Matzo Ball Mayhem: Scott's Generations vs. Chompie's

By Eric Schaefer Thu., Jan. 24 2013 at 10:00 AM

In the other corner: Chompie's

The Setup: The Borenstein family has long ruled the Jewish deli scene in metro Phoenix, but two relative newcomers -- Goldman's and Abe's -- are gaining momentum. The Chompie's menu is huge. I eat at Chompie's often out of convenience, and have noticed a definite improvement in both food quality and service over the last 18 months. If you didn't love it in the past, it's worth going back.

The Good: Nearly softball-sized, this matzo ball was light, fluffy and uniform in its consistency. If it hadn't soaked up the broth, I would have expected it to defy gravity and float away into the sky. These folks have obviously got this "floater" thing down to a science.

The Bad: The broth would have been satisfying if I didn't just have Scott's as a basis for comparison. I suggest ordering it "broth only" and forgoing the noodles; the broth is where the good stuff resides anyway. Even though it was homemade, it didn't quite taste like it. Talk about portion size...the size of the matzo ball and the small bowl meant that there was space for only several spoons-full of broth. Scott's seemed downright generous by comparison.

The Price: $4.99 for a small bowl, $6.99 for a large bowl.

The Verdict: This is a close call, but I'm going with Scott's Generations. Chompie's has a better matzo ball, but the broth at Scott's is in another league altogether and that's what puts it over the top. A little greasy and a lot flavorful, the culinary alchemy that is matzo ball soup is well represented at Scott's. Their broth with Chompie's kneydl would constitute the matzo ball soup Promised Land. Stop by for some corn rye bread at Karsh's on your way out and get well soon!

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Scott's Generations

5555 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, AZ

Category: Restaurant

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Chompie's Deli Restaurant, Bagels, Bakery & Catering

4550 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix, AZ

Category: Restaurant

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BRONXGIRL10

While I've always loved Scott's, the matzoh ball soup winner is the new Abe's Delicattessen in Scottsdale. Chompie's food and bagels are just horrible and their service is ghastly. Chompie's has grown too big. When they had their original restaurant on 32nd Street and Greenway, it had a "haimishe" feel to it...a down-homey feel, and the food seemed homemade.. Since they decided to move to Paradise Valley Mall, not only have the prices gone up, but the quality has gone down. It is very obvious that they buy their corned beef and pastrami elsewhere, instead of making it in-house. Have you tried Abe's bagels? They're smart enough to have them parboiled in Brooklyn and completed in Arizona. Have you tried Abe's pastrami? He's smart enough to have it made in Michigan (a little bit of a disappointment here that it's not made in New York or in-house), but the pastrami TASTES like it's made in New York. I've had their unbelievably delicous blintzes, potato pancakes and even vegetarian burger! So, Abe's would be rated first, Scott's second, Goldman's third and, unfortunately, Chompie's fourth!

Eric598

@BRONXGIRL10 - Thanks for your comments! I've actually tried the soup at Abe's and was woefully disappointed. Over salted and bizarre. I've heard the same comment from many people that have also tried it. It bordered on inedible, in my opinion. Of course I tried the kreplach (not the matzo ball) so maybe that's the difference. I do agree that their pastrami and corned beef is excellent, however. You mention latkes as well; I reviewed those for New Times (in a "throw down vs. Goldman's) in this article: http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2012/12/battle_of_the_latkes_guest_cri.php As much as I want to love Abe's since they're the new kids on the block, my experiences there have made it tough to love. Chompie's isn't what it used to be in the "old days" and I stopped going altogether for a while, but I have noticed an improvement in the last 18 months. And I've never been disappointed at Goldman's. In fact, the only reason that I didn't include them in this story is because I just included them in the story about latkes. The bottom line is that deli food is often judged by what one grew up with, and everyone's personal preferences are difference. This article, as with everything that I write, is simply one man's opinion and your mileage may vary!

JohnQ.Public topcommenter

@BRONXGIRL10 Disagree completely. Have been completely unimpressed by Abe's, but sounds like you are really tied in with the ownership. I really really wanted to like the new kid on the block but have been totally disappointed. I didn't know that Abe's bagels we made off site and shipped here frozen but that explains a lot. I definitely like Chompies at Shea/101 better than PV Mall-service at PV Mall isn't great but service at 101/Shea is old school. I'd put Goldmans's ahead of Abes. Best bagels in my opinion are at JJ's Deli on Scottsdale at Pinnacle Peak along with best k'nishes in town. For a decadent treat try the k'nish sandwich with a k'nish cut in half and the top and bottom of the k'nish as the bread. Yummmmmmmmm!!!!!

TOFood

I find it interesting that the Yiddish word 'Kneydl' or 'Knaidle' ( you say potato, I say potahto) is derived from the German word for dumpling 'knodel' which is also the same root of the French 'quenelle'.

n.b. plural, should you want more than one, is 'knaidlach'