Hot pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, soups, fries and steaks are some of the main items on the menu of the soon-to-open kosher restaurant at Calhoun Plaza on Minnetonka Boulevard.

A peek into the glass front of the restaurant confirms its readiness for service, with little more to be done than unpack a few boxes here and there. Yet, the absence of a chef prevents the location from providing food.

According to co-owner Tzipora Weinberg, who spoke on behalf of the Weinberg and Roberts family owners, they are still in the process of selecting just the person to prepare the food.

“We want to do it right; we would rather take our time and do it right,” Weinberg said.

Weinberg said once the owners select a chef it will take only a few weeks for the restaurant to begin business.

Prime Deli will feature many traditional Jewish foods such as matzo ball soup, schnitzel, stuffed cabbage, kugel and gefilte fish, in addition to several ethnic foods such as Chinese and Moroccan. Weinberg said the quality of ingredients used by the restaurant will ensure the quality of the meals.

“We are going to try to use as many fresh local ingredients as we can,” Weinberg said.

A great number of people who keep kosher in St. Louis Park look forward to the opening of what will be one of two kosher restaurants in the Twin Cities, junior Benjamin Freund said.

“With the Prime Deli opening, we will finally have some place to eat out as a family again,” Freund said. “When we go out to eat, it’s nice to have a wide variety.”

Senior Rachel Potter, who keeps kosher, similarly looks forward to having another option when she goes out to eat with family and friends.

“I suppose it will be sort of a place of gathering that will bring the community closer,” Potter said. “I am really happy to hear there is a new [kosher] place in the community that is opening up.”

Although it provides a much-needed place to eat out for those who keep kosher, considering there is only one other kosher restaurant in the Twin Cities, Weinberg said everyone should go to the restaurant.

“Just because we are kosher doesn’t mean we can’t service both people who keep kosher and people who do not keep kosher,” Weinberg said.

Freund said he hopes the Park community will take this opportunity to expose itself to kosher food.

“I hope that the broad SLP community will see a new kosher restaurant open,” Freund said. “I hope that they will come and try the delicious food.”

Senior Charis Tshihamba said she would be interested in visiting Prime Deli considering she enjoys exposing herself to different cuisine.

“I like to try new foods, even though I am a picky eater. I think it’s a good experience,” Tshihamba said.

Weinberg stressed three values that all people, whether fans of trying new foods or not, can appreciate.

“Our main goal is to offer wonderful food, wonderful service and a wonderful experience,” Weinberg said.

Allison Cramer