For more than 20 years, BJ Pumpernickel’s served as one of Olney’s most recognizable restaurants, known for its New York–style deli classics, breakfast served all day, and one of the best pickle bars in the country.
The restaurant operated from 1989 until early 2010 in the Olney Town Center Shopping Center, offering everything from matzo ball soup and corned beef sandwiches to omelets, brisket platters, and cheesecakes.
According to a 1993 Washington Post article, “If you have trouble making decisions, the jampacked menu at B.J. Pumpernickel’s could drive you nuts. Not only is it long (we tried counting the items but got tired after the first hundred), but it’s also a wildly ecumenical melange. You can have matzoh ball soup, teriyaki salad, pastrami, crab cakes, pork barbecue, eggplant parmesan, mako shark or gefilte fish.” The review described the restaurant as a deli at heart but noted its wide-ranging menu, writing that “you name it, they’ve got it… plus breakfast served all day and catering, no less.”
The same article praised the deli’s signature touches, noting that “the traditional bowl of new pickles, half-sours, tomatoes and kraut is as authentic as they come.” Reviewers gave “high marks for the chopped liver, mild but tasty, with lovely overtones of chicken fat,” and complimented the tuna and smoked fish sandwiches. Breakfast favorites such as salami and eggs and corned beef omelets also earned strong reviews for their quality and portion size.
Owner Barry Schwartz operated BJ Pumpernickel’s for over two decades before closing in 2010. When Harris Teeter announced plans to open in the same shopping center, Schwartz was offered other spaces but chose to close permanently.
Even years after its closing, BJ Pumpernickel’s remains a familiar name in Olney, remembered for its casual atmosphere, loyal following, and place in the community’s dining history.