My partner in crime and I stumbled across this place on our first trip to Halifax. It caught our eye and we impulsively decided to stop in for brunch on a Saturday around noon. I ordered the corned beef sandwich with fries and coleslaw while Sandy ordered the egg salad sandwich with potato salad. Both of us really enjoyed the sandwiches. I thought they could have filled it with a little more sliced meat, but it was delicious nonetheless. Fatty and unctuous. The coleslaw was also really tasty but a small serving. On the other hand the fries were bountiful! I couldn't finish them (which is very uncharacteristic of me) even though they were very tasty. Sandy said it was possibly the best potato salad she's ever eaten and that the sandwich had a nice challah, good amount of egg, and that the flavour of red onion lingered for hours. Downsides: only serving bottled water (no tap) and cash only (no tap). read more

Tried again a few months ago take out and the fish was not cooked as well as I like- more lighter brown and soggish coating and the fries as well yet great customer service- Will try instore next read more

Food was excellent! Had blintzes! Where else can you get them? I saw huge plates of delicious looking sandwiches etc. when you really want to chow down this is it! Every possible combination of smoked meat, eggs, etc. even corned beef hash! Where else can you get it? I wait till I'm really hungry to go. There is no other Deli!! Not cheap and they only take cash but worth it. Great friendly service. Little place full of awesome memorabilia on the walls. 1950s tables and counter. read more

Good service,,a maritime twist to an urban deli. Fries were great and the smoked meet was good.

Salmon cakes (4.5/5) with challah were great, very good portions for pretty cheap. Montreal bagel was also legit. Space is set up like a classic Yiddish diner. You also get free knishes if you take out cash from the atm (although the atm only accepts Canadian cards). Note it is a cash only spot. read more

Hali Deli - Salmon cakes - Delicatessen Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Any restaurant that the whole menu is offered in the morning is fine by me. I ordered a hot dog with french fries while everyone else was scarfing down breakfast dishes. Hali Deli offers a wide variety of options, something for everyone. We grabbed a cute little table up front, our server was charming and the dining room filled up quickly, so I suggest arriving before 11am on the weekend. CASH ONLY The ATM did not work while we were there. Bring a fist full of dollars so you can order everything. Do not skip the hand cut fries. read more

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Excellent chicken noodle soup, just needs to be a bit hotter. Good sandwich, soup combo. Waitress was nice. Only real downside, owner smoking a lot out front, bad second hand smoke entering the restaurant. read more

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OH MY LORD!!! HEAVEN on a plate! Ever since I heard of this place last week I've been dying to try it out... and today was the lucky day. Let me tell ya, it was definitely worth the walk from the south end in "feels like -17C" weather. I was meeting up with a few friends for a Friday lunch. When I arrived the place was just bussling! Packed to the bones with people waiting. Luckily, my friends (who chose to drive) where already sitting at the counter with a seat waiting for me :) I went in thinking I would get the smoked meat sandwich, but after sitting down for a few minutes and seeing all the orders coming out of the kitchen I was at a loss... and then I saw the special "Smoke Meat Mac N Cheese"... even harder to decide. One of my friend had the Reuben (which he loved). Since I couldn't make up my mind, I settled on the Deluxe Grilled cheese sandwich (with tomato and smoke meat on the inside) and split a Smoke Meat Mac N Cheese with my other friend (we couldn't get it as a side)... All I can say... FOOD COMA! Despite the $3 pop (since it was in a classic glass bottle I didn't seem to mind) overall this place was amazing and I will definitely be back. Be aware, it is cash only but they do have a bank machine on site! Go and enjoy! I know I sure did :) read more

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I have been eyeing this new addition to Agricola St for a few weeks now. I work and live in this area of the north end and have been hoping for a decent food place to open up in the area. A co-worker joined me for lunch and I must say after the disappointing visit to "Sully's Smoked Meats" a few weeks back I am very pleased to see success so close to home. The menu has a breakfast section (YES!!!) and a good amount of deli style dishes. Overall the decor, service, menu, and prices were well polished and a great accomplishment for any restaurant owner. I usually dread going to new places right after they open but this place was all hands on deck. Service: (4/5) No less than three people were working the front and more working in the kitchen. There was minor issues with having to ask for spoon with my soup and the waitress greeting us with a smile but no questions about what we wanted to drink but besides that every thing ran quite smooth.We were in and out after 30 minutes. The owner came out and greeted diners as well which is always appreciated. I could tell, like me, he really enjoys his food too! The place was full up with one or two sets of guests waiting for seat and this was shortly after noon. Food: (5/5) I ordered the Reuven's Reuben (Piled corned beef, sauerkraut, melted Swiss on twin grilled rye,with Russian dressing - $11.99 From the Menu), Chicken Matza Ball (Jewish soup dumpling made from a mixture of matzah meal, egg, oil and water served in soup. - $4.99 From the Menu) My co-worker had a Smoked Meat Sandwich and both with classic large glass bottles of coke. The soup was great, never had it before but the broth was amazingly flavored with a large ball of something I never ate before. It was very tasty. The carrots were big but a good firmness overall. The Reuben came plated with thick home cut fries, cooked just enough. I added salt before but it should be noted they were well seasoned before. The sandwich was not large but it was stacked with meat. There was hot melted swiss on top and the corned beef was perfectly juicy and amazing. Whatever the russian dressing was it was great. A little sauce popped out of the small hole in the rye and I was glad to eat it off my finger with some melted swiss. My co-worker's smoked meat sandwich was larger and looked like the real deal. The coleslaw was very fresh and a good way to cleanse the palate. There also was a crisp pickle as well which is always the first to disappear! Decor: (4/5) The decor fits the bill with a good amount of seating and can fit around 30-35 people with two seaters, four seaters and about ten counter seats. They definitely have fixed up behind the counter and had a new bar that looks stocked and fresh. There were a few items along the trim of the counter that looks a bit aged but overall the whole space improved greatly. I do not use the bathroom so I am unsure if there are facilities or not. Value: (4/5): The meal was decently priced and I was happy with the value. A sit down meal with a full plate with supper portions for 11.99 or 9.99 plus tax is better than most places in the neighborhood. Smith's Bakery charges similar price for a large sandwich with potato chips and the service level is lower. The soup may have been a bit more pricey at $4.99 but it was a lunch sized soup and it was made very well. It should be noted that this place is cash only with a ATM onsite. Obviously some places will get away with this behavior but it does end up costing debit customers and is inconvenient for first timers. I do however find that cash only places often have the better food value because of reduced overhead. Being cash only with a ATM means that debit and credit users are subsidizing my meal instead of the other way around! Overall (5/5): A great experience, I have given Hali Deli a 5 star rating, my coworker said 4 stars because of the lack of debit options. [Revisited November 22, 2012 -Had a similar excellent experience as before. Hot Brisket Sandwich with carrots and old style homefries (cut and fried potatoes). This is on the dinner menu so it had two sides and larger portions. Carrots were sweet, potatoes were fried well, and the brisket sandwich tasty with enough gravy that it was covered but not overkill either. My co-diner had Grilled Cheese deluxe which sounded a bit boring at first but when I saw the smoked meat, tomato's and perfect golden colour I changed my tune. The place was packed at 12:30 but there was three stools at the end. Seems the turn over is quick so waiting for a seat wouldn't be too bad. I liked how when I dropped my knife and picked up up a server came and took it away immediately while leaving a clean set. Overall the whole meal took 25 minutes!} read more

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I love it whenever a great restaurant style that was previously absent from the Halifax food scene shows up. Hali Deli is one of those, being one of two recently opened Jewish-style delis, and after seeing their menu with a significant all day breakfast section, and many tasty sounding kosher delights, I was all the more eager to check it out. Stopping in on a cool fall day with the first ominous snow of the year, I was hungry and looking to fill up on a big deli breakfast. Luckily there was Victor's Big Breakfast on the menu, which is supposed to come with three eggs, smoked meat, corned beef, salami, with challah or rye toast, and potato latkes or hashbrowns. While my brunch companions and I waited for our food, I surveyed the area. While I had never been to the previous tenant of this space, Cousin's, I'm guessing that things have been spruced up a good bit, although the wood paneling on the wall goes a long way to maintaining that cozy diner feel, as does the counter with rotating bar stools. When our food arrived, after a little while I noticed that my latkes, which are shredded-potato pancakes, looked oddly like hashbrowns. This didn't bother me though, as they were great. They are the only hashbrowns that I can think of in the city that are definitely made from scratch as they were medium sized chunks of potato that had been cooked on the flat top, which added in nicely browned crusty bits for added texture and flavour, not to mention the tasty sweet onions added into the mix. Interestingly, the eggs only come over easy or sunny side up, but that was fine with me as I like my yolks runny and they contributed an additional level of deliciousness to the hashbrowns. Having never had challah before, it was a nice touch, as any non-commercial bread would be. It wasn't as dense as I thought it might be, and had a hint of sweetness and a light sprinkling of sesame seeds on top. In retrospect while writing this review, I realized that I got only one of the three meats that is supposed to come with the big breakfast, the smoked meat. Had I thought of it at the time, it would have been one of the few times I would send something back to the kitchen. Had this mistake and the aforementioned lack of latkes not occured, this would have been a hard four star review. The meat that I did have was good, with a mildly cured flavour that wasn't overwhelming and the slices of brisket easily fell apart in my mouth. While their ordering systems need more refinement, I'm definitely going to come back to try out more of the menu, and not just the ones I missed out on having the first time around. read more

Hali Deli - Victor's Big Breakfast - three eggs, hash browns, challah toast, smoked meat - Delicatessen Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

This was our last meal in Halifax before we flew out and so happy that we chose the Hali Deli! Service was super friendly and welcoming, even though there was only one server (possibly the manager?) working a full dining room. This guy was a total pro! We ordered the Ruben sandwich ($13.99) and the Lox Shmear Platter ($8.99) with a side of kosher dill ($2.00). The winner here was definitely the Ruben - the meat was so soft and succulent (melt in your mouth!) and it came with a side of chunky fresh cut fries. Lox was also tasty but kinda paled in comparison to the Ruben. Seriously, just get the Ruben. Hali Deli has the recognition of being featured on TV's "You Gotta Eat Here!" and I fully agree with this endorsement! read more

We went to Hali Deli for lunch - it was empty when we arrived, but, soon after they got 3-4 more tables. We spent sometime pondering the menu - they have a lot of different, unusual to me, options. He went with the hot dog + fries and I had the grilled cheese deluxe; your traditional grilled cheese with smoked meat and tomato. It comes with a side of (delicious, home made) coleslaw which I put directly on my sandwich - I recommend you do the same! I stole a few fries from his plate and they were so good!! I'm not sure what kind of spice they put on them, or how they cook them, but they're nothing like any fries I've ever had before, definitely worth trying! I saw a picture posted on Yelp of their 'Smoked Meat Mac and Cheese' and I wanted it immediately, but it wasn't on their menu. I'm guessing it was a daily special, so I'll have to keep my eyes open and go back! Everything was great; ambiance, prices, service. The only problem was that our food came out lukewarm, like they've been sitting there for a bit before arriving at our table. read more

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B loves a good smoke meat sandwich every now and then so when he got to pick the location for lunch on this Saturday, he wanted to give this place a try. We weren't disappointed. Love the vibe of the place, the old time lunch counter & stools and the milkshake blender sure brought back memories. We arrived around 12:30 to quite a few empty tables but they filled up quickly. We perused the menus but pretty much knew what we wanted so ordered quickly. We both ordered the smoke meat sandwich. Our server (I think also the proprieter) suggested one of us get the fries and one of us the potato salad so we took him up on it. We didn't have to wait too long before our plates were in front of us. We were happy with our meals, good meaty sandwiches, (there is a choice of regular or deli mustard on the table). Fries were done right, potato salad & cole slaw both very tasty, only thing I could nit pick about was the dill pickle was kinda meagre but very good all the same. The one server on this day did a pretty good job of handling all the tables, I imagine being the owner of the place gives one motivation to ensure good service. We decided this place is a winner and will likely be back. At the very least I want to try a milkshake for old times sake. read more

Hali Deli - Smoked meat sandwich with potato salad & cole slaw - Delicatessen Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

I ordered a $15 tuna melt and it was just ok. However, when I asked for a glass of water, I was told that they don't serve tap water, but I could order bottled water for $2. Aside from the environmental impacts of bottled water, this just feels like a cheap money grab. What kind of restaurant refuses to serve customers tap water?? The kicker is that my friend ordered a coffee and they refused to serve him a proper coffee cup and gave him a paper cut instead, even though we were eating in. Trying to make a quick buck by refusing tap water? Needlessly filling landfills with empty water bottles and paper coffee cups? No thank you. We won't be going back. read more

Well worth the wait ! We went for our first time after spending a night in the city for date night. The place is extremely busy and we can see why. Thankfully the owner kept track of when people arrived so you were seated appropriately. Food is fresh and delicious, you definitely don't leave hungry. We will be back for sure ! read more

Oh my! What a delightful brunch at this extremely comforting little central Halifax restaurant. Totally unplanned, we were drawn in by the casual old school, big city feel emanating from Hali-deli. Service was instant. I stopped in the washroom that was as clean as a Yiddish mama would leave it, faintly smelling of bleach and cleanliness. I had the "shmear" and my companion has the latkes. Mine was a Montreal bagel with a generous scoop of smoked salmon and cream cheese mix, capers, onion, cucumber and tomato and a leaf of romaine. The latkes came with sides of sour cream and applesauce. Delish on all counts! Pay attention other restauranteurs - no TV here. GREAT! just terrific food and excellent service in a comfortable environment. We will be back! read more

Hali Deli - Shmear and bagel - Delicatessen Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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I wasn't expecting to find a Jewish deli in Halifax, so this was a delightful surprise. My favorite thing is how it's new, but feels like it's been there forever. They have all the essential diner classics and they do it well. I came here an embarrassing number of times during my two weeks in town. Like a proper lunch counter, it's cash only. read more

I went to Hali Deli for the first time on Sunday morning with two friends for brunch. I loved the look of the place right off, it's straight out of the 40s from the posters on the walls to the old school tin ceilings. Super charming. The lady working that day was also wonderful, very helpful and welcoming. She very patiently answered the mountain of questions we all had about menu items we'd heard of, but weren't exactly sure we knew what they were (ie: knishes. They're delicious, that's what they are). The menu items my friends ordered looked fantastic, but I'd ordered the special of the day and I certainly didn't regret it. The special was the Deli Benny, Eggs Benny served with smoked meat on top of potato latkes with a knish served on the side. It was lighter than I'd expected, but not at all in a bad way. I finished everything on my plate and felt satisfied but not weighed down like I'd anticipated. Hali Deli is a wonderful addition to Agricola Street. I live over in Dartmouth and I'll make the trip once more some Sunday morning just to eat here again. As someone who didn't have the luxury of growing up around delicious, authentic deli food I'm rating this as a bit of an amateur, but I'm pretty confident my star rating will hold up. I can't speak to the authenticity, but as far as flavour, presentation, service and atmosphere go, this place is aces in my books. read more

Ahhh.... one of those review where you wish you could give a half star. This was really a 3.5 for me. Moving right along... Being originally from Montreal, I grew up with this kind of food... Montreal having such a large Jewish population. I was very excited at a traditional deli finally opening up in Halifax. Popped in with a fellow ex-pat Montrealer and we figured we would give this place a workout! First, the atmosphere and decor is all deli. This would fit right in on the Main in Montreal. Good start. The service throughout the meal was attentive and prompt. The menu is a pretty concise choice of deli favorites. I ordered the matzoh ball soup and the smoked meat sandwich while my friend had the Reuben. The soup was absolutely fantastic. The single large matzoh ball was nice and airy as it should be and the broth was beautifully flavourful, with a few thinly sliced carrots. The smoked meat was somewhat disappointing for a native Montrealer, but still the best I've had in Halifax. They use Lester's smoked meat, which is known back home as a bit of a "mass produced" product but at least Hali Deli brings in the full brisket, steam in and then hand slice it. They will soon be sourcing their rye bread from Montreal as well, enhancing the authenticity. The french fries were fantastic, but the coleslaw was virtually inedible, with barely any dressing, and the cabbage tasting like it had just been shredded moments before. One complaint I have is that the restaurant only accepts cash. Sure, they have an ATM in the back but seriously in 2012? Minor complaint though.... I will be back for a nice taste of home. read more

I can't wait to try this place again! I don't eat pork and so it was nice walking into a place and knowing I didn't have to worry about forgetting to specify no bacon on something. I had a really hard time deciding what I wanted even after much online perusal. I've always wanted to try matzah ball soup but decided to go for the smoked meat and corned beef sandwich with a side of potato salad because I loooooove potato salad but can't make it for my life. As it turns out I much prefer corned beef to smoked meat, but both were really good. I also tried deli mustard for the first time, was just a Heinz brand, but I enjoyed it anyway. The only thing I didn't care for with the sandwich was the rye bread. It didn't withstand the weight of the meat and fell apart easily. I'd go sourdough next time. The potato salad was good, huge portion though so be forewarned. They also serve a proper cole slaw, none of that creamy, sweet crap found everywhere else. The hubby and I split a chocolate milkshake. Complete with cherry on top, but not meant for one. Old fashioned, with real ice cream and whipped cream on top. Yummmm! I wish I'd taken a pic of mine, but you can partly see mine in the pic of my hubby's plate. I highly recommend the French fries!! Hands down, they are the best fries I've ever had included homemade and the ones I love from The Battered Fish. If I wasn't so stuffed I would have kept eating them, hehe. There are so many things I want to try off the menu, getting back there is a top eatery priority. Our server was fantastic, she was quick, friendly and made suggestions and answered the few questions we had. The bathroom was clean and adorable. The place is kind of small but charming with its old timey Hollywood pictures and the like. Definitely give this place a shot if you're kicking around Halifax's north end. *edited for minor grammar & spelling read more

Hali Deli - Smoked meat club, the world's best fries! Yummy chocolate milk shake & the side of my own smoked meat/corned beef sandwich - Delicatessen Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

I've been here more times than I can count! * Pros: Fantastic food. Friendly service. Reasonably priced. Large portions. * Cons: cash only. Not licensed. read more

I was soooooooooooooooooo excited to vist Hali Deli, I was watching and waiting on facebook for when it was going to open! So finally I dragged my boyfriend down on Sunday morning... I was in delight! I ordered Matza ball soup, and a ruben! We recieved our soup, i was so dissapointed, it was literally LITERALLY 2 pieces of carrot, the ball was really grainy and i didnt like it. ESPICALLY FOR $6!!!!!! My ruben was good, I have definatly had better at little diners in Halifax. The saurkraut had no flavor and the bread was much to small for the sandwich. ........and to kick off my 1 star rating... my bill came... $52.60!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR LUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my jaw almost dropped. they should be ashamed of themselves for charing these prices! THIS IS NOT NEW YORK! Will absoutley not be back.. and really sad about it. Sorry Hali Deli read more

Fannnnnntastic! Absolutely taste! I have been looking forward to checking out the Hali Deli for quite sometime, and my first visit did not disappoint. A cozy feeling, old style entry way/signage gives way to the exact same feeling in the dining room. The good old way to do restaurants! A staff that is warm and welcoming, inviting you to sit where you'd please. A menu chock-a-block with so many amazing sounding dishes, I can't wait to go back. Not to mention the funny and helpful 'Deli Food Dictionary' and 'Yiddish 100' on the back page. My eyes and my stomach were immediately drawn to "Reuven's Rueben" and no others could sway me (for this visit that is).. even the server was excited for my selection! The food came promptly thereafter and it was an absolute delight on a plate! Fries crispy on the outside, warm and tasty on the inside. Homemade 'slaw that wasn't dripping in dressing, but rather fresh and crispy.. and a sandwich I didn't want to end. Two slices of rye holding in a heaping helping of corned beef, fresh sauerkraut and melted swiss cheese. Topped with a dash of russian dressing... all equaling sandwich glory. I left Hali's Deli with a smile on my face, a full belly, and an excitement to return again! read more

Decided to drop by here during lunch hour after hearing all the fuss about the food and smoked meat. I love the style & vibe this place is trying to recreate, if I was within walking distance, I'd drop by more often. On this day, I tried their special which was the mac & cheese & half smoked meat sandwich for ~12$ While other reviews get picky about the meat and authenticity of its source (hey I lived in Montreal too), bottom line is that the sandwich is a lot better than many other joints in town. The mac & cheese, or should I say mac & cheese with bits of smoked meat is naughty. It's a tad different than what I was expecting. I liked how it thickened as it cooled off. The only downside is that with a pop, I paid ~17$ which to me is a few dollars more than my threshold for a lunch meal. read more

Man this place is great. I get the Mish Mash Hash and it's so yummy, filling and without the bread it's gluten free. The menu is charming with it's little yiddish dictionary and the all the time breakfast rocks my socks. Try Hali Deli if you're looking for something a little better than deep fried battered Bulls#!$. :) Five stars, all the way. Right out of the fridge, man. read more

I've only been to Hali Deli once, but it was memorable! My husband and I stopped in last summer and it was busy! We waited excitedly for a table to open up (it only took a few minutes) and immediately ordered some of the smoked meat. Oh my it was everything I ever could have dreamed for. Make sure you bring some cash (or are okay with using the ATM in the back) because they don't take card, but it is worth it! read more

I wondered in a the Hali Deli hungry and wanting to try the deli in the area. Not much change inside from when it was Cousins. I ordered the Reuben sandwich at $11.99 plus tax and I expected a little more. The meat was pretty abundant and good although the bread did not look or taste like rye. It was real soggy and if it was toasted I couldn't tell. The fries were not cooked enough and could have been moved around in the fryer as they had raw spots from where they were touching while cooking. Coleslaw was old school with a red vinegar and pickle spear crisp both good. Over all it was not bad but nothing special. Would I go back ? Well not for the Reuben. read more

What a great treat! C and I visited Hali Deli this evening and it was a great experience. So comfy cozy and easy. The restaurant was half full when we arrived with very happy patrons. Everyone was raving about their food. I had a very hard time deciding what to eat. First of all: I only eat proper smoked meat in Montreal. Always Schwartz's or Snowdon Deli. You won't find better anywhere else so why try? Second of all: The menu is filled with favourites. Many things my Grandmother would make, food I grew up with and food I discovered and loved at other Jewish delis. I decided to have good old fashioned brisket with their hand cut fries and some tzimmes on the side. The brisket was outstanding. Nce and flavourful, a little bit fatty and nice and stringy. The way brisket should be at a Jewish deli. The fries were so crispy and great. A tad bit too salty for my liking. And the tzimmes was okay. Not nearly as good as my Grandmother's but it will do. C had the brisket sandwich which he truly loved. The bread looked lovely. The menu is really great here. You have many options so you should be able to please most people. This food isn't healthy. It is comforting and delicious. Well done! read more

I wrote a negative review back in the fall and for some reason it was filtered out. However, I still think it's important for people to know that the grilled cheese sandwiches are made with cheese slices and not real cheese. That's like making smoked meat out of bologna. I've been back once since then and had a mediocre breakfast, plus the prices are over the top expensive. Especially since they don't take debit cards. It's disappointing since it seemed like such a good idea at the time and it's not far from where I live. I miss the old Cousins. Such great food and such reasonable prices that I never minded paying cash. read more

After reading a mouth-watering description of Hali Deli's burger for Burger Week 2016, Mike and I had to go. This was our first visit after driving past it for who knows how long, vowing to try it out someday. We came at the beginning of the supper rush so we were able to find a table (it filled right up shortly after we arrived). Service was super-prompt. We both had the Burger Week burger, which came with smoked meat and latkes. They were sooooo gooood. I nearly dislocated my jaw trying to eat it. :-D Decor is just the kind restaurant-renovation type shows can't stand: lots of personal photos, articles and old posters on the walls. It's also just the type we like; it makes the resto homey and inviting. Prices are incredibly reasonable. The rest of the menu is calling my name so we will definitely be returning! read more

I would guess that I've been here about 15 times since his place opened. With the exception of one solo lunch, I've always gone with at least 2 or three people and we've sampled each other's food, so I've tried most of the menu. I have never had anything of the main dishes that I truly disliked from this place. My favorites are probably the smoked meat hash, the melt-in-your-mouth brisket sandwich, and the Hali dog. I am not madly in love with the sides, but there is nothing that I didn't finish, in the end. I've struck out every time I've tried a dessert, so I finally gave up on those. I like the vintage feel of the place, but have found it quite cramped before. Parking is not great, so prepare go park on a side street and cross your fingers if you have to cross Agricola. The service is always pretty fast, but there are varying degrees of friendliness. The only thing I really don't like is the cash-only aspect. However, the food is so good that I don't mind hitting up an ABM before going. read more

I ended up staying at the little Inn across the road from Hali Deli for the better part of a week, and I spent quite a bit of time here both working and eating. First let me say that the staff were very friendly, easy to talk to, and filled the experience with the the charm and warmth I've come to expect in the Atlantic Provinces. The old style diner setting is inviting and familiar. I'd like to give a complete review of the various deli style options on their menu, but I couldn't get past their all beef salami, and that is pretty much all I ordered. I like smoked meat, but I love a good salami. And this is very good. My favorite salami delivery vehicle on their menu is the grilled cheese deluxe which comes with tomato and a healthy portion of thick cut salami (or smoked meat or corned beef). But the straight forward all beef salami sandwich , which is a stack of thick cut salami more than an inch thick on rye, is also very good. The fries looked good, but since I'm not supposed to eat them, I stuck with their green salad. I have to say that the dressing was surprisingly good, with the flavour of the quality olive oil clearly dominate with only minimal additional flavours in the mix. Very good. The split pea soup was also quite good. My only complaint about this establishment is that it is cash only with one of those expensive ATMs in the corner. I understand why restaurants do this, but I really don't like it. But while the cash only thing is enough to keep me from going back to a lot of places, the overall quality at Hali Deli makes it nothing more than a minor annoyance. So if you are in Halifax, give Hali Deli a try. I think you'll enjoy it. read more

After first coming here about a month ago, I've been back four times since: Twice by myself on the weekend for breakfast. Tried the corned beef hash (9.99 with pan fried potato, caramelized onions, topped with an egg served with rye or challah). DELICIOUS. The toast was buttery and toasted lightly (perfection for me), the meat fell apart amongst the potato and it just hit that greasy spot I craved. I could only eat about half so took the rest to go, which I nibbled on at home hours later. Also had a chocolate shake which was good, but that is always a mistake for me because I will be full from it even before the food arrives. The other breakfast was their Heli Benny which comes with your choice of meat, so I opted for the smoked turkey. And instead of an English muffin, they are served on the potato latkes. A buttery croissant-like bun is served with it (it probably has a name that I just don't know! lol), so this breakfast was pretty much just as good as the last. Also, I came for lunch twice more with the same friend from the first visit. He loved their any-time-of-day breakfast as well, noting the hash was delicious and only topped by the hash which is sold at the Sydney Casino? LOL I opted for a root beer float this time, which comes with a bottle of Dad's Root Beer and overflowed a bit, but was yummy. The grilled cheese deluxe (9.99 with salami and tomato) was quite gooey but good, and I had to take half home again. One day I tried these Cabbage balls? which were four good-sized meatballs in a sweet tomatoey cabbage sauce, served with semi-dry mashed potatoes and a small dish of sweet sliced carrots. This was satisfying and I had to take a doggie bag again. Both of our favorites though is the smoked turkey sandwich, with tons of thinly sliced meat, crispy lettuce to add a good texture, few slices of red onion? and a dash of sweet honey mustard. I've never used refreshing as a word to describe a sandwich before, but this one almost has a thirst-quenching quality to it with the cold, fresh turkey. Their turkey noodle soup is simple and standard, but hits the spot. Their Hali Dog (quarter pound all beef dog with sauerkraut, caramelized onions, hot pepper relish and melted Swiss 8.99 with side), is delicious as well. My first bite I found it quite spicy from the relish, but as I ate it, I didn't find it spicy at all, but tons of flavor and very filling. First time trying a knish and found it yummy, just a perfect small bite of flavor before a meal. Their Chicken Soup Pot (9.99 large serving of chicken coup, matzah ball, chicken & egg noodles served actually in a pot) was great. One big matzah ball (my first time trying) with huge chunks of meat, some carrots, etc. So simple yet satisfying. And surprisingly, I would have to say their cheesecake is the best in HRM. I thought it would be basic, with caramel sauce, but it was melt in your mouth, not too rich or sweet. Also had it with strawberry one day and that was very good too, but the caramel was better. Friendly, simple service each visit. My only complaint is that it is cash only, and I rarely carry cash, so one time had to use their ATM and was hit with unwanted banking fees. However, they will give you a free knish if you show them the ATM receipt, so you aren't really out that much. Came for breakfast on New Year's Day morning and it was pretty busy so had to sit at the counter, which was fine. Service a bit slower, but I was in no rush. Delicious corned beef hash was as good as last time, so this place is very consistent. Tried a big slice of homemade chocolate cake to go, which I ate pretty much as soon as I got home. Very fresh and satisfying. I look forward to going back here to try more things on the menu for sure, but hard to not get that turkey sandwich. read more

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This might be to only true Deli in Halifax (or even Nova Scotia). The fare is simple comfort food with a twist of modern. Nothing too fancy just consistently fulfilling. I always get the Hali dog with fries, comes with melted cheese, hot pepper relish, sauerkraut and caramelized onions. The fries are fresh cut. Seating is limited and it's generally busy on the weekends, but the tables move pretty quickly. For North End, it's a must try. read more

Out of my Burger Week experiences, Hali Deli was the least favorite. The burger was dry, bland and didn't have nearly enough condiments on it. The burger sounded better on the passport than in reality I'm afraid. And to make it worse, I noticed that one of the tomatoes still had its produce sticker towards the end of my meal. Not a nice touch. I made it a point to explore new restos during burger week. Too bad Hali Deli didn't make enough of an impression to get me to come back. read more

Hali Deli - The lackluster burger week offering - Delicatessen Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Great food, nice friendly atmosphere. It's like one of those old school diners that you would love to take your kids to every Sunday morning. The kind of place that feels home-y and relaxed. It's not just the atmosphere. The food makes this place really special. As someone who doesn't eat pork, I really appreciate the Kosher cuisine, it totally changed the breakfast experience for me! The quality matches the diverse options of dishes. Will be there again. Only comment: the place seemed understaffed on a busy Sunday morning, there was only one server. The man tried his best to keep everyone happy, but sometimes the answer is to just get more servers! The overall experience was well worth the small negatives though. read more

I love everything about this breakfast spot. The atmosphere, the food! I always want to order lunch, but every time.. I order the smoked meat hash. (Smoked meat mixed with hash browns, egg and home-made challah toast) You can't resist it. It's one of the only places that you can go to and feel like you're really in a 1940's-50's dinner. Not re-created to look like a 50's dinner..It feels like it hasn't been changed since 1948. With a lunch counter, milk shake machine, the whole 9 yards. All the food that comes out of the kitchen looks fantastic, next time I will venture away from breakfast, or so I tell myself. read more

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#BurgerWeek2016 #round5 The Hali Deli was a unique experience definitely one of the coolest looking interiors I've seen around the city. The Burger on the other hand committed a Lon unforgivable sin.... bad bun to meet ratio! Maybe this was suppose to be a slider but ran out of slider buns! Burger patty was tasty but seemed like it was kept in a steamer for warmth! Smoked Meat! Had great taste but I prefer thinly sliced! The highlight of this creation was the pepper jelly, it filled my tastebuds with spice and happiness! Service 7/10 read more

Hali Deli - Hali Deli! Pepper Jelly! - Delicatessen Near Me - Halifax, Nova Scotia

LOVED the food here. Sandwiches were PACKED with meat. Was here for 1.5 days and we came here for both our lunches because we loved it that much. Staff was very friendly and attentive (even when it was busy...they know how to hustle). Street parking outside...I think it was free...if not, oops. I would say the restaurant fits about 25 people...? Was here after visiting the Citadel (around 11:30) and the place was pretty packed before noon. Reuben sandwich - usually you would get a soggy sandwich but not here...was not overloaded with sauerkraut...perfectly dressed...perfect amount of cheese...bread nicely toasted and buttered...the smoked meat was warm and abundant (with a good ratio of the more fattier bits). 5/5 Smoked meat sandwich - PACKED with meat...nothing missing here! 5/5 Coleslaw - not mayo coleslaw...more vinegery...very good and not too oily. 4/5 Potato salad - They make it fresh in-house and it is the best potato salad I have had in a deli...there is egg in this so, if you have allergies, beware!!! 5/5 Fries - not soggy and came out hot and crispy 4/5 Would highly recommend this place to all who visit Halifax! read more

Stopped in here for lunch last week. It has a neighbourhood diner type feel to it. The service was prompt and fairly friendly. I had a reuben and it was very good. My only complaint with it is that the bread is way too small for the amount of fillings and I quickly ended up with a messy handful of meat, sauerkraut, cheese and dressing. Also, the fries were burned on every plate on our table. I ate one. It's too bad because they looked like nice hand-cut fries. If the fries had been edible then I wouldn't have minded the price ($12.99), but for a sandwich on too-small bread, burned fries and coleslaw lacking flavour I felt it was a little pricey. read more