Meisner’s Take Home Food: Where Borough Park Shops for Kosher Cuisine
Kosher Take Home Food in New York City's Brooklyn Neighborhood of Borough Park ✈
On a recent trip to New York City’s Borough of Brooklyn, I visited Meisner’s Take Home Food, a kosher establishment located at 5410 New Utrecht Avenue in the Borough Park neighborhood. This part of Brooklyn is known for its deeply rooted Jewish community, and Meisner’s is a place that has been serving that community for decades. It’s not just a store; it’s a cornerstone for locals who are looking for kosher food that meets their dietary and cultural needs.
The History
Meisner’s Take Home Food has a long-standing history in Borough Park. Established in the mid-20th century, the store began as a small family-run business, catering primarily to the immediate neighborhood. Over the years, it expanded its products to include a wide selection of prepared foods, deli items, and baked goods. The store has managed to retain its family-oriented ethos, even as Borough Park has grown and evolved. Walking in, you can sense the generational ties and a sense of familiarity in how the staff interacts with their patrons. It’s clear that this is more than a business; it’s a community fixture.
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“Whether you’re looking for a quick meal to bring home, preparing for Shabbat, or simply in the mood for authentic Jewish comfort food, this store delivers exactly what you’d expect.”
Borough Park and the Jewish Community
Borough Park is one of Brooklyn’s most distinct neighborhoods, often described as a center of Orthodox Jewish life in New York City. The streets are lined with synagogues, yeshivas, and specialty stores. Many residents observe traditional Jewish practices, which is reflected in the neighborhood’s daily rhythms -from the bustling preparations for Shabbat on Fridays to the quiet streets on Saturday.
The area is home to a diverse Jewish population, including Hasidic and other Orthodox groups, each contributing to the cultural fabric. Walking through Borough Park, you’ll see a mix of traditional attire, hear conversations in Yiddish and Hebrew, and find stores that sell Judaica, kosher groceries, and religious items. It’s a neighborhood that thrives on community connections and traditions, making it a unique place to visit and explore.
Getting There
Meisner’s is conveniently located at 5410 New Utrecht Avenue, making it easily accessible by both car and public transportation. If you’re driving, there’s street parking available in the surrounding area, though it can be competitive during peak times. For those taking public transportation, the D train stops at the 55th Street station, which is just a short walk from the store. Several bus lines also run through Borough Park, making it a straightforward destination.
The Layout
The store itself is compact but well-organized. Shelves are stocked with a variety of packaged goods, from traditional Jewish staples to imported kosher snacks. The deli counter, which is the focal point of the store, is where most customers gravitate. It’s packed with trays of food behind glass, showcasing the variety of prepared dishes available for purchase. There’s also a bakery section, where freshly made challah and other baked goods are sold.
What You Can Buy
Meisner’s specializes in take-home food, with a focus on kosher cuisine. The prepared food section is the highlight. You’ll find classic Ashkenazi dishes such as kugel, stuffed cabbage, and potato knishes. The kugel comes in several varieties - noodle, potato, and even a sweet version with raisins. Their stuffed cabbage is hearty, with a tomato-based sauce that’s slightly tangy and just a little sweet. Knishes, both the potato and kasha-filled types, are perfectly baked with a flaky exterior.
For those looking for something lighter, the deli offers salads like cucumber salad, egg salad, and coleslaw. These are sold by the pound and make a great accompaniment to the heartier dishes. The smoked fish section features classics like lox, whitefish, and herring - all staples in Jewish cuisine.
One of the draws is their variety of soups. On the day I visited, they had chicken soup with matzo balls, split pea soup, and mushroom barley soup. The chicken soup is exactly what you’d expect: comforting, flavorful, and loaded with vegetables. The matzo balls were soft but not overly dense, floating perfectly in the broth. The mushroom barley soup was rich and earthy, with just the right amount of seasoning.
Their bakery section is small but well-stocked. Fresh challah is available in various sizes, from family-sized loaves to individual rolls. There are also cookies, rugelach, and babka - the latter of which is a must-try. The chocolate babka is dense, with layers of rich chocolate filling swirled through the dough.
In addition to the prepared food and baked goods, Meisner’s carries a selection of packaged kosher items. You can pick up jarred gefilte fish, jars of pickles, and a variety of kosher-certified snacks. For those preparing meals at home, the store also offers some basic groceries, such as matzo meal, canned goods, and spices.
The Shopping Experience
Shopping at Meisner’s is straightforward. Most customers seem to know exactly what they’re looking for, moving quickly between the deli counter and the shelves. The staff is efficient and knowledgeable. When I asked for recommendations, they suggested I try the kugel and the chicken soup, both of which lived up to their reputation. There’s a sense of hustle and bustle, but it’s not chaotic. It feels like a place where everyone knows the routine, from the regulars picking up their weekly staples to newcomers like me exploring the offerings for the first time.
Who Shops Here
The clientele at Meisner’s is primarily local, though you’ll occasionally see visitors from outside the neighborhood, particularly those who keep kosher and are looking for authentic prepared foods. I have an aunt that lives in Manhattan and she travels by subway once a week to shop at Meisner’s and a few other local stores. The store’s location in Borough Park, a neighborhood with one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in the world, means it’s well-positioned to meet the needs of a population that values high-quality kosher food.
Meisner’s Take Home Food isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. Its strength lies in its consistency and its deep connection to the community it serves. Whether you’re looking for a quick meal to bring home, preparing for Shabbat, or simply in the mood for authentic Jewish comfort food, this store delivers exactly what you’d expect. It’s a piece of Borough Park’s history that continues to thrive, thanks to its dedication to quality and tradition. If you find yourself in Brooklyn, especially in Borough Park, it’s worth a visit.
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