It is odd that certain foods have a way of becoming "trendy." Lately, I've noticed a lack of Jewish or Jewish-style delis in the greater Boston area and an increase in the number of restaurants serving Israeli-style or Middle Eastern, cuisine. While hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and shawarma are delicious and may be "in" right now, where is there to go if I'm craving blintzes, latkes, knishes, matzo ball soup, a corned beef sandwich on rye bread or challah French toast? Zaftigs Delicatessen is only about 15 minutes away in Brookline, Mass. and offers all your favorites, from noodle kugel to whitefish salad. However, if you prefer more in-style options, Zaftigs' bustling menu offers them as well.Right as you sit down, a plate of bagel chips and dip, like cream cheese or hummus (depending on the time and day), is served complementary. Zaftigs offers the standard drink selection, but why get a Pepsi when you can have a Dr. Brown's soda, fresh-squeezed lemonade, orange or grapefruit juice, a "Black Cherry Float" or a classic egg cream?

Looking at fellow diners in Zaftigs while sipping cream soda, it is clear to see that the sandwiches are stuffed with almost anything you can think of like hot beef brisket, hot pastrami, chopped liver and even tongue. Therefore, appetizers are only for the hungriest of customers (since they're also tremendous). Although the appetizers are so scrumptious, it's hard to say no to items such as sweet noodle kugel. This kugel is crispy and sprinkled with cinnamon on the top and warm and gooey in the center-it's reminiscent of, but not quite as good as, Mom's. Also, the waiter was accurate in describing it as "quite rich."

Other appetizer options include items like the Zaftig Combo, which could surely be a meal with a cheese blintz, potato pancake, potato knish, and noodle kugel. Additionally, the Zaftig Baked Potato for only $5.50 comes with a choice of toppings from broccoli and cheddar, brisket chili, cheddar and scallions, grilled vegetables with their own blue cheese vinaigrette or bacon, tomatoes, chives and sour cream.

Zaftigs also has more inventive appetizers, like the "BBQ Brisket Quesadilla, with melted munster and a cole slaw garnish," for $7.50 or their Reuben knishes with Russian dressing for $5.50.

The soups are also creative. Remember the brisket chili served on a baked potato? Well, you can get a piping hot bowl of it. Also, you can have your borscht served hot or cold, and the chicken soup always comes with a big matzo ball.

If you have room after one of their filling and satisfying soups, the sandwiches are a very popular choice at Zaftigs. They're served with a half-sour pickle and a choice of potato salad, coleslaw or French fries (their fries are amazingly crispy and crunchy on the outside and not greasy). Of course, you can create your own sandwich based on the large variety of meats and breads, but you could try one of Zaftigs' combinations, such as The Nanny Fanny, for $12.95. The Nanny Fanny is stuffed with corned beef, cole slaw, house-made Russian dressing and Swiss cheese on marble rye bread. The Lupo, for $13.50, will blow your mind (and taste buds) with "hot brisket layered between two potato pancakes, vegetable gravy and horseradish."

Additionally, Zaftigs offers fish plates, like Nova or whitefish. They come on a toasted bagel with cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, capers and onion.

If you're not in the mood for a sandwich or bagel, Zaftigs also offers burgers, wraps and salads. The salmon burger comes with mustard-dill sauce, and the turkey burger comes with cranberry and apricot chutney. The Danny O includes smoked chicken breast, hummus, lettuce and tomato on a whole wheat wrap, if you want to eat on the lighter side. There are a variety of salads to choose from, but the Holly's Heavenly Salad is divine. It overflows on the plate with spinach, crumbled goat cheese, candied walnuts, cranberries, red onion and balsamic vinaigrette. All salads come with the option of adding grilled chicken, a grilled Portobello mushroom or a slice of pita or bread for a very low price.

If you're still not convinced Zaftigs is worth the drive, they offer breakfast all day! Matzo brei and corned beef hash with eggs are not things you can find in Waltham. You can also custom-order an omelet or try one of their creations such as the Macintosh apple and Vermont sharp cheddar cheese omelet" for $9.95. Other options are absolutely decadent, such as the banana-walnut pancakes with date butter" for $8.95.

If you're not in the mood for breakfast at dinner time, their dinner entrées are equally comforting and delicious. From baked meatloaf to roasted turkey, you just can't leave Zaftigs hungry.

The service is just as good as the food. The food comes out quite quickly but never lacks finesse. The atmosphere is cozy with unique modern art splashed on the walls. The waiters walk around in shirts (available for purchase) that say things like "kugel me," "Happy Challadays," "almost kosher," etc. and the servers are confident in their knowledge of the menu. While Zaftigs does get busy, especially on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings, they run a tight ship, and you're never waiting more than 15 minutes.

The only problem with Zaftigs, other than the expected business of a successful restaurant, is that it is often-difficult to make your selection of what you're going to eat. The menu really does meet everyone's tastes, so if you're in the mood for Jewish deli (or not), Zaftigs will not let you down.

Zaftigs is located at 335 Harvard St. in Brookline, Mass. Its phone number is (617) 975-0075.