I go to this Deli at least once a week, sometimes more often. I agree with Ruth S. that this is one of the best things in Tucson. She also did a very good job explaining why kosher products,meat in particular, are expensive. The tuna salad sandwich is HUGE &delicious.Other of my favorites are:white fish salad,moroccan salmon(slightly spicy),vegetarian burgers,& the grilled vegetables(which are very spicy).They also offer a variety of soups,deli staples(corned beef,pastrami,etc),kasha&bowties& rotisserie chicken. I do not eat meat, but my family&friends enjoy it from here. Their butcher is very experienced. He actually worked in this store for the previous owner also. The staff is very helpful and polite. They remember my name and my preferences. The shelf,refrigerated& frozen grocery selection is a necessity for anyone keeping kosher in Tucson. It is also helpful for anyone who just wants good food. A tip for people with celiac disease: Kosher for Passover products(many of which are available year round) are usually gluten free. I know some people who buy kosher for Passover ketchup because it is gluten free. Don't go here to get a cheese-burger. Mixing dairy and meat is not kosher. However,the dairy case in the grocery section is very good& is one of only 2 places in Tucson to reliably find kosher cheese. Hope to see you there!
(5)
Emily K.
This may not be the best sandwich in town, but it IS the best kosher sandwich in town (not simply because it is the only kosher sandwich in town.) Good rye bread. The corned beef is exactly what it should be. I like to split the Jumbo sandwich with someone and always leave sated. The grocery section has some good stuff too - check out the Sabra Hummus.
(4)
Surranna V.
I was so friggin excited to see this place open and I am already over it. Needless to say everything in the place is kosher which is doesn't mean anything for me but am sure its a great feature for many. I do love kosher meats and they have a butcher counter will some good looking beef, bison, lamb, and chicken. The prices are similar to AJ"S, the highest you can find in this neck of the woods. They also have a small selection of kosher grocery products, everything manashevitz, excuse my spelling. I was reading ingredient lists while i was waiting for my food and can we say hydrogenated everything. The deli part was OK, they have pre-made dolmas and some Mediterranean dishes and latkas, ya know, kosher stuff. I ordered the regular size hot pastrami that came with a side of potato salad and no pickle. The sandwich was the same size as a regular piece of wonder bread, small. The meat was tasty but I paid over ten dollars for a pewny ass sandwich. I will never go back, not a chance, just not worth it for what you get. When I picked up my to go bag it practically flew because it was so lite, I guess I was expecting a big fat hot pastrami. The service was good, I however don't like pushy help that tries to up sale. The guy was suggesting I try the jumbo pastrami instead so for three more dollars equaling a $13 sandwich I get a few more ounces of meat on the same bread or what? I should have asked. I guess I looked hungry! So you can't always get what you want, especially from a kosher deli in Tucson AZ.
(2)
Arya N.
Please excuse and disregard the 1 star rating. It is ludicrous to think that the people working there would be rude to you for ANY reason. They are uber-friendly and gracious, and actually not even Jewish themselves. OK now for my review. I love going to Fifth St. for lunch, and buy all my kosher meats from there. The hot pastrami and corned beef are sooooo good. Yes it's expensive, but hey it's kosher!. I'm from LA and I know my kosher price ranges, and I was very surprised when I saw how fair the prices here were. Most of the butcher meats are always fresh. I find it hilarious that people would come to 5th St. and order anything but the meat. TUNA??? SALAD??? come on. I keep kosher, and I can say with 100% confidence that if it weren't for Fifth St Deli, I would be malnourished. G-d Bless Asher and Andy!
(5)
Betsy F.
You don't have to be an ex-New Yorker or Jewish to love this place. The Israeli shawarma and the pastrami sandwiches are to die for. Plus the joking and banter among the staff makes for a light-hearted experience. The second time we were here, the owner gave us an enormous chunk of excellent halvah to take home because he'd noticed us standing in line the week before and thought we'd had to wait too long. Consideration of this caliber is unusual these days.
(5)
Flash f.
My month long stay here in Tucson has been quite enjoyable so far, until I went to this kosher deli/market. I'm not Jewish, but my husband is. It's around Chanukah time, so I thought I'd buy some treats and share them with our non-Jewish friends here in Tucson. They've never experienced any Jewish tradition, so I thought it would be a fun experience for them. This deli's website said they offered sufganiyot (jelly filled fried donuts) which were "direct from Israel". At $1.25 a donut, they'd better be. Well, they weren't. Some Jewish guy in the back fries them up and barely fills them with some tasteless jelly. When I got back to my friend's place, I opened the aluminum tray and saw 12 odd-shaped flat pucks of various shades of brown. The area of the donut where they squeezed the barely there jelly through was torn and flattened as if someone stuck a fat thumb through the donut. These 12 throw-away sufganiyot cost me over $16. For a dozen crappy donuts!!! Needless to say, I was extremely embarrassed to serve these to our friends. While at the store I was also hoping to buy some lunch and perhaps some market goods. When I looked at the prices and quantities, I was shocked to see how overpriced ALL the items were. I've bought kosher and Israeli items plenty of times before at other stores in other states, and I expect the sticker shock. However, the prices in this place seemed like they were taking advantage of their clientele. WAAAY OVERPRICED. On top of the all that, the two people working the register and counter were extremely unfriendly. There were also 3 over-dressed women customers who refused to move away from the counter to let me pay when my order came up. They were so close I swear they wanted to see what was in my wallet. The only reason I can give as to why I was given such obviously crappy donuts and was treated rudely by both the counter people and customers was because I DO NOT LOOK ISRAELI OR JEWISH. The rude customers I can overlook since I've run into their type before. However, I cannot excuse the rudeness and insult of the 2 Jewish guys who took my order and money. They intentionally gave me crappy donuts. I was dressed nicely and was pleasant during my whole encounter. I didn't even know I paid for crap until I was at my friends' home. I think the owners, employees, and patrons of this deli are not used to visitors who are obviously not Jewish or Israeli (by appearance). I find it disturbing that the owners and patrons of this deli/market portray themselves as rude and arrogant bigots. My Israeli Jewish husband says it's a "xenophobic attitude common among Jews that comes from self-preservation." Whatever the reason or stereotype, I don't believe it can justify the over-priced donut rejects I was sold and rude treatment I encountered. I hope a competitive kosher deli/market opens in Tucson since I will not be recommending this place to anyone.
(1)
Marty J.
Update: In the previous review said, "I'm not Jewish". Full disclosure: I'm now in the conversion process. Still a great place. Ignore the review that says they treat you different if you don't "look Jewish". A lot of Jews don't "look Jewish", and those who do don't get any special treatment at 5th Street.
(5)
Joe N.
This place is a good idea...a decent concept. It's like they tried to bring a big city Jewish Deli to the desert. The food here is decent. Big sandwitches at what I consider a relatively high price. Given that it is a sit down, deli with a store off to the side, I expect a little bit cheaper pricing. Frankly, everything here is expensive. You will definately pay for the fact that many of these items are coming from a further distance and they have the Kosher label attatched to them.Occasionally they have some specials here which are pretty decent though. I hear that this often happens during jewish holidays. With that said, if you need to buy kosher foods, this is a good place to utilize. I live with someone who likes to keep a kosher house hold so I come here from time to time. Mostly, I frequent this location to buy some salami or another deli meat that I'm craving and want to bring into the house. They sell some decent but expensive ground beef which my friend purchases. The people who work here are very friendly at it is a locally owned business. I tend to like to support these types of places so I will certainly be back here.
(3)
MeMe A.
5th Street Kosher Deli is great. It offers a wide variety of food from standard Jewish comfort food to Mediterian dishes. It features a butcher counter and grocery store for great kosher items. My favorite dish is the Israeli Plate featuring Hummus, babagnosh, chopped Israeli salad, pita bread and grape leaves. The staff is friendly, always willing to accommodate. For a city like Tucson to have such as treat as Kosher Deli that has great food at great prices is fantastic. If you haven't stop by you should there is something for everyone there.
(5)
Ben B.
The two meat Pastrami and Corned Beef was gigantic. Wow. Tasty tasty, just simple rye bread and meat, unbelievable. Just goes to show that with quality ingredients you can make a good sandwich without all the extra toppings. Really lets the pastrami shine. I was a little disappointed in the price though. I could not figure out how my bill came to what it did, either the menu is out of date or they accidentally over charged me. I didn't complain as the sandwich was fantastic, but those prices it will be hard to go back often. Sandwich, drink and fries should not cost $19, not in Tucson.
(3)
Jen W.
I had the opportunity to step into a different world, and I am so thankful I did. I am a huge fan of Fifth Street Deli. Go inside and you will wish you were part of the community. Tons of meat - brisket, hard salami (so good!), pastrami, soft salami, prepared foods, a little grocery section, Israeli couscous - love this place.
(4)
Michel M.
Oh how I've missed you, extra lean corned beef. Growing up in Chicago, I know a good jewish deli when I taste it. I tried this place four or five years ago, and was very disappointed. They simply didn't have good corned beef. I remember seeing the sign for new ownership a few years back, but had been so jaded by my bad experience, that I was afraid to try again. Well, today, that all changed. I was driving east down 5th, headed for my favorite Tucson meal (carne seca chimi at Casa Molina), when suddenly, as if out of a dream, the 5th street deli appeared. Some little voice inside me yelped, and before I could whistle yankee-doodle-dandy, my arms were turning the car into the 5th street deli parking lot. I enjoy life, and typically, when people ask me how I am, I respond, "It's good to be alive!" The owner asked how I was, I told him, and he started ribbing me and giving me a hard time. I rose to the challenge, and we traded verbal jests for a few minutes. Finally, after an enjoyable discussion, I told him the purpose of my visit: to see if they had the goods, the corned beef. I tried a piece; and it worked. They'e GOT the goods at this place. I got my sandwich home, and made sweet, tangy mustard love to it all night long! I HIGHLY recommend this fantastic place! (and yes, as everyone else sees fit to mention, it IS expensive. If you want cheap crap, there's a mcdonalds down the street! YOu get what you pay for amigos!)
(5)
Vince S.
They serve excellent hot pastrami on the best rye bread in Tucson, they give you alot of meat on there sandwich compared to the chains, they have a $2.99 breakfast special 2 eggs homemade potatoes and toast. the potato kanish is awesome, I eat here twice a week for lunch, a good tip don't go after 2:30 it's more money and the lunch special for 7.99 is a half sandwich, side and a drink with pickle
(4)
Eric f.
My family really enjoyed coming here. I ordered the lunch special (1/2 sandwich/cup of soup) for %7 which turned out to be a great deal. The barley mushroom soup was tasty and almost filling on its own. The pastrami 1/2 sandwich could also have been a meal. The bread was thick, crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, and melts in your mouth along with the tender, juicy pastrami. My wife has the chicken noodle soup which was tasty and full of chicken, but did have a feather in it. She had the hot brisket 1/2 sandwich on a kaiser roll. She got a whole roll, but with half the meat of a regular sammy. Also came with au jus, and was also excellent. My daughter loved her mtazo ball soup, and shared chicken nuggets and fries with my son. The prices for the deli were very good, although the store products prices were quite hugh, I cant wait to come back to Tucson to eat here again!
(5)
J K.
This market fits a good assortment of kosher and Israeli foods into a small space. The shawarma in pita was very good, although the prepared eggplant salads I tried were ok not amazing. Some kosher markets take a massive fail in the quality of the meat, but the quality here is good! The prices aren't low, but they are what is to be expected in a kosher market. Overall, Fifth Street does a good job as the only kosher market in town.
(4)
Melisa R.
My family has been loving Fifth Street Deli for over 2 years. The extra lean corned beef is to die for! I love corned beef so it was nice to find a deli who serves it so lean yet so tasty. My husband is a lover of the pastrami and says it's the best he's ever tasted. Yes it is a little expensive but we find the food well worth the price. To the lady who claimed she was treated badly by the staff for not being Jewish, I have something to say. I go into Fifth Street wearing a gold cross every time and have received nothing but gracious service and excellent food. In a town which suffers from bad customer service, Fifth Street is a gem. We are obviously not Jewish but it doesn't matter at all to the employees here, trust me. Please disregard one persons review, based on one visit, compared to mine which consists of dozens of visits.
(5)
Leah B.
Just ok... Super casual, lacking any decor. There was a small market, however, the products looked as if they were on the shelves for decades. We have been to many authentic delis in NYC, SF, Phoenix, Vegas etc, so its hard to give this one 5 stars. The pastrami on rye was actually kind of small in comparison. You can get a side of coleslaw or potato salad. I chose the potato salad which was a little creamier than I prefer. The matzo ball soup was average. I heard the Mediterranean food was good here, so we also ordered the falafel plate. It was served with 4 small falefel, a small scoop of plain hummus, one full pita cut in half and a side diced of tomatoes & cucumber which they called an Isreali salad. Overall, it was very bland. I was really hoping for a tasty deli in Tucson....
(3)
Michele J.
The food is fantastic. I'm a little put-off that they have their "grocery store" within the eating area. This place could use a decor upgrade and a separation of the grocery store and dining area. The food is amazing! I had their corn beef sandwich on rye bread, matzah ball soup (side pickle is amazing - sweet and sour) and potato salad. I wanted it to feel like Katz's Deli in NYC, but for Tucson it is A-ok. I'm thrilled I found a Jewish Deli, but need to try a few more items to give it a higher score.
(3)
Bianca A.
My sister and I stopped in for lunch here one day not really too sure about what to expect. We were greeted immediately upon entering and the service was nice the whole time. The restaurant is also a small market with all kinds of unique packaged and frozen foods. We both ordered the pastrami sandwich and were disappointed they didn't have cheese since it is vegan, also no chips/fries so we opted for the potato salad. We browsed around for a bit before our food came out. The sandwich was huge! Very stuffed with pastrami and topped with some good tasting rye bread. The potato salad was very bland and definitely not anything special. The sandwich also came with pickles that were tasty. Overall I would definitely stop by for a sandwich if in the area, but I'd get it to go and doctor it up at home with swiss and some chips.
(3)
Jonathan H.
It's the best pastrami sandwich you'll have in Tucson. Being from New York, I think 5th Street definitely has the best and authentic deli food in the area!
(4)
CJ H.
Good food, nice little market. I found my favorite macaroons (no corn syrup) here. But I'm totally disappointed to see the stacks of styrofoam cups used for the drinks (even for dine in). At least the plates and cutlery were not plastic (disposable). I skipped a drink altogether. Hopefully one day they will switch to paper cups for takeout and actual glasses and mugs for dining in. I know I'm not alone in caring for the environment. I prefer to patronize more Eco-friendly restaurants.
(3)
Jeremy D.
This deli does it right. The extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff, along with the menu items rank fifth street deli amongst the top restaurants in Tucson. Every time I walk in, I am greeted with a smile by Manny or Imri. Manny is so incredibly knowledgable about food, that often times while I am indecisively struggling to decide amongst the endless menu items, he directs me to the best options, consistently leading me to extreme satisfaction with my final decision. Every item on the Manny menu is unique and delicious with my favorite being the Southwest shnitzle sandwich containing shnitzle, onion rings, fried peppers, and spicy sauce. After putting away this monster, you might as well cancel your plans for the rest of the day because it will fill you up and put you to sleep. The TBR, another winner of a sandwich, contains tender slices of pastrami and turkey on a sandwich with the unlikely, yet glorious combination of ranch dressing. The flavors that exude from this sandwich are divine. Manny really is a master of all foods. There is no food that he can't make sound good... and then once he creates it, it tastes even better than he described! Dave, the butcher, has consistently and masterfully answered all questions I've ever had about meat. He is very friendly and the time will fly by while he fascinates you with his endless knowledge and discussion. What really distinguishes FSD from other delis are the food varieties that change daily. Every day, different freshly made food items appear in the deli case. One day, the case may contain tender ribs, fried turkey mashed potatoes balls, rice varieties, and bbq chicken, while other days you could find stuffed cabbage, chimichangas, roasted potatoes and steak strips. Whatever might appear in the case that day, you can rest assured that whatever you may choose there is never a wrong decision. The prices are very comparable to other Kosher meat restaurants. As a regular customer, I have been consistently satisfied with my experience, and plan to be a regular for many years to come.
(5)
Sarah S.
My boyfriend and I went here after being referred by a friend, and we were very disappointed. My boyfriend ordered the falafel platter and I ordered the Israeli platter, his was @ $7.00 and mine was $15.00 I also had the matzo ball soup. The falafel platter had 4 falafel balls that were meh and the Israeli platter had 2. we both got a salad that was just cucumber and tomato and that's it.we each had one dried out, what seemed to be a week old pita bread sliced in half. my platter also had a small amount of dried up fatty meat pile, two dolmas which were the highlight of my meal, and three leftover sauces because I had nothing to eat them with( hummus, something grey, and a sweet chunky dipping thing) overall this place made me feel sad and betrayed. But the soup was alright.
(1)
Bill K.
My lunch experience was absolutely nothing like those of folks who gave rave reviews. I ordered a pastrami sandwich when I was told it was leaner than the corned beef. The sandwich had minimal slices of meat, which was fatty. and cost nearly $10. Still yearning for a good pastrami sandwich I went to Fry's and got 3/4 lb. of delicious, very tender pastrami for $7.50 - enough for 4 good sized sandwiches and a jar of Vlasic pickles. My home made sandwich was far beyond what I paid for at this deli. I will never go back.
(1)
Tom Z.
I don't review here often but some of the negative reviews for this place are completely ridiculous and I need to set the record straight. I'm from the Boston area originally but have spent a lot of time in New York and New Jersey. I've been to some of the best delis in the East and I must say that Fifth Street Deli is the closest you can get to the real thing in Arizona. As everyone else has said, the corned beef and pastrami here is amazing (as any true Jewish deli should be!) but I think their prepared foods are equally delicious. Homemade noodle kugel, knish, potato latkes are just a few of the tasty kosher options here. They even have the greatest pickles of all time: Ba-Tampte Half Sour! I haven't been able to find these pickles ANYWHERE around here since moving so needless to say I was very excited when I saw them. I met the owner the first time I came here and he is a really nice guy. Glad he is committed to serving genuine kosher food to the Tucson area. I'm not Jewish (Catholic, if you must know) and he was very kind to my girlfriend and I. Any claims that the owners are somehow "xenophobic" are not true and false assumptions. ==================== In short: disregard some of the ignorant, over-sensitive reviewers on here and give them a try. You won't be disappointed. Aside: Who buys kosher donuts at a Jewish deli? Seriously.....it's called a bakery
(5)
Stephanie O.
I've been going here since 2009.they are so amazing! Here and there they mess up and that's okay with me,its only natural. The corned beef and mahtza ball soup is such a good combo. They got a little bit of a weird set up but I think its great because you can shop and dine. Overall they always keep me coming back.
(4)
Jeff T.
Absolutely pathetic corned beef sandwiches were served. There was as much slimey fat and grizzle in the sandwich as there was actual meat Would NEVER RETURN. What an outrage and insulting to serve garbage like that!
(1)
Lillian A.
Pretty much the only Kosher deli that I'm aware of in the area. I've never once had a bad experience there. Their food is so great, and I never feel too horrible eating it. I'm more of a turkey sandwich type of girl but their corned beef is just too good.
(4)
Debra Z.
Excited about Passover shopping in Tucson? Forget this place! You will be met by a rude, nasty owner who couldn't give a hoot whether you drove 35 minutes to get there. I called the store in the morning and asked if a specific Passover item was available and if I needed to reserve it. I was told - on the phone that there was plenty and no problem even if I came tomorrow - no need to reserve. I decided to drive down today instead during my lunch break from work....and..... I have never experienced such an unprofessional reception from any business owner in all my life. He told me there was none of my item left and the man whom I spoke with on the phone this morning wasn't there currently and thus the item was no longer available. !??#%!###?! I have suffered this same, surprisingly sad treatment at this place year after year. It certainly puts a damper on my holiday spirits. I will NEVER return and recommend that if you would like to enjoy a Chag Sameach - purchase your groceries elsewhere and your kosher meats in Phoenix or online!
(1)
Bill H.
I tried the pastrami and the corned beef Pastrami was more like a big flat of poor quality meat, dry and lean, that they crusted in black peppercorns to hide or maybe distract from the utter lack of taste. It is not like any pastrami I've ever seen/eaten nor hope to again. Corned beef was like a ultra-lean, inexpensive brisket cut of meat that you might boil up at home for St Pat's. There was little taste, extremely dry and incredibly disappointing. Oh and both hugely expensive given the quality. Costco's New York vacuum packs are the real stuff and priced right. Please note that my point of reference is some of the world's best: Katz's and Carnegie Deli in New York. Bottom line: over priced, tasteless and to be avoided.
(1)
Kate S.
Fifth Street Kosher Deli has been in the same location for as long as we've lived in the neighborhood (well over 25 years). We like to visit from time to time. This time, we bought two combo platters (for about $10 each). These platters' include a choice of one of many entrees available plus two of several sides (cold or hot). But you can buy a la carte, too. I felt the portions were on the small side, while the prices were on the high side. But that's 5th Street Deli for you. It's never been any different, and we've been happy eating there over the years. For our first entree, we chose stuffed cabbage which is a sizable burrito-type dish, made of cabbage that is filled with ground beef and rice, in a light tomato sauce (very tasty); sides were teriyaki rice and a potato knish (both good). The other entree was sausage and the sides were white rice and macaroni salad. I wished there were more vegetable offerings besides potatoes and rice. It was late in the day, and it seemed like the food was not as fresh as it might be at lunchtime or closer to dinner. But it was hot and tasty. We were warned that the sausage had a bite to it, and that is true, but we like spicy food. While we waited for another customer to complete her purchase at the counter, we ambled over to the deli case and found some more treasures to tantalize your taste buds! Veggies! We bought a half pound of Asher's Famous Roasted Vegetables (green and yellow squash, eggplant, red and yellow peppers, and tomatoes) which was to die for. The best part of the visit was the service. Manny's demeanor was sweet and kind. He patiently explained all the dishes to my husband, smiling all the while and happy to answer questions. Apparently Manny is the sandwich artiste, so next time we visit, we'll definitely give a sandwich a try. There are a LOT of choices on the menu, in addition to the specials described above. I look forward to returning to taste some more homemade delights.
(3)
Ingrid T.
I really enjoyed this place-I love Jewish Deli's and good ol' corn beef. We went here because of the location it is near our house. My fiance and I's sandwiches were piled high and delicious! We couldn't finish them. There were a lot of regulars in there while sitting together chatting. The ambiance was of a deli nothing more nothing less. I loved that they had all the classics and also had dishes with a Mediterranean twist, so that it could appeal to all folks. The place for me was charming and made me smile since we are new to Tucson and made me feel at home. The prices were reasonable since the sandwiches were ridiculously huge. I will definitely go back! :)
(4)
Philip S.
New York, its not! It's OK for an area that doesn't have a lot of east coast type deli's BUT but its just OK. The place itself is a little bit of many things - a kosher grocery that has carries difficult to find items, a kosher butcher (which was doing a good business when I was there) and a luncheonette (which is the subject of this review). You go up to the cash register, give your order and receive your number. Find a table and put down your number so that your food order can be brought to you. You then take your cup and get serve yourself soda, water etc. All of which is fine and straightforward. The food has always arrived quickly I've been there three times and ordered three different cold cuts. The Salami sandwich was good, the Corn Beef was just OK and the Pastrami was very fatty, even for Pastrami. the pickles are good. The potato knish I got had very little seasoning and was very small. I'll try them again, when I'm in the area. Next time,rather than New York Deli food, I'll try the Israeli (Mid-Eastern) food. They also have the typical American fare, as well.
(3)
Gerald B.
I love this deli and have had some of the best Hard Salami and white fish salad here on soft rye. As good as many NYC deli's. I had not been here for a while and I suggest the following....clean and NEW Ketchup bottles and all new condiment bottles for that matter. The lean corn beef was lean but NOT as good as the regular. The little Kosher super is nice and has lots to offer. Although, I am a traveler, I would never need fresh meats yet this place seems to have a nice fresh selection. Thanks again, I will be back.
(4)
Gary D.
Ordered two hot sandwiches that were cold. Had to ask a Rabbi to move so I could get a soda out of cooler that should of been behind the order counter. They put nasty celery in their salads. I am thinking that I will not return.
(1)
Merry S.
Recently looking for someplace completely different to have lunch, I found Fifth Street Deli & Market here in Tucson, AZ. I used to work at a deli in northern Illinois before moving to Tucson, and I remember the cornucopia of items that were available not only for sale in our groceries section, but our deli also had a grill that made all manner of tasty items. Fifth Street Deli did not disappoint! It was actually like going home again, if only for a little while. Perusing the ample menu , I found many options to choose from; a 'salads' section, 'delicatessen sandwiches,' ( and the menu states that these can be created in 1/2, regular and jumbo sizes) 'from the grill,' 'delectable food from the case,' 'from the side board, 'soups,' an 'Israeli corner,' 'beverage options,' assorted Cookies and Desserts, 'Breakfast' (served 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday) and features interesting options like "Galiah's Israeli Breakfast" and "Asher's Shakshuka" - a traditional Moroccan Breakfast, and some enticing "eggs and..."dishes, 'Fish Plates,' (can't wait to return and try the Lox-this is a favorite of mine!) and last but not least, a 'kid's corner.' Great assortment of choices, that's not overwhelming in scope, and the friendly folks here told me that if I had any questions on anything, they were glad to help. I decided on the Falafel Plate and the Chicken Noodle Soup. The soups come in three sizes, cup, bowl and quarts and everything can be made to go. I was hungry, so an entire bowl of the Chicken Noodle sounded good. In no time, it was brought piping hot to my table by an employee with a great smile. It was easy to discern that this gentleman clearly enjoyed his job. Found out that he too was originally from Chicago. Hmm...small world. The soup was divine as it contained bite-sized carrots and celery in a savory broth with a good ratio of al dente noodles, and was perfectly seasoned. No salt or pepper needed here. The Falafel Plate had four nice-sized balls of Falafel, crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside and perfectly done with its own dipping sauce and in a supporting role on the plate was an Israeli salad, hummus and pita. The Falafel was the best I'd had in a very long time. The salad added a refreshing note, and the pita was split and toasted perfectly. Everything was absolutely delicious, fresh and I washed it all down with a 'Doctor Brown' soda of the blackberry flavor. I like this particular brand of soda as they're flavorful, but not overly sweet as can sometimes be the case with other brands. An interesting item of note, the menu states that there's a "Full time Mashgiach at this location." I didn't know what that was, and unfortunately forgot to ask about it before I left, but took a menu home, and looked it up for my own edification. I found an excellent description. It is Hebrew for 'supervisor' and is a person who inspects and supervises the kosher status of a kosher establishment, including food manufacturers, caterers, restaurants, butchers or groceries. On the front of their menu, right underneath the name of the market, it clearly states: "Kosher butcher, Restaurant and Catering. " All groceries are also kosher. I know that when I return I'll take my time and fill my basket with plenty of those items! Large windows at the front of the store let in lots of light, and the entire premises are clean, neat and tidy. A warm welcome and friendly conversation with the owner, who has a great sense of humor, was my intro to this place, now on my personal list of "favorite restaurants" (and groceries.) I'm looking forward to going back very soon and beginning the happy task of trying everything on the menu. I've included their website and phone number here. 5thstreetdeli.com 520-325 Deli (3354). Glad I discovered this great neighborhood deli, and hope that you too will give the 5th Street Deli and Market a try. I'm sure you'll be delighted!
(4)
Sean S.
Lets start this off with a quick disclaimer. I am a full fledged MOT(member of the tribe) so it should come as no surprise that I love this restaurant/market. OK, now that we got that out of the way, my review. I try to get something new every time i go there. One time I will try the brisket sandwich. The next time I will try the corned beef. Every menu item i choose is just as good as the next! Everything is made fresh. The meat is freshly butchered and supervised by two local Rabbis as to maintain its kosher status. Its the only fully kosher market/restaurant in the whole city. The staff always makes great suggestions and makes you feel like family. Every time i walk in there the owner Asher always greets me by name. If you want good flavor, kosher food, friendly staff go to the 5th street deli.... religiously!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Pam Z.
I go to this Deli at least once a week, sometimes more often. I agree with Ruth S. that this is one of the best things in Tucson. She also did a very good job explaining why kosher products,meat in particular, are expensive. The tuna salad sandwich is HUGE &delicious.Other of my favorites are:white fish salad,moroccan salmon(slightly spicy),vegetarian burgers,& the grilled vegetables(which are very spicy).They also offer a variety of soups,deli staples(corned beef,pastrami,etc),kasha&bowties& rotisserie chicken. I do not eat meat, but my family&friends enjoy it from here. Their butcher is very experienced. He actually worked in this store for the previous owner also. The staff is very helpful and polite. They remember my name and my preferences. The shelf,refrigerated& frozen grocery selection is a necessity for anyone keeping kosher in Tucson. It is also helpful for anyone who just wants good food. A tip for people with celiac disease: Kosher for Passover products(many of which are available year round) are usually gluten free. I know some people who buy kosher for Passover ketchup because it is gluten free. Don't go here to get a cheese-burger. Mixing dairy and meat is not kosher. However,the dairy case in the grocery section is very good& is one of only 2 places in Tucson to reliably find kosher cheese. Hope to see you there!
(5)Emily K.
This may not be the best sandwich in town, but it IS the best kosher sandwich in town (not simply because it is the only kosher sandwich in town.) Good rye bread. The corned beef is exactly what it should be. I like to split the Jumbo sandwich with someone and always leave sated. The grocery section has some good stuff too - check out the Sabra Hummus.
(4)Surranna V.
I was so friggin excited to see this place open and I am already over it. Needless to say everything in the place is kosher which is doesn't mean anything for me but am sure its a great feature for many. I do love kosher meats and they have a butcher counter will some good looking beef, bison, lamb, and chicken. The prices are similar to AJ"S, the highest you can find in this neck of the woods. They also have a small selection of kosher grocery products, everything manashevitz, excuse my spelling. I was reading ingredient lists while i was waiting for my food and can we say hydrogenated everything. The deli part was OK, they have pre-made dolmas and some Mediterranean dishes and latkas, ya know, kosher stuff. I ordered the regular size hot pastrami that came with a side of potato salad and no pickle. The sandwich was the same size as a regular piece of wonder bread, small. The meat was tasty but I paid over ten dollars for a pewny ass sandwich. I will never go back, not a chance, just not worth it for what you get. When I picked up my to go bag it practically flew because it was so lite, I guess I was expecting a big fat hot pastrami. The service was good, I however don't like pushy help that tries to up sale. The guy was suggesting I try the jumbo pastrami instead so for three more dollars equaling a $13 sandwich I get a few more ounces of meat on the same bread or what? I should have asked. I guess I looked hungry! So you can't always get what you want, especially from a kosher deli in Tucson AZ.
(2)Arya N.
Please excuse and disregard the 1 star rating. It is ludicrous to think that the people working there would be rude to you for ANY reason. They are uber-friendly and gracious, and actually not even Jewish themselves. OK now for my review. I love going to Fifth St. for lunch, and buy all my kosher meats from there. The hot pastrami and corned beef are sooooo good. Yes it's expensive, but hey it's kosher!. I'm from LA and I know my kosher price ranges, and I was very surprised when I saw how fair the prices here were. Most of the butcher meats are always fresh. I find it hilarious that people would come to 5th St. and order anything but the meat. TUNA??? SALAD??? come on. I keep kosher, and I can say with 100% confidence that if it weren't for Fifth St Deli, I would be malnourished. G-d Bless Asher and Andy!
(5)Betsy F.
You don't have to be an ex-New Yorker or Jewish to love this place. The Israeli shawarma and the pastrami sandwiches are to die for. Plus the joking and banter among the staff makes for a light-hearted experience. The second time we were here, the owner gave us an enormous chunk of excellent halvah to take home because he'd noticed us standing in line the week before and thought we'd had to wait too long. Consideration of this caliber is unusual these days.
(5)Flash f.
My month long stay here in Tucson has been quite enjoyable so far, until I went to this kosher deli/market. I'm not Jewish, but my husband is. It's around Chanukah time, so I thought I'd buy some treats and share them with our non-Jewish friends here in Tucson. They've never experienced any Jewish tradition, so I thought it would be a fun experience for them. This deli's website said they offered sufganiyot (jelly filled fried donuts) which were "direct from Israel". At $1.25 a donut, they'd better be. Well, they weren't. Some Jewish guy in the back fries them up and barely fills them with some tasteless jelly. When I got back to my friend's place, I opened the aluminum tray and saw 12 odd-shaped flat pucks of various shades of brown. The area of the donut where they squeezed the barely there jelly through was torn and flattened as if someone stuck a fat thumb through the donut. These 12 throw-away sufganiyot cost me over $16. For a dozen crappy donuts!!! Needless to say, I was extremely embarrassed to serve these to our friends. While at the store I was also hoping to buy some lunch and perhaps some market goods. When I looked at the prices and quantities, I was shocked to see how overpriced ALL the items were. I've bought kosher and Israeli items plenty of times before at other stores in other states, and I expect the sticker shock. However, the prices in this place seemed like they were taking advantage of their clientele. WAAAY OVERPRICED. On top of the all that, the two people working the register and counter were extremely unfriendly. There were also 3 over-dressed women customers who refused to move away from the counter to let me pay when my order came up. They were so close I swear they wanted to see what was in my wallet. The only reason I can give as to why I was given such obviously crappy donuts and was treated rudely by both the counter people and customers was because I DO NOT LOOK ISRAELI OR JEWISH. The rude customers I can overlook since I've run into their type before. However, I cannot excuse the rudeness and insult of the 2 Jewish guys who took my order and money. They intentionally gave me crappy donuts. I was dressed nicely and was pleasant during my whole encounter. I didn't even know I paid for crap until I was at my friends' home. I think the owners, employees, and patrons of this deli are not used to visitors who are obviously not Jewish or Israeli (by appearance). I find it disturbing that the owners and patrons of this deli/market portray themselves as rude and arrogant bigots. My Israeli Jewish husband says it's a "xenophobic attitude common among Jews that comes from self-preservation." Whatever the reason or stereotype, I don't believe it can justify the over-priced donut rejects I was sold and rude treatment I encountered. I hope a competitive kosher deli/market opens in Tucson since I will not be recommending this place to anyone.
(1)Marty J.
Update: In the previous review said, "I'm not Jewish". Full disclosure: I'm now in the conversion process. Still a great place. Ignore the review that says they treat you different if you don't "look Jewish". A lot of Jews don't "look Jewish", and those who do don't get any special treatment at 5th Street.
(5)Joe N.
This place is a good idea...a decent concept. It's like they tried to bring a big city Jewish Deli to the desert. The food here is decent. Big sandwitches at what I consider a relatively high price. Given that it is a sit down, deli with a store off to the side, I expect a little bit cheaper pricing. Frankly, everything here is expensive. You will definately pay for the fact that many of these items are coming from a further distance and they have the Kosher label attatched to them.Occasionally they have some specials here which are pretty decent though. I hear that this often happens during jewish holidays. With that said, if you need to buy kosher foods, this is a good place to utilize. I live with someone who likes to keep a kosher house hold so I come here from time to time. Mostly, I frequent this location to buy some salami or another deli meat that I'm craving and want to bring into the house. They sell some decent but expensive ground beef which my friend purchases. The people who work here are very friendly at it is a locally owned business. I tend to like to support these types of places so I will certainly be back here.
(3)MeMe A.
5th Street Kosher Deli is great. It offers a wide variety of food from standard Jewish comfort food to Mediterian dishes. It features a butcher counter and grocery store for great kosher items. My favorite dish is the Israeli Plate featuring Hummus, babagnosh, chopped Israeli salad, pita bread and grape leaves. The staff is friendly, always willing to accommodate. For a city like Tucson to have such as treat as Kosher Deli that has great food at great prices is fantastic. If you haven't stop by you should there is something for everyone there.
(5)Ben B.
The two meat Pastrami and Corned Beef was gigantic. Wow. Tasty tasty, just simple rye bread and meat, unbelievable. Just goes to show that with quality ingredients you can make a good sandwich without all the extra toppings. Really lets the pastrami shine. I was a little disappointed in the price though. I could not figure out how my bill came to what it did, either the menu is out of date or they accidentally over charged me. I didn't complain as the sandwich was fantastic, but those prices it will be hard to go back often. Sandwich, drink and fries should not cost $19, not in Tucson.
(3)Jen W.
I had the opportunity to step into a different world, and I am so thankful I did. I am a huge fan of Fifth Street Deli. Go inside and you will wish you were part of the community. Tons of meat - brisket, hard salami (so good!), pastrami, soft salami, prepared foods, a little grocery section, Israeli couscous - love this place.
(4)Michel M.
Oh how I've missed you, extra lean corned beef. Growing up in Chicago, I know a good jewish deli when I taste it. I tried this place four or five years ago, and was very disappointed. They simply didn't have good corned beef. I remember seeing the sign for new ownership a few years back, but had been so jaded by my bad experience, that I was afraid to try again. Well, today, that all changed. I was driving east down 5th, headed for my favorite Tucson meal (carne seca chimi at Casa Molina), when suddenly, as if out of a dream, the 5th street deli appeared. Some little voice inside me yelped, and before I could whistle yankee-doodle-dandy, my arms were turning the car into the 5th street deli parking lot. I enjoy life, and typically, when people ask me how I am, I respond, "It's good to be alive!" The owner asked how I was, I told him, and he started ribbing me and giving me a hard time. I rose to the challenge, and we traded verbal jests for a few minutes. Finally, after an enjoyable discussion, I told him the purpose of my visit: to see if they had the goods, the corned beef. I tried a piece; and it worked. They'e GOT the goods at this place. I got my sandwich home, and made sweet, tangy mustard love to it all night long! I HIGHLY recommend this fantastic place! (and yes, as everyone else sees fit to mention, it IS expensive. If you want cheap crap, there's a mcdonalds down the street! YOu get what you pay for amigos!)
(5)Vince S.
They serve excellent hot pastrami on the best rye bread in Tucson, they give you alot of meat on there sandwich compared to the chains, they have a $2.99 breakfast special 2 eggs homemade potatoes and toast. the potato kanish is awesome, I eat here twice a week for lunch, a good tip don't go after 2:30 it's more money and the lunch special for 7.99 is a half sandwich, side and a drink with pickle
(4)Eric f.
My family really enjoyed coming here. I ordered the lunch special (1/2 sandwich/cup of soup) for %7 which turned out to be a great deal. The barley mushroom soup was tasty and almost filling on its own. The pastrami 1/2 sandwich could also have been a meal. The bread was thick, crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, and melts in your mouth along with the tender, juicy pastrami. My wife has the chicken noodle soup which was tasty and full of chicken, but did have a feather in it. She had the hot brisket 1/2 sandwich on a kaiser roll. She got a whole roll, but with half the meat of a regular sammy. Also came with au jus, and was also excellent. My daughter loved her mtazo ball soup, and shared chicken nuggets and fries with my son. The prices for the deli were very good, although the store products prices were quite hugh, I cant wait to come back to Tucson to eat here again!
(5)J K.
This market fits a good assortment of kosher and Israeli foods into a small space. The shawarma in pita was very good, although the prepared eggplant salads I tried were ok not amazing. Some kosher markets take a massive fail in the quality of the meat, but the quality here is good! The prices aren't low, but they are what is to be expected in a kosher market. Overall, Fifth Street does a good job as the only kosher market in town.
(4)Melisa R.
My family has been loving Fifth Street Deli for over 2 years. The extra lean corned beef is to die for! I love corned beef so it was nice to find a deli who serves it so lean yet so tasty. My husband is a lover of the pastrami and says it's the best he's ever tasted. Yes it is a little expensive but we find the food well worth the price. To the lady who claimed she was treated badly by the staff for not being Jewish, I have something to say. I go into Fifth Street wearing a gold cross every time and have received nothing but gracious service and excellent food. In a town which suffers from bad customer service, Fifth Street is a gem. We are obviously not Jewish but it doesn't matter at all to the employees here, trust me. Please disregard one persons review, based on one visit, compared to mine which consists of dozens of visits.
(5)Leah B.
Just ok... Super casual, lacking any decor. There was a small market, however, the products looked as if they were on the shelves for decades. We have been to many authentic delis in NYC, SF, Phoenix, Vegas etc, so its hard to give this one 5 stars. The pastrami on rye was actually kind of small in comparison. You can get a side of coleslaw or potato salad. I chose the potato salad which was a little creamier than I prefer. The matzo ball soup was average. I heard the Mediterranean food was good here, so we also ordered the falafel plate. It was served with 4 small falefel, a small scoop of plain hummus, one full pita cut in half and a side diced of tomatoes & cucumber which they called an Isreali salad. Overall, it was very bland. I was really hoping for a tasty deli in Tucson....
(3)Michele J.
The food is fantastic. I'm a little put-off that they have their "grocery store" within the eating area. This place could use a decor upgrade and a separation of the grocery store and dining area. The food is amazing! I had their corn beef sandwich on rye bread, matzah ball soup (side pickle is amazing - sweet and sour) and potato salad. I wanted it to feel like Katz's Deli in NYC, but for Tucson it is A-ok. I'm thrilled I found a Jewish Deli, but need to try a few more items to give it a higher score.
(3)Bianca A.
My sister and I stopped in for lunch here one day not really too sure about what to expect. We were greeted immediately upon entering and the service was nice the whole time. The restaurant is also a small market with all kinds of unique packaged and frozen foods. We both ordered the pastrami sandwich and were disappointed they didn't have cheese since it is vegan, also no chips/fries so we opted for the potato salad. We browsed around for a bit before our food came out. The sandwich was huge! Very stuffed with pastrami and topped with some good tasting rye bread. The potato salad was very bland and definitely not anything special. The sandwich also came with pickles that were tasty. Overall I would definitely stop by for a sandwich if in the area, but I'd get it to go and doctor it up at home with swiss and some chips.
(3)Jonathan H.
It's the best pastrami sandwich you'll have in Tucson. Being from New York, I think 5th Street definitely has the best and authentic deli food in the area!
(4)CJ H.
Good food, nice little market. I found my favorite macaroons (no corn syrup) here. But I'm totally disappointed to see the stacks of styrofoam cups used for the drinks (even for dine in). At least the plates and cutlery were not plastic (disposable). I skipped a drink altogether. Hopefully one day they will switch to paper cups for takeout and actual glasses and mugs for dining in. I know I'm not alone in caring for the environment. I prefer to patronize more Eco-friendly restaurants.
(3)Jeremy D.
This deli does it right. The extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff, along with the menu items rank fifth street deli amongst the top restaurants in Tucson. Every time I walk in, I am greeted with a smile by Manny or Imri. Manny is so incredibly knowledgable about food, that often times while I am indecisively struggling to decide amongst the endless menu items, he directs me to the best options, consistently leading me to extreme satisfaction with my final decision. Every item on the Manny menu is unique and delicious with my favorite being the Southwest shnitzle sandwich containing shnitzle, onion rings, fried peppers, and spicy sauce. After putting away this monster, you might as well cancel your plans for the rest of the day because it will fill you up and put you to sleep. The TBR, another winner of a sandwich, contains tender slices of pastrami and turkey on a sandwich with the unlikely, yet glorious combination of ranch dressing. The flavors that exude from this sandwich are divine. Manny really is a master of all foods. There is no food that he can't make sound good... and then once he creates it, it tastes even better than he described! Dave, the butcher, has consistently and masterfully answered all questions I've ever had about meat. He is very friendly and the time will fly by while he fascinates you with his endless knowledge and discussion. What really distinguishes FSD from other delis are the food varieties that change daily. Every day, different freshly made food items appear in the deli case. One day, the case may contain tender ribs, fried turkey mashed potatoes balls, rice varieties, and bbq chicken, while other days you could find stuffed cabbage, chimichangas, roasted potatoes and steak strips. Whatever might appear in the case that day, you can rest assured that whatever you may choose there is never a wrong decision. The prices are very comparable to other Kosher meat restaurants. As a regular customer, I have been consistently satisfied with my experience, and plan to be a regular for many years to come.
(5)Sarah S.
My boyfriend and I went here after being referred by a friend, and we were very disappointed. My boyfriend ordered the falafel platter and I ordered the Israeli platter, his was @ $7.00 and mine was $15.00 I also had the matzo ball soup. The falafel platter had 4 falafel balls that were meh and the Israeli platter had 2. we both got a salad that was just cucumber and tomato and that's it.we each had one dried out, what seemed to be a week old pita bread sliced in half. my platter also had a small amount of dried up fatty meat pile, two dolmas which were the highlight of my meal, and three leftover sauces because I had nothing to eat them with( hummus, something grey, and a sweet chunky dipping thing) overall this place made me feel sad and betrayed. But the soup was alright.
(1)Bill K.
My lunch experience was absolutely nothing like those of folks who gave rave reviews. I ordered a pastrami sandwich when I was told it was leaner than the corned beef. The sandwich had minimal slices of meat, which was fatty. and cost nearly $10. Still yearning for a good pastrami sandwich I went to Fry's and got 3/4 lb. of delicious, very tender pastrami for $7.50 - enough for 4 good sized sandwiches and a jar of Vlasic pickles. My home made sandwich was far beyond what I paid for at this deli. I will never go back.
(1)Tom Z.
I don't review here often but some of the negative reviews for this place are completely ridiculous and I need to set the record straight. I'm from the Boston area originally but have spent a lot of time in New York and New Jersey. I've been to some of the best delis in the East and I must say that Fifth Street Deli is the closest you can get to the real thing in Arizona. As everyone else has said, the corned beef and pastrami here is amazing (as any true Jewish deli should be!) but I think their prepared foods are equally delicious. Homemade noodle kugel, knish, potato latkes are just a few of the tasty kosher options here. They even have the greatest pickles of all time: Ba-Tampte Half Sour! I haven't been able to find these pickles ANYWHERE around here since moving so needless to say I was very excited when I saw them. I met the owner the first time I came here and he is a really nice guy. Glad he is committed to serving genuine kosher food to the Tucson area. I'm not Jewish (Catholic, if you must know) and he was very kind to my girlfriend and I. Any claims that the owners are somehow "xenophobic" are not true and false assumptions. ==================== In short: disregard some of the ignorant, over-sensitive reviewers on here and give them a try. You won't be disappointed. Aside: Who buys kosher donuts at a Jewish deli? Seriously.....it's called a bakery
(5)Stephanie O.
I've been going here since 2009.they are so amazing! Here and there they mess up and that's okay with me,its only natural. The corned beef and mahtza ball soup is such a good combo. They got a little bit of a weird set up but I think its great because you can shop and dine. Overall they always keep me coming back.
(4)Jeff T.
Absolutely pathetic corned beef sandwiches were served. There was as much slimey fat and grizzle in the sandwich as there was actual meat Would NEVER RETURN. What an outrage and insulting to serve garbage like that!
(1)Lillian A.
Pretty much the only Kosher deli that I'm aware of in the area. I've never once had a bad experience there. Their food is so great, and I never feel too horrible eating it. I'm more of a turkey sandwich type of girl but their corned beef is just too good.
(4)Debra Z.
Excited about Passover shopping in Tucson? Forget this place! You will be met by a rude, nasty owner who couldn't give a hoot whether you drove 35 minutes to get there. I called the store in the morning and asked if a specific Passover item was available and if I needed to reserve it. I was told - on the phone that there was plenty and no problem even if I came tomorrow - no need to reserve. I decided to drive down today instead during my lunch break from work....and..... I have never experienced such an unprofessional reception from any business owner in all my life. He told me there was none of my item left and the man whom I spoke with on the phone this morning wasn't there currently and thus the item was no longer available. !??#%!###?! I have suffered this same, surprisingly sad treatment at this place year after year. It certainly puts a damper on my holiday spirits. I will NEVER return and recommend that if you would like to enjoy a Chag Sameach - purchase your groceries elsewhere and your kosher meats in Phoenix or online!
(1)Bill H.
I tried the pastrami and the corned beef Pastrami was more like a big flat of poor quality meat, dry and lean, that they crusted in black peppercorns to hide or maybe distract from the utter lack of taste. It is not like any pastrami I've ever seen/eaten nor hope to again. Corned beef was like a ultra-lean, inexpensive brisket cut of meat that you might boil up at home for St Pat's. There was little taste, extremely dry and incredibly disappointing. Oh and both hugely expensive given the quality. Costco's New York vacuum packs are the real stuff and priced right. Please note that my point of reference is some of the world's best: Katz's and Carnegie Deli in New York. Bottom line: over priced, tasteless and to be avoided.
(1)Kate S.
Fifth Street Kosher Deli has been in the same location for as long as we've lived in the neighborhood (well over 25 years). We like to visit from time to time. This time, we bought two combo platters (for about $10 each). These platters' include a choice of one of many entrees available plus two of several sides (cold or hot). But you can buy a la carte, too. I felt the portions were on the small side, while the prices were on the high side. But that's 5th Street Deli for you. It's never been any different, and we've been happy eating there over the years. For our first entree, we chose stuffed cabbage which is a sizable burrito-type dish, made of cabbage that is filled with ground beef and rice, in a light tomato sauce (very tasty); sides were teriyaki rice and a potato knish (both good). The other entree was sausage and the sides were white rice and macaroni salad. I wished there were more vegetable offerings besides potatoes and rice. It was late in the day, and it seemed like the food was not as fresh as it might be at lunchtime or closer to dinner. But it was hot and tasty. We were warned that the sausage had a bite to it, and that is true, but we like spicy food. While we waited for another customer to complete her purchase at the counter, we ambled over to the deli case and found some more treasures to tantalize your taste buds! Veggies! We bought a half pound of Asher's Famous Roasted Vegetables (green and yellow squash, eggplant, red and yellow peppers, and tomatoes) which was to die for. The best part of the visit was the service. Manny's demeanor was sweet and kind. He patiently explained all the dishes to my husband, smiling all the while and happy to answer questions. Apparently Manny is the sandwich artiste, so next time we visit, we'll definitely give a sandwich a try. There are a LOT of choices on the menu, in addition to the specials described above. I look forward to returning to taste some more homemade delights.
(3)Ingrid T.
I really enjoyed this place-I love Jewish Deli's and good ol' corn beef. We went here because of the location it is near our house. My fiance and I's sandwiches were piled high and delicious! We couldn't finish them. There were a lot of regulars in there while sitting together chatting. The ambiance was of a deli nothing more nothing less. I loved that they had all the classics and also had dishes with a Mediterranean twist, so that it could appeal to all folks. The place for me was charming and made me smile since we are new to Tucson and made me feel at home. The prices were reasonable since the sandwiches were ridiculously huge. I will definitely go back! :)
(4)Philip S.
New York, its not! It's OK for an area that doesn't have a lot of east coast type deli's BUT but its just OK. The place itself is a little bit of many things - a kosher grocery that has carries difficult to find items, a kosher butcher (which was doing a good business when I was there) and a luncheonette (which is the subject of this review). You go up to the cash register, give your order and receive your number. Find a table and put down your number so that your food order can be brought to you. You then take your cup and get serve yourself soda, water etc. All of which is fine and straightforward. The food has always arrived quickly I've been there three times and ordered three different cold cuts. The Salami sandwich was good, the Corn Beef was just OK and the Pastrami was very fatty, even for Pastrami. the pickles are good. The potato knish I got had very little seasoning and was very small. I'll try them again, when I'm in the area. Next time,rather than New York Deli food, I'll try the Israeli (Mid-Eastern) food. They also have the typical American fare, as well.
(3)Gerald B.
I love this deli and have had some of the best Hard Salami and white fish salad here on soft rye. As good as many NYC deli's. I had not been here for a while and I suggest the following....clean and NEW Ketchup bottles and all new condiment bottles for that matter. The lean corn beef was lean but NOT as good as the regular. The little Kosher super is nice and has lots to offer. Although, I am a traveler, I would never need fresh meats yet this place seems to have a nice fresh selection. Thanks again, I will be back.
(4)Gary D.
Ordered two hot sandwiches that were cold. Had to ask a Rabbi to move so I could get a soda out of cooler that should of been behind the order counter. They put nasty celery in their salads. I am thinking that I will not return.
(1)Merry S.
Recently looking for someplace completely different to have lunch, I found Fifth Street Deli & Market here in Tucson, AZ. I used to work at a deli in northern Illinois before moving to Tucson, and I remember the cornucopia of items that were available not only for sale in our groceries section, but our deli also had a grill that made all manner of tasty items. Fifth Street Deli did not disappoint! It was actually like going home again, if only for a little while. Perusing the ample menu , I found many options to choose from; a 'salads' section, 'delicatessen sandwiches,' ( and the menu states that these can be created in 1/2, regular and jumbo sizes) 'from the grill,' 'delectable food from the case,' 'from the side board, 'soups,' an 'Israeli corner,' 'beverage options,' assorted Cookies and Desserts, 'Breakfast' (served 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday) and features interesting options like "Galiah's Israeli Breakfast" and "Asher's Shakshuka" - a traditional Moroccan Breakfast, and some enticing "eggs and..."dishes, 'Fish Plates,' (can't wait to return and try the Lox-this is a favorite of mine!) and last but not least, a 'kid's corner.' Great assortment of choices, that's not overwhelming in scope, and the friendly folks here told me that if I had any questions on anything, they were glad to help. I decided on the Falafel Plate and the Chicken Noodle Soup. The soups come in three sizes, cup, bowl and quarts and everything can be made to go. I was hungry, so an entire bowl of the Chicken Noodle sounded good. In no time, it was brought piping hot to my table by an employee with a great smile. It was easy to discern that this gentleman clearly enjoyed his job. Found out that he too was originally from Chicago. Hmm...small world. The soup was divine as it contained bite-sized carrots and celery in a savory broth with a good ratio of al dente noodles, and was perfectly seasoned. No salt or pepper needed here. The Falafel Plate had four nice-sized balls of Falafel, crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside and perfectly done with its own dipping sauce and in a supporting role on the plate was an Israeli salad, hummus and pita. The Falafel was the best I'd had in a very long time. The salad added a refreshing note, and the pita was split and toasted perfectly. Everything was absolutely delicious, fresh and I washed it all down with a 'Doctor Brown' soda of the blackberry flavor. I like this particular brand of soda as they're flavorful, but not overly sweet as can sometimes be the case with other brands. An interesting item of note, the menu states that there's a "Full time Mashgiach at this location." I didn't know what that was, and unfortunately forgot to ask about it before I left, but took a menu home, and looked it up for my own edification. I found an excellent description. It is Hebrew for 'supervisor' and is a person who inspects and supervises the kosher status of a kosher establishment, including food manufacturers, caterers, restaurants, butchers or groceries. On the front of their menu, right underneath the name of the market, it clearly states: "Kosher butcher, Restaurant and Catering. " All groceries are also kosher. I know that when I return I'll take my time and fill my basket with plenty of those items! Large windows at the front of the store let in lots of light, and the entire premises are clean, neat and tidy. A warm welcome and friendly conversation with the owner, who has a great sense of humor, was my intro to this place, now on my personal list of "favorite restaurants" (and groceries.) I'm looking forward to going back very soon and beginning the happy task of trying everything on the menu. I've included their website and phone number here. 5thstreetdeli.com 520-325 Deli (3354). Glad I discovered this great neighborhood deli, and hope that you too will give the 5th Street Deli and Market a try. I'm sure you'll be delighted!
(4)Sean S.
Lets start this off with a quick disclaimer. I am a full fledged MOT(member of the tribe) so it should come as no surprise that I love this restaurant/market. OK, now that we got that out of the way, my review. I try to get something new every time i go there. One time I will try the brisket sandwich. The next time I will try the corned beef. Every menu item i choose is just as good as the next! Everything is made fresh. The meat is freshly butchered and supervised by two local Rabbis as to maintain its kosher status. Its the only fully kosher market/restaurant in the whole city. The staff always makes great suggestions and makes you feel like family. Every time i walk in there the owner Asher always greets me by name. If you want good flavor, kosher food, friendly staff go to the 5th street deli.... religiously!
(5)