No, I have not been there since the fire. Your years it was below the quality of the others, so I simply never returned. Now I only go delis a few times a year and prefer to stick to the favorites rather than experiment.

Well, you are certainly not helping offering an opinion based on a 'long ago' visit.
As to 'experimenting' not really - I go to places to try them out, Sarge's has been a go to place for a long time - I enjoyed my visits to Katz's and Carnegie and the Stage Deli prior to its closing.
Going to try some of the places listed here.
Let's give the questioner some good advice - at least you were honest in saying you haven't been to Sarge's lately.
Lumpy

Thanks for the suggestions; looks as though it will be a tough choice, and I don't mean the meat.

Oh, by the way, I don't remember for sure if Katz's serves pickles with their sandwiches, though I think they do. But at 2nd Ave Deli and many others you get a complimentary bowl of a variety of pickles - dill, sour, etc - a really nice extra.

Artie's does not IMHO hold a candle to 2nd Avenue, Katz' (it's been a couple of years) or even Carnegie. I never heard of Sarge's or Carve Unique.

Katz's does give you a variety of pickles. 2nd Ave gives you pickles and what is called health salad which cole slaw with a vinegar base rather than mayo.

Many bloggers and magazines do want to repeat what may be the best of any category, so they have a desperate need to add something else.

I love health salad - we can't get it out here.

I have a great recipe for it, SF. Will send it when I get home.

Thanks Deb!

Basically health salad is cole slaw without mayo but with white vinegar and a little sugar.

I love Sarge's, but I don't know that it's worth the trip from the UWS down to Murray Hill. I'd head crosstown to 2nd Avenue Deli-- on First Avenue (just to confuse us). Anyone for brisket and matzoh ball soup...?

Smitten kitchen has a nice health salad recipe posted recently. It is based on the excellent one from Zabar's if I remember correctly.

"Ben's Best" on a non-descript part of Queens Blvd in Rego Park, Queens.

http://bensbest.com/

Ben's Best mentioned in this interesting article:


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=113754874

I've never been myself but will try to get there one day soon for my annual deli sandwich.

"Ben's Best" - take "R" or "M" train to 63rd Road. It's right there. Queens Blvd unfortunately is pretty ugly (but safe). You can always go to Bed Bath & Beyond - across the street - after!

ekscrunchy - Just looked at the link you sent. It has definitions of various deli lingo.

Here's a soup I never heard of. Very funny definition.

Berditchev Soup: Rare Polish vegetable soup with honey, cloves, and spices ... think apple cider meets Campbell's. Served in vaguely anti-Semitic Krakow restaurants.

IMDoneHere: I have been to Mile End and found the smoked meat to be too smokey. Left a taste in my mouth that made me feel that I had inhaled the smoke of a burning house.

I prefer Katz Deli pastrami (on rye, just mustard, with a side of half-sour pickles to complement). The sandwich has gotten pricey ($18), but two normal appetites can be filled with one sandwich. I skip the fries and the sodas. Dessert can be had next door at Laboratio del Gelato.

Thanks gb.