Kravitz deli celebrates Jewish-Irish heritage this weekend

Jack Kravitz, President of Kravitz Delicatessen said the deli hopes to sell 8,500 pounds of pickled, beef brisket during the seven days of the festival. As of Friday afternoon, Kravitz estimated that the deli had already sold over 2,000 pounds.

Kravitz wants to bring the history of the Jewish-Irish connection into the celebration.

On Thursday night, The Lemon Grove Cafe is hosting Old Youngstown and New Youngstown night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Kravitz will serve rueben sandwiches and corned beef and cabbage dinners.

On Friday night, the deli will feature County Mayo, a Valley traditional Irish band from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The deli will serve a Dublin fish fry with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. The Girard- Liberty Rotary will provide beer to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Poland Library is featuring its own fish fry also at the Holy Family Church in Poland.

Customers can take part in the Corned Beef Sandwich challenge all weekend long. If contestants finish the meal made from a whole loaf of fresh rye bread, one pound of premium corned beef, Ohio Swiss, and a pickle, they get the sandwich free plus a $25 gift certificate to Kravitz Deli. Kravitz said only four people have done it so far.

Lunch with the Giant Leprachauns begins on Saturday at the Poland Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can have a traditional Irish lunch with Charlie the Giant Leprahcaun. Chicken fingers, Irish stew, macaroni and cheese and fried potatoes will be served.

Brady's Leap, a local Celtic band will play on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m in the Poland Library. Then in Liberty, the Guilty Pleasures folk band will play from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

More food will be served on Sunday where both Poland and Liberty locations will play Irish music. Live music from Brady's Leap can be enjoyed at the Liberty location from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Jim Frank Trio will be playing live in Poland from noon until 2 p.m.