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Appetizing store
AP-uh-ty-zing STOR
Local meaning
A Jewish food shop specializing traditionally in foods eaten with dairy, such as smoked fish, cream cheese, salads, bagels, and related items.
In New York food history, an appetizing store differs from a kosher meat delicatessen because Jewish dietary law separates meat and dairy. The category became closely associated with smoked salmon, herring, whitefish, spreads, pickles, bagels, and careful counter service, though modern shops may broaden the menu.
Example in context
- “We stopped at the appetizing store for lox, cream cheese, and bagels.”
How it is used
A New York-associated retail category rooted in Ashkenazi Jewish food traditions and neighborhood commerce.
neutral, food-historical, community-specific
Jewish food shops, Lower East Side history, breakfast and brunch
A New York-associated retail category rooted in Ashkenazi Jewish food traditions and neighborhood commerce.
Appetizing describes a specific food-business tradition here, not simply any shop whose food looks appealing.
Spelling and scope
A New York-associated retail category rooted in Ashkenazi Jewish food traditions and neighborhood commerce.
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appetizing store meaning NYCNew York appetizing shopappetizing vs deli
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an appetizing store and a deli?
Traditionally, an appetizing store centers on fish and dairy-compatible foods, while a kosher delicatessen centers on meat.
Are appetizing stores only on the Lower East Side?
No. The Lower East Side is historically important, but the tradition and its foods appear elsewhere in New York and beyond.
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.
- Our StoryRuss & Daughters
Business history and cultural context for New York appetizing stores, smoked fish, bagels, and Jewish food retail.
- Geographic Variation in Slang SemanticsarXiv
Research showing that slang meanings and associations vary by geography and community.