Jerry’s Patio Cafe & Bar

13181 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
310-437-7600
jerryspatiocafe.com

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Those lamenting the recent closure of Jerry’s Famous Deli in Studio City after four decades of business still have a spot to satisfy their deli cravings: Jerry’s Patio Cafe & Bar, located on Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey.

The chain of Jewish delicatessens operated in Encino, Pasadena, Marina del Rey, Westwood, Miami Beach, Costa Mesa, Woodland Hills and West Hollywood. The original Studio City location closed in October 2020, with owners citing the coronavirus pandemic in multiple reports as the reason.

The latest iteration of the longstanding Los Angeles-based brand, described as a “contemporary new eatery and brand new concept” from the team behind the original deli, opened in summer 2020.

“The newly imagined Jerry’s Patio Cafe & Bar offers a streamlined menu of delicious comfort food with a modern twist,” a representative from the restaurant shared.

More than half of the menu is new—including a European-style Chicken Schnitzel sandwich and lighter options like the Impossibly Vegan Burger—but many fan-favorites made the cut.

“Our team is so excited to introduce the next chapter in the evolution of Jerry’s Deli and bring to market a brand new experience with Jerry’s Patio Cafe & Bar,” said Jonathan Mitchell, chief executive officer of Mitchell Hospitality Investments, LLC, which owns Jerry’s Famous Deli. “We’ve given the brand a major upgrade to be compatible with the evolving needs of our guests, from the all-new menu to the al fresco dining experience, which is unlike anything we have done before. With my daughter, Mandy, now on board to bring a fresh new perspective to the brand, we are ready to introduce Jerry’s to a whole new generation of customers.”

Due to Public Health orders, the restaurant is currently operating on a takeout and delivery basis, offering curbside pickup

I started my takeout meal with a bowl of Matzo Ball soup, which is Jerry’s original recipe, inspired by Co-Founder Ike Starkman’s mom’s recipe, chock full of chicken, noodles and carrots, served with a side of crispy bagel chips.

As a semi-regular diner at the original Jerry’s, the soup holds up. It is exactly how I remember—warm, filling and the ultimate comfort food. The soup is available in two sizes: pint or quart. And don’t miss out on the bagel chips, which are crispy and flavorful.

Switching over to sandwiches, I tried Jerry’s Favorite, piled high with pastrami, swiss, Russian dressing and coleslaw, served on classic rye. This update on the classic offering includes a hearty portion of meat, which balances well with the creaminess of the coleslaw.

The next sandwich sampled was the Crispy Chicken, featuring lettuce, mayo and pickle, assembled on a soft French roll. The roll here made the sandwich, with its softness perfectly countering the crispiness of the chicken.

Taking food home, especially when breads, sauces and crispy chicken are involved, is a gamble, but both sandwiches did well after the drive. Ingredients stayed fresh and crispy, even with a delay before diving in.

Sandwiches are accompanied by a dill pickle, as well as a choice of potato salad, coleslaw or chips. Pickles were a standard at the original Jerry’s—and just as good at Jerry’s Patio Cafe & Bar.

Off of the salad menu came the Warm Kasha & Quinoa Bowl—schwarma roasted cauliflower and carrots, Brussel sprouts, golden beets, roasted vegetables and avocado with a red pepper pesto. This was a completely new dish, unlike anything I have tried from Jerry’s, and it did not disappoint.

The dish features a wide variety of vegetables, making every bite slightly different but very satisfying. It was overall very filling, and those who order may have enough leftover for the next day.

When it came to the Sides menu, I tried the Potato Latkes, which come two in an order, served with the classic sour cream and applesauce combination. The latkes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and quite delicious when dipped into the accompanying sauces. The savory/sweet combo works well here.

Rounding out the meal were selections from the Sweets menu, which includes items like Fresh-Baked Cookie, Muffin of the Day and Jerry’s Cheesecake, a slice of Jerry’s creamy classic on a graham cracker-pecan crust. I tried a muffin and a scone, both of which were solid options.

For those looking for a libation to pair with their take-out meal, Jerry’s Patio Cafe & Bar offers an assortment of On The Rocks cocktails to go. Those ordering alcohol must purchase it along with food items.

The Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita, described as a “classic with a kick,” features Tres Generaciones plata tequila, and The Cosmopolitan is crafted with Effen vodka. Not only were both cocktails tasty and somewhat on the potent side, they both were very easy to serve at home, as the mixture inside the bottle is ready to consume.

I already have a list of reasons to return—like the Patty Melt and an all-day breakfast menu with items like Pastrami Burrito and Corned Beef Hash.

I was one of the many who mourned the loss of the original locations, so I am happy to report that none of the quality has been lost at Jerry’s Bar & Patio Cafe and my expectations, rooted in nostalgia, have been exceeded.

Editor’s note: According to a social media post on Wednesday, January 27, Jerry’s Patio + Cafe has closed, with plans to “regroup” and “return to serve” customers.