Massachusetts Deli Named One Of The Best In America
A few short blocks down from Coolidge Corner T stop in Brookline is where you will find the Massachusetts establishment that was named one of the best delis in America by Mashed, late last year.
“An authentic deli is all about manned counters of fresh cold cuts (especially pastrami and corned beef), cheeses, and made-to-order sandwiches, with rye bread being the cornerstone,” Mashed explains. They also opened their feature by explaining a bit about the history of Jewish delis in America.
This popular lunch spot in Brookline is a great representation of that. In fact, they are currently taking Rosh Hashanah (September 11) and Yom Kippur (September 20) orders.
Zaftigs Delicatessen
In addition to their piled-high sandwiches, Zaftigs is a bakery that serves breakfast all day. Furthermore, they have a well-established reputation for serving one of the best soups in town. “Many delicatessens are also known for their homemade soups like matzo ball, which is what Zaftigs Delicatessen in Brookline, Massachusetts, specializes in,” Mashed explains. They serve this in a cup, bowl, or take-home quart size.
Soups options are just two line items within this two-page menu. There are 26 different sandwich options at Zaftigs. If you prefer to design your own, you have that option as well. Choose between 14 different meats, and then pair it with your choice of bread (another 14 options). Finally, top it with your favorite dressing, cheese, lettuce and a pickle.
Zaftigs also serves hot dinner options in addition to their full breakfast menu. Cocktails are served as well. There are your typical Bloody Mary and Sangria mixes. In addition, if you are interested in specialties such as a “Bacon and Bourbon Mary,” you’ve come to the right spot.
When you think of your favorite deli, most likely a sandwich with a crunchy pickle comes to mind. However, the Massachusetts deli that was named one of the best in America has something delicious for every meal. They now have a second location open in Natick (1298 Worcester Street).
A 'Definitive' Ranking Of The 5 Fast-Food Restaurants
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) recently shared a study that details the top fast-food chains in the country based on customer satisfaction. While I agree with the top choice, the others are questionable. And hey, taste is subjective. I’m something of a fast-food restaurant connoisseur. So, here I will re-rank the country’s top five fast-food restaurant chains based on personal experience. (Hence, “Definitive” in quotes in the headline.)
First, let’s examine the numbers in this report, as there are certainly some valuable points to consider. It appears as if their customer satisfaction entails 11 important factors. These include areas such as the accuracy of food orders, staff courtesy, and cleanliness. Another important measurement these days is the efficiency of the chain’s app.
The ACSI report is based on 16,250 customers who were surveyed. Their top five looked like this:
- #1 Chick-fil-A
- #2 Jimmy Johns
- #3 KFC
- #4 Papa John
- #5 Domino’s
Technically “other” landed at number three, but for the sake of top brands, that is the top of the list.
Re-Ranking Methodology
While I do like the variety in cuisine displayed in ACSI’s list, I am surprised at many of the names I see there. To create this ranking, I did follow and considered the customer satisfaction criteria previously laid out in the survey. Though I am a drive-thru-first type of person, I will quickly peel out of the parking lot if I detect the joint doesn’t look like it takes cleanliness seriously. Regardless of how much I am craving that chicken sandwich. In other words, those scored questions are legit measurements.
It’s worth mentioning that I travel quite a bit as well. Whether taking my kids to a weekend lacrosse tournament or heading south to visit family, a fast-food meal is often all I have time for. Nonetheless, I don’t just stop for anything, and I do aim for the healthiest option possible (most of the time).
So, imagine I just pulled off a magical interstate exit where all of these fast food restaurants had an open establishment. I’m considering the criteria points ACSI has laid out, and looking for a quality meal. Here is my official re-ranking of the top five fast-food restaurant chains in the country.
*Side-note, the ACSI also includes statistic results on full-service chain restaurants. That is not applicable to my ranking, but Chili’s is the clear number one, with all the rest being second.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.
