Top Hat Delicatessen

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes | September 22, 2022

https://www.weekendnotes.com/top-hat-delicatessen-fort-lauderdale-florida/

While visiting the supremely indulgent Sistrunk Marketplace and Brewery I asked the question most of us really want to know: “Where do you like to eat?” of Juan Cobain, chef of delicious, sweet or savory empanadas who responded, “I’ll go to Top Hat Café just down the road a couple times a week.” He went on to explain it’s a Jewish deli and I was sold! One branch of my ancestors was Jewish, and I have great memories of going to my Great Aunt Eileen’s house for savory food and great conversation and couldn’t wait to see if Top Hat could compare.

The next morning, walking from the hotel along Federal Highway to the Third Street turn into Top Café was bright and airy, a perfectly sunny Fort Lauderdale day. It’s a little over a half-mile walk from the hotel but it’s nice to see the urban art on the way.

On arrival, you’ll laugh at the signs on the door whether it’s “drink wine, we shouldn’t keep things bottled up,” or “Be Nice,” or walk in and see the gentleman’s “What am I chopped liver?” T-shirt with a great smile on his face. It’s just like coming home.

After perusing the menu my choices were a BLT, potato latkes, and a bottle of water. Before getting a home in Florida, I’d recognized I don’t care for the taste of the water out of the tap, which continues in restaurant water (and tea), so I must consider the fruit juices or soda or bottled water. The latter seemed the best choice for my meal. The locals don’t usually note a difference, so be sure to taste the water before you automatically reach for the bottled water.

Other options at this wonderful deli include traditional. Delicatessen meals, including granola, oatmeal, fruit bowls, and an egg and cheese sandwich. With tomato and bacon, or a Nova lox sandwich, which is perhaps one of the most iconic, bagel and cream cheese with onion and tomato.

I usually enjoy the great names that these delis come up with like their egg dishes are called “let’s crack this” from the Leo to a salami scramble, a corned beef hash, or the “Grand Schlam,” the humor is evident and pervasive.

They offer Blintzes, Noshes, Kugels, and Knishes and Rubens, Rachels, BLTs, brisket sandwich, liver & onion, and even a fried bologna and egg. The smells wafting from the kitchen provided a walk down memory lane.

Jordan, the hostess, assisted Andrew, my server, because I was in a bit of a rush to get started on my traveler’s day across Fort Lauderdale. I needed to meet the Water Taxi at stop #2 by 10 am and get to sightseeing in earnest, with a designated stop for lunch before a museum and more restaurant stops. She’s a gem.

The meal arrived and it was as if I could exhale for the first time in a long time. The potato latkes are familiar in a deeply seated manner only explainable by years of family training. If the staff noticed, they were kind enough to leave me in my moment of revelry. I’ll want to bring my daughter to experience this restaurant.

The bacon is perfectly crisp with the thickest tomato slices you may have ever seen in addition to butter lettuce and a dill pickle. The bacon has the salty tang so perfect for this dish.