A kosher shrimp po-boy sits on the same menu as hot pastrami piled on rye. That one detail tells you plenty about this deli.
The kitchen also makes chicken and sausage jambalaya, red beans and rice with sausage, and matzoh ball soup. Every bite is kosher certified. I can’t imagine a better mashup of two food cultures that rarely share a counter.
The owner opened the original shop in a former beauty salon. Today the walls and even the ceiling are covered in sports memorabilia. Behind the sandwich counter, a full grocery stocks bagels, Israeli snacks, and Judaica.
I like how this place feels like a bridge between New York and Louisiana. It serves locals, travelers, and anyone craving a real deli sandwich. So what happens when rye bread meets the bayou?
Cajun Classics Get A Kosher Makeover You Won’t Find Elsewhere
Kosher shrimp on a po-boy sounds like a riddle. Yet it’s right there on the New Orleans Favorites menu, ready to be ordered.
Traditional shrimp isn’t kosher, so the deli offers a kosher version instead. It gives observant diners a chance to enjoy one of Louisiana’s most famous sandwiches.
The Cajun side of the menu keeps going from there. Chicken and sausage jambalaya brings rice, spice, and comfort in one bowl.
Red beans and rice with sausage rounds out the lineup. It’s a dish deeply tied to New Orleans kitchens, now made to meet kosher standards.
I believe this section explains the name better than any sign could. The word Cajun isn’t just decoration here.
It’s a promise that this kitchen speaks two food languages fluently. Travelers who keep kosher often miss out on regional cooking, and this menu fixes that.
Want a fun lunch plan? Pair a scoop of jambalaya with a pastrami sandwich.
You’ll get New York and Louisiana on one tray. Honestly, few meals tell a better story about where you’re eating.
Severn Avenue Has The Sandwich Stop
Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery is at 3519 Severn Avenue in Metairie, Louisiana. Take Severn Avenue between Veterans Memorial Boulevard and West Esplanade Avenue to reach its block.
The deli occupies a storefront on Severn Avenue, combining a restaurant counter with a kosher grocery rather than operating inside a big shopping mall. Watch for the business on this commercial stretch of Severn, not on nearby Veterans Boulevard.
Turn into the property’s access area and approach the storefront entrance for dine-in or takeout. Use designated customer parking where available and check the shop’s schedule before visiting, since it closes on Saturdays.
Soup, Knishes, And Latkes Bring Serious Deli Comfort
Matzoh ball soup is a staple here, and it belongs at the center of any cozy deli meal. One spoonful of broth and a fluffy dumpling can fix a long day.
The side orders are where New York deli culture really shows off. You’ll find N.Y. potato knishes in potato, broccoli, spinach, or kasha varieties.
Kasha, by the way, is roasted buckwheat. It gives a knish an earthy flavor that’s worth trying at least once.
Potato latkes come with applesauce, the classic pairing. Cole slaw, potato salad, and sauerkraut are also ready for sandwich backup duty.
Prefer something more familiar? French fries, onion rings, and potato chips are all on the list.
The appetizer menu deserves a look, too. Chopped liver with crackers, whitefish salad, hummus, babaganoush, and mini egg rolls with duck sauce all appear.
Here’s a smart move for groups. Order a few sides and appetizers to share, then add one big sandwich.
Everyone gets a taste of the deli’s range. Plus, nobody has to argue over who gets the last latke.
A Former Beauty Shop Started A Decades-Long Run
Back in 1987, Joel Brown opened his shop in a tiny 900-square-foot space on North Hullen Street. The building had once been a beauty shop.
The idea grew from a simple need. Brown saw that people in the New Orleans area wanted kosher pizza.
That small spark turned into something much bigger. Over the years, the business moved and grew into today’s deli and grocery.
Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery is known as the longest-running kosher establishment in Metairie. That’s a big deal in a region better known for crawfish boils than corned beef.
I like stories like this because they start small. A former salon becoming a beloved deli feels almost like a movie plot.
Joel Brown still owns the place today. That kind of steady ownership gives the business a personal feel that chains rarely match.
Next time you bite into a sandwich here, think about that first tiny shop. Every pickle and slice of rye connects back to one person’s hunch about kosher pizza.
Sometimes the best businesses begin with a simple question. What’s missing around here?
Look Up, Because The Ceiling Has Team Spirit Too
Sports fans, prepare to get distracted from your sandwich. Memorabilia covers the walls here and even stretches across the ceiling.
Earlier local reporting also pointed out plenty of New Orleans Saints items and nostalgic family photos. It’s a room that celebrates both the home team and the family behind the counter.
The dining area is cozy and casual. Nobody needs fancy clothes to enjoy a bowl of soup surrounded by sports history.
Families will appreciate the practical touches. The deli is kid-friendly, offers high chairs, and is wheelchair accessible.
Parking is available too, which matters in busy Metairie. Finding a spot easily can make a quick lunch actually feel quick.
One tip for the chilly-natured among us. The room is known to stay on the cool side, so a light sweater wouldn’t hurt.
I believe decor tells you a lot about a place. Here, it says this deli is proud of its Louisiana roots.
New York traditions fill the menu. Meanwhile, the walls cheer for the home team, and that mix feels just right.
Shopping Carts Welcome, Since A Full Grocery Waits Inside
Lunch is only half the reason to stop by. Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery also runs a full kosher grocery under the same roof.
The meat selection covers beef, veal, lamb, chicken, turkey, and duck. Shoppers can also find cheeses, soups, crackers, and Middle Eastern salads.
Fish fans have options as well. Gefilte fish, herring, and Nova salmon are all stocked.
New York-style baked goods fill out the shelves. Look for challah, rolls, rye bread, bagels, and bialys.
Israeli products add a fun twist. Pickles, Bamba, and Bissli are on hand for anyone craving those familiar snacks.
Bamba, if you’ve never tried it, is a peanut-flavored puffed snack. Kids and grown-ups both tend to reach for a second bag.
The store also sells candy, gum, grape juice, and candles. A Judaica section offers books and jewelry.
My suggestion? Leave extra time after eating to browse.
It’s easy to underestimate how much is packed in here. You might come for pastrami and leave with a bag full of bialys and snacks.
Sweet Endings Come In Swirls And Layers
Rugelach and babka make a strong case for saving room. Both are classic Jewish baked treats with deep New York deli roots.
Rugelach are small rolled pastries, often filled with sweet layers. Babka is a twisted loaf that looks almost as good as it tastes.
The deli also offers fresh baked parve cookies. Parve means they contain no meat or dairy.
That detail matters for anyone keeping kosher. Parve desserts can follow a meat meal, like a corned beef sandwich, without breaking the rules.
Of course, a deli trip needs the right drink. Dr. Brown’s sodas are available, and they’re a longtime partner to pastrami.
Flavors like cream soda and black cherry are deli icons. Sipping one with a hot sandwich feels like a small trip to a New York counter.
Here’s a friendly idea. Grab a babka to take home for later.
It makes a great breakfast treat or a thoughtful gift for a host. Few people turn down a sweet, swirled loaf from a Louisiana kosher deli.
Holiday Hosting Just Got A Lot Less Stressful
Feeding a crowd for Shabbos takes real planning. The catering team here offers special menus for Shabbos, Rosh Hashana, and Passover.
Catering isn’t limited to deli platters, either. New Orleans favorites can join the spread, so jambalaya might sit next to sliced pastrami.
Advance notice is required. That’s a fair ask, since big orders need time to come together properly.
Not hosting a party? Everyday orders work too.
The deli offers takeout, delivery, and online ordering. That flexibility helps both busy locals and travelers staying at nearby hotels.
Visitors spending a weekend in the New Orleans area especially benefit. Finding kosher meals in an unfamiliar city can be tricky, and this deli makes it simpler.
All offerings are certified kosher under the Louisiana Kashrut Committee. That supervision gives families peace of mind when ordering for important occasions.
I can’t imagine an easier way to bring a little Louisiana flavor to a holiday meal. Call ahead, plan your menu, and let the kitchen handle the heavy lifting.
Your guests will remember the jambalaya. You’ll remember not cooking it.
Plan Around Saturday, Then Head To Severn Avenue
Saturday is the one day the doors stay shut. That fits the Sabbath, so plan your pastrami cravings around it.
You’ll find Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery at 3519 Severn Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana 70002. It’s an easy stop for anyone exploring the greater New Orleans area.
Hours run from 10 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Thursday. On Friday and Sunday, the deli opens at 10 AM and closes at 3 PM.
Those shorter Friday hours matter. If you’re stocking up for Shabbos, go early so you aren’t rushing.
Sunday also closes early, which surprises some weekend visitors. A late brunch plan could leave you staring at a locked door.
The location works well for a quick lunch break. Grab a sandwich, pick up groceries, and you’re back on the road.
Louisiana has no shortage of famous food stops. Still, very few blend New York deli traditions with Cajun comfort under kosher supervision.
That alone earns a spot on your list. Bring a friend, order the J&N Special, and save room for babka.