Milton’s, Del Mar

I remember decades ago, when Milton’s, Del Mar would offer a bread basket to start your meal with cinnamon raisin egg bread, followed by all the great garlic dills you could eat. Really good pickles, like Bubbies but even better.

Now that was two reasons to come back. (Anything in the bread basket, like extra buns or bread was ours to keep and take home).

Milton’s can be Milton’s again!

I do hope the new owners (by the way there are new owners) get to read this.

While I know those two things cost the owners money, think about what owners pay for advertising. If only they could take it out of that budget, or do that instead of giving us $5 off in coupons, give the patrons something for nothing that is absolutely memorable.

Ok. Food wise, the regular corned beef is improved. Even if you forget to order lean, it’s lean enough, not totally fatty like it was before.

We order their rack of ribs. I usually get a baked potato and stuff it with the coleslaw instead of fries.

It’s my job, in these reviews, to tell our eaters and readers what to order when you go. So here’s more ….

I always have soup with a half a sandwich. Corned beef on rye. I rarely eat meat. Occasionally a hamburger. And since they no longer serve Turkey Burgers, I haven’t tried the hamburger. So I don’t know. But the point is: I don’t see corned beef as beef because it’s what I grew up on in New York. To me, it’s just comfort food.

Their Matzo Ball Soup has consistently been good and continues to be a favorite.

I have a friend who regularly orders and loves the turkey plate, with stuffing, cranberry sauce, veggies and more.

Again, the cranberry sauce, coleslaw and other portions are now skimpy. They used to use small white bowls and fill them. Now they use a small silver serving round and half of it is filled with liquid from the sauce. How much would it cost to double the size of each? Inquiring minds want to know.

I have spent 3 decades creating Foodies Events taking people to breakfast/brunch, lunch & dinners from our groups San Diego Foodies and Carlsbad Foodies, and you’ve never seen a review like this, correcting the owners. I always promote where I go, telling you only what to order when you go.

But I don’t see why the new owners aren’t doing a reality check. A history check. And why it used to always be packed. I want them to know better and do better.

I am happy to have a Jewish Deli anywhere close by. And I know, if you didn’t know how they used to take care of you, it probably would not make a difference.

But for all us ‘locals’ who raised our kids here, it does make a difference. For some of us, who come in famished (here’s a dad joke: not fa-mished), a quick taste of that cinnamon raisin bread quickly puts you in gratitude that you picked this place to come to.

One last question: Do I have to bring my own Bubbie’s pickle with me just to get a good dill pickle? Check it out yourself, then let me know what you think.

You now know what this chef thinks.

With garlic, gusto and gratitude,
Chef Marian🥂
San Diego & Carlsbad Foodies
ChefMarianKitchenConfident