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Shelsky's Smoked Fish
Category: Food Specialty Food Seafood Markets Seafood Markets [Edit]
251 Smith St(between Douglass St & Degraw St)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Neighbourhoods: Cobble Hill, Gowanus
(718) 855-8817
- Nearest Transit:
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Bergen St (F, G)
Carroll St (F, G)
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 8 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
40 reviews for Shelsky's Smoked Fish
Review Highlights
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"Olive cream cheese spread, cold smoked sable." In 11 reviews -
"They also sell pickled herring, pickles, salads, cream..." In 3 reviews -
"Also excellent chopped liver." In 3 reviews
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40 reviews in English
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Review from Peter D.
Like everyone else in NYC, I grew up with Russ & Daughters as the smoked fish standard. The lovely ladies behind the counter at Shelsky's are not yet as practiced as the white-coated gentleman at that venerable LES institution, but their product is excellent and they are eager to please.
Thanks to Shelsky's, Sundays can mean Jewish brunch staples like pickled herring, chopped liver and more, all without a trip to Manhattan (or up to Gem St on a Friday). The cream cheese is top notch; scallion is always a winner, but you can mix it up with horseradish, olive or even caviar schmears. I'm not an enormous fan of their bagels and bialys, but this is Brooklyn...there are plenty of bagel shops at your disposal, and this is the only appetizing store in the area. Be sure to get there early though, as they tend to sell out of the more popular items by afternoon.
Clearly, "smoked fish" is in the name for a reason. They carry the finest nova, smoked salmon, gravlax, sturgeon, sable and more. So far, I am partial to their house-cured Mexican Achiote Salmon, and I enjoyed the bluefish salad (hazelnuts, fennel and orange) more than expected. They'll grant you a taste or two, so don't be shy about sampling before you purchase, especially since the salmon isn't exactly on sale.
Truly, the high prices are the major downside of shopping at Shelsky's. They are on par, and in some cases even more expensive than R&D, but you really do get what you pay for. If you are particularly interested in value, the chalkboard recently boasted that they are the only NYC shop to carry whole Door County Whitefish, and at $20/lb., this is one of the best (and only) bargains in the store.
It's all relative, I suppose.Listed in: spots on smith street., best seafood in NYC.
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Review from Christopher H.
Brooklyn, NY
1/13/2012
I've had two sandwiches here: the Brooklyn Native and the Great Gatsby.
The BN was a good sandwich, included fatty kippered salmon, apple horseradish, cream cheese, pickled herring salad served on pumpernickel rye. The salmon and pumpernickel rye highlighted the sandwich.
I like the Great Gasby much better and wish I could remember what the ingredients exactly were. The GG, however, is not on the regular menu. That's a shame... -
Review from Lee M.
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm somewhat torn over Shelsky's. I suppose it fits a niche in a neighborhood that does not have an appetizing store, but does that make the store great? Since I really only care about the fish, I'm going to answer my question in the affirmative. As my profile says, my last meal on earth would be an egg onion bagel with cream cheese, nova, tomato, onion and pickled herring.
The great: I tried 3 varieties of salmon - the gaspe, western wild and their house made ginger clementine. All 3 were 5-star quality - not too salty, not too greasy and the right amount of smoke or cure. The pickled herring with onions and cream sauce was also fantastic - the herring was not overly sweet and the onions mellowed out by the pickling brine. The horseradish cream cheese - very creamy, just the right amount of spice.
The meh - potato pancake. Since Chanukkah is right around the corner, I figured I'd partake in one of these - it was a little on the thick side for me and fairly greasy. No option of applesauce or sour cream was a bummer.
The awful - I must admit that I've never tasted a bagel from Kossars but if what they were selling this past Sunday was indicative of a Kossars bagel, then I won't be heading there any time too soon. We were told that the bagel was dense - that was an understatement. New York bagels should be somewhat chewy, but in an airy sense, not a bready doughy sense. Quite possibly the worst bagel I've ever tasted in NY. The rugelach were also dry and inedible.
N.B. Shelsky's will not serve tomatoes on their sandwiches during the winter, as they are not in season. I have to give them a pass on the fact that they couldn't accommodate my request for a tomato.
Overall - Outstanding fish and cream cheese overshadows the subpar bagel. Worth the tripComment from Peter S. of Shelsky's Smoked Fish 12/23/2011
Thank you for your comment and for shopping at Shelsky's. I… More » -
Review from E S.
Brooklyn, NY
5/8/2012
Casual gourmet. I got a Groupon and bought a bunch of sandwiches for a study group. Everybody LOVED their sandwiches. The sandwiches were really diverse and interesting mixes of cream cheeses and smoked fish. By "interesting" I mean to say that if you asked for that combination at another place they might look at you like you're crazy, but it totally works.
Four stars instead of five because of price, but to be honest, these are legit gourmet sandwiches, so, you should expect to pay more than your chain store for a bagel with shmear and lox. -
Review from Franny A.
Updated - 4/13/2012 1 photo
This BK Girl KNOWS a FRESH BAGEL on FIRST BITE....Selling me a day old bagel on Friday, Passover EVE with expensive cream cheese, offering me a free one and telling me the bagels were not so good today...simply underhanded in the food biz.
Listed in: Brooklyn in Da House
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/25/2011
An appetizing store on Smith St. that is uber appetizing. The store is reminicent of many I have… Read more »
Comment from Peter S. of Shelsky's Smoked Fish 4/17/2012
Hi Franny A, Thank you for stopping into Shelsky's. I… More » -
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Review from Andrei S.
Brooklyn, NY
4/15/2012
Homemade gefilte fish.
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Review from Hank M.
Brooklyn, NY
3/4/2012
Meh. Not a great selection, odd vibe and bad attitude from the people that work there. And extremely overpriced. I don't recall what they were getting for smoked Bluefish, but it was ridiculous.
Comment from Peter S. of Shelsky's Smoked Fish 3/4/2012
Hi Hank, Thank you for stopping into Shelsky's, and thank… More » -
Review from Josef A.
Seaford, NY
3/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
OMG! Smoked Pastrami Salmon?!?!?!?! Unbelievable!!! So good you don't mind $50 per pound!!! I also got the Horseradish cream cheese, another stellar spread, and it goes really well together with the salmon. I will be back!
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Review from Kate C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/12/2011
I stopped in to try the Peter Shelsky sandwich that other reviewers raved about. It was fine, but it certainly didn't live up to my expectations based on said reviews. Where I was hoping for a Russ & Daughters equivalent on this side of the bridge, Shelsky's sandwiches take a classic bagel, cream cheese, and lox sandwich and add ingredients like jalapeños, apples, and wasabi tobiko. To that I say, why mess with perfection? Just give me gravlax, tomatoes, and capers with a squeeze of lemon and I'll be delighted.
Overall, the shop feels kind of cold, without so much as a single table. The owner seemed a bit standoffish also. Next time I'm craving cured fish, I'll take the F a couple of stops further for a classic bagel and lox from Russ & Daughters. -
Review from Lisa K.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 1/7/2012
Peter Shelsky is making me fat. On top of all the insanely amazing smoked fish, I just ate rugelach that deeply affected me as a person...and cured my hangover. Oh and for the love of god do yourself a favor and order something, anything, with smoked whitefish.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/7/2011
I inevitably end up here every Sunday. As I put it to my friend when I was discussing trying to… Read more »
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Review from d'N'L m.
Brooklyn, NY
8/8/2011
It's nice to see when Brooklyn fills in the gaps... If someone wants to open a decent fish store that is price reasonably, we could use that too! I know there are other appetizing places in South Williamsburg and in the more Orthodox areas but, now the more "casually" religious get a spot too..
This place has all of the old favorites.. They have pickled lox, pickled herring, with cream sauce, they have Nova, Salmon, Sturgeon, Chopped Liver and all types of spreads... They even have bagels and Baily's from Kosars on the LES.. Whats not to like??
We ordered a few things, spoke with the owner who seemed to know wha the was doing..
A welcome addition to Brooklyn.. And they are right, this will cut down on my schlepp over to Russ and Daughters for sure... -
Review from Mystery C.
Brooklyn, NY
2/10/2012
Did the Groupon thing with Shelsky's. We got the extra large platter with all the fixins, for our Stupid Bowl Party. The food was so good we forgot to watch the football game.I now never have to go to Manhattan to get my lox..Shelsky has it all, and it tastes the same as you know where on Lower East Side...cause it comes from the same fishmonger for most of the smoked goods.By the way, who won the game...I think it was the team in blue?
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Review from Donna F.
Living in New York, Sunday mornings mean certain things. They are split into two categories:
Hangover brunches with unlimited mimosa's and bread baskets.
Greenmarket fruits and veggies, the sunday paper and lox and schmear on bagels.
While I certainly love the brunches, I live for the lazy sundays with bagels, lox and schmear. On my way to the Carroll Garden market I noticed people eating their bagels and schmear with fervor on a bench outside Shelsky's and wondered why a fish shop had a bench outside.
Where I come from (suburbs of ny), the fish shops are no muss, no fuss types of places. Men clad in rubber slopping half a pound of flounder on a metal scale while folks with their noses pinched between their forefingers and thumbs braved the smell of the over-powering sea.
Shelsky's is Carroll Garden's answer to the well-loathed image of a fish shop.
Instead of rubber and steel, it is a clean, white shoppe right out of Martha Stewart Living. There are ten or so types of fish displayed in a large glass display case (I got the a 1/4 lb of their gaspe nova which was so perfectly sliced and set on wax paper as if a gift for the gods) along with caviar, olive, scallion and other interesting cream cheeses and tuna salads. Next to the fish, is their perfect bagels that are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside and for .75 cents get the onion pocket. I am a huge fan of onion pockets and these, my friend, are the perfect balance of chewy, bakery fresh bread with smoked, crispy onions.
While you may look at the prices of the fish ($8.99 to $16.99 a 1/4 lb) and think it is a bit outrageous, think about this: 2 bagels, an onion pocket and a 1/4 of nova for $11 is a steal for a breakfast for 2 of intensely amazing smoked fish, bagels and schmear
Words cannot express the greatness of Shelsky's smoked fish. I just had a onion pocket with plain cream cheese and the gaspe nova and I am already salivating for another.Listed in: Gobble Gobble Cobble Cobble
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Review from Asparagus S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/8/2012
We got the Shelsky sandwich and a small side of smoked whitefish salad with an onion pocket. The people working there are nice and everything was very good and high quality ... but it's just way too expensive. That order cost $20. Unfortunately I will not be coming here often because of the high prices.
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Review from B J.
Brooklyn, NY
2/8/2012
Pricey, but excellent Wild King Salmon. The pickled herring with onions were decent, but I wouldn't repurchase. I'd go back again if I was feeling splurge-y. Fairway does a better job for the price point. I eat a fair amount of smoked salmon, so it's unrealistic to pay these prices each time. South Brooklyn has plenty of people who will, so I don't think they'll hurt off of my thrifty-ness. I will return for a sandwich when I am hungover tho.
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Review from Aaron L.
Brooklyn, NY
7/31/2011
Shelsky's brings me back to my childhood, except better. The fish is amazing and the specialty sandwiches are great. My wife and I devoured the marriage equality sandwich, with gravlax, clementine smoked salmon, and smoked tuna. It now easily ranks as one of my favorite sandwiches.
This is great for Smith St. and a little dangerous for us since we live a block away. Great fish, great people, great place. I'm so glad it's there. -
Review from Sarah T.
Los Angeles, CA
6/19/2011
Caviar cream cheese, vanilla marshmallow twists, artisan flatbreads. Olive cream cheese spread, cold smoked sable.
This place is very welcome to the line of Smith Street shops.
Primarily serving up various kinds of smoked delicacies of salmon and whitefish, this little shop has nice dainties like lox bialys, smoked salmon + apple+horseradish creme fraiche blintzes, and coconut macaroons. Right across from the deli counter is a backwall of natural wood shelves that carry all sorts of gourmet breads.
It was a bit toasty in there today, with the 85+weather. Even so, it was hard to get a good look at everything all at once due to the number of hungry visitors in the store.
I'll be back in soon! -
Review from Carolina C.
Brooklyn, NY
A $9.00 cream cheese & lox bagel. Expensive? Hell, yeah!! Worth it? Totally!! I dream about it and have to admit that it is our weekend treat.
The staff is friendly, the store is minimalistic and the selection of smoked fish looks delicious, which I will make sure to try soon. -
Review from Ariel J.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 1/26/2012
Just went back for the great sounding Great Gatsby for lunch - very good sandwich!So it's only fair i update the previous review.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2012
the guy behind the counter promised me a great sandwich I would love (I was very hungry), when I bit… Read more »
Comment from Peter S. of Shelsky's Smoked Fish 1/4/2012
Thank you for your comment, and more importantly, for… More » -
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Review from Brinda G.
Manhattan, NY
2/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
the best smoked fish store i've ever been to. awesome jarred sauces and interesting combinations. way better than the fish dept at zabar's in manhattan. worth the trip out to brooklyn for delicious smoked goodness
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Review from Tom G.
Brooklyn, NY
10/15/2011
Think of this place as a convenience store for smoked fish.
We've all spent $2 for just a quart of milk at the corner grocery (vs. $2 for the half-gallon) when Met was either closed or we were just to lazy to walk the extra block. So the biggest value this place brings to the table is convenience - and you pay dearly for it.
I feel like its a rip-off, but its a structural one. Basically instead of the 3-5% gross margin of a supermarket you're now paying the standard 300% of a specialty shop. The prices may not be terrible In the context of boutiquey Smith Street, but at the end of the day, it is possible to get most of the same exact products significantly cheaper elsewhere. And if you fail to notice that everything is priced by the quarter pound you'll be heartily surprised when the cash register requests a figure 4x your expectation for your pound of fish.
If Shelsky's smoked their own fish, I recognize that prices would be higher than they are now, but at least they could claim their products were unique and unavailable elsewhere. Honestly, that might be something I would be willing to pay a premium for, but when the markup is just to cover sales expenses, its just not worth it for me.
Other, more affordable options
Fairway
The Lobster Place in the village and Chelsea Market
And if you're having a party, go directly to the smokehouse in Mamaroneck and save your self a ton. -
Review from India E.
Milton, MA
1/16/2012
What a fantastic addition to the neighborhood..after years of eating mediocre bagels and then just finally giving up this is a true blessing! The bagels are soft and chewy at the same time and the scrumptious array of smoked fish is almost impossible to choose from. Some have subtle differences, others startling ones...enough that we loaded up and did a tasting party with several platters from the catering menu including Citrus Roasted Beet Salad,Smoked Bluefish Salad with Fennel, Red Onion, Citrus, and Roasted Hazelnuts, & Lingonberry w Toasted Pumpkin Seed Rugelach was marvelous and loads of fun! The sandwiches are ALL amazing..my favourite being theFatty Kippered Salmon, Apple Horseradish, Cream Cheese, Pickled Herring Salad, Served on Pumpernickel or Rye, i do try different ones occasionally all are terriffic! As a chef, I know good product, and this is the best, I completely disagree with Tom G.'s review, there is simply no 300% markup happening here...and you CANNOT get the same product, quality, service , and expertise at the other places. Period. Go to Shelsky's, you'll be glad you did.
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Review from Ethan M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/4/2011
Stopped by yesterday and had the signature sandwich, which has lox, sable, scallion cream cheese and pickled herring. It's a glorious mess to eat. My wife had a bagel with Ben's cream cheese and loved it. Peter Shelsky, the young, affable, slightly tattooed proprietor was there himself and told us he'd soon be carrying an exclusive line of Parisian tea (I don't normally think of Paris as the place to source tea, but I am curious enough now to stop by again in a few weeks....oh, and one more of the sandwiches, please!!)
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Review from Gaia D.
Brooklyn, NY
10/11/2011
Transformed! My first foray into gefilte fish and I was won over. Good job Shelsky! Also a huge fan of the chopped liver, whitefish salad, and a good old fashioned bagel with cream cheese and gravlax. The prices just mean I can't eat there as often as I would like, but I'll still eat there!
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Review from Amy S.
Brooklyn, NY
12/14/2011
If you like smoked fish then this is your place. I see a lot of people comparing it to Russ and Daughters but that is an unfair comparison since this is created in the style of a Montreal smoke house and not a traditional appetizer store. Prices are fair for how good the fish is plus it's not something I'm buying everyday. I'm just sayin. The smoked trout is ill'!
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Review from Sharon G.
Brooklyn, NY
3/4/2012
Just got a platter from here yesterday. Fish was outstandinging, service was great. Yes Russ and Daughters is great but it's also great having a decent appy store on this side of the bridge. This stuff is expensive no matter where you go.
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Review from Rebecca B.
Brooklyn, NY
11/4/2011
I just finished my first "Peter Shelsky" sandwich. And I'm a little in awe. Yes, as mentioned, the food is pricey, but it's super high quality. Course, I'm not sure I even noticed quality the way I inhaled that delicious sandwich - yum!
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Review from Jacquelyn S.
Brooklyn, NY
10/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
expensive, but the quality is fantastic.
i love that they take so much care in presentation: they'll slice the smoked fish, lay it out in strips and wrap it up like you would see prosciutto handled. maybe i'm just used to places that cut a chunk of fish, wrap that in brown paper and call it a day.
other than fish, i only tried their cucumber salad (nice and crisp), but can't wait to come back for their sandwiches! -
Review from Melissa F.
Brooklyn, NY
11/19/2011
Perhaps I visited on an off day (although, in reality, I have been a few times...), but at best I'm underwhelmed by shelsky's, and at worst, I have found it to be kinda bad. At my last visit, I had salmon that included a large amount of the brownish portion of the fillet and was also sliced way too thick. So thick, in fact, that I ended up chopping it up to make salmon cream cheese. Even that was bad -- overly fishy and chewy.
As much as I love supporting neighborhood spots, I will stick with trips to Fairway or Russ & Daughters. -
Review from John R.
Brooklyn, NY
2/20/2012
I took out the smoked fish platter using a groupon, and I served it to friends for brunch at home. Smash hit! Everyone loved the fish, there was plenty of food for six people with leftovers to boot, enough bagels, easy to serve--everything worked great. The prices are a bit steep day-to-day, so I would only go back for special occasions, but the quality of the food is fantastic and everything was prepared professionally.
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Review from Jonathan H.
Brooklyn, NY
8/6/2011
Less than two months ago, Shelsky's Smoked Fish (Image above courtesy of Yelp) opened up on Smith Street in Brooklyn. The goal of the friendly owner, Peter Shelsky is simply to provide a place in Brooklyn to purchase a wide variety of smoked fish and appetizers. He likens Shelsky's to many of the classic smoked fish and appetizing spots in the Lower East Side (think Russ and Daughters) but with a Brooklyn twist. The shops sells a wide variety of fish either hot or cold smoked and priced by the 1/4 pound. They also sell pickled herring, pickles, salads, cream cheeses, sandwiches and various baked goods. I also noticed caviar and soups available the day I stopped by.
When you walk into the shop you immediately notice the beautiful slabs of smoked fish in the case. The different fish have a variety of colors and textures that can easily peak the interest of anyone who wishes to experience the different flavors that come with eating these fish. I was eager to try one of the sandwiches that Shelsky's sells. They have small selection of made to order sandwiches that utilizes the wide variety of smoked and pickled fish that they sell. I thought this would be a good opportunity to see how some of these different flavors and textures come together in a sandwich. I ordered the Brooklyn Native ($10.50), which consisted of eastern gaspe salmon, smoked whitefish salad, pickled herring and sour pickle on your choice of a bagel or bialy. On this day they did not have any bialys left so I settled for a wheat bagel. All the bagels and bialy's here are from Kossar's in the Lower East Side. Kossar's is a New York bagel and bialys institution and their bagels are a perfect vessel for this sort of sandwich.
The sandwich is wonderful display for the pairing of the different types of fish available at Shelsky's. The soft, slightly chewy bagel was first topped with the smoked whitefish salad then with the herring, salmon and pickle. The white fish salad tasted slightly smoked but not over powering so as not to blunt the taste of the sweet and very slightly tart pickled herring . The thinly sliced smoked salmon with hints of salt and smoke complemented the rest of the fish on the sandwich. The sliced pickles added crunch and tartness that beautifuly rounded out this heavy but delicious sandwich.
I really enjoyed the Brooklyn Native from Shelsky's. The sandwich is a bit pricey but the sheer amount of quality fish on the sandwich makes it well worth the price. I will be back to try everything else. -
Review from Buster B.
Brooklyn, NY
6/20/2011
I was skeptical that a new fish shop would make the long trips to Murray's or Barney Greengrass a thing of the past. Boy was I wrong. Shelsky's fills a much needed void in Brooklyn, and it fills it very well.
The smoked fish I tried was very good. I did not get to try the salads - I'll save that for my next trip. But the best part was the herring in cream sauce with onions. It was perfect. Slightly sweet but with the perfect bite from the onions.
The store is nice to be in and the staff was mostly pleasant. The cashier on Saturday talked a bit too much but I think we was just excited to finally be open.
I will definitely go back. -
Review from Mark M.
Brooklyn, NY
1/13/2012
Wild King Salmon. Absolutely amazing. This is all you need to know.
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Review from Lucy M.
9/4/2011
I tried the bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon and thought it was very yummy, a little pricey though at $8.50. I also bought some of their smoked white fish salad which is different than the one I am used to from Murray's Bagels. Shelsky's fish salad has cucumber bits in it which adds a nice crunchy texture and cuts down on the saltiness of the smoked fish. Overall, what's there not to love about Shelsky's and smoked fish?
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Review from Jonathan B.
Brooklyn, NY
9/3/2011
As a long time Boerum Hill/Carroll Gardens native, I'm proud to say that this store is another quality addition to the neighborhood. Everything -- from the wonderful lox to the tasty bialys to the delicious spreads -- is extremely fresh and of a very high quality. The layout of the store is beautiful and clean, and the employees are friendly and helpful. I will be returning here for all my smoked fish needs...kudos!!
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Review from Rob C.
Brooklyn, NY
10/6/2011
Would be five stars if it wasn't so overpriced. Excellent salmon spread cream cheese on a bagel -- you can't go wrong. Also excellent chopped liver. The smoked tuna was amazing but super pricey.
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Review from Jenna Leigh E.
Brooklyn, NY
12/2/2011
Chewy bagels, hooray! Scrumptious schmears! Also, I love the staff. You want friendly with your Sunday bagel, or at least I do. So thrilled this place opened in my neighborhood.
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Review from joe C.
Brooklyn, NY
9/25/2011
If there were 6 stars I would've given it 6. A little pricey but once you taste the fresh salmon locks with cucumber dill and cream cheese you will be blown away by how tasty and worth it it is.
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Review from Susie G.
Brooklyn, NY
9/25/2011
The fish at Shelsky's is serious, better than Russ & Daughters. I have been by a few times for smoked salmon, sturgeon, smoked tuna and scallion cream cheese and they have all been spot on. Shelsky knows what he's doing! The sturgeon is outrageous. Plus this place sells Kedem grape juice and other various sundries that bring me back to my jewish girl childhood. Owner is extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
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Review from Mitchell R.
Brooklyn, NY
8/6/2011
Once you get past the sentimental BS about old Jewish Brooklyn Delis, the low down is this -- the fish at Shelsky's is superb, the bagels and bialys not so much. They're rather dense and not so fresh. My suggestion is to spend a fortune on fish at Shelsky's and then mozy over to the bagel store on President and Smith and pick up some freshly baked bagels.
Comment from Peter S. of Shelsky's Smoked Fish 8/6/2011
@Mitchell R, Thank you for your comment and for shopping at… More »
