Favorite Deli in NYC
 

Do you have any favorite deli's in NYC? I've been to Katz, but I'm curious about others. Thanks!

Carneigie Deli would get my vote--oh, that cheesecake!!

Katz gets my vote (now that Second Ave. is closed).
I don't get the idea of going to a deli where you can only get a sandwich that serves 4 or more and then throwing most of it away, or eating till you get sick, or taking it home and throwing it away. What's wrong with serving a normal sandwich for normal people?

New York has literally hundreds of great delis. What neighborhood interests you? There's no need to travel for a great deli.

Gekko, I have to say I do not agree with you that there are great delis all over NYC. I believe the original poster is referring to kosher-style delis, of which I believe there are woefully few good ones left.

While not traditional deli's - try Russ and Daughters for killer chopped liver http://www.russanddaughters.com/ (downtown)
or Barney Greengrass on the upper westside https://www.barneygreengrass.com/

I realize this is being persnickety but those places are not delis; they are appetizing stores. They do not sell meat.

OOOh..before you kill me, I take it back..I see that Russ sells chopped liver which is indeed meat. Sorry!

Since Second Ave Deli closed, Sarges Deli would be my first choice.

Katz, while very good, is too much of a zoo and I hate fighting for a table. Stage Deli and Carnegie while good are too touristy. People don't seem to eat there because the food it good but to say they have eaten there.

Another thumb way up for Sarge's.

OK, inquiring minds want to know. Where is Sarge's Deli?

I'm with artlover--

Carnegie Deli all the way.

Awesome everything. And yes, the cheesecake I will never forget. The best I've ever had.

Sarge's is in Murray Hill, on 3rd Avenue, west side of street between 36th and 37th Streets. See:

www.sargesdeli.com

Now I'm curious. Those who rave about Carnegie Deli. Which other NY Delis are you comparing it with?
Sarge's gets a try on my next trip, although a little out of the way from my normal routine.

I've tried out Sarge's, Carnegie's, Stage's, Katz and 2nd Ave Deli (when it was still around). I don't think I have a favorite among them, but I do find myself frequenting Carnegie's because it's conveniently on my way home.

I don't get the cheesecake from Carnegie's though. Have had it 2 times but think Junior's is better. But that Baby Watson Cheesecake is the best to my tastebuds!

That's a good question, Neopolitan. I've only been to a few New York delis that I can think of now (Cargenie, Stage, and I can't even remember the third!) But when I go to New York, well, I AM a tourist. The ridiculously huge portions, elbow to elbow seating, busy busy attitude--it's just all part of the appeal. I might feel differently if I lived there, especially since I can generally eat about 1/4 of whatever they put in front of me. But I still love it there and so does my husband who astonishingly consumed his entire corned beef sandwich during our last visit.

I live and work in New York City. One of the Delis I take my out of towns friends too is Katz Deli, www.katzdeli.com/

Bill

I do not think the corned beef is that good at Carnegie; last time I had a sandwich from there it was curiously lacking in taste. I think it is much better at Katz' and I have never had any problem getting a table there. GoTravel, at what time is it difficult to snag a table? I liked Second Avenue better than all of these. I think he is going to do only catering now. The ones mentioned above, along with Ben's in the garment center (they have other locations out of Manhattan) and Pastrami Queen on Lexington, are really the only ones left anywhere close to midtown. Just my two cents....

For those who are looking for more of a real NY neighborhood experience, not at all a tourist place, and who don't mind a trip into Brooklyn, I'd recommend Mill Basin Deli. I live in Brooklyn & everyone I meet from here agree that this is the best you can get. The food is most like the delis I grew up with and no longer seem to exist. They even keep a rotating art gallery in the restaurant. Check it out: http://www.pastrami.net/

ekscrunchy, you pick a time and it is crowded at Katz.

I love the Italian Food Center at 186 Grand Street in Little Italy. They make excellent Italian Subs! All the meats, mozzarella, and sausages are imported from Italy. I feel like going there now!

I know that Katz' is crowded; I said that I had never had trouble getting a table and asked at what times you had had difficulty. I should add that I have never had waiter service there so maybe that section is more crowded.

Italian Food Center is a good place for sandwiches and Italian goods but I do not consider it a deli in the same sense as the others we discussed here.

I like the Roxy in Times Square. I never hear anyone else say they like it and I am starting to question my own taste!

I'm trying to remember the actual times I've been to Katz' -- three times in all. All were at lunch, and possibly fairly early -- about noon. But I've never had a problem getting a table (with counter service). My only problem was that when I enter I want to study the menu on the wall a bit, and they are immediately hounding me for my order. It's always been busy, but I have yet to see people who can't get a table. Although I have seen people hanging around waiting for the "When Harry Met Sally" table.

The Roxy? Ouch. That's the place where I politely asked the waitress for a clean water glass without lipstick all over it. She snottily said, "that's a permanent mark in the glass, not lipstick" to which I wiped it off with my finger and said "funny, it tasted like lipstick when I drank out of the glass and it sure looks like lipstick". To that she walked away and refused to wait on us. We had to get the manager who found someone else to take our table, but I saw our first waitress talking to her. I'm sure they spit in our food or worse.

All right next time I am going to New York I am going to look at this thread - the Roxy is not looking so good any more. We used to stay and the Crowne Plaza a lot and I always thought it was great that such a good deli nearby - looks like the Courtyard Marriot next time anyhow!