Classic NYC Deli
 

Next weekend will be in NYC. We want to walk 42nd St. from the East River towards Times Square to our hotel on 39th St.

Looking for a deli that serves corned beef, pastrami, reuben sandwiches.

Thanks.

Traditional New York Jewish delis are actually hard to find these days, but there are a couple near this route.

You have really only two choices. 2nd Avenue Deli, on 33rd Street, just off Third Ave., is your best and most authentic choice. It's got some of the best corned beef in the city. You will not be able to get a Reuben there, of course, because it's kosher. Indeed, no sandwiches of any kind with cheese.

The next best option is probably Sarge's, on Third between 36th and 37th Streets (west side of the street). It's got pretty good corned beef and pastrami and will make you a Reuben.

Now that Junior's at Grand Central has closed, the only option for that is the one near Times Square, across from the Marriott Marquis on Schubert Alley. But it's for me a distant third.

Second Sarge's. Basically no atmosphere to speak of, just tasty, stick-to-your-ribs deli food served in that inimitable New York deli style (lots of love but no nonsense). And it should be just a short jaunt south of your hotel (we loved going there when we were schlepping around Murray Hill). I can vouch for the Reubens being good. And filling!

Walk right past Junior's. Good call, Doug!

Go to Second Avenue Deli.

Unless you are headed to the United Nations, or have a particular reason to venture that far east, I'm not sure that walking along 42nd Street from the East River will be that interesting as compared to other walks you could take. From the Chrysler Building east to the River, those blocks don't really hold that much for a visitor. Better to just walk from Second Avenue Deli, or go downtown to Katz.'

If you want to see beautiful residential areas, you could walk north a bit and peek into the Beekman area but it is out of your way from42nd Street.

^^^^
Beekman is certainly the nicest area in midtown east!

Another vote for Sarge's.

I'm no expert, but we really enjoyed Second Avenue Deli.
http://www.2ndavedeli.com/

Lee Ann

In defense of Junior's I am not sure anyone ever even thought that place was or is a "deli" and I do not believe it has ever advertised itself as such, either.

I've never managed to get anything to eat at Katz. I try almost every time I'm in NY but the lines are so long.

http://www.veselka.com/ East Village, you will love it.

SIGNATURE SANDWICHES
All signature sandwiches served with french fries or sweet potato fries or homemade potato chips.
VESELKA’S SIGNATURE SANDWICHES $

All signature sandwiches served with french or sweet potato fries or homemade potato chips.


MADAME ALEXANDER $13.50

Organic smoked turkey, Vermont sharp while cheddar & chipotle cranberry on Amy's Raisin Fennel Bread.

VESELKA’S RUEBEN $13.75

Thinly sliced Krakovska, swiss cheese, sauerkraut and homemade Russian dressing on 7-grain bread.


CHICKEN SCHNITZEL $13.75

Panko crusted thinly pounded all natural Bell Evans chicken breast, served with lemon pepper mayo and sliced pickles on a seeded roll.

THE BACZYNSKI $15.00

Thinly sliced Polish ham, Ukrainian salami, podlaski cheese, pickled vegetable relish on pumpernickel bread


UKRAINIAN MEATBALL HERO $15.25

With mushroom gravy and sauerkraut on challah baguette

KIELBASA HERO $15.00

Roasted locally smoked kielbasa, served with a house made ketchup and hot sauerkraut on a challah baguette


A cab ride to heaven...

>>>I've never managed to get anything to eat at Katz. I try almost every time I'm in NY but the lines are so long.<<<

Last time I was there, I met someone at precisely noon and we walked right in. Ten minutes later it was jammed, and by the time we left the line was down the block.

These days I prefer the 2nd Ave. Deli, which is a lot closer to me, as well.

Re:

THE BACZYNSKI $15.00

Thinly sliced Polish ham, Ukrainian salami, podlaski cheese, pickled vegetable relish on pumpernickel bread
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BACZYNSKI is the Ukranian butcher shop across the street from Veselka. He makes sensational kielbasa.

Please note Veselka is not Jewish nor a deli nor kosher. It is Eastern European. Now while most Jews are Ashkenazi, meaning from Eastern Europe, only some dishes are similar like the blintzes, pirogi's and potato pancakes and burgers (just kidding.) But every sandwich listed above wouldn't even qualify as kosher style.

Unfortunately Veselka is uneven. Years ago it was a cheap and a wonderful place for the neighborhood artists. The walls used to be covered by the likenesses of the regulars.

Over the years, it has gone upscale,(for them) and to their credit it always jammed but they quality of the food is inconsistent.

We recently recommended the SEcond Avenue Deli to someone from San FRancisco and he and his partner went and shared a pastrami sandwich for breakfast. I don't know of anyone who doesn't like the 2nd Avenue Deli (I also love Katz' -- depends where you are. I'll try Sarge's and Veselka next trip).

They didn't ask for it to be Jewish so suggested this.

Same here! I will be in NYC in Sept and would love to find a good deli too.

Thanks.
Charles V Garcia

You can buy hipster pastrami and go eat it Tompkins Square Park.
http://www.meatandsupplyco.com/
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And if you ever visit relatives or friends in Brooklyn, here is an old style deli with a twist, Mill Basin Deli has Ertes and other fine art on the walls.

http://www.millbasindeli.com
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Another old style Brooklyn deli that is not easy to reach is Jay and Lloyd's.

http://www.jayandlloydskosherdeli.com/
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Probably the best knishes are made at Zabar's. They also have a great prepared section with some traditional Jewish food including pastrami and CB and others that are completely not.

Buy food there and have a picnic in Central Park. But sharpen your elbows, the crowd is tight and tough in there.

http://www.zabars.com/

This is one of NYC's great stores.

There you go! A reason to visit Mill Basin!

If you're in the UWS, Barney Greengrass (AKA the Sturgeon King) is pretty darn good. http://www.barneygreengrass.com/welcome.php

This is one of NYC's great stores.

This is one of the US's great stores!