Federal Delicatessen

Federal Delicatessen
Yeah! ehm I mean well done!
I just ordered Griddle Cake and got the pure Awesomeness.
It looks really good and tasty, the cakes were fresh made after my order!
Nice Price and also nice Service. Very polite!
Í felt really comfortable there. The Tea is quiet nice aswell.
Yeah, you should visit the Federal Delicatessen!
I´m from Germany and totaly impressed! :)

We are in Auckland for two nights and have already eaten here twice. The food is amazing and the staff could not be more attentive or friendly. I told my husband I think the turkey on rye is the best sandwich I have ever had. It has a multitude of flavor a blended to perfection. Yesterday we both had the matzoh ball soup (needing some comfort food after a 15 hour flight). It was delicious. It was not like the matzoh ball soup I am used to but yummy nonetheless. My husband had a pastrami mishmash today that was also delicious. I would go back again and again if we had the time!

Try their chicken sandwich. Chicken crackling is delicious & the side of gravy just tops it off! Great atmosphere. One of my favourite spots in Auckland.

I think that everybody, foodie or otherwise, has an eatery which they feel really taps in to who they are as a diner. For some it may be the quick reliability of McDonalds, for others it’s the sprawling decadence of a degustation and for me, it’s the joyful ambiance of The Federal Delicatessen.
I’ve eaten at the Fed many times now and each visit has been for a very different social occasion. Be it a date with my partner, a get-​to-​know-​you session with a new colleague, or brunch catch up with a group of friends, The Fed is going to ensure a good time is had.
While I don’t have a particular soft spot for Americana, there’s something about this Traditional Jewish-​American style diner that really draws me in. It’s bustling but not overly busy, it’s casual without being cheap, it’s cosy without being imposingly serious. The Fed has a presence that many other establishments wish they could emulate but are unable to pinpoint.
Al Brown has delivered a great thematic menu here that doubles down on the pastrami and caffeine to marvellous effect. I wouldn’t so much recommend going for bagels here, as you’d might as well just visit Best Ugly is that’s your thing. The Fed specialises in warm, hearty comfort food and yummy diner fare. Anything with pastrami is a must-​try — especially their infamous Rueben, which is season with «Not too hot Sauce» for an extra element of deliciousness. The pies are fab and go well with a steaming hot of (your choice of either Havana or Supreme) filter coffee, which you can have refilled infinite times for the price of one cuppa.
My main recommendation would be to find a few items you’re interested in and share them between yourself and others — this communal style of eating is really the best way to ‘do’ The Fed.
To top it all off, you can get your parking validated for the Skycity lot opposite the diner, which means you only have to haul your dangerously stuffed self a few metres before getting on your way home to sleep off all the food.

We had to wait half an hour for a seat, which I took as a good sign, I had read about this place online and seen the owner enthuse about it in the video on their website. One word, AMAZING! Simply the best Ruben sandwich I have ever tasted, melt in the mouth meat packed with flavor and served on perfectly toasted fresh bread. Slaw on the side finished it off. Not forgetting the bottomless drip coffee, something you miss when away from the US. Top score for the Fed… I’ll be back!

Here’s a challenge for you — fire up Unilocal,and search for the most reviewed restaurants in the city. In fact, I’ll save you the trouble:
1. Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar
2. Federal Delicatessen
3. Best Ugly Bagels
In addition to being the top three most reviewed restaurants in the city, all three have average ratings of 4 stars or more. Oh, and did I mentioned that all three are owned by Chef and TV Presenter Al Brown? Al? I bow down before you, because all three of your establishments are absolutely sensational.
Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere?
In contrast to neighboring Depot Eatery, Federal Delicatessen will immedietly remind you of a New York City or Montréal Deli, with abundant bar stools and casual seating both inside and out in addition to an open kitchen where you can watch the magic happen in front of you. Things can get a bit hectic almost regardless of the time of day, but I didn’t have an issue getting a seat around 1000 on a holiday Tuesday. Service is friendly given how hectic things can be and once ordered the dishes come out quickly.
Since it doesn’t really fit anywhere else, I’ll point out here that Federal has one of the single greatest menus I’ve ever seen. If you crave it and it traditionally can be found in a deli, Federal will deliver, and it will be excellent. Star Granted.
Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost?
The entire menu at Federal is reasonable given the restaurant’s popularity and the fact that you’re in Auckland. While I did cringe just a tiny bit paying NZ$ 17.50 for Mish-​Mash (more on that later), this turned out to be a significant portion as you can see in the picture below. Good value. Star Granted.
Stars 3 and 4: How was the food?
I should start off here by saying that I typically don’t care for peas nor do I particularly fancy fried eggs that are runny in the middle, but this dish almost single handedly made me a believer in both.
Mish-​Mash, as it’s labeled, is pastrami hash mixed in with peas, a fried egg, and some mustard on the side. I added hot sauce to the mix, and the dish was absolutely brilliant. The ratio of some of the best pastrami I’ve ever had an potatoes was fantastic, and dare I say that the peas and the fried egg enhanced things even further. The flavors here were unlike any hash I’ve had previously, and I’m a massive fan of breakfast hash. Come here. Order this. Have your life changed for the better. Dual Stars Granted.
Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could?
Without question or hesitation. Star Granted.

Best Toasted Rueben I’ve ever had. Better than Katz’s Deli and Canters Deli. This place is very well thought out with great attention to detail. The staff seem happy too. You must try this place!!!

Triple P
Pastrami, Poutine, Pickles!!!
Yum yum YUM — I am coming tomorrow to re treat my tummy so delicious I highly recommend the Rubén!
Every single thing even the salads are made to order I recommend sitting at the counter to witness the superb organisation of staff and head chef– very cool!

OH MY GEE! Now I know why this place earned a Review of the Day earlier this year. So freakin’ good to the last bite! So thus far, I’ve only ordered take-​away, but by looking at how busy this place was I had to try it out. The dining area appeared a bit congested, but not as congested as it’s neighbor, Depot. A classic dining look that I know a date would simply adore!
Loved the service from the sweet hostess there. She took my order, offered me a table as I waited, and served me a glass of water. All with a smile!
This is all I ordered, but I’ll be back:
~ The Toasted Reuben Sandwich ($ 22): Damn this had some thick cut and moist pastrami. Sitting between some toasted buttery rye bread. And that soft melted Swiss cheese, omg! x 2. Sauerkraut, wish there was a bit more as I didn’t really notice it. Mustard and some Russian dressing; Both just brought out the flavor of that pastrami. If you can’t decide what to get, try this!
~ Creamy Slaw with peanuts ($ 6): Interesting little mix here. It’s a side order, but they give it to you in a good-​sized bowl. Had some shredded crunchy cabbage that you can just taste the freshness. Maybe a bit too much with the dressing, but wasn’t bad. The peanuts sat on top, but mixed all up made for a good compliment.
There’s just way too many things on their menu that I’ve got a try. Check it out. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Cheers!

This is one of our favourite place. We’ve tried most of the food there and they never fail to impress. The poutine to the chicken sandwich to hotdog, salads, ny steak, schticks and many more they are just too good. And wow the cheesecakes are just divine! Banoffee pie, lemon meringue and pumpkin pie are our favourite. The 3 way combo is a good deal and it’s enough to share around.
My favourite salad was their eggplant salad. It hasn’t been in the menu for a while but I’m hoping they bring it back soon.

When in Auckland I can’t wait to have breakfast or brunch at the Federal! Everything I’ve tried has been great, but I have to say my favorite would have to be the Griddle Cakes, get them to share or just for yourself. I don’t judge. I also love the Latkes (Lox and hashbrowns), or Treyf (their Eggs Benedict). I always wanted to try their bloody mary, but haven’t got a chance yet. It’s nice that they do free refills on coffee or tea, makes you feel like you are in a diner in USA. The staff has always been friendly, and I do enjoy the hipster vibe in here! All in all a great place to start your day! I’m excited to try their lunch or dinner menu in the future!

OMG. Don’t ever change; Shine on you crazy hipsters.
Order…the…Reuben.
No seriously; order the Reuben.

Came here one evening and shared a variety of items off the menu:
Lemon sole — light but flavorful. It is topped with some thinnly sliced almonds and herbs. Very delicious.
NY steak — the steak is cut up into small pieces and topped with butter and a side of salad. It was good to eat, but I’d say a bit average.
Poutine — the French fries were topped with a tasty gravy and cheese chunks.
3 dessert combo — cheesecake, banana cream pie, and pumpkin pie. — I normally really enjoy pumpkin pie but I was a little disappointed. The banana cream was pretty tasty. And the cheesecake was the favorite at the table.

Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really Really really good

I had lunch here yesterday with 3 work colleagues. The food and service is always terrific and they mix the best Bloody Mary’s which come in a giant Mason jar.
I ordered the salmon latkes which was house cured salmon and a very glam take on a hash brown with lashings of lemon and sour cream. My colleagues all ordered variants of sandwiches — white fish and chicken — all huge and clearly satisfying, but we still ordered a large side of the signature poutine fries — French fries with gravy and cheese curd — a very Canadian delicacy, apparently.
The only negatives here are the acoustics, which based on its popularity may well be unavoidable! It can be incredibly difficult to hear what your dining companion is saying, and the music was also a tad loud and, secondly, the water they serve to everyone, we all agreed, tasted pretty awful! So we ordered bottled sparkling water for the table.
Overall, so long as you arrive by noon, you’re sure to get a good table and have an enjoyable meal.

Hands down the best banoffee pie ever. It’s creamy and sweet, just so so good. I can never get enough. There have been multiple times where we have had the entire pie takeaway for birthday celebrations (because who said birthday cakes had to be cakes). The $ 18 3-​way combo is a great deal. I like to get 2 banoffee and one NY cheesecake. The lemon meringue pie is also top notch, perfectly tangy.
Usually we are here for dessert only (after pigging out at Depot next door) but there are a select few savoury items that are good too. My favourites are: hotdog, chips with added gravy, schticks, chicken sandwich, and mussel chowder.
Service is always efficient, friendly and attentive.

A definite favourite! Al Brown’s masterpiece ‘The Fed’ is right next to his other masterpiece Depot in the SKYCITY restaurant precinct.
The place is designed to like like you’ve stepped back in time into a New York deli.
I’ve tried several dishes having been there many times. For breakfast try the Treyf but put it on one of Al’s Best Ugly bagels. A Treyf if you don’t know is a Yiddish word for ‘not kosher’ and boy this is not kosher! It’s a slab of pickled pork on rye (but seriously, swap the rye for the bagel), topped with poached eggs and a simply amazing horseraddish hollandaise. Seriously try this dish!
For lunch or dinner the spit roasted chicken is good and a side of the fried cauliflower goes great with it. The Turkey Meatloaf and Strip Steak, also good.
And oh my God the pies are excellent. Have the banana toffee one! If you’re with friend try the three pie sampler.
The coffee is bottomless filtered — no fancy schmancy espressos here — we’re in an old deli remember!
And as you check out you can shop for Al Brown’s cookbooks, oils, pickles and other goodies.
Quite simply the place is magic! Even Kerry likes it!

Fed Deli is a bit of a no brainer. The drinks, the staff, the food — no trouble. It’s so good to have a place to fall back on for consistency. It seems like others in Auckland feel the same because it’s always buzzing along with its neighbour Depot.
We ordered the NY Strip Steak with dil butter, green salad and chicken crackling. Perfect to share with the steak conveniently pre-​cut to show off the beautiful medium rare colours. The butter is essential. It’s a bit small for $ 25 but it fits the lunch appetite otherwise.
Next up was the Greenpeace bagel with skordalia, crisp fennel, rocket sauce and dukkah, which wasn’t as green as it looks or sounds. Ohh how I’ve missed the chewy and satisfying Ugly Bagels. Once you’ve tasted one, you’ll never go back. It was definitely piled high with fennel but the simplicity and freshness wins.
After two shared dishes, we couldn’t resist ordering the NYC style hotdog. Hands down, the soft bun and generous relish made something simple so delicious, like a comforting home cooked hotdog where you’d eat it standing up in the kitchen before it even hit the plate.
A bit bold for lunch, we finished off holding our stomachs with the 3 way combo dessert platter. More restaurants should have this option with their desserts! The banana and toffee pie has always been my favourite but now having tried the pumpkin pie and NY cheesecake, it has some competition!
It’s a fun place — you feel like you stepped into an American diner with booths and the open style deli — made complete with waitresses with cute retro uniforms and red lipstick. Don’t go with your health conscious friends who’ll only turn their noses at the deliciousness on the menu. My only gripe is the lack of windows which means going in the afternoon makes you feel like you’ve walked into a dim shut out place. Apart from this week, it’s lucky Auckland has been blessed with beautiful Autumn sunshine, so pop dem sunnies on and enjoy the beautiful feeling of the sun on your neck!

If you have a soft spot for both good old American diner food and great tasting fusion food then this is the place to go. It’s done up in a diner style with booths, a long counter you can sit at and of course standard diner décor and wait staff uniforms. The difference here is that the food is high quality (much higher than an average American diner in the USA) and has some interesting fusion on the menu between old school American comfort food and modern Western cuisine.
The burgers and sandwiches are great as is the poutine (Canadian but it’s the same continent so they can be forgiven). My favourites are the reuben sandwich and any of the burgers. The french fries are delicious and perfectly cooked. Breakfast is standard fare as well — but interesting items include the breakfast salad which I’d highly recommend. The menu changes so have a look before you go. But the desserts — amazing. Key lime pie, cherry pie — you name your favourite American dessert and they probably have it.
Bottomless filter coffee as well just to create that diner atmosphere, but some great cocktails and a good wine list is avilable too. Service is always pretty good. Sometimes have to wait to get a table — but it’s worth it.

I have never been to an ‘old-​school NYC Jewish delicatessen’ before, but if they are anything like Federal Delicatessen («The Fed»), then I am absolutely sold.
The menu is fabulous, seriously never tried ‘schticks’, ‘milk-​fed schnitzel’, ‘salmon latkes’ or ‘Montréal Poutine’ before and the sweet desserts (pumpkin pie, NY cheesecake, banoffee pie, lemon meringue pie and choc cherry pie) are all absolutely delicious.
Also love the décor! Art on the walls, ‘Federal’ bottomless mugs filled with filter coffee, the waitresses’ pastel outfits, the odd knick knacks when you look up (which I only noticed on my second visit to The Fed), the red lined chef’s hats and one of the coolest bar back walls I have seen around Auckland.
Highly recommend ordering the ‘Montréal Poutine’. It is a Canadian dish of fries with cheese curd (melt in your mouth!) and gravy. We shared this between two of us, but it was filling nonetheless. We also tried the ‘schticks’, which are croquettes filled with peas and pastrami — such a beautiful green colour inside! These were also delicious and we could have easily eaten two more plates!
As for the dessert, well, all I have to say is… BANOFFEE PIE! How is their cream so perfectly wavy? And how do they get their banana looking so fresh? Plus, the caramel popcorn on top is sooooooo good! I recommend you get to The Fed as soon as possible just so you can devour this slice of heaven!