Ish Delicatessen

My first time coming here and I loved it! I always love supporting local places and this one was awesome :) Love the atmosphere and the friendly staff. The Italian Sub was AMAZING - it's packed and I really loved the generous herbed ricotta spread in it!! I'll be back

I recently was at (ish) for lunch. They are open for breakfast too. (ish) is located in the Oakwood neighborhood in Raleigh. Parking is on the side streets and it wasn't hard to find a spot.The deli is in front of a drugstore so it is on the small side with a handful of tables. When you walk in, you notice the deli meat in the case. Some specials were taped on the glass. I thought it was the menu at first but I was handed a paper menu to make my decision by Chef Fern.I went with the Babagan(ish) as the roasted eggplant and fried halloumi cheese were calling my name that day. I got the sandwich to go as well as Spiedies Chicken Salad as that was sold by a half pint. I hadn't had chicken spiedies in years so needed to try that too. It has taken me a few days to write the review as although I ate the sandwich right away, I had a refrigerator full of leftovers and hadn't tried the chicken spiedies even though I wanted it sooner. The eggplant sandwich stayed warm/hot the whole trip home, about a 30 minute drive, so that was impressive. The first bite was so delicious that I knew I picked the right sandwich for me. The ingredients were generous and the flavors went together so well.The chicken spiedies were also amazing and took me back to my childhood. I couldn't finish so have some left for tomorrow too!One wall is covered with photos mostly of local folks but I did notice some celebrities. I spent time looking at those while waiting for my order. I didn't time it but was told 10 minutes. I don't think it took that long and when it was ready it was brought out to me. It is a combination of Jewish, Italian and Southern delis. My first visit to (ish) was wonderful so I need to make sure to get here more often now that I found this deli.

"Can we get a Reuben sandwich?" my wife asked. The cashier, with a stone face, replied, "No, you cannot." This exchange perfectly encapsulates the restaurant's brand of humor. So, if you're in search of service that's both relaxed and cheerful, this is the place to be. Here, your food isn't just served; it comes with a smile. We finally had the pleasure of sampling Ish in Raleigh, and it was a delightful experience. For those in search of a culinary gem, the delicious sandwiches here will not disappoint, especially if that's your craving. Our choice was their Reuben sandwich with pastrami, and it exceeded our expectations. The flavor was robust, and the pastrami's thickness set a new standard for us. We're eager to return for their corned beef. However, the only drawback, as noted by my wife and myself, was the somewhat small size of the sandwich and its price tag of nearly $17, which could be considered steep by some standards. Despite this, we were charmed by the restaurant's unique and cozy ambiance. It's a laid-back spot that's garnered approval from both newcomers and regulars alike. We're definitely looking forward to our next visit, particularly to try their pickle grilled cheese sandwich.

Got the Smoked Fish Melt sandwich, Reuben sandwich and banana pudding cannoli. All were excellent! Quality ingredients from bread to veggies and proteins. Lovely atmosphere, great service. All around 5 stars!

So this is a quaint little spot that you must try. First, the owner. Very personable and always willing to explain the meal, or generally talk about interesting topics. Super nice and welcoming. Now the important part. They take routine Deli meals and add a twist that can be unexpected but extremely well prepared and flavorful. I would love to try all the items on the menu. But I doubt I'll be able to, they continue to mix it up and try new things. Definitely one and bring your friends, you won't be disappointed

The. Best. Sandwiches. Handsdown. These sandwiches are a flavor explosion. Every bite you taste the fresh cut deli meat. The sauces and slaws pair really well with the perfectly toasted bread. Our order was taken quickly at the counter and the owner was nice and straight to the point. Loved this hometown style deli with the no frills local flair. Will be returning to try something new. IG: @atastytourwithtai

This is quite a drive for me (relatively speaking) but it's worth the time, challenging parking and above average prices.This is one of those places you accept the negative for the authentic and appetizing food quality.If it sounds good on the menu you will most likely love it.

I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to try out Ish! I recently ordered take out for lunch and it was so freaking delicious. I was sharing with my husband and wanted to try all the things. I went for the pastrami Ruben, potato salad with burnt ends, pasta salad, and cucumber salad. The sandwich was really delicious and the sides were great too. My favorite side was the potato salad with burnt ends, super flavorful. I used their online ordering system and my order was ready at 12pm on the dot. They seemed to be a well oiled machine in the kitchen. They were busy back there so no one greeted me when I walked in, which was fine since I had already ordered online. Street parking was easy enough at this time of day. I only wish the sandwich came with a deli pickle, I didn't see the option to buy one either. They did have chips and a few other side items for sale in their market. Overall I look forward to heading back in and trying out some of their other items.

I had the pastrami, grilled on rye with Swiss cheese and mustard that was on par with some of the best I've had in New York City, and New Jersey!! Friendly staff proudly explained the pastrami and the corned beef are prepared on premises. I can't resist making this a regular stop! I need to further explore their menu. They have some very creative specials and it's a very comfortable dining room, located in a cool part of Downtown Raleigh.

Amazing quality, great staff that care about the food they make! My favorite item on the menu is their fish melt.