Shelsky’s Smoked Fish
“I like Shelsky's whitefish salad, but at $22.00 a pound it is more expensive than at its rivals.”
“On top of that came a solid amount of lox, sable (a type of white fish), and creamed herring.”
“I got it with gaspe nova, plain cream cheese, and onions on a toasted everything bagel.”
Shelsky’s Smoked Fish
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range Pricey
8 reviews
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I tried my first New York bagel here, and it was amazing! They have a large selection of bagels and schmears. I got a garlic bagel with lox cream cheese. They were very generous with the cream cheese. Service was quick and friendly, and there's so much interesting things to see in this market!
As a vegetarian who doesn't belong in a fish place I'd like to say they are still awesome. First there is no overwhelming smell of fish like there is at Russ and Daughters and they also have plenty of things for the veg. Even veg versions of meat things. Great service!
Prices aren't cheap but this is the only game in town (Brooklyn town) for quality Jewish delicacies. If anyone has other recommendations (for places open on Saturday's), let me know. I live in Bushwick and I'll happily drive here again to get the fresh lox and delicious bagels.
There will be a line and rightfully so, but it moves quickly. Take a number and wait your turn! You will have a very tough time trying to decide what to get from the seemingly endless variety of sandwiches but I can guarantee you'll be very satisfied no matter which one you choose.
I may have married into the religion but I feel like an honorary member of the tribe eating one of these delicious sandwiches. You will too.
Keeping the star rating, but just adding a note of annoyance–
Shelsky's, in a shameless attempt at completing the Russ and Daughters ripoff, has added signage outside that is nearly identical, except for the store's name.
Neon lighting, as well as noting "Smoked fish and appetizers," just like R&D, is solidifying their position as an unabashed, higher priced and lower quality Russ and Daughters knockoff.
This annoys me to no end. Integrity? Nah.
Tried this place because of great reviews. The food was good but it fell short of expectations. The smoked fish bagels are like 12-15 dollars. I'm ok with paying high price if the product is high in quality. The lox bagel I had was pretty average. Bagel was tiny and not quite fresh. Not as good as Russ and daughters. Sorry bout it.
Came here for brunch
Pros:
– The Great Gatsby and the Brooklyn Transplant are absolutely amazing – everything is super fresh and the flavors are out of this world!
– Try the pumpernickel bread!
– Limited seating area
Cons:
– Didn't see a bathroom
Oh, Shelsky's. What can I say? I have to stay true. The expectation is that you're as good as Russ & Daughters and that expectation, sadly, falls flat. The bagels are stale and boring, no flavor. The fish lacks a certain brininess. The toppings are a miss.
I ordered a Member of the Tribe – sturgeon, house-cured gravlax, cream cheese, tomato and red onion on a bagel. The sturgeon (1 small sliver of it, mind you) was too quiet and lacked the salty bite you would expect. The gravlax…. really not that interesting. Even the shaved red onions were wilted and pungent in the wrong way. I want RED ONION, dammit.
You're better off getting some fresh-sliced lox from Fairway or Union Market and making your own bagel. Snooze.
Shelsky's is one of best of the best, and I'm probably just repeating what everyone else said but the fish is SO incredibly fresh and flavorful, it really speaks for itself. I had both the smoked salmon and herring and was blown away. Of course their bagels are also extremely delicious, so their overall ability as a smoked fish house, and sandwich maker are out of this world. I would eat here all the time if I could, it's really worth it!!!!