Izzy's ★ 4.3
Izzy's on Elm Street downtown is Cincinnati's kosher-style Jewish deli founded in 1901, with the signature reuben sandwich and giant potato pancake.
Signature: Reuben sandwich, Potato pancakes
History
Izzy Kadetz opened Izzy's deli on Elm Street in 1901, serving the Cincinnati Jewish community with kosher-style classics. The giant potato pancake became a signature item from early in the deli's history. The Kadetz family ran the deli for four generations. The current ownership still serves the same Reuben and potato pancake at the original Elm Street location.
Common allergens: Gluten, Eggs
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 3 large Russet potatoes (about 2 lb / 900g)
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup matzo meal or all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Neutral oil for frying
- Sour cream and applesauce to serve
Method
- Peel the potatoes and onion. Grate them through the large holes of a box grater into a colander.
- Squeeze the grated mixture thoroughly with cheesecloth or paper towels to remove as much water as possible. This is the most important step.
- Transfer to a bowl, then add the eggs, matzo meal, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should shimmer but not smoke.
- Form the mixture into 4 large pancakes, about 6 to 7 inches across. Lower carefully into the oil and fry 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply golden and crisp.
- Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with sour cream and applesauce on the side.
Tip from the editors. Squeeze out every drop of liquid. Wet potato shreds steam instead of crisping; the giant pancake stays crisp only when bone-dry.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
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