Deli King's Latkes

Tis the season for latkes. Clark's only kosher deli, is working overtime this week, frying up the traditional potato pancakes at full Hanukkah speed. But you don't have to be from the tribe to be a fan of the just-greasy-enough discs, which have the perfect potato-to-onion ratio and are served with applesauce, of course. 

Deli King's latke secret? "We blanch them on a flat grill before we deep fry them," says manager Kenny Lavroff. "The searing seals them, so the grease doesn't really sink in."

Latkes aren't just for Hanukkah, but since the holiday kicked off this week, Lavroff and staff have sold more than 1,500 large latkes, 2,500 of the medium variety and 4,000 bite-size minis. Lavroff and his father, Richard, have the latke-making down to a science (they've been at it 28 years here) and use precise proportions of matzo meal and flour so the pancakes aren't too dry, don't fall apart and yield both savory potato and onion flavors upon first bite.

Mother and daughter Elyse and Kayli Spialter of Westfield are regulars here, and call Deli King "the best deli in the area" including – believe it – Manhattan. They like that Deli King makes latkes in different sizes. "If you like them crunchier, you can get the smaller ones," says Elyse, "and if you like the middle a little soft, then you get the large. Plus, you can buy them to reheat later or even freeze for another time."

"They don't crumble and they're never too greasy," says Kayli. "They have just that hint of oil, and you need a little oil or it's not Hanukkah." Kayli didn't like applesauce growing up, so she has her own favorite, if unusual, latke topping – maple syrup. 

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Minis: $0.75 each; medium: $1.50 each; large: $2.25 each. Deli King is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pre-ordering is available, but not required.