Cindi’s New York Deli is no secret in our neighborhood. In fact, it’s an institution. The popular Jewish deli resembles more of a diner with that IHOP kind of smell.

I stopped by for dinner (I love that the Central Expressway location stays open until 9 p.m.), which was kind of a change from the typical running inside for a pastry or bagel on the way to work in the morning.

The Friday night special was chicken and dumplings, and they’re probably the best I’ve had anywhere in quite a while. The serving is huge with plenty to take home for later. The dish comes with two sides – I ordered yams and broccoli. The yams were a bit too … soaked in sugar … for my taste. You also get not one but two pieces of bread – a roll and cornbread.

Maybe I’m getting old, but Cindi’s proved to be a nice Friday-night hang-out.