The Lincoln Del Cookbook

by Wendi Zelkin Rosenstein, Kit Naylor, Thomas L. Friedman (Foreword)

For Jewish and non-Jewish customers alike, the Lincoln Del was a Minneapolis version of Cheers —at the Del everybody knew your name. Folks hardly minded waiting in line for the fresh caraway rye, the cabbage borscht, the corned beef sandwiches, or the towering strawberry shortcake because every visit was like a family reunion, complete with warm embraces, recounted stories, boisterous jokes, and—of course—plenty of amazing food.

From modest beginnings as a bakery in 1930s north Minneapolis to a local chain of three bustling restaurants in St. Louis Park and Bloomington, the Lincoln Del was a neighborhood institution for decades. These popular spots drew visitors from all over the metro and across the state, and even years later patrons nostalgically recall the tasty baked goods, the generously portioned sandwiches, and the sense of belonging that beckoned everyone who walked through the door.

The Lincoln Del Cookbook gathers not only coveted recipes—for blintzes and challah, coleslaw and chicken matzo ball soup—but also family lore and patrons' memories, with photographs, menus, and memorabilia that will bring you right back to the Lincoln Del—or make you wish you'd been around to experience its delights in person.

Genres: Cookbooks

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2017

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a teen growing up in Minneapolis, my friends and I would often go to the movies at the Cooper Theater because they had the humongous screen. Where to eat before or after? Oh, of course, the Lincoln Del. We loved it there and so enjoyed everything on the menu. This is where we learned about bagels and lox, ruben sandwiches, etc. because none of us were Jewish and this food was news to us. Seeing the Del close was really heartbreaking. Seeing the new cookbook published this fall is wonderful. I can hardly wait to try out the recipes. But, what makes this so much more than a cookbook and so much more than a nostalgia piece are the wonderful stories of the people who worked at the Del and Jewish community that called it a second home.

Why the 4 stars instead of 5? Oh - they used Miracle Whip!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, good memories of good food!
Favorites: the Grilled Rachel and the Del’s Chocolate pie!
It was an icon in the Twin Cities! Nice to have the story of the Del and some tasty recipes to relive the experience.

[E G Melby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gained weight just reading this. Have to buy my own copy (took it out of library); want to try a bunch of the recipes. The history of the “Del” was great!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes me back to when we lived in the Twin Cities; it was one of the best restaurants. My favorites were the Pump Twins and the chocolate whipped cream cake with all the layers

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating stories and wonderful pictures...not just for us MN people. Remember my last date at the Lincoln Del & what I drank but sadly NOT what I ate. Probably patty melt and chocolate pie (=