Delicious local deli food

Bagels coming fresh out of the oven at M & J’s Eastside Deli. Photo credit: LeChing Vuong

They grind their own beef, smoke their own pork, cure their own bacon and bake their own buns, bread and bagels.

I’m talking about M & J’s Eastside Deli, a new eatery in Birch Cliff where the food is all made from scratch and tastes absolutely delicious.

The deli, on the southwest corner of Kingston Rd. and Warden Ave., was opened in November by husband and wife team Michelle and James Biding, serious foodies who are passionate that restaurant fare should be homemade, cooked to order, and affordable.

“There’s not enough restaurants that do things from scratch in the old traditional way of doing things,” said James. “I feel we need a more back-to-basics style.”

How back-to-basics is the deli?

The pastrami sandwich, for example, takes eight days to make in what James calls a “labour of love”.

They dry brine AAA beef brisket in a combination of spices including the classic pastrami flavour profile of coriander and black pepper.

After one week of curing, they dry rub and smoke the meat, and then steam it until it’s tender and juicy.

The meat is hand-sliced, piled high on homemade bread and topped with mustard.

James and Michelle

Customer reaction

The pastrami, along with the bacon cheeseburger, is a favourite of regular customer LeChing Vuong, who loves the food so much that she volunteered to build a website for James and Michelle.

“I would describe the quality of M&J’s food as refreshing. You don’t often experience the combination of homemade cooking, attention to process and use of fresh ingredients in a take-out setting.”

Lillian Stermac describes the burger as “delicious” and the bagels (homemade every Saturday) as “heavenly”

“The food is fresh tasting, it came hot and  the portions are generous but not outrageous. The bagels are the perfect size and really outstanding.”

M & J’s Eastside Deli’s pastrami hash, $7. Photo credit: LeChing Vuong

Remarkably affordable

James and Michelle live in Birch Cliff and another one of their guiding principles is that food must be affordable and accessible, which is why nothing on the menu costs more than $10.

M & J’s bagel with cream cheese, $2.50. Photo credit: LeChing Vuong

The grilled cheese sandwich is to die for and it only costs $3.

Looking for something to feed the kids?  The peanut butter sandwich is $2 and its made with peanuts that they grind themselves.

They even make their own mayonnaise from scratch.

“You don’t have to break the bank to get something good,” James said. “The people doing it have to care about it.

Michelle said they get a kick out of the reaction from new customers.

“It is quite exciting when you see somebody’s face light up when they take a bite for the first time.  It’s exciting for us.  It feels really good because that’s what we want.”

A dream come true

Opening a deli has been James’ dream for about 12 years.

He’s worked in restaurants for most of his adult life and said he often felt they were cutting corners in making food from scratch.

He finally decided to go for it after a trip to New York City a few years ago where he feels he rediscovered fresh, homemade food.

“It’s not just to make money. It’s not just to open up a restaurant. It’s a way of doing things.”

The decor of M & J’s Eastside Deli is unassuming and some of you may be wondering “where is this deli?”.

They’re located at 1433 Kingston Rd., on the south side of the street across from Taylor Library.

“We are awfully tired of people telling us we’re on the wrong side of the street,” said Michelle.  It’s just a mind shift. It seems like there are more things going on the other side, but all they have to cross the street.  We’re so close to the corner and the library.  Nothing should stop you from crossing the street.”

On a recent visit Michelle mentioned that they’ve been relatively busy of late because the condo construction workers have found them.

Now they’re hoping the rest of Birch Cliff finds them too.