Matzo Ball Soup Showdown: Discover If Our Blind Taste-Test Winner Matches Your Favorite!

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Our matzo ball soup showdown has been a treat for taste buds! This classic Jewish dish warms up many dining spots in South Florida, from delis to cozy eateries. So, we decided to find out who serves the best.

As part of our Best of South Florida Dining series, we brought back the exciting blind taste test alongside the readers’ choice voting. Plus, we welcomed our new Jewish Journal editor, Jessica Tzikas, as a judge!

In the nomination round, we asked you, our readers, to share your favorite spots for matzo ball soup in Broward and Palm Beach. Miami-Dade was left out this time due to logistical issues.

After tallying your votes, here are the Top 5 finalists in alphabetical order:

3G’s Gourmet Deli
Grampa’s
TooJay’s
Top Hat Deli
Bagel Tree

Did our readers and judges agree? Not quite; it was a split decision.

Judges’ Choice

During our taste test last Tuesday, three judges — Tzikas, features reporter Lois K. Solomon, and chef Danny Serfer — gathered for a fun tasting event. We sampled two quarts of soup along with at least four matzo balls from each finalist.

Each judge evaluated the soup based on matzo ball density (sinkers or floaters), broth flavor, and whether noodles were thick or thin. Interestingly, temperature wasn’t considered since the soups traveled quite a distance.

After much tasting, the judges declared TooJay’s the winner!

Serfer shared insights on the importance of using schmaltz, or rendered chicken fat, in matzo balls for optimal flavor. “A good matzo ball should have a lot of schmaltz,” he noted. He guessed correctly that TooJay’s recipe included it. The restaurant proudly claims its matzo balls are made the traditional way, using schmaltz.

While taste-testing, the judges expressed mixed feelings about the ingredients in TooJay’s soup. Some appreciated the consistency, while others wished for more chicken or noodles.

Following TooJay’s were 3G’s Gourmet Deli in second place and Grampa’s in third.

Readers’ Choice

“Winning this honor is special, especially since matzo ball soup is a nostalgic dish often made at home,” said Wolf. “It’s about creating comfort food that resonates with our guests.”

Wolf revealed Top Hat’s matzo ball soup is made the traditional way, with roasted bones for rich chicken stock, hand-rolled matzo balls, and fresh ingredients like carrots and chives. “Using fresh ingredients is key,” he mentioned.

Customer feedback is glowing. Fort Lauderdale resident Erika Watkins praised the soup, saying it could “mend heartbreak,” while Richard Goldman humorously pointed out its appeal to non-Jews, suggesting it could “convert” them!

Top Hat Deli is located at 415 NE Third St., Fort Lauderdale. For more details, visit tophatftl.com.

With the excitement around matzo ball soup, it’s clear that this dish is more than just food; it brings people together. For more on culinary favorites, check out previous Best of South Florida Dining winners, including the best waterfront restaurant and best food truck.

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matzo ball soup, South Florida, Top Hat, Danny Serfer, Jessica Tzikas, taste-test, Elliot Wolf

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