Seattle Post-Intelligencer LogoHearst Newspapers Logo

Here’s where to get your Hanukkah takeout in Seattle

By Naomi Tomky, Special to the SeattlePI

Latkes from Dacha Diner

Latkes from Dacha Diner

Richard U. via Yelp

On the Lunar-based Jewish calendar, Chanukah falls on the 25th day of Kislev, and this year that places it about as earlier as possible in the solar year: November 28. That means that you might not even be done washing up the Thanksgiving feast dishes and eating turkey sandwiches by the time you should start frying latkes.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

If the one-two punch of potato-peeling holidays has you simultaneously stressing over stuffing and sufganiyot, though, don’t worry: Seattle’s slate of Jewish delis and restaurants have put together delicious spreads that require little more work than that most traditional of Jewish winter holiday foods – the call to the Chinese restaurant for Christmas takeout.

Dacha Diner

Capitol Hill’s favorite Eastern European treasure continues to operate on a takeout only basis in general, being super cautious to keep their small, dedicated, and vulnerable crew completely safe. And they put that same sort of deep care into crafting their meals, which often include latkes and brisket as part of their weekly menus. But for Chanukah they are adding on a take-and-bake special of Aunt Grisha’s noodle kugel.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

They will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, but will be open normal hours over the weekend for brunch and Chanukah pickups. Even if you don’t hit them up for the holiday meal, stop by soon for your fix of their fabulous food, as they plan to be closed for a winter break most of January. But they do plan to open on Christmas, and they are working toward potentially reopening the dining room when they return.

Zylberschtein’s

Zylberschtein’s

Alvin T. via Yelp

Zylberschtein’s Deli

Even as this Pinehurst spot prepares for their upcoming kosher restaurant in Seward Park, they are putting out meal packages for both Thanksgiving and Chanukah. They’ve got all the a la carte items you can want, all week long, including latkes and applesauce, brisket and tzimmes, sufganiyot, knishes, and tons more. They're also offering a $60 meal package with brisket and latkes for two people. It comes with sour cream and applesauce, so you don’t have to choose, plus tzimmes – and you can add on the doughnuts yourself if need be.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

A pound of pastrami from Dingfelder’s Deli 

A pound of pastrami from Dingfelder’s Deli 

Chie M. via Yelp

Dingfelder’s Deli

Dingfelder’s menu of classic New York/Ashkenazi deli foods always has holiday favorites for a mid-week pick me up or an easy shabbat, including both sweet and savory kugels, latkes with homemade honeycrisp applesauce, and brisket by the pound. For Chanukah, they also offer the latkes by the dozen, plus a gluten-free latke option, and with the choice of applesauce, caramelized onion mushroom compote, orange cranberry relish, and horseradish gravy. They also offer an enormous, one-stop Chanukah box featuring a choice of brisket with gravy, smoked salmon, or whole roasted lemon-garlic-herb chicken, latkes – with two sides – soup, a dreidel, and gelt. You still have to order the sufganiyot separately though.

Latkes with apple sauce and sour cream from Schmaltzy’s Delicatessen

Latkes with apple sauce and sour cream from Schmaltzy’s Delicatessen

Nelson L. via Yelp

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

Schmaltzy’s Delicatessen

While they are only doing their big Chanukah meal box for December 3, on Shabbat, Schmaltzy’s will offer their latkes by the dozen or many dozen, available for pick up during their business hours – which, it should be noted, do not include Mondays or Tuesdays. You can add on applesauce and sour cream, or supply your own. But the Shabbat box takes care of everything, with enough food for four or five people, including brisket with white bean ragu, roasted brussels sprouts, roasted squash salad, challah, and latkes (with applesauce and sour cream), plus mini-sufganiyot. They’ve also put together an awesome Chanukah cookie decorating kit, with six cookies in Chanukah shapes, two bags of frosting, and two containers of sprinkles. Start thinking about what you want now, though, because the shabbat box needs to be ordered by November 30, and the cookie kit by December 1.

Bonus tip: While there hasn’t been many murmurs of sufganiyot specifically beyond the places listed above, The Flour Box in Hillman City makes the best doughnuts in the city and if you are willing to wait in line, their filled brioche doughnuts are dead ringers for the traditional sweet.

Seattle-based writer Naomi Tomky explores the world with a hungry eye, digging into the intersection of food, culture and travel. She is an Association of Food Journalists and Lowell Thomas award-winner, and the author of "The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook." Follow her culinary travels and hunger-inducing ramblings on Twitter @Gastrognome and Instagram @the_gastrognome.