New Boulder deli operated by the Twelve Tribes. Is it a cult? Seems that way
Not long ago, my husband and I returned to Boulder hungry — and late. I had read that the newly opened Yellow Deli was open late (24 hours, it turns out), so we gave it a try. Behind the cheerful yellow curtains in the front window, it has a curious hippie look to it — rustic furniture, psychedelic-style art with inspirational messages painted on the walls and soft-spoken, pony-tailed waiters. Most of the tables were occupied, either with twosomes or small groups in low-toned yet animated converations or soloist with their laptops and perhaps a beverage or small bite.
When I read that the deli is closed from 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoons until 12:00 noon on Sundays, I thought it might be run by some latter-day, ’60s-inspired group of hippie observant Jews — or observant Jewish hippies of some stripe. That didn’t exactly mesh with locations, not only in Boulder but also in Chattanooga; Vista, California; Island Pond, Vermont, and three places in New York State. I was mildly curious, but not enough to investigate.
The menu cover illusration seems taken straight from the hippie '60s.
Even though I didn’t investigate the Boulder Weekly did. According to “Father, Son & Holy Toast” in the current issue, the Yellow Deli is operated by a group called Twelve Tribes, about which reporter Jefferson Dodge wrote, “The group is known for being a sort of hippie Jesus commune, one in which all members live together, have an equal voice, share the work and share the rewards, a community in which no one is rich or poor. They take biblical passages literally, believing that they should recruit others to their point of view, that adultery and the use of drugs or alcohol are wrong. Outside influences such as television and video games are frowned upon. The group reportedly wants to propagate extensively, so that there are 144,000 virginal males to serve as the bride of Messiah when Judgment Day comes.” I’m think the Weekly might have meant “virginal females,” but editor inattention aside, the real issues are what group is about.
The article is worth reading. The Twelve Tribes are an international confederation of religious communities founded in 1971 by one Gene Spriggs, who is known by his followers as as Yoneq. That alone says “cult” to me. I have no problem with religions that do not seek to proselytize, and the Twelve Tribes seems to only in a mellow, passive hippie way. Then again, so do the aggressive Christian fundamentalists behind Chick-fil-A, which is closed on Sunday and quite apparently occupies a far flank of the Christian right. FWIW, I liked Yellow Deli’s food but am less than comfortable with the group behind, it just like Chick-fil-A where I care neither for their mostly fried food-court fare or for their far right politics.
But What About the Food?
At the Yellow Deli, my husband’ reported that his Rueben sandwich was very fine, as was my cranberry/cashew salad with greens, peppers, Havarti cheese and tomatoes. Coincidentally, I had eaten a similar salad at Mimi’s Cafe in Aurora (don’t ask!) earlier that very day, and the Yellow Deli one was far fresher and far better
My husband and I were both impressed with the quality and taste, but frankly, having read about the Twelve Tribes, I’m thinking we probably won’t be going back. Neither of us has much truck with cults. I didn’t take pictures of the food, because when we left the house for Denver, I didn’t expect that we’d be going out to eat. I took the shot of the sign a few days later.
Hi Claire, great meeting you last week at Colterra.
Nice website.
FYI, on the Yellow Deli piece, the biblical prophecy does refer to “virginal males,” not females. Strange, I know.
Hope to see you soon,
Jeff
It is the aim of the Twelve Tribes community to obliterate all independence (thought, action, freedom of movement, opinions, access to information, access to families) and to drive them into a hopeless, dispirited, gray herd of robots. They have lost all personal ambition, are easy to rule willing to obey and willing to exist in selfless slavery to the Elbert Eugene Spriggs (the leader).
- Former Member
my son lives there with this cult. They turn their members against their rela family, our son will not even talk to us and does not think we’re his family. They think blacks should should be slaves. They do not allow any freedom of the members and are a high mind control cult listed in the registery of cults. They do not allow there children to pretend or play. They do not allow any freedom of thought they have many mind control tactics.If you eat at their delis you are supporting the abuse of their children and the stealing of loved ones from families that love and miss them.
dawn kubart
and they think the world is evil. They have taken our son from us.
Having read about other cults and also the Boulder Weekly feature, your comment saddens me but does not surprise me. I had intended just to write about the food but not about their beliefs or practices (other than the sabbath closing), but the details I’ve learned are such that I’ve never returned.
I’m a former member. I love the group, the community, even the long ardous hours. I miss the community a lot.
However I disagree that it’s a cult. Or that it’s controlling. We all made a choice to go willingly. We all can make a choice to reject that way of life and return to the world.
I also am a former member, and I do not agree that the community thinks the world is evil in the sense that you are saying at all. In fact, they believe that no matter what religion you are in you are judged only by your actions. They do not condemn anyone, they only want to help people find a family and a place to belong. It’s interesting to note that those who are making such irrational “observations” about The Twelve Tribes have had few or no interactions with community members, and are making their arrogant judgements solely by word of mouth. I think it is rude and distasteful to make such a review on the hard-working and earnest people there who are trying to provide for their families.
If the “community” was so incredible – then why did you both leave? We just moved from Cambridge, NY, and have personally experienced The Twelve Tribes “cult.” So I’m not speaking, “solely by word of mouth.”
RJS’s comment was not directed at me but at writers of earlier comments.
There are many religious groups who chose to live in community and to separate themselves from the outside world (think Amish). It is always easy to point fingers at the theological beliefs of others and I find the comments here to be small minded.
We ate at the Yellow Deli this weekend. The food was great and priced right. I had the heart stopping Lambwich, a delicious combination of egg, cheese and gyros style lamb all on a perfectly fresh kaiser roll. My husband had the Reuben and it was fantastic. Another at our table had the Garden Chicken sandwich: a generous portion of sliced chicken, fresh vegetables and good bread. The coffee was good enough that we commented on it.
Seems that others agree that the food is good because the place was packed on a Sunday afternoon. The folks in our group were well aware of the religious beliefs of the community before we ate there. I guess we are all just more tolerant of other people’s religious beliefs. We will definitely be going back!
It’s not “small-minded,” if you’ve been personally subjected to their cult mentality. You sound like a self-entitled, bleeding heart liberal. Go ahead, though, and congratulate yourself for being more enlightened than the rest of us “small-minded” morons. I’ll bet you also “heart” racial diversity – yet you’re the first to scream “Death Penalty!” when an “African-American” burglarizes your bungalow.
OK, folks. Let’s cut out the name calling. It has no place on this food blog. Thanks.
Hi Claire,
Didn’t know you enjoyed drugs and adultery. I don’t like the Tribes either.
But I find your far-right conservatism and fundamentalist bashing interesting;
hypocritical. Seems like you’re doing the same thing they are. Bashing others,
and trying to recruit people to your own point of view. By the way, I think they
are a cult also. I lived there about a year and got to know the people and lifestyle
better than you’ll ever be able to do, and ever be open-minded enough to do.
Why not focus on the food and restaurants and leave people’s beliefs out
of your interpretations. I could write a book about there problems and failures
as a community, but when it’s all said and done, those literal bible believers
seem much nicer to me than you do, Clair.
Chris – I don’t “enjoy drugs and adultery,” and I am not trying to “recruit” anyone to my point of view. It is very difficult to separate the restaurant from the group (and yes, I believe that the Tribes are a cult — as do you).