The Best Jewish Eatery Merch

Welcome to Eight Days of GOLDA: our Hanukkah blockbuster special. We’re kicking things off with a shoppable round-up of our favorite t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more from Jewish restaurants, delis, and cafes. 

I know that Jewish food conversations can get especially contentious, and I love us for that. When I helped edit Tablet’s book The 100 Most Jewish Foods, we even gave it the subtitle “A Highly Debatable List.” So here’s the fine print: We only selected places that sell their merch online, and skipped spots that do merch drops that aren’t available right now. 

Happy noshing—and shopping!

Zabar’s Kids Bagel T-Shirt

I get this shirt for everyone’s kids. My nephews got them for Hanukkah last year, I’ve sent them to my friend’s kids in other cities, and I’ve gifted them to families who are moving out of NYC. My daughter is wearing this shirt in my iPhone background photo. It’s really soft and wearable, which means a lot when it comes to kids’ clothes. It also gets respect wherever you go.

K’Far Embroidered Crewneck

My brother-in-law brought me back this sweatshirt from a recent trip to Philly, and it is so good. K’far is a cafe inspired by Mike Solomonov’s first job at a bakery in K’far Saba. I also love this sweatshirt from his nearby falafel shop Goldie (and those tehina smoothies).

Call Your Mother Pink Bagel Mug

Every time I visit my bestie Kat in D.C., we go to Call Your Mother, which bills itself as “a Jew-ish deli.” This bagel mug defies physics and is also a great morning reminder (the other side says “and text your kids!”).

Genghis Cohen Sweatpants

This cheeky L.A. dining scene staple has been serving “NYC-style Chinese food” since 1983. They have an amazing merch selection, but I’m partial to these old-school sweatpants that exhort you to “dress comfortably.” They’re the perfect outfit for Christmas dinner, which we all know means Chinese food.

Russ & Daughters Vintage Tote Bag

This recycled cotton canvas tote from NYC appetizing giant Russ & Daughters features the design of the original shopping bags from a literal century ago.

Safta Pita Hat

Chef Alon Shaya’s restaurant Safta boasts “the best Mediterranean and Israeli food in Denver”—and this delightful pita hat.

Beigel Bake x Stay Creative Co. Jacket

This London institution has been serving beigels since 1974, and “fresh fits” a bit more recently. This thick cotton jacket merges the old and new seamlessly.

Barney Greengrass Fish Hat 

Nothing about this shop has changed in about a century, and that’s part of the charm. Even their merch keeps it classic, with a subtle refresh.

Shappy Pretzel Slides

This one isn’t technically from an eatery, but these slides from Shappy Pretzels, the pandemic project from actor and Philly native Adam Shapiro (aka Chef Adam Shapiro from The Bear), are next level.

Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House Print

This Miami Jewish mainstay may be long gone, but a print of the iconic Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House keeps the memory alive.

Bernie’s Tote

I love Molly Yeh, and while I have yet to visit her East Grand Forks cafe, I have an impressive Bernie’s merch collection. (My baby is currently wearing a pink Bernie’s bib.) This tote is my favorite—it’s made from a soft material and bigger than your average tote, so it’s perfect for a grocery run.

Katz’s Deli Chocolate Egg Cream Scented Candle

Sure, you could go for one of Katz’s many tees and hoodies. But when your friends ask why your home smells like an old-timey soda fountain, you’ll thank us.

Tsion Cafe T-Shirt

A decade ago, chef Beejhy Barhany brought Ethiopian-Israeli cuisine to Harlem with Cafe Tsion. I had the chance to try the delicious lentil sambusas at this kosher and vegan spot earlier this year when I chatted with Beehjy about her cookbook, Gursha. The illustrations on this t-shirt celebrate the cafe’s Harlem home and Ethiopian roots.

United Bakers Our Little Latke Onesie

My friend Sam moved to Toronto, had a baby named Abe, and promptly got him this adorable onesie from the historic-and-also-trendy United Bakers Dairy Restaurant. The place was founded in 1912 by Jewish immigrants from Poland who would have loved Baby Abe.

Schwartz’s Cap

If you prefer smoked meat to pastrami and throw unnecessary French words into everyday conversation, this baseball hat from Montreal deli institution Schwartz’s is for you.

Canter’s Sticker Pack

Who says LA doesn’t have good deli? Canter’s has been serving up staples like pastrami, stuffed cabbage, and matzah ball soup since the ‘30s. Their sticker pack collab with Merch Motel adds a little midcentury-Jewish flair to your laptop or Hydroflask.

Manny's Cafeteria Coffee Mug

I got my Manny’s mug from the store at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, which sounds weird, but they had just featured the exhibit “I’ll Have What She’s Having: The Jewish Deli.” Alongside the exhibit they curated some fun merch, including this mug from the Chicago deli institution.  

Liebman’s Deli T-Shirt

Liebman’s in Riverdale is the last kosher deli standing in an area that used to be overflowing with them. But the Bronx fixture has not just survived—it is thriving. They opened a second location in Westchester last year, expanded into nationwide delivery through Goldbelly, and launched an extremely cool line of merch. Plus, Liebman’s still makes the best knish in all five boroughs.

GOLDA may earn a few shekels from any purchases made from links in this newsletter.

See you tomorrow for even more Hanukkah gifting goodness!

Stay GOLDA,

Stephanie