On the corner of Southeast Division Street and 35th Avenue, a bowl of Jewish wedding soup tells the story of Dream Deli. Matzo balls float alongside Italian pork meatballs in a warm, comforting broth, blending two traditions in a single bowl.
“Pairing these two tiny little orbs of either gluten or meat into a singular soup, while keeping it very, very simple and reverent of the ingredients really kind of speaks to how we approach things as a Pacific Northwest deli,” said Dream Deli co-owner John Bissell.
In its first two months, Dream Deli has gone from a quiet neighborhood newcomer to a destination deli, drawing regulars for corned beef on rye, whitefish melts and a Pacific Northwest take on Jewish and Italian deli staples. Co-owners Jessie Levine and Bissell describe the early days as “a blur,” filled with loyal customers, local partnerships and, at times, unexpected conversations about identity and politics…