Beloved Jewish deli Meshugganah to reopen in west Charlotte
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Rob Clement, the chef and owner of Meshugganah is back at City Kitch, rolling out his popular Jewish deli staples three days a week. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
Meshugganah is back starting Feb. 18.
Why it matters: Known for its Jewish deli classics, the pandemic-era pop-up returns to City Kitch in west Charlotte.
What they're saying: "I just missed cooking for people," chef and owner Rob Clement tells Axios. For Clement, Meshugganah has always been personal.
Catch up quick: Clement launched Meshugganah in September 2020. It quickly built a following for scratch-made Jewish staples like pastrami, matzo ball soup and knishes.
- He had plans to open a deli on Graham Street, but that never happened. Instead, he briefly operated out of City Kitch in 2021, the Observer reported, and led the bakery program with Jon Dressler at Joan's Bakery & Deli in Midtown.
- Then, life shifted. After his wife, Franki, was diagnosed with cancer, his focus moved away from Meshugganah. She died last year, and he turned his attention to raising their two children.
Now, he's back, and says this is her vision, too.
State of play: Meshugganah will operate out of the ghost kitchen (2200 Thrift Road), offering pickup and delivery for lunch from 11am-3pm Wednesday through Friday.
- Clement is running the kitchen solo, though he says he may expand based on demand and catering needs.
- He's also continuing his hospitality consulting work on the side.
What to expect: The classics that made Meshugganah so popular — pastrami sandwiches, potato knishes and matzo ball soup.
- Desserts include black-and-white cookies and rugelach from Meztger's Bakery, a partnership Rob has developed through his consulting work.
Dig in: We sampled several dishes at a preview and talked with Clement about his cooking style.
Matzo ball soup ($8)
Pastrami sandwich ($18)
Noodle kugel ($6)
Babka cookies — yes, cookies (3 for $6)
Fun fact: "Meshugganah" is Yiddish for a crazy person. Clement chose the name in 2020 because it felt crazy to launch a pop-up during a pandemic. Now, he jokes, it's crazy again, running a food business while raising a 6- and 7-year-old.
Between the lines: At home, he says, he's mostly cooking what his kids will eat. "A lot of buttered noodles," he jokes.
That's part of why this comeback matters to him.
- "I'm glad to have an outlet again," he says, explaining that traditional Jewish food, the food he grew up eating, still feels largely untapped in Charlotte's dining scene.
What's next: While the current menu is focused on a handful of items to start, Clement says he plans to roll out additional dishes soon, including a matzo ball gumbo.
If you go: Pick-ups and delivery for lunch will run 11am-3pm Wednesday-Friday. You can place an order via Toast here.