Tucked away in the heart of Historic Railroad Square in downtown Santa Rosa, Grossman’s Noshery and Bar is a safe lunch spot for almost anything you’re craving. Slightly more upscale than Santa Rosa Junior College’s Dining Hall, Grossman’s offers a multitude of deli-inspired options for lunch, which may prove to be a nice change to what we Bearcubs usually have day-to-day.
Part of the Stark Reality Restaurant group, this Jewish deli serves Sonoma County locals and tourists alike as it is located next to the Santa Rosa downtown SMART station. Grossman’s defied the odds by opening at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, survived and is still thriving today.
Featuring an outdoor patio, Grossman’s offers a perfect spot for lunch meetings, a quick bite in between shopping downtown or a tipple with friends before a night out. The menu explores everything from breakfast and lunch fare to more refined options such as caviar and craft cocktails.
The spiced fries were the star of the show. Thinly sliced steak fries covered in Za’atar seasoning and minced garlic were perfect for our sandwiches. The portion was significant as well, getting to enjoy the fries all over again at home was a bonus.
The falafel pita was flavorful, satisfying and full of vibrant colors and texture. Creamed
cucumber and pickled red cabbage provided a much-needed crunch and acidity on top of the fried falafel. A trio of sauces, hummus, tahini and amba, provided the base of the pita. The falafel will most definitely become a staple lunch order from here on out.
The Half & Half sandwich was the wildcard order. When asked about the dish, the server said it wasn’t one-half of an egg salad and one-half tuna sandwich but all together as one. The egg salad and tuna complimented one another so nicely that it could be deemed the perfect lunch. And for all the mayo-haters out there, no, it wasn’t too much mayo.
The cherry on top was washing it down with a well-balanced Arnold Palmer while basking in the January sun.
One area for improvement is not just for Grossman’s but the entirety of the Railroad Square area of Downtown Santa Rosa. You have to pay to park just about anywhere on 4th Street and the blocks surrounding it. This has been and will continue to be a massive deterrent for walk-in traffic in the area.
Just a five-minute drive from Santa Rosa Junior College or a brisk 27-minute walk, Grossman’s could be a nice reprieve from the dining hall for students. Next time you and your friends need a place to meet up, consider Grossman’s Noshery and Bar in Santa Rosa.
