Every Sunday morning, my father used to take me and brother to Junior's Deli. To be honest, I never truly loved Junior's until now. Looking back, Junior's was like going to see family. I always assumed that it would be there forever, and surely took it for granted.
My dad would order lox with cream cheese on a bagel, with a cinnamon roll on the side. I never really cared for the main course, but I was crazy for that sugary pastry of goodness with melted butter. As if that wasn't enough, the other dish I looked forward to was the appetizer: a bowl of pickles with sauerkraut. I know that salt and sugar does not make for a healthy breakfast, but the child inside screamed for this weakly mismatch made in heaven.
My brother and I would usually share scrambled eggs with hashbrowns, with a bagel on the side. We had a masterful way of hiding any nutritious food under the orange slice on the plate. If we missed breakfast, we would get good ol' fashioned turkey sandwiches or pastrami. Look, we didn't come here for our health - we came here to nourish our souls with carbs.
Soon enough, tradition was forgotten and Junior's was a distant childhood memory. Every now and then, I would meet up with my dad or my brother to revisit our past, but Junior's was put on the back-burner. It wasn't until this weekend when I heard Junior's was closing its doors that I had this sudden rush of nostalgia that brought tears to my eyes. After fifty years since opening in the Westside, how could my old stomping grounds be closing?
That was precisely the reason. It was my old stomping grounds. I rarely visited Juniors on my own, unless it was for chicken noodle soup or bagels. Juniors was like family to me. I valued its presence, but I took this restaurant for granted. Junior's has been a pillar for Jewish families in the community, and today I would like to take a moment to thank them for a childhood filled with warm memories and full bellies. Below are some photos I took on their last night before closing there doors to the public.
The Saul family hopes to re-open the deli in the near future at a more affordable location. In this case, I truly hope it's not goodbye...but see you later.
