Liebman's, old-school Jewish deli from the Bronx, opens in Westchester

For those who remember (and still relish) New York egg creams, piled-high pastrami sandwiches and housemade knishes with kasha, there's good news. Liebman's Deli, which has been in the Bronx since 1953, has come to Westchester.

The new kosher deli, with a nostalgic feel, opens March 18 at 11 a.m.

It's the restaurant's first-ever second location.

Why Westchester?

Yuval Dekel, who moved to Westchester five years ago and owns the Bronx location (he's part of the original family), said it just made sense. "My business partner [Craig Weitz] and I live here and love it here," he said.

"Liebman's has been in the Bronx for 70 years. It felt natural to expand and move a little bit north."

So what's the difference between the two?

Not much, said Dekel. The menu is pretty much the same minus a few tiny changes he said people won't really notice (for instance, he removed the baked apple and replaced it with a fruit compote; he's also not offering a rib steak).

More: First look at rebrand of iconic Westchester restaurant

Diners will find the same traditional classics like the restaurant's famous pastrami, cured in-house for seven days; corned beef, cured 21 days; chopped chicken liver; stuffed cabbage; matzo ball soup; smoked whitefish salad; frankfurters; brisket; and, of course, the aforementioned egg creams, made with Elmhurst oat milk, though the latter is dine-in only.

There's also noodle kugel, chocolate babka, rugelach, and chocolate outrage cake.

What about the decor?

Again, more of the same.

What's mainly different is the layout. Whereas the Bronx deli is one large space, with the takeout section up front and the 60-seat dining room behind it, the Ardsley spot is more like two spaces conjoined into one. Diners enter on the takeout side, which features large displays on the left of the deli's offerings and all its intoxicating smells and sights including hanging salamis. There's also a small counter with a few stools for seating on the right.

You then walk further into the space, turn right, and enter the 40-seat dining room, which has a minimalist, retro look with subway tiles, 1950s-looking Formica tables, and beige chairs. Even the wall paint is similar: a Fort Pierce Green that mimics the Riverdale space.

Artwork is also almost identical with biblical, Jewish cultural works from Israeli artist Amram Ebgi. What's different: Photos from vintage 1960s Levy's Rye Bread ads featuring people of different nationalities eating deli sandwiches. The tagline at the time was: “You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's." (Liebman's rye bread, FYI, comes from Nanuet's Rockland Bakery.)

In addition you'll find a black-and-white map interpretation of the Bronx, photos of Yankee stadium and the uptown 1 train (more Bronx nods), Andy Warhol-looking images of gefilte fish, and colorful posters that read "I'm here for the matzah (no one ever said);" "Just here for the cholent;" and "Advice from a matzo ball."

There's a lot to look at including street signage toward the back that reads W. 235 St. and Johnson Ave., another homage to the original location.

"That was the goal," said Dekel. "To recreate what we're doing in the Bronx. Only here, in this beautiful new space we're excited to share with everyone."

If you go

Address: 472 Ashford Ave., Ardsley, 914- 231-6222, liebmansdeli.com/westchester

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Prices: Classic sandwiches range from $17 to $26; Signature deli combos start at $25; other dishes go from $6 for a knish to $29 for a brisket dinner to $15 for a burger and $8 for a pint of chicken soup.

Good to know: Liebman's ships nationwide through Goldbelly. They also do catering and down the road, private parties.

Stay tuned: No liquor license yet but beer and wine are to come.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Liebman's, old-school Jewish deli from the Bronx, opens in Westchester