Maven’s Delicatessen
Looking for a traditional meat-stuffed deli sandwich? Look no further than Maven’s Delicatessen. Maven’s pays tribute to the delicatessens of the past while serving delicious mouthwatering food to the patrons of the present. Owned and run by the dynamic duo of founder Jason Sugarman, and culinary director Jaime D’Oliviera, the restaurant plays on homemade Jewish traditions, while adding a few new favorites to the menu. Their breakfast menu features “Bagels and Schmear,” Blintz, Potato Latkes, Challah French Toast, Kreplach, Knish, Pastrami Hash, lox, and Kasha Varnishkes, ranging in price from $4 for a bagel and schmear, to $17 for a mouth-watering sandwich called The Golem: a griddled challah bread with fried egg, swiss, pastrami, salami, thousand island, and sauerkraut. An amazing breakfast to start the day. Their main menu features salads, sandwiches, soup, and hotdogs. Feeling extra hungry? Maven’s offers pastrami sandwiches up to ¾ of a pound for $28. Make sure to come hungry.
Maven’s Delicatessen 727 East Ave. Pawtucket mavensdeli.com
Navad Bakers
Certified Kosher – Originally called Buns Bakers, Navad Bakers officially launched on April 26, 2020, but began as a seed planted in a baker’s head in Tel Aviv over a decade ago. Navad, meaning Nomad in Hebrew, is aptly named due to its company’s origin. Head baker and owner, Guy traveled the world baking, learning, and experiencing, eventually landing in Providence by way of Johnson & Wales University. During the pandemic, Guy began baking like a fiend, a not-uncommon trend during those days. Although, unlike most of us, this coping mechanism spurred his inner passion, which he then offered to his community. With great interest from the hungry patrons, Navad Bakers was born. Currently without a storefront, the company has been branching out in any way it can. From farmer’s markets, catering, and collaborations, the company continues to prosper. In March of 2023, they started a partnership with Whole Foods and decided to rebrand from Buns Bakery to Navad Bakery. According to their website, “We are still the same team behind the product with a name that we feel better represents us and our mission.” A mission that continues to grow, bringing traditional Jewish baking to RI. Navad’s bakery includes Challah, Babkas, Rugelach, Bourekas, and pretzels. Prices range from $4 for a challah pretzel, to $30 for Ceremonial Challah. Baked goods can be picked up from their production facility in East Providence, and also from various farmer’s markets, and the Jewish Community Center in Providence on Friday. This company is sure to keep rising, just like their challah.
NAVAD Bakers 63 Commercial Way, East Providence navad.com
Ahava Catering
Recently one of Providence’s favorite Jewish Deli and Markets, Bubbie’s, closed its doors to the great loss of the Hope Street Community. Luckily this allowed coowner Freda Ronkin to focus on her solo project; Ahava Catering. Ahava Catering, established in 2017, has been providing New England gourmet Glatt Kosher food and catering services from Newport all the way up to New Hampshire. The family-owned business is focused on assisting the Jewish community with all their Kosher food needs. The menu is enormous, offering foods to feed anywhere from 5 to 500 people. It includes bagels, cold salads, Shavuot options such as Noodle Kugel and Blintz, Kiddush, deli platters, warm meals like brisket and schnitzel, and even hand-packed candy. Prices range largely based on the size of the event. The food looks amazing.
Ahava Catering 727 Hope St. PVD ahavacatering.com
Oak Bakeshop
At Oak Bakeshop, Jewish baked goods stand alongside some of your favorite classic pastries. Oak Bakeshop offers a full coffee bar, as well as hamantaschen, rugelach, Jerusalem bagels, and knish, but also cookies, muffins, and cinnamon buns! Their mission is to explore and share Jewish traditions, culture, and beyond, through food. Prices range from $1 rugelach to a $56 half-sheet pan of coffee cake. Bring along one of Oak Bakeshop’s delicious coffee cakes, and you are sure to be the most popular person at the next coffee date with your friends. With the number of Jewish bakeries seeming to dwindle after the loss of Rainbow Bakery, Bubbies, and Rebelle, it’s great to see other eateries keeping traditions alive. It is only with the support of a community that any business can thrive, and with such commitment, passion, and absolutely delicious eats, these companies deserve your patronage. Make sure to stop by and pick up a black-and-white cookie, challah, pastrami, or delicious lox, and continue to help these hard-working individuals live their dreams, keeping history alive, and bellies full. L’chayim.
Oak Bakeshop 130 Cypress St. PVD oakbakeshop.com
