Where can you get latkes for Hanukkah? All around the Jersey Shore

Gabriela L. Laracca
Asbury Park Press

This Sunday marks the first day of Hanukkah, and over its eight nights, many who celebrate will prepare the holiday’s most traditional dish: latkes.

The potato pancakes will be crisped in oil that symbolizes the small amount that miraculously burned for days during a time of war more than 2,000 years ago.

But if you don't have time to make them at home this year, there are lots of places at the Jersey Shore that say they make the best latkes.

Who's right? Depends on who you ask. What we can say is that these delis and restaurants in and around Monmouth and Ocean counties sell latkes that people love.

Some make them with inventive toppings, while others stick to the basics.

From potato to zucchini, and applesauce to Crème Fraiche, there are plenty of latkes available at the Jersey Shore.

Delicious Orchards

Latkes from Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck.

Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck is a go-to for all baked items, but their latkes sell out around Hanukkah. With fresh ingredients and no preservatives, everything is made on-site.

“Like our baked goods, our prepared foods [like latkes] are made from scratch, all in-house, with simple ingredients,” said owner Chris McDonald.

As of right now, Delicious Orchards only offers classic potato pancakes. priced at $1.50 each. 

McDonald also recommends for those who want latkes to call ahead and reserve because they run out quickly. 

Delicious Orchards is at 320 Route 34, Colts Neck. For more information, call 732-462-1989 or visit deliciousorchardsnj.com.

Fred and Murry's Kosher Delicatessen

Fred and Murry's Kosher Delicatessen is the only kosher establishment on this list, and has been featuring fresh cuisine for over 40 years.

Store manager Kurt Loegel said replacing the oil, in which the latkes are fried, regularly, and using fresh ingredients is what makes their latkes different.

“All the potato pancakes are hand-made, like everything else in our store, so it’s as good as it gets in terms of quality,” said Loegel. “Nothing’s processed and there are no preservatives.”

Latkes are available in mini size by the dozen for $12.99, or at full-size for $4.99 each. All latkes are served with applesauce. 

Loegel said the taste also comes from a passion for food that customers notice.

“We really care about our work ...," he said. “We don’t do a lot of advertising, and rely on word of mouth. So considering how busy we are just based on that, that says something.”

Fred and Murry's Kosher Delicatessen is in the Pond Road Shopping Plaza, 4345 Route 9, Freehold. For more information, call 732-462-3343 or visit fredandmurrysdeli.com.

Irv & Karen's Hot Pastrami Deli & Restaurant

Latkes with apple sauce and sour cream from Irv & Karen's Hot Pastrami Deli & Restaurant in Brick.

Karen Levine is the owner of Irv & Karen's Hot Pastrami Deli & Restaurant in Brick, and also the daughter of the late Irv Levine — the former owner of the original Irv's Deli & Restaurant in Neptune, who taught her to make latkes.

“He made the best [latkes] and I just followed suit,” said Karen. “It’s a family recipe.”

Levine makes about 12 to 15 dozen latkes at a time, and specializes in the classic potato style, without straying into other flavors and bases.

“Ours are so good, I don’t want to mess with them,” said Levine.

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Latkes are priced at $1.95 individually, but they can also be ordered in a full order, which comes with six for $12.50, or a half order of three for $6.25. All latkes come with sour cream and applesauce. 

Irv & Karen's Hot Pastrami Deli & Restaurant is at 2114 Route 88, Brick. For more information, call 732-899-6990 or visit them on Facebook.

The Pastrami House

A latke from Gabila's in New York, that can be purchased at any of The Pastrami House locations around New Jersey.

While The Pastrami House doesn't make their latkes in house, they leave it to the pros.

They order them in from Gabila's in New York, known for their latkes, knishes and matzo balls, which they also order and sell at The Pastrami House.

Jeremy Glasser-Hyman, owner of The Pastrami House, wants customers to take a step back in time when they walk in the door — from the latkes, to the corn beef, right down to the Dr. Brown's sodas. 

"We want to remind people of where they used to live in Brooklyn," said Glasser-Hyman. "We're going for that whole old Brooklyn feel and taste."

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Latkes come in regular potato, sweet potato and zucchini. They're sold in groups of four for $7.65, or six for $9.85. They can also make platters for parties. All latkes are served with apple sauce and sour cream.

Pastrami House locations are at 644 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft; and 355 North County Line Road, Jackson. They also have locations in Hoboken and Berkley Heights. For more information on the Lincroft store, call 732-852-2888. For more information on the Jackson store, call 732-526-4800. 

Sickles Market

Latkes with apple sauce from Sickles Market in Little Silver.

Sickles Market makes their latkes fresh daily based on their signature recipe.

While they offer house-made applesauce, they also top them with Vermont Creamery Crème Fraiche, which owner Tori Sickles loves.

The consistency and texture of their latkes come from frying the shredded potatoes with a hint of matzo meal.

“The latkes crisp up perfectly on the outside and are soft on the inside after reheating,” Sickles said.

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Their Potato Pancake Kit is $30 and includes 24 potato pancakes with applesauce, but they also sell them individually in-house at $1.99 each. The Potato Pancake Kit needs to be ordered through their catering team at catering@sicklesmarket.com.

Sickles Markets are at 1 Harrison Ave., Little Silver, and 200 Monmouth St., Red Bank. For more information, call 732-741-9563 or visit sicklesmarket.com.

The Pickled Herring

Latkes from The Pickled Herring in Englishtown.

The Pickled Herring in Englishtown has a wide array of latkes to try, that go way beyond the classic potato style. With sweet potato, vegetable, spinach and more, visitors who have tried traditional latkes can expand their palate. 

Owner Robert Levine, and his partner Jesse Reitner have owned a variety of delis throughout New Jersey and New York, so they know something about latkes.

“I’ve sold a few thousand latkes over the years and people enjoy them,” Levine said.

Latkes are available throughout Hanukkah, and are available in a small size, for $1 each, or a large size, for $3.95 each.

The Pickled Herring is at 96 Routes 9 and 520, Marlboro Plaza, Englishtown. For more information, call 732-972-1122 or visit thepickledherringnj.com.

Sarah Griesemer contributed to this story.

Gabriela L. Laracca recently joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.