Jodi F.
Yelp
It's hard to find a decent popover in this town, unless you're at a country club or dining at the Oak Street Grill, but really--ain't nobody got time for that on their lunch hour! That is unless you are hit up the skyway-level Brother's Deli.
Across the skyway from Chipotle, this place doesn't look like much from the outside, which is probably why it took me more than four years to find my way there. Now I can't seem to eat anywhere else during the winter months, except Andrea's Pizza, that is (sorry, BD, the food trucks always win out spring - fall).
Between my friends and I, we've tried a range of menu items, from reubans to their plays on fresh and grilled turkey sandwches and even their salmon is tasty. This place is legit!
It is my love of the popover that brought me to one surprising menu item that I can't get enough of -- the Thai crunch chicken salad. Oh. My. God. Divinity off of Nicollet Avenue! Yes, it is really strange that a Jewish deli is serving a Thai salad but don't question, just eat it! Blended together in just the right lettuce-to-topping-protein ratio are: edamame, chicken, wonton strips, napa and red cabbage, cucumbers, red peppers, carrots and peanuts; which are then tossed in a light lime-cilantro dresssing and topped with spicy peanut sauce. To make it even better, you get a barely sweet, super eggy popover and honey-butter with your salad.
As if this place could get any cooler, there's also a salad bar for all customers to enjoy. To be clear, as a certified germaphobe, I'm no salad bar eater. Here, I make an exception but only becuase of one thing--their potato salad! I don't know what their secret it but what they've got going on puts all other potato salads to shame (mom's, standard mustard, egg, German, you name it). Somehow BD has managed to marry smashed potatoes and potato salad via a mix of green onions and what I suspect to be sour cream and mayo. No matter how big your order is, leave room for the potato salad--it's a mouth experience you won't soon forget.
The only reason BD doesn't get five stars from me is it really is hard to find a place to sit when you eat there, so I always make sure to go after 1, when it is a bit (but only a bit) quieter. When you do find a seat, though, the tables are often dirty because there's no time for cleanup (althought there certainly should be) when people are churning and burning through the restaurant. Also, the customer service is meh--meaning they're busy and they don't have time to hear you hmm and haw over what to order. It's kind of soup Nazi-like in that way.
How does one not waffle when ordering at BD, though? By looking at their menu online ahead of time. Their menu is massive, so it really is a good idea to spend some time reflecting before you go.
You just can't go wrong with BD, no matter what you order or the distance you travel for your lunchtime fare. And for real, don't forget the potato salad!