you that may have been expecting to find a certain type of sandwich on the menu based on the name of this place: REUBEN SANDWICHES AREN'T KOSHER. You will never find a Reuben in any authentic Jewish deli because it has cheese on it. 'Kay?
(5)
Diana L.
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.
(3)
Nancy T.
My experience was very positive. We were not interested in spending a lot, and we went for lunch. We had potato kugel, stuffed cabbage, fried fish cakes, and a hamburger plate. All of those were excellent- and I'm extremely picky and don't eat exclusively in kosher establishments. (Well the potato kugel was good to avg). The hamburger was very juicy, the fish cakes had big pieces of fish and a good tartar sauce, the cabbage was mostly meat and had a sweet and sour sauce that was good and well cooked. I liked it a lot actually and would go back just for the burger. My husband had gone previously and had the whitefish plate, which he said was mealy (and he knows what whitefish is supposed to taste like). So I wouldn't go and order smoked fish there, but isn't that better with dairy anyway. I really liked what we had and I am looking forward to going back. The entrees are $$ though, so I will be sticking to the appetizers and hamburger.
(4)
josh k.
Enjoyed our meal at Rubin's. Not a fancy place, but high quality food. Chicken soup was excellent. My sandwich (corned beef and pastrami) was very lean--it came with chopped liver which I asked to have on the side. Loved the pickles! My friend enjoyed his steak.
(4)
Sandra M.
Just like new york! kosher enough like new york city, priced enough to feel like you are in new york city. stale atmosphere. i'm jewish and i can certainly vouch for some great, authentic matzoh ball soup and good bagels but the prices here are nothing but inappropriate.
(2)
To B.
Love this place! When I went to grad school, I lived a 5 minute walk from the place. I frequented this place about once a month for lunch or Sunday breakfast. I have never had a bad experience here. Their food is consistently good, there pancakes are thick and delicious. Sweet potato knishes...awesome. Hot pastrami on rye with mustard...yummy. This place is much better than other local overrated and overpriced placed further down Harvard Ave. Big recommend to anyone.
(5)
Frances K.
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!
(5)
Jayne C.
I have worked in the Brookline area now for 7 months and have tried numerous delis/restaurants. I had a groupon for Rubins and thought I would give it a try with my family. The minute the 5 of us walked into the deli it felt like something out of the twilight zone! It was almost as though everyone stopped doing whatever they were doing - eating/waiting on tables - to stare at us. Once we were seated people made an obvious effort to turn around in their seats to look at us. I understand the area and the "kosher deli" atmosphere but never in my life have I ever been treated like an outsider/minority (FYI, I am 100% Irish with a very Italian husband). I guess we were not "kosher" enough for the customers/staff. Individuals that were not even working on the floor were coming out of the back room to stare at our table! We could not get out of the restaurant fast enough and it seemed that they could not get us out of there quick enough! Way over priced for average at best sandwich. NO THANKS, NEVER AGAIN!
(1)
Liza H.
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.
(5)
Exa V.
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.
(4)
Justin G.
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 liver, coleslaw and Russian dressing on rye. Sooooo good! Make me feel like a kid again.
(4)
Becca S.
Very authentic. Loved the pickles and rye bread to start. Got mushroom and dill latkes. It's a meat restaurant so beware of parve sour cream...
(4)
Ken S.
I'm from New York, and I've been ordering deli since before I was bar mitvahed, so you should listen to me when I tell you that this is a good deli and that you should be grateful that you don't have to drive 200 miles to Katz's on Houston St. to get a pastrami sandwich.
(4)
Meg M.
The two stars are not for the quality of the sandwiches my boyfriend and I had at Rubin's, but for the OUTRAGEOUS prices. We ordered two sandwiches and sodas and our bill ended up being 40 DOLLARS. I understand it's kosher but are you joking? I'd rather buy myself a meal at an upscale restaurant downtown than a kosher sandwich at a deli in Brookline thank you!
(2)
Josh B.
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.
(3)
J W.
Rubin's is a nice little find in the Brookline area. The matzo ball soup and homemade pickles are great and the homemade pastrami is unlike any other. The prices are a bit high, but overall I enjoy the place and the dated diner ambiance. The deli counter is chock a block with a great selection of kosher food to go.
(4)
Charlie K.
Rubin's is by far one of the best kosher delis in the Boston area! My girlfriend and I bought the Groupon offered for Rubin's, and we were quite well pleased. We both ordered the Rubin's hamburger with onion rings and potato salad on the side. The sandwich was cooked to order and was clearly fresh off the grill, the potato salad was one of the tastiest I have ever had, and the onion rings were full of nom nom nom nom. The service was spot on and curteous, and we finished off lunch with a tasty parve chocolate cake. My only issue was when I went to use the groupon and found it was only one groupon per 2 people, so I suppose that is my fault. All in all it was a great experience and I look forward to returning in the future.
(4)
Michael G.
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.
(4)
Ed B.
Overpriced, mediocre food, and no pickles. Seriously. No pickles. Never coming here again!
(1)
Sally R.
Like so many others, I came here to escape the long wait at Zaftigs and regretted it. The food was just not that great, and the restaurant was not as clean as I'd expect. Next time I'll just wait.
(2)
Ben B.
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.
(5)
Jen P.
I get nostalgic for Rubins...I used to come here with my Grandparents, so it brings back fond memories...the food is good for kosher food. Love the bread and pickles they bring you...the sandwiches are great. Latkes are usually good (sometimes overcooked) and the Matzo balls and soup are home made.
(4)
Naomi U.
Like a time warp..truly kosher...extremely filling
(3)
Sophia Y.
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.
(4)
Kristine M.
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.
(3)
Nate K.
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.
(4)
Tina L.
The R in Rubins is for rude. I have been to this place a few other times and thought it was ok, nothing great, but satisfied my hunger, whatever, so after being turned off by the long wait at Zaftigs on Sunday we decided to chack out Rubins. The hostess was soooo rude, no eye contact or nothing. She acted as if I was inconveniencing her, she shouted out the wait time and told me that If I wasn't there when she called our name, then Oh well, too bad. What a monster, as I looked around, the place is actually gross, dirty and smelly. I obviosly never went back
(1)
GLORY L.
Love the food. We did go for years, We went recently but found the prices were out of sight. One time we were picking up food for an after funeral luncheon and although we had ordered in advance and paid, we had to wait while the counter help took care of the in store customers first.
(3)
Erin G.
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.
(4)
Dorian G.
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!
(5)
Nina D.
I work in residence life at a Boston area college, and recently had to cater a meal at which one of the guests keeps very strict Kosher. I needed a lot of help planning the menu since my group also includes a number of vegetarians and vegans and I wanted to be sure to have something for everyone. Allen at Rubin's could not have been nicer or more helpful. He never lost patience with my dumb questions and in fact had lots of helpful suggestions. The food was just outstandingly good. In fact at the end of the meal many students specifically asked me if I would please order from Rubin's again because they all loved it so much. And I absolutely will do that - this was just a great experience all around, AND my Kosher student was able to join us for a meal! Several people have mentioned the fact that Rubin's is not cheap. This is true but the quality is so high, I felt the price was very fair - especially when you consider that this is glatt Kosher, strictly prepared and handled according to the most rigorous standard.
(4)
Alyssa W.
if it wasnt for the coupon I had...I dont think I would eat here because fo the prices alone. yea, I know it is kosher and all that, but serisouly, $12+ for a sandwhich and the portion isnt even that big? I'd rather pay $7 at Seven subs and get a bigger sandwhich...makes sense, right? Another turn off. The second we walked in, we were bombarded in the face with an overpowering smell of cleaning solution. I like that they clean the place...but I dont need to smell it while I'm eating. The decor needs and upgrade. And if I'm going to pay $12 for a sandwhich...can I have my water in a glass cup? the dingy plastic cups are gross. Maybe I was missing something, but this place needs an upgrade and a menu make over.
(2)
SR F.
No good. Go to michaels for a GOOD corned beef, hallmark of a great deli.
(1)
Eva K.
I came here for lunch with an expired Groupon to use up the $12 I originally put in. In retrospect, I probably should have just taken the loss. My bill was over $20 for simply an underwhelming lunch. Here is an assessment of the food at this place: - Mazo ball soup - soup tasted too concentrated, matzo ball tasted soggy - Latkes - pretty good, but they weren't heated all the way through when I got them, and looked like they were made a while ago. No sour cream on the side. - Beef Knishes - nothing to write home about. This food was served with a plate of bread & pickles, plus crackers to go with the soup. This just seemed wasteful rather than helpful - I really hate it when restaurants serve you a bunch of filler that will just be thrown away because it's not the kind of stuff that you can take home. Needless to say, this is my last time there - it just felt like one of those restaurants that needs a visit from Restaurant Impossible because they're just phoning it in. I've been to the Jewish diner in Newton Centre, and found it to be pretty consistently awesome, so that's where I'll be going next time.
(2)
Caleb K.
My wife and I got a couple of sandwiches take-out, as we've recently moved in down the street and were curious about our neighborhood deli. We also got a side-order of fries and onion rings. I can't comment on the dine-in experience, but the hostess was very nice taking my order and while paying my bill. It's a "down-home" looking place. There are always families coming and going at all times of day. This is clearly a local institution. We both ordered 'combo' sandwiches, which aren't really a combo unless you count the pickles (maybe the 'combo' refers to the russian dressing and cole-slaw they put on them). They certainly don't come with fries or chips or anything. The sandwiches were both pretty good, if small. The sandwiches were both of about the size that my mom would pack in my lunch if she was feeling some extra love for me that day. The meat was juicy and flavorful (she had corned beef and turkey, and I had corned beef and hot pastrami), was piled moderately high, and the rye bread had lots of carroway seeds and an appreciated sweetness. The mix of cole slaw and russian dressing added a nice combination of sweet/sour as well. But here's the thing - they cost close to twenty dollars a piece after taxes. That's right - I paid 16.99 plus taxes for a sandwich. I can't get over this. Eighteen dollars for a sandwich after taxes. Without fries. Just a sandwich. I've paid more than twelve dollars for a sandwich before and not regretted it - at Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, MI. If you know Zingerman's, you know what I'm talking about it. This was 50% more expensive than that, and approximately half as good. Which is still pretty good, but not even close to worth the price I paid. Fries and onion rings - meh. They are NOT beer battered, I don't know what some of the other reviewers are smoking. They're the kind of frozen fries and onion rings you buy in a big bag and dump into the oil per-order. They are not hand-dipped or whatever. That's just not true. Someone else reviewing this place said the onion rings were 'Top 5' in his life. Maybe he has only had onion rings five times? My wife was more or less of the same impression - her sandwich was solid, but not worth the 17 dollar price point. We might go back for other specialties, but we're skipping the sandwiches (which we were most excited about). On the whole this place seems friendly - just seriously overpriced.
(3)
Jonathan E.
Was craving some Chix soup because I wasn't feeling well. First the place needs a makeover or at the very least to be thoroughly cleaned. It's kind of dirty and very old looking and feeling. The soup was bland and not very good at all. Also ordered a half sandwich. Talk about tiny. Deli's usually stack their sandwiches up high to show off their quality meat. This tiny little thing was laughable, and sort of tasteless. All this flavorless wonder and a bill that was sky high. My advice...there are better deli's to give your money too.
(1)
Elizabeth S.
Maybe it's good if you keep kosher? I had the BBQ chicken sandwich. They... made the chicken, and then put barbeque sauce on it. ....Really? I could've done that myself at home and saved $7.
(2)
Frannie Z.
I got a Groupon for Rubin's and thought it would give me the opportunity to try their pastrami. How I still ended up spending an additional $14 over the $24 Groupon when all we ordered was 2 sandwiches, one order of onion rings and 2 iced teas, I'm not sure I can wrap my head around. I've had a pricey pastrami in the past and it was worth every penny. The pastrami at Rubin's was not. I ordered it on marble bread toasted but somehow that got mixed up with fellow Yelper Barbara's wheat. She got my bread I got hers. I ended up sending it back and they did fix it. Strangely enough, they took my pickle when they swapped the bread. I will say the onion rings were pretty dang good. I've had better but these would be in the top 5. The pastrami was OK but I wouldn't go raving on about it. I might have given Rubin's a four if it had not been for the apathetic waitress and the exorbitant prices. Overall not worth it. I'm willing to pay for great food, but this isn't it.
(3)
John O.
I have not been here in years. Remembered as old time NY style deli. Now a overpriced imitations of it's past. Friend and I ordered corn beef sandwiches ( corn beef was cold and a small amount, they charged extra for a "stuffed" sandwich"). Had to pay $4 for a side of small slaw. Total bill with tip for a lunch with coffee and soda was $50 . Owners must have some heavy college bills as this is a total rip off. Young blond waitress was excellent but owner is delivering no vale for the price......stay away!
(1)
Pinny B.
Food is top notch, but a little pricey even for kosher. Seriously, the food was outstanding. I got a sandwich with corned beef and turkey. The deli was light and super fresh, and was exactly what I was in the mood for. Of course it was $16.99 which was a little too pricey. My wife got schnitzel with mushroom sauce, which was unbelievably good! Like seriously amazing. It came with two sides, so it was definitely a full supper, but again, at 24.99 it felt too expensive. In spite of the prices, we'll probably go back since the food was outstanding. By the way, their fries are the best I have ever had. It's not even a contest. So crispy! 5 stars for taste, 2 stars for price. 4 stars overall.
(4)
Trent M.
$16 for a pastrami sandwich??? It was delicious, but not $16 delicious. If you are looking for decent kosher food in the Boston area, this is probably your place. Although I can name a handful of better places in the northern New Jersey area...
(2)
Chappy B.
the real deal.
(5)
Matt T.
They sell $15 dollar sandwiches that taste ok. Enjoy.
(2)
Robin G.
I arrived last night to have dinner with my kids. The dinner was mixed: 1) I ordered chicken nuggets for my kid. They were clearly from a bag which I could have gotten down the block at the Butcherie. He would not touch them...I don't blame him! 2) I ordered a burger medium rare w/ salsa..well it was raw. I had to flag down a waitress to return it and then my waitress took it back cooked and w/o salsa w/o even an apology. The salsa was definitely not fresh, which is what I expect. Also, the onion rings seemed bagged...not fresh like might expect. 3) My other son just had scrambled eggs and they were wonderful. I think Rubin's even w/ the new menu and decor is hit and miss. There is not enough attention to the details.The wait staff seems like they can't be bothered or perhaps as a mom out w/ 2 kids she thought our bill would not be biggest to warrant manners. Some dishes seem to be wonderful and other not so much. I have been there several times and usually the food is good. It's the best kosher restaurant in Boston. Next time I am going to ask more questions and be more clear as to my expectations.
(3)
Jenn W.
I was a little hesitant in trying out Rubin's because of all the mixed reviews, but had a perfect opportunity when they offered a deal through Groupon. I went for brunch one Friday morning; I was pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant is arranged diner style (I'm from Jersey, where having late night meals at diners is a usual occurrence lol). Alex had the challah french toast with cinnamon & apples & I had the matzo brie omelette with cinnamon sugar. We also split an order of the latkes. Everything was so goooood and the portions were pretty big. The french toast was fluffy and flavorful-- it didn't even need any syrup! My omelette was delicious and the addition of the cinnamon sugar was great! The latkes were crunchy and surprisingly thick; I'm usually used to them being pretty thin, but they was good nonetheless. Both of the breakfast entrees came with fresh fruit and home fries.. and the home fries were crispy and served with sauteed onions on top. Though I enjoyed my omelette, I'd have to say the real winner was the french toast-- I know what I'll be indulging in next time! Service was prompt, so no complaints there.
(4)
Simon L.
Just had the "Wall Street" overstuffed sandwich from Rubin's. The sandwich was truly overstuffed like those from Katz's in NYC. Light rye, Russian dressing, cole slaw, corned beef and tongue. I don't normally order tongue but this was an amazing sandwich although I think it should be served hot. The deli cutters are willing to give you what you want but on some occasions when I have ordered the overstuffed sandwiches and been charged as such, I am sure they didn't put quite enough meat on the sandwich - that's my only complaint. Order a hot meat knish and some kasha varniska as sides. Rubin's is not Katz's Deli but certainly the best in the Boston Area, followed closely by Sam Lagrassa's on Province Street.
(3)
Mike M.
I'm really conflicted about Rubin's. The menu is great on paper; I'm hard-pressed to find any restaurant that serves such an extensive menu (at least for this cuisine) in the area. On the other hand, the price-to-quality just doesn't match what you'd get at New York delis. I realize it is Glatt Kosher, but I really think at this price point, they could a much better job. I'm willing to give it another shot, but I'm hopes aren't particularly high. On to the actual food. I ordered the noodle kugel, which was supposed to come with raisins, but sadly did not. It made up for it with plenty of sweetness from the pineapple. Alround a pretty good dish, though it could stand to increase in girth at $5. I also order the Manhattan combo. I was extremely confused by the wording here. A combination implies it comes with something, but all I got were 2 pickles!! Looking at their website, it says it should have come with 2 items. Instead I paid $18 bucks for a sandwich. The quality is decent, just not at that price point.
(2)
Emily A.
I was super hesitant to try this place - the reviews on Yelp! are pretty tepid - but I was pleasantly surprised. We went on a weekday last week for dinner and used a Groupon, which lessened the sting on our wallets. Yes, the menu is rather pricy, but that is par for the course for a kosher restaurant, which must not only buy kosher meat (which is more expensive due to processing costs) but also pay to keep its certification (hescher) as a kosher place. The brisket sandwich was particularly good. I wasn't a fan of the matzo ball soup with kreplach (my gf thought it was decent) and the corned beef sandwich, while good, wasn't necessarily something to write home about in my book. But that brisket was just mouthwatering (and as someone who has made brisket before - and it takes hours - I am impressed; it's hard!). We'll likely be back.
(4)
Debra L.
I admit, I don't get it. I am not Jewish and I do not eat Kosher but my husband was sick and I wanted to get him some "Jewish penicillin" so I went to Rubin's. The staff were very friendly and the options were expansive, but the food itself was nothing special. While I was ordering at the counter, I noticed how tasty the knishes looked so I ordered some. They were terrible. The texture was lovely, and they were pretty to look at, but there was absolutely zero seasoning in the spinach ones. No salt even. The sandwiches were alright, but I like cheese and I was kind of disappointed about the no cheese thing (though that is no fault of Rubin's). Basically, I ended up with a sandwich on boring bread with a big portion of roast beef for him and turkey for me, and nothing else. Dreadfully boring - and the meat was dry. Even the chicken soup, which was what I went in there for, was a disappointment. Everyone on yelp seems to rave about this place as being "authentic" and "like New York" and all that. But the next day, I mentioned my disappointment to my Jewish (and formerly New Yorker) co-worker, who lives in Brookline and he said he's not a Rubin's fan at all and that I should have gone to Michael's up the road.
(3)
Ben P.
Walk inside and you'll be greated by a hostess to seat you. The restaurant has booths around the sides with tables in the middle. There is a nice little nook off to the side where you can sit near a well-lit front window. Like with most delis, there are food displays by the prep area and a menu up on the wall, in case you want to place a take out or catering order. Once seated, you'll be treated to some delicious mild pickles and slices of marble rye bread. I ordered one of their combo sandwiches called "The Village" and requested it to be made on a bulkie roll. It is a salami and (extra lean) corned beef combo with coleslaw and russian dressing on it. While one reviewer said that they found the extra lean corned beef dry, I did not have that experience. We did order an appetizers of latkes and applesauce. They are large, thick, and scrumptious! They serve 3 to an order, but they are so heavy that I would recommend sharing! If you like seasoned french fries, you'll love these! They use the beer-battered fries, which are awesome! I always have a hard time trying to balance what side dish I want to get with how much I actually can eat! The prices here can run a little bit steep as you can expect to pay $15-18 for a combo sandwich. If you get an overstuffed version, that will add a little bit more to it as well. But it's worth it! (especially, if you keep kosher!)
(5)
Anya S.
Jewish Kosher Deli!!! The only Kosher Deli in this city!! Im in love. A massive kosher pastrami sandwich with a side of pickle. My grandma would be proud!!! Knishes, real knishes, not that warm gooey crap sold at whole foods. If you want a real knish that's the place to go. They also have matzo ball soup, kishkas, lox/bagels, the typical Jew food. The atmosphere is typical, get your food, eat and get out. They are expensive. They are kosher. Kosher =expensive.
(4)
Lisa K.
Kosher delis are pretty rare in our neck of the woods, so this is a fairly lenient review. - The entire place is non-dairy. This was a godsend for our dairy-allergic party member, although I also felt like an idiot asking if there was any dairy product in the latkes. I was informed "there are no dairy products in this restaurant." I wonder how the desserts (pies and cakes?) were made (margarine etc?). The non-dairy sour cream was EXCELLENT! shocking. - Get the latkes. Skip the knishes. The latkes are big but fried to perfection. I was impressed. - Don't get the extra-lean corned beef. It's dry. Opt for some fat in the corned beef, or better yet, the pastrami. - The lightly pickled pickles and marble rye bread are excellent starters. What a nice welcome to the restaurant! - I still found all of the sandwiches to be oddly expensive. I'm sure the ingredients are impressive, but... still! - Our service was brusque but not actively bad... except that we ordered fries at the beginning of the meal and they did not arrive until everything was being cleared away and packed up. At which point our server asked if we wanted the fries wrapped up, too. NO! Who wants cold fries?!?! What kind of sense does that even make?? I think I'd go somewhere else in the future, but one member of our party said she'd come back for the pickles and latkes, and in all honesty, that's a great plan.
(4)
Beth T.
Rubin's catered a kosher party for us on a Sunday afternoon. We ordered deli food. The variety of food provided was excellent and the food was delicious. The biggest hit was the poached salmon. The guests said they enjoyed the food. It was a pleasure working with Allen. If you are having a catered event, we recommend Rubin's!
(5)
P M W.
A Brookline institution. It's okay. It's kosher. It has a nice selection of items not readily found elsewhere (like tongue and kishka). The service was fine and friendly. The place clean. The food, although not spectacular, was okay. I've been going to Rubin's for years and yes, they aren't what they used to be, but they're solidly okay.
(3)
Ben L.
The food here is incredibly bland and disappointing, the sandwiches are small and dry and the service is all over the place. I would not go back here, if you want better jewish food go to Zaftigs.
(1)
Island Boy B.
How are they still in business after all these years? I'm being generous by giving them 2. I thought I would support a local business today and after 20+ years, I gave them a shot. Now I know why none of my Brookline hommies who grew up there never recommended this place. It took 5 minutes before the deli cook took my order and another 15 to make the sandwich. A very average sandwich sans pickle and chips, and definitely not worth $15.
(2)
Greg P.
Pretty decent kosher deli You'll read a lot of reviews on Rubin's and other local deli joints comparing them to NY style kosher deli. It's really apples and oranges. As far as local true kosher deli goes, Rubin's is probably one of the best bets. If you go to NYC, yes, you will have deli that blows this out of the water. However, in Boston, this is about as authentic as you can get. I have been to Rubin's a few times. It's usually pretty busy which tells you something right there. I have had the corned beef and the pastrami in the past. Both have been good. The pastrami was a bit more flavorful as would be expected. The corned beef was lean and delicious. You will not get overflowing sandwiches. The sizes are more modest. Some reviews complain about the price based on the serving size. There is probably a legitimate argument to be made there. Rubin's offers other kosher deli staples such as kugel, knishes, chopped liver, etc. The staff are pretty nice and helpful. The ambiance is what you would expect. Overall, Rubin's is not a bad spot for kosher deli. It's authentic and that's why people keep coming back.
(3)
John G.
Coming from NYC and have had Pastrami from Arties, Zabars, Katz's, and 2nd Ave Deli. Ordered the regular size pastrami. Size was a little smaller than i expected. The onion roll i had with it was not fresh. Had Dr Brown's Diet Blackberry for the first time which was a pleasant surprise. Half Sour pickles were fine. Potato Pancake - so so. Will never go back! Rubens is below average. They are not even close to the NYC Deli'
(1)
Moe B.
Pretty dismal. Not inedible but poor value, chintzy presentation, and just plain blah. How they stay in business is beyond me. The only bright spot was a whitefish on a bagel, albeit very overpriced. Complementary pickles? No. One small pickled tomato? $2. No generosity at this place like a normal deli. Just keep driving walking running.
Their service is nicer than a deli in NY/NJ. Their cabbage soup, pastrami and turkey pastrami would hold up in NY. Their corned beef, brisket, pickles, bread, chicken noodle soup and portions would not.
(3)
Glen K.
This is a nice Kosher deli in the Boston area. I ordered a Carnegie sandwich which was mostly turkey with some pastrami. I was hoping that there would be more pastrami but the sandwich was sill enjoyable. We also ordered wings for an appetizer which were delicious. The service was quick and the waitress constantly came to refill our drinks. The only complaint is that the prices seem very high for the product. The sandwich was tasty and came with a pickle but I think $13 was a bit high.
(3)
Anthony C.
I was excited to try this place as I have been looking for good NYC style corned beef and Reuben sandwiches in Boston---We ordered one of each, and were REALLY disappointed with both of them. The prices are high, portions are small, and the service is awful. They charge NYC prices but offer small portions on mediocre food. Staff members were rude to us as well as to other customers. Also, the restaurant did not seem to be clean. The restroom was disgusting with no soap or paper towels. Big disappointment. Never again.
(1)
Carrie B.
Rubin's is an authentic kosher deli that offers all the traditional foods like pastrami, whitefish, chopped liver, kishka, kasha, etc. The menu is large, with several steak, chicken, and seafood entrees in addition to the vast selection of deli sandwiches, wraps, and salads. The interior has a diner feel to it, and appears not to have been updated in years (if not decades), but in a good way. Prices for regular deli sandwiches are in the $8-$13 range, but quickly go up if you order a combination sandwich or one of the entrees. Fortunately, bread and really amazing pickles are complimentary, and the servers will gladly bring more upon request. I took my aunt and uncle to Rubin's recently, and they were absolutely salivating over the assortment of Jewish delicacies that they say they can't find on the west coast. The atmosphere in Rubin's is certainly not upscale (it's a deli, after all), but in my opinion it's the nicest of the Boston-area kosher restaurants, and therefore most appropriate for a kosher business meal.
(4)
Lindsay M.
Growing up with Jewish parents, I'm accustomed to the food culture. I went with my boyfriend for a late lunch at this deli and we ordered the chicken in the pot and whitefish bagel board. We didn't get served the mini "bread & pickle" plate that was served to customers so we had to ask. Our waiter seemed like he was new and we didn't even get his name. So, with that being said, the service was okay. The hostess and other waitresses seemed nice, though. It was an alright atmosphere, kind of small inside. Both our meals were good, but took a little while to come out because they needed to make new broth for the soup? Or something like that, was kind of confused...The waiter came out with my boyfriend's meal first and set it in front of him while I was still waiting for my meal (not professional at all). Overall, the meals itself were good, but I don't think I'd be going back any time soon. Nothing really stood out.
(3)
Kate M.
Amazing sandwiches, I got the open faced turkey sandwich and it was so good the break was so flavorful the mashed potatoes and gravy were better than grandma's and defiantly home made. The cranberry sauce was even homemade!!! The pickles were some of the best ever!!!! MUST TRY!!
(5)
Jeanie M.
So disappointed! As an ex-New Yorker and Jersey girl I know deli. Rubin's is a real deli for the Boston area but people the bread! What is with the bread? We tried this place 3 times hoping for the best. We had corned beef, pastrami and soups-all were very good. The bread they put the meat on was horrible. Dry, tasteless and crumbled everywhere with mushy crusts. Such a shame. Change the bread already!
(2)
G M.
Overpriced and not good. If you've ever had an authentic corned beef/pastrami from NYC or Chicago I'd suggest not going here. If you've only eaten from Boston deli's go ahead, you'll probably like it I've eaten here twice. The first time I got a pastrami sandwich. It was fatty, chewy and basically gross. I recently got the corned beer which was tender enough but had the flavor or a hot dog, definitely not the flavor for corned beef. The pickle was a slightly salted cucumber. Honestly that may have been the most disappointing part. That or the price. $15+ for a sub, sub-par sandwich and soda. I'd be more than willing to pay $15+ for a good, authentic, towering corner beef but it was just total disappointment all around. The lady at the counter was really nice so I feel bad giving a bad rating but seriously. It is bad.
(1)
John A.
Whenever I'm in Boston, I go to Rubin's. Overpriced, yes, but great.
(3)
Seth F.
I rarely give 5 stars but this place is EXCELLENT. I'm from Dallas but frequent Boston on business. I saw a food program that featured Rubin's and just decided I had to try it out. After all, their signature dish is Brisket and I'm from Texas! For starters, I had the stuffed cabbage. AWESOME! The tangy tomato sauce was a perfect complement to that generous portion of stuffed cabbage. I could hardly believe this was a starter. I had the Brisket Sandwich as a main course. OH MY this was good. I have never had brisket prepared this way (traditional Jewish) and will definitely be back some day. They also brought me a small bowl of Au Jus to dip the sandwich in. Topped it off with a few beers and that was some meal! If there was only one drawback, I would say it is a little pricy but being on business, this was well worth it. Oh, the Hostess and Waitress were very pleasant and the service was excellent. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
David M.
I am going to try Rubin's again in about 3 months to give the owner time to fix his problems. To the owner: As I suggested go and do a blind taste test of your sandwich's against the other Kosher Deli's to see where you stand, also as suggested have someone not known to your staff buy your sandwiches and see what the quality is like over a two week period which should give you an idea of what's going on. I gave you 4 stars for contacting me right away to try and fix this and I will be glad to totally change my review when I retry your food.
(4)
Nancy K.
This place is both overrated and overpriced. We live in the area, and have been meaning to hit the place up for some time now. Today, as we passed by, stomachs a-rumblin, we decided there was no time like the present. Atmosphere: The place is kind of dingy/divey. Think copious wood paneling and straight-from-your-grandmother's-kitchen tables and chairs and you get the picture. The place was totally empty, so I thought of asking the hostess if we could sit somewhere that didn't have a ringside view of the counter showcasing the restaurant's impressive array of offal, but I decided to let it go. Menu: So much to choose from. All-day breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, salads. You name it, they have it. Prices: So, here's where the two star rating comes in. We each ordered a sandwich featuring two meats (corned beef and pastrami & lean corned beef and turkey). Each sandwich was served with a pickle. The prices were clearly marked on the menu. $16 each. So, while we were not taken by surprise by the prices, we were a bit disappointed that, for $16, we were given just normal size sandwiches. Anywhere else, these sandwiches would have been, at the most, $10. And even at $10, an argument could be made for overly ambitious pricing. At $16 each, this was an insult. We each ordered a soda. My husband specifically requested a second soda. I was simply given a second soda. And we were billed for 4 sodas. We had an order of knishes. There were 2 for $6. While the meat (brisket) knish was quite good, the spinach one was lacking seasoning. The bill, for two sandwiches, 2 knishes, and soda, came to a whopping $50! Absurd. Service: Our waitress had all the enthusiasm of a wet mop. And while she was attentive when we first came in, somewhere around the middle of the meal, she simply vanished. When we were finished eating, we waited a long, long, long time to get our bill. All in all, the food was OK, but way overpriced. I won't be going back.
(2)
David F.
This is the second time I came here recently and had to flush the entire meal. Corned beef, sliced tongue, matzo ball soup, and sable. $63 down the disposal and now I have to cook for the kids because no one will eat the food. This place used to have great NYC style deli in the 1990's. it's horrible now. Don't go here. Please don't judge by what you experienced here. Go to Carnegie Deli in NYC for authentic Jewish deli.
(1)
Terri N.
This restaurant has adequate food...nothing special. The recent review from Improper is w-a-a-ay off and must have been written by a relative. It's expensive and the quality is just so-so. Just as bad is the owner who is the rudest person I've ever met. I was there with a table of friends, ordered a huge amount of food and he was nasty and snarly. We all vowed we'd never go back and didn't understand where any of the good reviews came from!
(1)
Alyssa F.
This girl's Jewish blood demands good knishes and schnitzel and kugel and Rubin's kosher is pretty damned good. The oversized stuffed cabbage is REALLY stuffed and smothered in a nice tangy tomato sauce. Knishes are huge and well priced at 2 for 5 bucks. The sweet potato knish is sweetened with golden raisins and the spinach has a smooth texture and taste. Some of the entrees and sandwiches are expensive but there's plenty on the menu that won't swallow a paycheck. Kreplach, please.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
George D.
I bought a groupon for Rubin's, and decided to try it for lunch. I started out with the Israeli latkes, a mix of potato, carrot, and zucchini. They were served with a big bowl of applesauce, just like I remembered from a Jewish friends' house when I was a kid. I forgot to mention that they bring a plate of half-sour wedges and pumpernickel to the table for free. (How can you beat that?) I decided on the pastrami & corned beef sandwich topped with russian dressing and cole slaw. Delicious. Was a little expensive, but still cheaper than the comparable deli's in NYC. Staff was very friendly and helpful I will definitely be going back.
(4)Raymond W.
I stopped in for some good, classic deli fare, but only got a fraction of what I was looking for. The chicken noodle soup with a matzo ball was rather bland and I some salty crackers didn't help much. The pastrami was thinly cut and wasn't particularly juice as I couldn't tell the difference between the pastrami and the corned beef. The rye was soft and moist though. The best part of the meal was the onion rings (think cafeteria, but and fresh out of the fryer as good as it'll get good). Won't come close to the best in NYC, and probably one of the few options in the Boston area. If you're too lazy to try different options by all means, but Zaftigs it worth the detour and wait.
(2)Amy E.
Rubin's is okay, if you have the money to spend on half a pound of meat (if you get a deil sandwich, be prepared to to take at least half home). I've gone there while attending college and like normal college kids, didn't have the cash to splurge on kosher fare. I went with a relative once and between his sandwich, mine, knishes and a Dr Brown, the total was past $50. My cousin ended up taking 2 knishes and half of his sandwich home, while I took at least 2 thirds back to my dorm. Too much meat for too much money. Not worth going back on a regular basis.
(2)Kuidaore Sensei X.
I can't speak on other dishes, as I only went there for a reuben sandwich, which was very underwhelming. First off you'd think that a place named "Rubin's" would have a pretty good reuben. The wait for the sandwich was unnecessarily long (it's a simple sandwich and they weren't busy) and there's not nearly enough meat involved for it to ever be considered a proper deli sandwich. Flavorless kraut and buttered grilled bread (did I order a reuben or a tuna melt?) made this sandwich ultimately forgettable. To top it all off, you get nothing with your sandwich, no pickle, no slaw, nothing. At $14 save yourself some dough and disappointment and head down to Michael's Deli instead.
(2)Denise F.
I thought it would be cool to check this little diner. I went for breakfast and the service was really bad. They all seem to collect near the kitchen and talk to each other and never really looking our way. The food was decent for the price but I just think there are better places for breakfast so I won't be returning.
(2)Robert R.
Skip the Second Ave Deli in NY and come to Rubins! Great service, Relaxed, and friendly Clean, and great food especially the lean corned beef, crispy latkes, pickled tomatoes.
(4)Shira K.
There is no reason that their bagels are SO LAME! Their chicken soup is fatty, and their sandwiches are ridiculously expensive and fatty. Go to Zaftig's. Much much better. We got a bagel from dunkin donuts that was far superior to these bagels. I'm serious. They should be ashamed to sell these.
(1)Chip C.
Matzo Ball Soup - Chicken soup was decent enough, but I went for the optional matzo balls which literally tasted as if they were sitting in fridge uncovered for a while. Not only that the matzo balls where lukewarm. Definitely not worth $7 Corned Beef Sandwich - I got the "overstuffed" expecting a large NYC-esque sized sandwich. Admittedly I am a bit of connoisseur of good kosher corned beef and this rendition was off the mark. The flavor was just not there. The pumpernickel bread was limp and flavorless. Service - This was the worst part, we were largely ignored as our server chatted with friends nearby. The other tables got pickles to munch on, we got nothing. Needless to say I will not be back and will continue my kosher food quest elsewhere.
(1)Adam E.
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.
(4)Mike K.
What is up with kosher places and terrible service. TLDR: service: meh, food: bad We came to Rubin's a few months ago for a midday meal and had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. We wanted to get an appetizer and a couple of sandwiches, but when we started ordering the server informed us that they were out of pretty much two thirds of the appetizer menu. Frustrated we decided to skip the appetizer and just go with the sandwiches. I ordered a hot corned beef sandwich on pumpernickel bread, which was $12. When the food came here is what $12 bought me: two soggy slices of whole wheat bread (remember, I ordered pumpernickel). A small slab of extremely fatty barely warm corned beef. My girlfriend's fare wasn't much better. As a side dish they served one green pickled tomato. The sandwich was tasteless, made from low quality ingredients, and made poorly. They got the bread wrong and didn't toast it, they couldn't heat up the meat, and the portion was ridiculously small for the price. This is some of the worst Ashkenazi Jewish food I've ever tried.
(2)Irene R.
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.
(2)Rich R.
Awesome.. Great food & service... Cute hostess too.
(5)Dan W.
The food was pretty good, no real complaints there, but there is no value; it is just too expensive.
(2)Allie G.
Barf. O. Rama. (Sorry--to be fair--*kosher* barf-o-rama.) I'm convinced that the owners and/or their friends are writing these overwhelmingly positive reviews. Or that they're from long, long ago, when previous owners had a different kind of place in mind. How else could there be such a disconnect between what I visited today--just so excited to be headed to "Boston's Best Deli"--and what they report? Let me set the scene: hubby (he's Jewish, mind you, so this review gets a little street cred) and I wake up early and decide to forgo a turn around the reservoir in exchange for some fab breakfast at Rubin's. We've given too much hard-earned money to Zaftigs, and I was up for something less unapologetically bready than Kupel's. Plus, we've heard it's THE BEST. So we overlook the former-bank/funeral-home atmosphere and head on in. We're pretty pleased with ourselves at this point--no suckers to atmosphere here! Once inside, we're seated by the window. Cool. Only one other table is filled. Menus. Selection looks good, but--wait--what? Bagel with non-dairy cream cheese and lox $13??? Ex-squeeze me? Okay, well, I'll go with it. When in Rome. We both settle on the more recessionally-priced two eggs w/ home fries and bagel. No butter allowed, apparently--just margarine (has G-d heard of triglycerides?). I'm just asking--I swear that's not rhetorical or anything. Eggs come out shaped like chip-chop ham (if you're from the midwest, then you know what I'm talking about here--for the rest of you, that's like scrambled eggs that have been cross-hatched with thousands of tiny knives--more of an egg hash). Home fries are coated in a strange orange-paprika coating that seems like a soggy fried coating. BUT not yummy. Just weird. Tasted, well, tasteless on one hand, sort of metallic on the other. Ick. I order OJ, and it's of the chalky-mix variety. I try to pawn half off on my husband, but he's not having it. Really still trying to love this place, we wonder if maybe we should have ordered a sandwich. But who can afford it? Unfortunately for my husband, the waitress, who's very pleasant and all, informs us that she dropped his bagel and so has to make another. That's fine, but then she returns to tell us they're all out of plain bagels (it's 10:00 on a Sunday morning), so will an egg bagel do? He agrees through his teeth. We try to look on the bright side and concede that at least she told us and didn't just brush the dust off the bagel... ...though around then we begin to bet that Kupel's has loads of miraculous fluffy white plain bagels coming over the morning bagel mountain... Depressing interior (red and black, very vinyl-loungey, with pops of patriotic blue), food that is slightly offensive at best, just plain silly prices...on the upside, the folks behind us were talking about Ford Maddox Ford. Despite this, we're not even up for giving it a second chance. When we left, my husband could see my Yelp-review wheels turning, and he seemed really sad. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "I feel actual PITY. I WANT it to be good. I WANT to give it a good review. But it was so awful." He's going to make a great Jewish mother. Our hope is that Rubin's makes a turn-around. We are here when it does! NB: We ended up going to Zaftigs for dinner, for what we called "the corrective meal."
(1)Kara B.
The matzoh balls are light and fluffy. The pastrami is out of this world. The "new" pickles and Celray seal the deal. It's a bit pricey, but maybe that's what quality costs these days.
(4)Heather G.
A solid kosher deli option when dining with kosher-friends, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. First off, the interior is drab and depressing. Something about this place screams "I need a makeover"...perhaps some new carpeting or investment in better tables/chairs. The setup is cramped and crowded when the restaurant is full. Always feel like I am eating right on top of other diners, and the floor plan is tough to navigate to and from your table on a busy day, because the place is filled with socializing people who migrate to each others' tables to stand and chat, blocking the pathways. Traveling in this particular circle, you are bound to run into 10 people you know here on any given visit. Onto the food. The pastrami sandwich is very good, as are the pickles. However, the meatloaf dinner is to be avoided. I know meatloaf is generally unrecognizable, but this was above and beyond. Had a delicious california chicken wrap (with avocado) which is my solid go-to when dining here. The wraps are all tasty options for the price (yes, this place will just be more expensive than non-kosher counterparts...that is life).
(3)Nicole E.
I thought this was a restaurant, not a rudeness factory. Apparently I was wrong. Just like I was about so many other things at this place. Generally the purpose of a restaurant with catering service is to make food, bring it to you, and be professional and courteous while tending to your customers. Especially when someone is giving you almost $500 worth of business. Not the case here! We had some kosher folks who needed everything to be 100% kosher. Ok. We've done this before and have used Rubin's many times in the past but this was our biggest order to date- dinner for 17 people. We attempted to order online but that was an absolute disaster. They don't have a current menu up and they no longer had certain items on the menu. We were then told "that [ordering online] was our first mistake". Glad to know you discourage your customers from using services you offer. That's super cool. Then they couldn't even make something close to what we wanted after all of that. Next we wanted some assorted cookies but they only wanted to give us chocolate chip because it was "easier for them". Um ok.... I thought we order something and you, ya know, give it to us. What we got wasn't even good anyway. It's not that hard to make chocolate chip cookies, but then again the folks at Rubin's have amply proven that they can mess up anything.
(1)Rehan B.
Rubin's is a nice homely restaurant. The service was good and the servings were huge. The chopped liver was not that great. The corned beef pastrami and challah french toast were pretty good. Not a bad option for lunch.
(3)Aia Y.
Very old school the food I didn't like and the serves also BUT The catering for holidays is good
(2)Brook T.
I have only been to Rubin's once. I never think to go there for some reason. The mother was up from New York and I thought I would bring her to true Brookline kosher. Off to Rubin's it was. Firstly, they give you pickles to start. PICKLES! It was a glorious. Not a lot of places to that and I was very impressed. Let me not forget to mention that they have Dr. Browns soda. The down side is that the sandwiches are REALLY expensive. My brother just got a average pastrami sandwich there and it was really nothing to write home about. (obviously I had some). I had french toast because I am crazy about challah bread french (on the quest to find the best: see Zaftigs review). It was okay. I don't even recall what my mother got so it must not have been that memorable. A-OK is it. I would go back. Just have to wait until I have a fresh paycheck in the bank account.
(3)Lauren V.
I am all for variety, but do you know what stresses me out? Menus that read like epic novels. Why, in a place called Rubin's, a place that should specialize in the making of Reubens is there no such offering on the menu? Oh the irony. I thought for sure I would be able to thoughtlessly order a Reuben and be done with it. Oh no. Rubin's has too much. Too much on the menu, too much in the display case. I get it. "Yes, I need another minute to think about it, I'm only on Chapter 6: Gourmet Sandwiches!" Agh! I can't decide!! In the end I went with the Romanian pastrami. Which is just like regular pastrami. Same thing with different names? Most likely. It was pretty fatty and delicious. No condiments, so I doused it with yellow mustard. Fantastic. We also ordered the foot-long hot dog. It was good, but I don't normally taste the sodium deposits in my food- I wouldn't order it again. The waitress was nice and I appreciated the abundance of pickles. I would seriously order a plate of these alone. Soooo good. I also wish the drinks were larger, we were served iced teas in tumblers full of ice? I mean, really? The food is so salt-laden, I needed a Big Gulp-sized drink not this puny sip-and-a-half of iced tea that required numerous refills. Would I go back? Yes, my boyfriend loves it. But it will probably never be my suggestion.
(3)Jason C.
One of my favorite places to go. The sandwiches are a little expensive (as sandwiches go) but it's well worth it for how good they are and how much you get! The stuffed french toast was pretty good too. A definite must for any fan of Jewish cuisine or just deli food in general!
(4)Lindy L.
I keep kosher. I love kosher food. I felt that the decor was VERY diner-esque, I ran into a person I knew and it was very funny. The chicken soup is delightful! It was just what I needed on a cold rainy night to warm the soul. Zaftig's, although I've heard it's good, is not kosher. The expensive factor can only be chalked up to the fact that it is a KOSHER deli, so there are people who "designate" sites kosher who need to do their job properly. that's why it's so expensive.
(4)Liz E.
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.
(2)D S.
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.
(3)Christopher M.
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.
(5)Ken M.
I was expecting to be blown away by Rubin's based on recommendations and based on the sucktasticness of Zaftigs. Well I should have placed my bar lower. The place is cute enough, but the food is definitely not good enough to warrant the prices or the prestige heaped upon this place. For value, I'd say 2 stars, food, maybe a four, but probably just a three. The Red Onion in Burlington, Vermont blows this place away, hands down. Why did we just pay $40 for lunch? The meat and the cole slaw was very very good, the pumpernickel bread was lacking and sliced so very very thin. I've had better mass market bread from the grocery store. I need a good sandwich shop and welcome recommendations.
(2)Steven E.
I love Rubin's. Went there once for lunch, and the wrap that I had was overpriced but very very good. Its kosher, so I sort of expect it to be overpriced. As for the catering, I used them many times and they have never disappointed. They are the best caterers I have used, when ordering for over 20 people. I picked it all up myself, but they packed it all very well, and I got quite a lot of food for what I paid for. The food tasted home made and was exceptional and delicious. Pluses: Delicious Food Lots of Choice Friendly Staff Minuses: Expensive Close Early on Friday, and are not open on Saturday
(5)K D.
Prices are way too high for a corned beef sandwich, that isn't even overstuffed. I understand that it is Kosher, but $13 for a very thin sandwich was not worth it. People are extremely friendly, yummy pickles.
(2)Ben C.
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.
(4)Orly M.
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.
(5)jazzy l.
This place has been here since the day I was born. We liked the Potato Latkes and we were disappointed with the Rueben sandwich. No cheese used but only a swiss dressing. Kosher sandwiches are $12/one. The pumpernickle bread was nothing too special to rave about. Not sure why this place is still popular. The hot borscht was okay too.
(3)Jessica G.
Hmmm. The food here was, um, interesting at best. Not in the positive sense of the word either. I have eaten Kosher many times before, and KNOW that it can be good. This is no good. Not to mention, ridiculously pricey. Just an FYI, Zaftigs is across the street.
(2)Eve L.
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.
(4)Dave B.
Without a doubt the best Kosher deli in the city, as close as you'll get to authentic NY deli. Frankly, this place really needs to modernize their decor if they want to survive...but the food still can't be beat. The negative reviews here seem to be born mostly out of ignorance, mostly from people that ordered things I would never even think to try in this place. The key to enjoying Kosher deli is KNOWING WHAT TO ORDER. You want a sandwich? Great! Forget the roast beef, that's an Italian deli specialty. Forget the turkey breast, I don't even know why they sell it here. Tuna fish? Ridiculous. I'm sure what they've got is decent, but those aren't Jewish deli specialties. Go for any combination of the following: hot pastrami (the Romanian is made onsite from their own recipe), hot corned beef, hot tongue, and chopped liver. YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY "I DON'T LIKE LIVER" IF YOU'VE NEVER TRIED JEWISH CHOPPED LIVER. This has no resemblance to the leathery "liver with onions" that your grandmother made, it's a totally different kind of food. Try it. And don't whine about how "gross" tongue sounds...it's all the same animal and tongue is absolutely delicious. Where do you think you're going? We're not done yet. We haven't talked about the bread. You want either pumpernickel or marble. Cissel? That's like eating cotton...every Jew knows that bread should be tough enough to spread cold butter on. I suppose you can do an onion roll if you insist. And the condiments? That's SPICY mustard. Honey mustard is an abomination and I don't think there's even a Yiddish word for "mayonnaise," except perhaps, "drek." Other good items on the menu include the knishes (especially potato, the spinach are kinda so-so), potato pancakes, and the borscht (that's beet soup for the Goyim). But honestly? Just stick with the sandwiches because that's what this place is all about. Munch on the pickles - I prefer the half-sours (the bright green ones) but the dills are good, too - and wash it down with a Dr. Brown's Cream Soda. Yum. Finally, a note for those of you that may have been expecting to find a certain type of sandwich on the menu based on the name of this place: REUBEN SANDWICHES AREN'T KOSHER. You will never find a Reuben in any authentic Jewish deli because it has cheese on it. 'Kay?
(5)Diana L.
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.
(3)Nancy T.
My experience was very positive. We were not interested in spending a lot, and we went for lunch. We had potato kugel, stuffed cabbage, fried fish cakes, and a hamburger plate. All of those were excellent- and I'm extremely picky and don't eat exclusively in kosher establishments. (Well the potato kugel was good to avg). The hamburger was very juicy, the fish cakes had big pieces of fish and a good tartar sauce, the cabbage was mostly meat and had a sweet and sour sauce that was good and well cooked. I liked it a lot actually and would go back just for the burger. My husband had gone previously and had the whitefish plate, which he said was mealy (and he knows what whitefish is supposed to taste like). So I wouldn't go and order smoked fish there, but isn't that better with dairy anyway. I really liked what we had and I am looking forward to going back. The entrees are $$ though, so I will be sticking to the appetizers and hamburger.
(4)josh k.
Enjoyed our meal at Rubin's. Not a fancy place, but high quality food. Chicken soup was excellent. My sandwich (corned beef and pastrami) was very lean--it came with chopped liver which I asked to have on the side. Loved the pickles! My friend enjoyed his steak.
(4)Sandra M.
Just like new york! kosher enough like new york city, priced enough to feel like you are in new york city. stale atmosphere. i'm jewish and i can certainly vouch for some great, authentic matzoh ball soup and good bagels but the prices here are nothing but inappropriate.
(2)To B.
Love this place! When I went to grad school, I lived a 5 minute walk from the place. I frequented this place about once a month for lunch or Sunday breakfast. I have never had a bad experience here. Their food is consistently good, there pancakes are thick and delicious. Sweet potato knishes...awesome. Hot pastrami on rye with mustard...yummy. This place is much better than other local overrated and overpriced placed further down Harvard Ave. Big recommend to anyone.
(5)Frances K.
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!
(5)Jayne C.
I have worked in the Brookline area now for 7 months and have tried numerous delis/restaurants. I had a groupon for Rubins and thought I would give it a try with my family. The minute the 5 of us walked into the deli it felt like something out of the twilight zone! It was almost as though everyone stopped doing whatever they were doing - eating/waiting on tables - to stare at us. Once we were seated people made an obvious effort to turn around in their seats to look at us. I understand the area and the "kosher deli" atmosphere but never in my life have I ever been treated like an outsider/minority (FYI, I am 100% Irish with a very Italian husband). I guess we were not "kosher" enough for the customers/staff. Individuals that were not even working on the floor were coming out of the back room to stare at our table! We could not get out of the restaurant fast enough and it seemed that they could not get us out of there quick enough! Way over priced for average at best sandwich. NO THANKS, NEVER AGAIN!
(1)Liza H.
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.
(5)Exa V.
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.
(4)Justin G.
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 liver, coleslaw and Russian dressing on rye. Sooooo good! Make me feel like a kid again.
(4)Becca S.
Very authentic. Loved the pickles and rye bread to start. Got mushroom and dill latkes. It's a meat restaurant so beware of parve sour cream...
(4)Ken S.
I'm from New York, and I've been ordering deli since before I was bar mitvahed, so you should listen to me when I tell you that this is a good deli and that you should be grateful that you don't have to drive 200 miles to Katz's on Houston St. to get a pastrami sandwich.
(4)Meg M.
The two stars are not for the quality of the sandwiches my boyfriend and I had at Rubin's, but for the OUTRAGEOUS prices. We ordered two sandwiches and sodas and our bill ended up being 40 DOLLARS. I understand it's kosher but are you joking? I'd rather buy myself a meal at an upscale restaurant downtown than a kosher sandwich at a deli in Brookline thank you!
(2)Josh B.
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.
(3)J W.
Rubin's is a nice little find in the Brookline area. The matzo ball soup and homemade pickles are great and the homemade pastrami is unlike any other. The prices are a bit high, but overall I enjoy the place and the dated diner ambiance. The deli counter is chock a block with a great selection of kosher food to go.
(4)Charlie K.
Rubin's is by far one of the best kosher delis in the Boston area! My girlfriend and I bought the Groupon offered for Rubin's, and we were quite well pleased. We both ordered the Rubin's hamburger with onion rings and potato salad on the side. The sandwich was cooked to order and was clearly fresh off the grill, the potato salad was one of the tastiest I have ever had, and the onion rings were full of nom nom nom nom. The service was spot on and curteous, and we finished off lunch with a tasty parve chocolate cake. My only issue was when I went to use the groupon and found it was only one groupon per 2 people, so I suppose that is my fault. All in all it was a great experience and I look forward to returning in the future.
(4)Michael G.
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.
(4)Ed B.
Overpriced, mediocre food, and no pickles. Seriously. No pickles. Never coming here again!
(1)Sally R.
Like so many others, I came here to escape the long wait at Zaftigs and regretted it. The food was just not that great, and the restaurant was not as clean as I'd expect. Next time I'll just wait.
(2)Ben B.
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.
(5)Jen P.
I get nostalgic for Rubins...I used to come here with my Grandparents, so it brings back fond memories...the food is good for kosher food. Love the bread and pickles they bring you...the sandwiches are great. Latkes are usually good (sometimes overcooked) and the Matzo balls and soup are home made.
(4)Naomi U.
Like a time warp..truly kosher...extremely filling
(3)Sophia Y.
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.
(4)Kristine M.
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.
(3)Nate K.
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.
(4)Tina L.
The R in Rubins is for rude. I have been to this place a few other times and thought it was ok, nothing great, but satisfied my hunger, whatever, so after being turned off by the long wait at Zaftigs on Sunday we decided to chack out Rubins. The hostess was soooo rude, no eye contact or nothing. She acted as if I was inconveniencing her, she shouted out the wait time and told me that If I wasn't there when she called our name, then Oh well, too bad. What a monster, as I looked around, the place is actually gross, dirty and smelly. I obviosly never went back
(1)GLORY L.
Love the food. We did go for years, We went recently but found the prices were out of sight. One time we were picking up food for an after funeral luncheon and although we had ordered in advance and paid, we had to wait while the counter help took care of the in store customers first.
(3)Erin G.
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.
(4)Dorian G.
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!
(5)Nina D.
I work in residence life at a Boston area college, and recently had to cater a meal at which one of the guests keeps very strict Kosher. I needed a lot of help planning the menu since my group also includes a number of vegetarians and vegans and I wanted to be sure to have something for everyone. Allen at Rubin's could not have been nicer or more helpful. He never lost patience with my dumb questions and in fact had lots of helpful suggestions. The food was just outstandingly good. In fact at the end of the meal many students specifically asked me if I would please order from Rubin's again because they all loved it so much. And I absolutely will do that - this was just a great experience all around, AND my Kosher student was able to join us for a meal! Several people have mentioned the fact that Rubin's is not cheap. This is true but the quality is so high, I felt the price was very fair - especially when you consider that this is glatt Kosher, strictly prepared and handled according to the most rigorous standard.
(4)Alyssa W.
if it wasnt for the coupon I had...I dont think I would eat here because fo the prices alone. yea, I know it is kosher and all that, but serisouly, $12+ for a sandwhich and the portion isnt even that big? I'd rather pay $7 at Seven subs and get a bigger sandwhich...makes sense, right? Another turn off. The second we walked in, we were bombarded in the face with an overpowering smell of cleaning solution. I like that they clean the place...but I dont need to smell it while I'm eating. The decor needs and upgrade. And if I'm going to pay $12 for a sandwhich...can I have my water in a glass cup? the dingy plastic cups are gross. Maybe I was missing something, but this place needs an upgrade and a menu make over.
(2)SR F.
No good. Go to michaels for a GOOD corned beef, hallmark of a great deli.
(1)Eva K.
I came here for lunch with an expired Groupon to use up the $12 I originally put in. In retrospect, I probably should have just taken the loss. My bill was over $20 for simply an underwhelming lunch. Here is an assessment of the food at this place: - Mazo ball soup - soup tasted too concentrated, matzo ball tasted soggy - Latkes - pretty good, but they weren't heated all the way through when I got them, and looked like they were made a while ago. No sour cream on the side. - Beef Knishes - nothing to write home about. This food was served with a plate of bread & pickles, plus crackers to go with the soup. This just seemed wasteful rather than helpful - I really hate it when restaurants serve you a bunch of filler that will just be thrown away because it's not the kind of stuff that you can take home. Needless to say, this is my last time there - it just felt like one of those restaurants that needs a visit from Restaurant Impossible because they're just phoning it in. I've been to the Jewish diner in Newton Centre, and found it to be pretty consistently awesome, so that's where I'll be going next time.
(2)Caleb K.
My wife and I got a couple of sandwiches take-out, as we've recently moved in down the street and were curious about our neighborhood deli. We also got a side-order of fries and onion rings. I can't comment on the dine-in experience, but the hostess was very nice taking my order and while paying my bill. It's a "down-home" looking place. There are always families coming and going at all times of day. This is clearly a local institution. We both ordered 'combo' sandwiches, which aren't really a combo unless you count the pickles (maybe the 'combo' refers to the russian dressing and cole-slaw they put on them). They certainly don't come with fries or chips or anything. The sandwiches were both pretty good, if small. The sandwiches were both of about the size that my mom would pack in my lunch if she was feeling some extra love for me that day. The meat was juicy and flavorful (she had corned beef and turkey, and I had corned beef and hot pastrami), was piled moderately high, and the rye bread had lots of carroway seeds and an appreciated sweetness. The mix of cole slaw and russian dressing added a nice combination of sweet/sour as well. But here's the thing - they cost close to twenty dollars a piece after taxes. That's right - I paid 16.99 plus taxes for a sandwich. I can't get over this. Eighteen dollars for a sandwich after taxes. Without fries. Just a sandwich. I've paid more than twelve dollars for a sandwich before and not regretted it - at Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, MI. If you know Zingerman's, you know what I'm talking about it. This was 50% more expensive than that, and approximately half as good. Which is still pretty good, but not even close to worth the price I paid. Fries and onion rings - meh. They are NOT beer battered, I don't know what some of the other reviewers are smoking. They're the kind of frozen fries and onion rings you buy in a big bag and dump into the oil per-order. They are not hand-dipped or whatever. That's just not true. Someone else reviewing this place said the onion rings were 'Top 5' in his life. Maybe he has only had onion rings five times? My wife was more or less of the same impression - her sandwich was solid, but not worth the 17 dollar price point. We might go back for other specialties, but we're skipping the sandwiches (which we were most excited about). On the whole this place seems friendly - just seriously overpriced.
(3)Jonathan E.
Was craving some Chix soup because I wasn't feeling well. First the place needs a makeover or at the very least to be thoroughly cleaned. It's kind of dirty and very old looking and feeling. The soup was bland and not very good at all. Also ordered a half sandwich. Talk about tiny. Deli's usually stack their sandwiches up high to show off their quality meat. This tiny little thing was laughable, and sort of tasteless. All this flavorless wonder and a bill that was sky high. My advice...there are better deli's to give your money too.
(1)Elizabeth S.
Maybe it's good if you keep kosher? I had the BBQ chicken sandwich. They... made the chicken, and then put barbeque sauce on it. ....Really? I could've done that myself at home and saved $7.
(2)Frannie Z.
I got a Groupon for Rubin's and thought it would give me the opportunity to try their pastrami. How I still ended up spending an additional $14 over the $24 Groupon when all we ordered was 2 sandwiches, one order of onion rings and 2 iced teas, I'm not sure I can wrap my head around. I've had a pricey pastrami in the past and it was worth every penny. The pastrami at Rubin's was not. I ordered it on marble bread toasted but somehow that got mixed up with fellow Yelper Barbara's wheat. She got my bread I got hers. I ended up sending it back and they did fix it. Strangely enough, they took my pickle when they swapped the bread. I will say the onion rings were pretty dang good. I've had better but these would be in the top 5. The pastrami was OK but I wouldn't go raving on about it. I might have given Rubin's a four if it had not been for the apathetic waitress and the exorbitant prices. Overall not worth it. I'm willing to pay for great food, but this isn't it.
(3)John O.
I have not been here in years. Remembered as old time NY style deli. Now a overpriced imitations of it's past. Friend and I ordered corn beef sandwiches ( corn beef was cold and a small amount, they charged extra for a "stuffed" sandwich"). Had to pay $4 for a side of small slaw. Total bill with tip for a lunch with coffee and soda was $50 . Owners must have some heavy college bills as this is a total rip off. Young blond waitress was excellent but owner is delivering no vale for the price......stay away!
(1)Pinny B.
Food is top notch, but a little pricey even for kosher. Seriously, the food was outstanding. I got a sandwich with corned beef and turkey. The deli was light and super fresh, and was exactly what I was in the mood for. Of course it was $16.99 which was a little too pricey. My wife got schnitzel with mushroom sauce, which was unbelievably good! Like seriously amazing. It came with two sides, so it was definitely a full supper, but again, at 24.99 it felt too expensive. In spite of the prices, we'll probably go back since the food was outstanding. By the way, their fries are the best I have ever had. It's not even a contest. So crispy! 5 stars for taste, 2 stars for price. 4 stars overall.
(4)Trent M.
$16 for a pastrami sandwich??? It was delicious, but not $16 delicious. If you are looking for decent kosher food in the Boston area, this is probably your place. Although I can name a handful of better places in the northern New Jersey area...
(2)Chappy B.
the real deal.
(5)Matt T.
They sell $15 dollar sandwiches that taste ok. Enjoy.
(2)Robin G.
I arrived last night to have dinner with my kids. The dinner was mixed: 1) I ordered chicken nuggets for my kid. They were clearly from a bag which I could have gotten down the block at the Butcherie. He would not touch them...I don't blame him! 2) I ordered a burger medium rare w/ salsa..well it was raw. I had to flag down a waitress to return it and then my waitress took it back cooked and w/o salsa w/o even an apology. The salsa was definitely not fresh, which is what I expect. Also, the onion rings seemed bagged...not fresh like might expect. 3) My other son just had scrambled eggs and they were wonderful. I think Rubin's even w/ the new menu and decor is hit and miss. There is not enough attention to the details.The wait staff seems like they can't be bothered or perhaps as a mom out w/ 2 kids she thought our bill would not be biggest to warrant manners. Some dishes seem to be wonderful and other not so much. I have been there several times and usually the food is good. It's the best kosher restaurant in Boston. Next time I am going to ask more questions and be more clear as to my expectations.
(3)Jenn W.
I was a little hesitant in trying out Rubin's because of all the mixed reviews, but had a perfect opportunity when they offered a deal through Groupon. I went for brunch one Friday morning; I was pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant is arranged diner style (I'm from Jersey, where having late night meals at diners is a usual occurrence lol). Alex had the challah french toast with cinnamon & apples & I had the matzo brie omelette with cinnamon sugar. We also split an order of the latkes. Everything was so goooood and the portions were pretty big. The french toast was fluffy and flavorful-- it didn't even need any syrup! My omelette was delicious and the addition of the cinnamon sugar was great! The latkes were crunchy and surprisingly thick; I'm usually used to them being pretty thin, but they was good nonetheless. Both of the breakfast entrees came with fresh fruit and home fries.. and the home fries were crispy and served with sauteed onions on top. Though I enjoyed my omelette, I'd have to say the real winner was the french toast-- I know what I'll be indulging in next time! Service was prompt, so no complaints there.
(4)Simon L.
Just had the "Wall Street" overstuffed sandwich from Rubin's. The sandwich was truly overstuffed like those from Katz's in NYC. Light rye, Russian dressing, cole slaw, corned beef and tongue. I don't normally order tongue but this was an amazing sandwich although I think it should be served hot. The deli cutters are willing to give you what you want but on some occasions when I have ordered the overstuffed sandwiches and been charged as such, I am sure they didn't put quite enough meat on the sandwich - that's my only complaint. Order a hot meat knish and some kasha varniska as sides. Rubin's is not Katz's Deli but certainly the best in the Boston Area, followed closely by Sam Lagrassa's on Province Street.
(3)Mike M.
I'm really conflicted about Rubin's. The menu is great on paper; I'm hard-pressed to find any restaurant that serves such an extensive menu (at least for this cuisine) in the area. On the other hand, the price-to-quality just doesn't match what you'd get at New York delis. I realize it is Glatt Kosher, but I really think at this price point, they could a much better job. I'm willing to give it another shot, but I'm hopes aren't particularly high. On to the actual food. I ordered the noodle kugel, which was supposed to come with raisins, but sadly did not. It made up for it with plenty of sweetness from the pineapple. Alround a pretty good dish, though it could stand to increase in girth at $5. I also order the Manhattan combo. I was extremely confused by the wording here. A combination implies it comes with something, but all I got were 2 pickles!! Looking at their website, it says it should have come with 2 items. Instead I paid $18 bucks for a sandwich. The quality is decent, just not at that price point.
(2)Emily A.
I was super hesitant to try this place - the reviews on Yelp! are pretty tepid - but I was pleasantly surprised. We went on a weekday last week for dinner and used a Groupon, which lessened the sting on our wallets. Yes, the menu is rather pricy, but that is par for the course for a kosher restaurant, which must not only buy kosher meat (which is more expensive due to processing costs) but also pay to keep its certification (hescher) as a kosher place. The brisket sandwich was particularly good. I wasn't a fan of the matzo ball soup with kreplach (my gf thought it was decent) and the corned beef sandwich, while good, wasn't necessarily something to write home about in my book. But that brisket was just mouthwatering (and as someone who has made brisket before - and it takes hours - I am impressed; it's hard!). We'll likely be back.
(4)Debra L.
I admit, I don't get it. I am not Jewish and I do not eat Kosher but my husband was sick and I wanted to get him some "Jewish penicillin" so I went to Rubin's. The staff were very friendly and the options were expansive, but the food itself was nothing special. While I was ordering at the counter, I noticed how tasty the knishes looked so I ordered some. They were terrible. The texture was lovely, and they were pretty to look at, but there was absolutely zero seasoning in the spinach ones. No salt even. The sandwiches were alright, but I like cheese and I was kind of disappointed about the no cheese thing (though that is no fault of Rubin's). Basically, I ended up with a sandwich on boring bread with a big portion of roast beef for him and turkey for me, and nothing else. Dreadfully boring - and the meat was dry. Even the chicken soup, which was what I went in there for, was a disappointment. Everyone on yelp seems to rave about this place as being "authentic" and "like New York" and all that. But the next day, I mentioned my disappointment to my Jewish (and formerly New Yorker) co-worker, who lives in Brookline and he said he's not a Rubin's fan at all and that I should have gone to Michael's up the road.
(3)Ben P.
Walk inside and you'll be greated by a hostess to seat you. The restaurant has booths around the sides with tables in the middle. There is a nice little nook off to the side where you can sit near a well-lit front window. Like with most delis, there are food displays by the prep area and a menu up on the wall, in case you want to place a take out or catering order. Once seated, you'll be treated to some delicious mild pickles and slices of marble rye bread. I ordered one of their combo sandwiches called "The Village" and requested it to be made on a bulkie roll. It is a salami and (extra lean) corned beef combo with coleslaw and russian dressing on it. While one reviewer said that they found the extra lean corned beef dry, I did not have that experience. We did order an appetizers of latkes and applesauce. They are large, thick, and scrumptious! They serve 3 to an order, but they are so heavy that I would recommend sharing! If you like seasoned french fries, you'll love these! They use the beer-battered fries, which are awesome! I always have a hard time trying to balance what side dish I want to get with how much I actually can eat! The prices here can run a little bit steep as you can expect to pay $15-18 for a combo sandwich. If you get an overstuffed version, that will add a little bit more to it as well. But it's worth it! (especially, if you keep kosher!)
(5)Anya S.
Jewish Kosher Deli!!! The only Kosher Deli in this city!! Im in love. A massive kosher pastrami sandwich with a side of pickle. My grandma would be proud!!! Knishes, real knishes, not that warm gooey crap sold at whole foods. If you want a real knish that's the place to go. They also have matzo ball soup, kishkas, lox/bagels, the typical Jew food. The atmosphere is typical, get your food, eat and get out. They are expensive. They are kosher. Kosher =expensive.
(4)Lisa K.
Kosher delis are pretty rare in our neck of the woods, so this is a fairly lenient review. - The entire place is non-dairy. This was a godsend for our dairy-allergic party member, although I also felt like an idiot asking if there was any dairy product in the latkes. I was informed "there are no dairy products in this restaurant." I wonder how the desserts (pies and cakes?) were made (margarine etc?). The non-dairy sour cream was EXCELLENT! shocking. - Get the latkes. Skip the knishes. The latkes are big but fried to perfection. I was impressed. - Don't get the extra-lean corned beef. It's dry. Opt for some fat in the corned beef, or better yet, the pastrami. - The lightly pickled pickles and marble rye bread are excellent starters. What a nice welcome to the restaurant! - I still found all of the sandwiches to be oddly expensive. I'm sure the ingredients are impressive, but... still! - Our service was brusque but not actively bad... except that we ordered fries at the beginning of the meal and they did not arrive until everything was being cleared away and packed up. At which point our server asked if we wanted the fries wrapped up, too. NO! Who wants cold fries?!?! What kind of sense does that even make?? I think I'd go somewhere else in the future, but one member of our party said she'd come back for the pickles and latkes, and in all honesty, that's a great plan.
(4)Beth T.
Rubin's catered a kosher party for us on a Sunday afternoon. We ordered deli food. The variety of food provided was excellent and the food was delicious. The biggest hit was the poached salmon. The guests said they enjoyed the food. It was a pleasure working with Allen. If you are having a catered event, we recommend Rubin's!
(5)P M W.
A Brookline institution. It's okay. It's kosher. It has a nice selection of items not readily found elsewhere (like tongue and kishka). The service was fine and friendly. The place clean. The food, although not spectacular, was okay. I've been going to Rubin's for years and yes, they aren't what they used to be, but they're solidly okay.
(3)Ben L.
The food here is incredibly bland and disappointing, the sandwiches are small and dry and the service is all over the place. I would not go back here, if you want better jewish food go to Zaftigs.
(1)Island Boy B.
How are they still in business after all these years? I'm being generous by giving them 2. I thought I would support a local business today and after 20+ years, I gave them a shot. Now I know why none of my Brookline hommies who grew up there never recommended this place. It took 5 minutes before the deli cook took my order and another 15 to make the sandwich. A very average sandwich sans pickle and chips, and definitely not worth $15.
(2)Greg P.
Pretty decent kosher deli You'll read a lot of reviews on Rubin's and other local deli joints comparing them to NY style kosher deli. It's really apples and oranges. As far as local true kosher deli goes, Rubin's is probably one of the best bets. If you go to NYC, yes, you will have deli that blows this out of the water. However, in Boston, this is about as authentic as you can get. I have been to Rubin's a few times. It's usually pretty busy which tells you something right there. I have had the corned beef and the pastrami in the past. Both have been good. The pastrami was a bit more flavorful as would be expected. The corned beef was lean and delicious. You will not get overflowing sandwiches. The sizes are more modest. Some reviews complain about the price based on the serving size. There is probably a legitimate argument to be made there. Rubin's offers other kosher deli staples such as kugel, knishes, chopped liver, etc. The staff are pretty nice and helpful. The ambiance is what you would expect. Overall, Rubin's is not a bad spot for kosher deli. It's authentic and that's why people keep coming back.
(3)John G.
Coming from NYC and have had Pastrami from Arties, Zabars, Katz's, and 2nd Ave Deli. Ordered the regular size pastrami. Size was a little smaller than i expected. The onion roll i had with it was not fresh. Had Dr Brown's Diet Blackberry for the first time which was a pleasant surprise. Half Sour pickles were fine. Potato Pancake - so so. Will never go back! Rubens is below average. They are not even close to the NYC Deli'
(1)Moe B.
Pretty dismal. Not inedible but poor value, chintzy presentation, and just plain blah. How they stay in business is beyond me. The only bright spot was a whitefish on a bagel, albeit very overpriced. Complementary pickles? No. One small pickled tomato? $2. No generosity at this place like a normal deli. Just keep driving walking running.
(2)Alan J.
We ate here and had a variety of dishes. All were bland. I had the grilled chicken with double order of sautéed vegetables. Grilled chicken was very tasty. Thus the 3 stars. We also ordered a gourmet hamburger and was served a classic hamburger instead. The onion rings were good. We also tried roasted pumpkin soup which was bland. A salmon wrap was also bland. We wouldn't recommend this place again.
(3)S M.
Their service is nicer than a deli in NY/NJ. Their cabbage soup, pastrami and turkey pastrami would hold up in NY. Their corned beef, brisket, pickles, bread, chicken noodle soup and portions would not.
(3)Glen K.
This is a nice Kosher deli in the Boston area. I ordered a Carnegie sandwich which was mostly turkey with some pastrami. I was hoping that there would be more pastrami but the sandwich was sill enjoyable. We also ordered wings for an appetizer which were delicious. The service was quick and the waitress constantly came to refill our drinks. The only complaint is that the prices seem very high for the product. The sandwich was tasty and came with a pickle but I think $13 was a bit high.
(3)Anthony C.
I was excited to try this place as I have been looking for good NYC style corned beef and Reuben sandwiches in Boston---We ordered one of each, and were REALLY disappointed with both of them. The prices are high, portions are small, and the service is awful. They charge NYC prices but offer small portions on mediocre food. Staff members were rude to us as well as to other customers. Also, the restaurant did not seem to be clean. The restroom was disgusting with no soap or paper towels. Big disappointment. Never again.
(1)Carrie B.
Rubin's is an authentic kosher deli that offers all the traditional foods like pastrami, whitefish, chopped liver, kishka, kasha, etc. The menu is large, with several steak, chicken, and seafood entrees in addition to the vast selection of deli sandwiches, wraps, and salads. The interior has a diner feel to it, and appears not to have been updated in years (if not decades), but in a good way. Prices for regular deli sandwiches are in the $8-$13 range, but quickly go up if you order a combination sandwich or one of the entrees. Fortunately, bread and really amazing pickles are complimentary, and the servers will gladly bring more upon request. I took my aunt and uncle to Rubin's recently, and they were absolutely salivating over the assortment of Jewish delicacies that they say they can't find on the west coast. The atmosphere in Rubin's is certainly not upscale (it's a deli, after all), but in my opinion it's the nicest of the Boston-area kosher restaurants, and therefore most appropriate for a kosher business meal.
(4)Lindsay M.
Growing up with Jewish parents, I'm accustomed to the food culture. I went with my boyfriend for a late lunch at this deli and we ordered the chicken in the pot and whitefish bagel board. We didn't get served the mini "bread & pickle" plate that was served to customers so we had to ask. Our waiter seemed like he was new and we didn't even get his name. So, with that being said, the service was okay. The hostess and other waitresses seemed nice, though. It was an alright atmosphere, kind of small inside. Both our meals were good, but took a little while to come out because they needed to make new broth for the soup? Or something like that, was kind of confused...The waiter came out with my boyfriend's meal first and set it in front of him while I was still waiting for my meal (not professional at all). Overall, the meals itself were good, but I don't think I'd be going back any time soon. Nothing really stood out.
(3)Kate M.
Amazing sandwiches, I got the open faced turkey sandwich and it was so good the break was so flavorful the mashed potatoes and gravy were better than grandma's and defiantly home made. The cranberry sauce was even homemade!!! The pickles were some of the best ever!!!! MUST TRY!!
(5)Jeanie M.
So disappointed! As an ex-New Yorker and Jersey girl I know deli. Rubin's is a real deli for the Boston area but people the bread! What is with the bread? We tried this place 3 times hoping for the best. We had corned beef, pastrami and soups-all were very good. The bread they put the meat on was horrible. Dry, tasteless and crumbled everywhere with mushy crusts. Such a shame. Change the bread already!
(2)G M.
Overpriced and not good. If you've ever had an authentic corned beef/pastrami from NYC or Chicago I'd suggest not going here. If you've only eaten from Boston deli's go ahead, you'll probably like it I've eaten here twice. The first time I got a pastrami sandwich. It was fatty, chewy and basically gross. I recently got the corned beer which was tender enough but had the flavor or a hot dog, definitely not the flavor for corned beef. The pickle was a slightly salted cucumber. Honestly that may have been the most disappointing part. That or the price. $15+ for a sub, sub-par sandwich and soda. I'd be more than willing to pay $15+ for a good, authentic, towering corner beef but it was just total disappointment all around. The lady at the counter was really nice so I feel bad giving a bad rating but seriously. It is bad.
(1)John A.
Whenever I'm in Boston, I go to Rubin's. Overpriced, yes, but great.
(3)Seth F.
I rarely give 5 stars but this place is EXCELLENT. I'm from Dallas but frequent Boston on business. I saw a food program that featured Rubin's and just decided I had to try it out. After all, their signature dish is Brisket and I'm from Texas! For starters, I had the stuffed cabbage. AWESOME! The tangy tomato sauce was a perfect complement to that generous portion of stuffed cabbage. I could hardly believe this was a starter. I had the Brisket Sandwich as a main course. OH MY this was good. I have never had brisket prepared this way (traditional Jewish) and will definitely be back some day. They also brought me a small bowl of Au Jus to dip the sandwich in. Topped it off with a few beers and that was some meal! If there was only one drawback, I would say it is a little pricy but being on business, this was well worth it. Oh, the Hostess and Waitress were very pleasant and the service was excellent. I'll definitely be back!
(5)David M.
I am going to try Rubin's again in about 3 months to give the owner time to fix his problems. To the owner: As I suggested go and do a blind taste test of your sandwich's against the other Kosher Deli's to see where you stand, also as suggested have someone not known to your staff buy your sandwiches and see what the quality is like over a two week period which should give you an idea of what's going on. I gave you 4 stars for contacting me right away to try and fix this and I will be glad to totally change my review when I retry your food.
(4)Nancy K.
This place is both overrated and overpriced. We live in the area, and have been meaning to hit the place up for some time now. Today, as we passed by, stomachs a-rumblin, we decided there was no time like the present. Atmosphere: The place is kind of dingy/divey. Think copious wood paneling and straight-from-your-grandmother's-kitchen tables and chairs and you get the picture. The place was totally empty, so I thought of asking the hostess if we could sit somewhere that didn't have a ringside view of the counter showcasing the restaurant's impressive array of offal, but I decided to let it go. Menu: So much to choose from. All-day breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, salads. You name it, they have it. Prices: So, here's where the two star rating comes in. We each ordered a sandwich featuring two meats (corned beef and pastrami & lean corned beef and turkey). Each sandwich was served with a pickle. The prices were clearly marked on the menu. $16 each. So, while we were not taken by surprise by the prices, we were a bit disappointed that, for $16, we were given just normal size sandwiches. Anywhere else, these sandwiches would have been, at the most, $10. And even at $10, an argument could be made for overly ambitious pricing. At $16 each, this was an insult. We each ordered a soda. My husband specifically requested a second soda. I was simply given a second soda. And we were billed for 4 sodas. We had an order of knishes. There were 2 for $6. While the meat (brisket) knish was quite good, the spinach one was lacking seasoning. The bill, for two sandwiches, 2 knishes, and soda, came to a whopping $50! Absurd. Service: Our waitress had all the enthusiasm of a wet mop. And while she was attentive when we first came in, somewhere around the middle of the meal, she simply vanished. When we were finished eating, we waited a long, long, long time to get our bill. All in all, the food was OK, but way overpriced. I won't be going back.
(2)David F.
This is the second time I came here recently and had to flush the entire meal. Corned beef, sliced tongue, matzo ball soup, and sable. $63 down the disposal and now I have to cook for the kids because no one will eat the food. This place used to have great NYC style deli in the 1990's. it's horrible now. Don't go here. Please don't judge by what you experienced here. Go to Carnegie Deli in NYC for authentic Jewish deli.
(1)Terri N.
This restaurant has adequate food...nothing special. The recent review from Improper is w-a-a-ay off and must have been written by a relative. It's expensive and the quality is just so-so. Just as bad is the owner who is the rudest person I've ever met. I was there with a table of friends, ordered a huge amount of food and he was nasty and snarly. We all vowed we'd never go back and didn't understand where any of the good reviews came from!
(1)Alyssa F.
This girl's Jewish blood demands good knishes and schnitzel and kugel and Rubin's kosher is pretty damned good. The oversized stuffed cabbage is REALLY stuffed and smothered in a nice tangy tomato sauce. Knishes are huge and well priced at 2 for 5 bucks. The sweet potato knish is sweetened with golden raisins and the spinach has a smooth texture and taste. Some of the entrees and sandwiches are expensive but there's plenty on the menu that won't swallow a paycheck. Kreplach, please.
(4)