one REAL NYC Deli

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 10:58am

ok people, I need your help.

My partner and I arrive in NYC one week from today.....and I've been waiting for him, or his mother (lives in Peter Cooper Village) to give me the name of one REAL NYC Deli......for lunch one day.
We are already going to Zabar's on the 18th as his mother and some elderly friend like it, but I've heard there's better.

I want to have the best corned beef sandwhich I've ever had, and what we have in the desert just doesn't quite measure up.

So, what is your favorite deli, and what is your favorite dish there (not including any waiters! or waitresses!)

Thanks

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:02am

Carnegie's is awfully famous. Maybe try that?

Is it possible they mean Sbarro's?

Updated On: 4/4/05 at 11:02 AM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:10am

well, his Mom's 80 something year old cousin said Zabar's also had a restaurant.......(which the website says nothing about).....so if you're saying it's doesn't, then I'll tell them to make other arrangements.

Katz sounds interesting, I am at their website now.

thanks!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:10am

Katz's Deli on East Houston St. or the 2nd Avenue Deli are more authentic than the Stage or the Carnegie, and they're more convenient to Peter Cooper Village.

My suggestion is that you try the corned beef at EACH one and let us know which is best.

Wash it down with a Brown's Cel-Ray Tonic.

[Corine2]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:13am

I would go to the Carnegie and share a sandwich.
Big enough for four people.

[robbiej]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:14am

I actually have a stronger affection for 2nd Ave Deli that Katz...though both are wonderful!

[liotte]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:15am

2nd avenue Deli is MUCH better than Katz's. And yes, Zabars has a little sitdown cafe next to it if you want to go there.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:16am

the corned beef at 2nd Ave along with their latkes (and homemade apple sauce)

the pastrami at Katz's with their better latkes...

desserts disappoint at either, though....

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:24am

the one shame is that the cheesecake at Carangie is AMAZING. I now only go there to buy the cheesecake

[Corine2]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 11:31am

I like the pickles at Katz's. Hate Jewish Deli. I know.
A nice Jewish girl who hates deli. LOL.
All I ever want is Asian and seafood.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 12:18pm

There are no authentic delis anymore. However, if you want an "almost" experience I would choose Katz Deli. 2nd Avenue would be my second choice. Carnegie and Stage Deli are merely tourist attractions. PLEASE NOTE (especially with Stage): At one point, these delis charged extra for sharing. The grubby people that work there would charge you even if they caught you eating a pickle off someone else's plate. You have been warned. If you go to Stage or Carnegie, find out what their "sharing" policy costs.

Zabars has a small restaurant next to it. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there because I don't think it's anything special. If you are in that neighborhood, stop in at H&H Bagels.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 12:24pm

Now if it's totally authentic you want, you'll have to leave the island of Manhattan. The Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx still have delis that have been around for decades.

I can vouch for Liebman’s Kosher Delicatessen at 552 W. 235th Street, between Johnson & Oxford Avenues in Riverdale. Afterward, stop next door at Mother's Bake Shop and take home some of their babka or black-and-white cookies.

[The Grovers Corners Yenta]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 1:31pm

2nd Ave Deli all the way. The pickloes are the best!

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 2:09pm

While we're at this, what's with the tickets at Katz's? I stopped in the other day and didn't have time to wait in line, but was handed a ticket on my way in (returned it so i didn't have to pay $50!). What is the purpose? How do they work?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 2:36pm

"What is the purpose? How do they work?"

There are two ways to eat at Katz. One is to go to the left and sit at a table and have a waitress wait on you.

The second way is to walk through the line cafeteria style. You are given the ticket so that the person waiting on you behind the counter can write the price of the food on it. Since Katz is set up with different food stations, you must hand the ticket over each time you pick something up. When you are finished eating, you take the ticket(s) to the cashier. Each person entering Katz should have a ticket and they must surrender the ticket upon leaving, whether anything has been written on it or not.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 2:46pm

Thank you, that totally makes sense now!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 2:54pm

Ben Ash is my personal favorite.

[Corine2]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 3:17pm

Be careful at Ben Ash. Updated On: 4/4/05 at 03:17 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 3:58pm

The Carnegie is criminally overrated. The Stage Deli and Katz's are my personal favorites.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:14pm

The Roxy Deli in Times Square opposite the Palace theater

Updated On: 4/4/05 at 06:14 PM

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:17pm

Katz deli was really good when I went. The corn beef melted in my mouth.

"Each person entering Katz should have a ticket and they must surrender the ticket upon leaving, whether anything has been written on it or not."

haha yeah, if you don't have your ticket when you leave, you have to pay a 50 dollar fee.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:22pm

2nd Avenue Deli!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 6:24pm

thank you all SO much!

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 8:08pm

Try Artie's Deli at 83rd and Broadway, I believe. It's actually pretty good! I know someone who works there and, if you're lucky, you might see some celebrities. Famous people are frequently in that place, especially the cast of all four LAW & ORDER shows. Christopher Meloni was just in yesterday... Must have been to have a bite before attending the JULIUS CAESAR opening!