Iconic Williamsburg: Gottlieb’s Restaurant

YS Gold 

With the passing today of Reb Shulem Yosef Gottlieb, proprietor of Gottlieb’s Restaurant on Roebling Street, Williamsburg residents—and so many in the community—are walking down memory lane… remembering this legendary establishment that is synonymous with old Williamsburg. 

Gottlieb’s was founded by Reb Shloime Zalka Gottlieb at this very location sixty-five years ago. Reb Zalka was a Holocaust survivor from Kleinwardein, Hungary, who hailed from the family of the famed Rav Chaim Yosef Gottlieb of Stropkov, author of the Tiv Gittin v’Kiddushin. He passed away in 2008 at close to one hundred years of age, but the impression that he left on old Williamsburg continues to last until this day. 

A relative of the Gottlieb’s wrote: “Today’s shocking passing is a tremendous loss for me, and for the entire Orthodox Jewish community in New York. Mr. Gottlieb, z”l, was a pioneer of old-school Williamsburg, together with our late grandfather Reb Yitzchok Fried, z”l, who owned Itzu’s—the only dairy diner in town. 

“In the 1970’s, Mr. Gottlieb opened the first and only meat diner and delicatessen in Williamsburg. For those who don’t know, it was uncommon for chassidish families to eat out at restaurants back then. Mr. Gottlieb’s original intention was to serve mostly single, heartbroken Holocaust survivors, and the first-generation post-Holocaust, many of whom were singles with no one to cook for them, or struggling divorcees with no warm home to return to. He created that warm space for them, often offering free meals. 

“Later, Gottlieb’s became a local and national sensation—a must-visit for tourists, elected officials, candidates, ambassadors, and those simply curious about our beautiful community. Everyone who grew up in Williamsburg enjoyed Gottlieb’s every once in a while—whether it was cholent, gefilte fish, turkey cutlets, or his delicious health salad—my all-time favorite. 

“Today’s loss will be felt by all of us, especially the broken families, widows, and orphans to whom he consistently sent free meals.” 

As Reb Shulem Yosef is escorted to his final resting place in Kiryas Yoel, he is accompanied with scores of good deeds and acts of chessed—so many of which took place behind the counter of the legendary Gottlieb’s restaurant in Williamsburg.