Onion roll

Onion rollsare a roll ofAshkenazi Jewishorigin similar to a bun, that is made of a soft, slightly sweet dough similar tochallah, containing dried onions throughout which create its signature flavor. It is often topped with dried onions, and occasionally poppy seeds.
Onion rolls are a small roll, originating in theJewish communities of Eastern Europeseveral hundred years ago. The rolls contain flour, water, eggs, oil, salt, yeast, sugar, dried onions, and often poppy seeds. Today they are most typically used for sandwiches by those in theJewish community, although they are also used as a dinner roll and can be commonly found at Jewish delis and bakeries across North America and Israel.
Onion rolls originated in theAshkenazi Jewishcommunity of Eastern Europe several hundred years ago, and were brought to the Americas byJewish refugeesfleeing Eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th century (late 1800s). These refugees brought their traditionalJewish foodswith them to their new homes in America, especially inNew York City, which became a center of Jewish culture and was where the onion roll became most notable.
Onion rolls could be found at Jewish bakeries, restaurants, delicatessens, and markets around the United States and other places with a significant Jewish population. However most notably, the kosher dairy restaurantRatner'sopened inNew York City’sLower East Sideneighborhood in 1908, and began serving its famous onion rolls soon after. These onion rolls became famous both within the Jewish community and among other New Yorkers as well. The restaurant opened several more locations but eventually, they all closed in 2002. At the restaurant’s peak up to 3,000 onion rolls were baked and served every day.
According toJewish Americancookbook author and baker Stanley Ginsburg,“It’s almost impossible to find a decent onion roll.”, since the closing of Ratner’s in 2002 which prompted him to help write a cookbook,”Inside the Jewish Bakery”, offering his version of an onion roll, and other classic Jewish breads and other baked goods.Onion rolls have since been featured in other Jewish baking cookbooks as well. The family that formerly owned Ratner's later published a book with a recipe for their original onion rolls after the restaurant's closing.
Today onion rolls are most commonly found in supermarkets across theNortheastern United States, as well as theLos AngelesandMiami areas, due to their large Jewish populations. Onion rolls are sold by a variety of brands includingKasanoff’s, Miami Onion Roll Company, Ratner’s, Zomick’s, and others in stores across the country.
Onion rolls are also still found in Jewish bakeries and dairy restaurants in the United States, as well as Israel.
Onions rolls are a popular bread in Jewish culture, particularly theAmerican Jewishculture ofNew York City, where they are commonly served at Jewish bakeries, delis, kosher markets and restaurants. They have also been featured in popular culture.
Onions rolls were the most famous food served at the popular, but now-closedRatner'srestaurant inNew York’sLower East Side, akosherrestaurant only offering foods made with dairy. Ratner's was an iconic Jewish restaurant in the city for many decades, and its onion rolls were very popular among its clientele, some of whom still remember them and attempt to recreate them to this day.
According to the restaurant's cookbook, the winner and undisputed champion at Ratner's was its famous onion rolls which were featured on every table with every meal served at the restaurant. More than 1500 onion rolls were baked daily, 3000 on Sundays.
Onion rolls were featured in the 2000 movie,Boiler Roomwhere the main character Seth, (Giovanni Ribisi) has a meal with his family. An exterior shot shows the front of the restaurant. The interior scene that immediately follows shows Ratner's famous onion rolls on the family's table.