Unearth The Voyage
When most people think of New Jersey, their minds go straight to boardwalks and beaches. But there’s another kind of comfort here, the kind that comes in a steaming bowl and makes the whole day slow down.
In Freehold, locals and road-trippers keep lining up for the same reason: classic deli food that feels like it’s been done right for years, not weeks.
That’s exactly why Fred and Murry’s Kosher Delicatessen has become a destination. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t need to be.
The draw is simple: familiar flavors, generous portions, and the kind of welcome that keeps people coming back. And if there’s one item that has earned true legend status, it’s the matzo ball soup.
1. The Legendary Matzo Ball Soup That Started It All
Walking into Fred and Murry’s on a cold afternoon, the first thing that hits you is the smell of chicken soup simmering away. Their matzo ball soup has been made the same way for 45 years, using just three ingredients: matzo meal, egg, and salt.
Simple, right? But somehow, they’ve turned these basics into pure magic.
The matzo balls themselves are fluffy yet substantial. They float in rich, golden broth that tastes like someone’s grandmother spent all day making it.
Some customers drive over an hour just for a bowl of this stuff.
I watched families ordering it by the quart to take home. The soup arrives steaming hot, with those perfectly round matzo balls bobbing on top.
Every spoonful delivers comfort that warms you from the inside out.
Sure, one customer complained they were too dense, calling them “cannon balls.” But the owner stood by their recipe, and honestly, most people can’t get enough. The soup has become so popular that people order it even when they’re not feeling sick.
It’s just that good, whether you need healing or just want a taste of tradition.
2. Towering Pastrami Sandwiches That Defy Gravity
The pastrami sandwich at Fred and Murry’s isn’t just food. It’s an architectural wonder.
Seriously, I don’t know how they stack that much meat between two slices of rye without the whole thing toppling over.
Fresh rye bread holds together layers upon layers of tender, perfectly seasoned pastrami. They warm it just right, sometimes with a quick steam or a ten-second microwave zap to eliminate cold spots.
This technique has been around forever in deli culture, despite what one grumpy reviewer claimed.
Customers rave about the quality of the meat. One person said it was the best pastrami and corned beef on rye they’d ever had.
Another drove back specifically for more after their first visit.
The spicy brown mustard cuts through the richness perfectly. Add some half-sour pickles on the side, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’ll keep you full for hours.
Sure, portion sizes mean you might need a nap afterward, but that’s part of the experience. Just make sure you’re hungry when you order, because these sandwiches don’t mess around with dainty portions.
3. Crispy Potato Latkes With Applesauce
Potato pancakes might seem simple, but getting them right takes serious skill. Fred and Murry’s nails it every time with latkes that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
One customer specifically mentioned coming back just for another side of potato pancake with applesauce. That’s high praise for what some people consider a side dish.
These aren’t your average frozen patties heated up in a toaster oven.
The edges get perfectly golden and crunchy. When you bite through that crispy exterior, you hit soft, seasoned potato that melts in your mouth.
The applesauce provides just enough sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
During Chanukah, latkes become even more popular at the deli. People order them by the dozen for holiday gatherings.
They hold up well even as takeout, staying crispy longer than you’d expect.
I’ve seen people order them as an appetizer, a side, or even as their main dish. They’re that versatile and that good.
Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just craving something fried and delicious, these latkes hit the spot without being greasy or heavy.
4. Homemade Knishes That Taste Like Tradition
Knishes are one of those foods that can go terribly wrong in the wrong hands. Too dry, too bland, too heavy.
Fred and Murry’s avoids all these pitfalls with knishes that actually taste homemade.
The brisket knish gets special mention from a first-time kosher deli visitor who fell in love with it immediately. That flaky pastry exterior gives way to a filling that’s moist and flavorful.
Nothing worse than a knish that crumbles into dust when you bite it.
These knishes come in different varieties, from traditional potato to more adventurous options. Each one gets made fresh, and you can taste the difference.
They’re substantial enough to be a meal on their own or work perfectly as a side.
During holiday orders, knishes fly out the door alongside latkes and soup. The catering menu features them prominently because they’re crowd-pleasers that travel well.
Even people who’ve never tried a knish before end up converted after one bite.
The golden-brown crust has just enough crispness without being hard. Inside, the filling stays moist and well-seasoned.
It’s comfort food that connects you to decades of deli tradition with every single bite.
5. Dr. Brown’s Sodas In Every Flavor
You can’t have an authentic Jewish deli experience without Dr. Brown’s soda. Fred and Murry’s stocks all the classic flavors, and customers love having these options.
Black Cherry gets mentioned multiple times in reviews as a favorite pairing with sandwiches. The cream soda also has its fans.
These aren’t your typical Coke or Pepsi offerings.
Dr. Brown’s has been a deli staple for generations. The slightly different flavor profile compared to mainstream sodas makes them special.
They’re sweeter but not cloying, with unique tastes you can’t find anywhere else.
One customer specifically praised the diet cream soda during their first kosher deli experience. It’s these little touches that make the meal feel complete and authentic.
The sodas come ice-cold in glass bottles, which somehow makes them taste even better.
Cel-Ray, the celery-flavored soda, might sound weird to newcomers. But it’s a classic that pairs surprisingly well with salty deli meats.
Whether you stick with familiar flavors or branch out to something unusual, the soda selection adds to the whole nostalgic deli vibe. It’s tradition in a bottle, and people appreciate having access to these old-school beverages that are getting harder to find elsewhere.
6. Corned Beef That Melts In Your Mouth
Corned beef gets mentioned almost as much as pastrami in the reviews. At Fred and Murry’s, they treat both meats with equal respect and expertise.
The corned beef comes from a steam table that keeps it at the perfect temperature. Thin slices stack up on fresh rye bread, creating sandwiches that are just as impressive as their pastrami counterparts.
One reviewer said it was the best they’d ever had.
The meat itself is tender and flavorful without being overly salty. Some corned beef can be tough or dry, but not here.
Each bite practically melts on your tongue, releasing all those savory, spiced flavors that make corned beef so special.
Customers who’ve been coming for years specifically mention the corned beef as a reason they keep returning. The consistency matters.
You know what you’re getting every single time you order.
Paired with spicy brown mustard and those fantastic pickles, the corned beef sandwich becomes a complete experience. It’s the kind of meal that reminds you why delis became such an important part of food culture.
Simple ingredients, expert preparation, and enough love to make it all come together perfectly.
7. Kasha Varnishkas As The Perfect Side
Kasha varnishkas might be the most underrated item on the menu. This traditional Jewish dish combines buckwheat groats with bow-tie pasta, and it’s absolutely delicious when done right.
One reviewer ordered it as a side with their pastrami sandwich and praised how well everything tasted. The nutty flavor of the kasha plays perfectly against the richness of deli meats.
It’s hearty without being heavy.
Not many delis still make kasha varnishkas from scratch. It’s a labor of love that requires toasting the buckwheat properly and getting the pasta-to-grain ratio just right.
Fred and Murry’s clearly knows what they’re doing.
The dish provides a nice alternative to fries or coleslaw if you want something more substantial. It’s filling enough to keep you satisfied but won’t leave you in a food coma.
The texture combination of soft pasta and slightly chewy buckwheat keeps things interesting.
For people who grew up eating kasha varnishkas, finding a deli that still makes it well is like striking gold. It’s comfort food that connects you to family memories and traditions.
Even if you’ve never tried it before, this side dish is worth ordering just to experience something authentically old-school.
8. Chicken Egg Rolls With A Deli Twist
Egg rolls at a kosher deli might seem unexpected. But Fred and Murry’s puts their own spin on this item, and customers are here for it.
One reviewer listed the chicken egg roll as a favorite discovery during their first visit. These aren’t your standard Chinese takeout egg rolls.
They’re made kosher-style with quality ingredients that fit the deli’s overall commitment to freshness.
The wrapper gets fried to perfect crispiness without being greasy. Inside, seasoned chicken mixes with vegetables in a filling that’s flavorful and satisfying.
It’s fusion food done thoughtfully, respecting both traditions.
Some delis stick rigidly to traditional items only. Fred and Murry’s willingness to offer something a little different shows they’re not afraid to evolve while maintaining their core identity.
The egg rolls give customers another option beyond sandwiches and soup.
They make a great appetizer to share or a lighter lunch option if you’re not in the mood for a massive sandwich. The fact that a first-timer specifically called them out as a favorite says a lot.
Sometimes the unexpected items become the most memorable parts of a meal.
9. Fresh Salads That Exceed Expectations
Deli salads often get overlooked as mere sides. Fred and Murry’s makes theirs so good that people order them specifically, not just as afterthoughts.
One customer tried several salads and found them all excellent. Coleslaw, potato salad, and macaroni salad all get made fresh daily.
Recent reviews mention these salads tasting even better than before, possibly thanks to a new chef in the kitchen.
The coleslaw has that perfect crunch with a dressing that’s creamy but not heavy. Potato salad features tender potatoes with just the right amount of mayo and seasoning.
Macaroni salad brings back memories of summer picnics and family gatherings.
These aren’t the watery, flavorless salads you sometimes get at chain restaurants. Each one has distinct flavor and proper seasoning.
They work great as sides with sandwiches or as lighter meal options on their own.
The freshness makes all the difference. You can taste that the vegetables are crisp and the dressings are made in-house.
One reviewer specifically praised how good the salads were, which tells you they’re doing something special. Sometimes the simple things, when done really well, become the most impressive parts of the menu.
10. Half-Sour Pickles That Pack Perfect Crunch
Never underestimate the importance of a good pickle at a deli. Fred and Murry’s serves half-sour pickles that customers specifically mention in their reviews.
These pickles are crisp, tangy, and absolutely essential to the sandwich experience. They’re not the super-salty, super-sour kind that make your face pucker.
Half-sours have a milder, fresher taste that complements rather than overwhelms.
One reviewer who gave the food a low rating still admitted the pickles were pretty good. That’s saying something when pickles are the highlight of an otherwise disappointing meal.
Another customer praised them as “fantastic,” right alongside the pastrami and corned beef.
The crunch matters. A soggy pickle ruins the whole experience.
Fred and Murry’s pickles snap when you bite them, releasing that perfect balance of salt, garlic, and dill. They’re the palate cleanser you need between bites of rich, fatty meat.
Some people come in just to buy pickles by the jar. They’re that good on their own, even without a sandwich.
It’s attention to details like this that separates great delis from mediocre ones. When even the pickles get rave reviews, you know the place cares about quality.
11. The Vintage Atmosphere That Completes The Experience
Food tastes better when the atmosphere matches the quality. Fred and Murry’s nails this with their old-timey setup complete with vintage posters and classic deli vibes.
The place is narrow and packed with character. You’re not here for fancy decor or Instagram-worthy modern design.
You’re here for an authentic experience that transports you back decades. The vintage posters on the walls tell stories of deli culture’s golden age.
Customers mention the atmosphere specifically in their reviews. One person praised the “kosher deli atmosphere” and how all the employees work together seamlessly.
Another loved the old-school vibe that made their meal feel special and authentic.
The restaurant is clean and handicapped accessible despite its vintage feel. They’ve managed to maintain the nostalgic atmosphere while meeting modern standards for cleanliness and accessibility.
That balance isn’t easy to achieve.
When you walk in, you feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine. The smells, the sounds, the look of the place all work together to create something special.
This isn’t a theme restaurant pretending to be old-school. It’s the real deal, a 45-year-old establishment that has earned every bit of its character and charm through decades of serving the community.
