There are stories about how Jews adopted the Islamic practice of coffee-drinking, making it their own, initially to help them stay awake for night prayers. How it was ‘Jacob the Jew’ who first exported the coffeehouse concept to Europe, in 1650, and it was another Jew who opened the first coffeehouse/deli in New Yorkers in 1888.
The almost umbilical connection between Jews and coffeehouses/delicatessens is legendary – as is the Jewish cuisine that sells in them. Here’s a fascinating study of Jewish staples like Bialy, Challah, Latke, Pastrami, etc., that can be savored at Jewish Delis.
Jewish Deli Delicacies Decoded:
Infographic by – ZeroCater