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Andrew Lipinsky

YUM. Cecils has a deli and bakery that each offer a variety of food and drinks, from milkshakes to soups and sandwiches.

Cecils Deli in Highland Park, St. Paul was initially established over 70 years ago on July 1, 1949. Cecils is a family-owned Jewish restaurant, deli and bakery that has been serving the community for decades. Cecils is one of the few local delis in the metro area, and they stick to tradition wonderfully.

Cecil’s has had a mission of staying alive and keeping the culture alive as one of their main goals of being a deli. “Gone are the days of delis on every corner, we’re a dying breed,” says Cecil’s website. In the late 1960s, when Cecils started to gain traction, there were 12 other Jewish delis in the St. Paul area; now, they are one of the few left. Cecils keeps the community going by holding onto tradition and serving great food and pastries for everybody.

At the location of Cecil’s, there is a small deli and bakery at the front, with lots of other goods scattered around, such as matzah and raw fish for sale. The deli and bakery are for take-out only and are usually cold meals. At the back, there is a restaurant where there are endless options for food and drinks. At the deli and bakery, you have many choices of cold sandwiches, breads, pastries and many different types of drinks. At the restaurant, the menu is almost never-ending, with two total pages of options for sandwiches, burgers, soups, sausages, shakes, desserts, drinks and much more.

To start, get the soups, particularly the Borscht or the Matzah ball soups, which are both amazing. After the first course, try everything from a hot dog to a loaded Reuben sandwich. For a drink, get a classic Dr. Brown Soda or a shake for a sweet tooth. Finally, don’t forget the Jewish classic of Latkes, which are crispy potato pancakes prominent in Jewish tradition, originating from Central and Eastern Europe.

For affordability, Cecils is great. An average entree costs around 15 dollars, an appetizer around 13 dollars, and drinks and shakes are around three dollars. Spending too much will not be an issue when eating at Cecils.

Customer service is yet another strong suit of Cecils. The waiters there do not waste time seating people at a table, taking people’s orders, and getting the food to their customers. The hosts that work at the restaurant are also very nice and welcoming and will try to indulge in some small talk with the customers before they are seated.

Come to Cecils and try out a great family-owned Jewish Deli and restaurant. Cecil’s has made its mark on the St. Paul community and is here to stay. Be a part of the restaurant’s culture and history, and try it out.