Shalom!
Overall, New Yorkers can be a most cynical and demanding bunch. We seem to know it all, and feel that we must have an opinion on everything. Maybe even over-privileged to a point. This can be very true especially when it comes to our Jewish deli’s. We compare each and every one to each other – Katz, Carnegie, Ben’s, Stage, Artie’s, etc. Sometimes it is fair to compare, and sometimes it’s like trying to decipher the meaning of life. I decided recently to walk in here with an open mind and high spirits to just enjoy a good deli meal without comparing it to the others I have experienced.
This new location of 2nd Ave Deli is actually located on 1st Ave where an old restaurant used to sit by 75th street. It’s definitely an upgrade to the neighborhood and a nice addition. The layout has the same kind of look and feel as it’s Murray Hill location with the awkward entrance way and tight seating setup. You almost have to be like a Cirque Du Soleil contortionist to squeeze into a table without disturbing the other diners around you. Still, these are all minor nuances that don’t mean all that much to me when going to a place to sit down and feast on a guilty pleasure meal.
My waiter, Rodrigo, was more than attentive and suggested that I go for the pastrami on rye cut lean. Of course, the Jewish penicillin had to be chosen as my soup – Matzo Ball. I had the soup first and it was delicious. Along with the tasty slaw and pickles that had a touch of brininess and saltiness to them this was a perfect preface to my upcoming sandwich. I knew that it was going to be piled high with pastrami and I was not disappointed. Just delicious, and so very lean. Not an ounce of fat on this meat. Dabbed on a little deli mustard and enjoyed every bite. Washed it all down with a can of Dr Brown’s Diet Cherry soda – yeah, I’m fooling myself with this diet stuff!!!
Total damage was around $20 – not bad for all the food you actually get with what I ordered. Is it cheap here? Heck no – it’s downright expensive, but what I ordered is a good option. Also, I had no problem with the staff and service here. Everyone seemed friendly if a bit frazzled by the crowd. Everything came out pretty quickly and was just terrific. Like I said, I am not going to compare this spot with other deli’s just for the sake of being a hater as so many people seem to do. I had an enjoyable taste of Jewish goodness here and would definitely go back for more.
Mazal Tov!
2nd Ave Deli –ย http://www.2ndavedeli.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/2nd-avenue-deli-new-york-2#hrid:1BjBJaRpvPfmnDeOK3eDIg
Don’t forget your knish. It’s not a trip to the deli without a knish. Sheesh, come on now.
Hey Karen!
Sheesh – tough crowd! I’ll be sure to try the knish on my next visit. With the rugelach!
OMG, that looks SOOOOO good! Now my stomach is rumbling. I wanted to lick the monitor! ๐
Hey Terrye!
I’m sure there is an odd fetish name for monitor licking! Food porn does that to people! ๐
Yum. Yum. Yum.
Hey Patricia!
I am sure this is not anything like your great meals in France, but for NYC it’s tasty deli! ๐
Yummm! I am glad I ate lunch before reading this post ๐ Good assessment of the deli, Phil!
Hey Christy!
Nothing like a good deli meal! Unbutton those pants and eat away! ๐
That is quite confusing with the 1st Ave v 2nd Ave name and location detail.
The food looks very hearty and filling. I would be quite put off by those prices though.
Hey Guy!
Yeah, the name has always been a bit misleading. Pricey for sure, but so is everything else here in NYC. Good eats though.
I love matzo ball soup! I made a great recipe for it this year from Food and Wine, it was delicious ๐ All the food in your photos is making me hungry!
Hey Foodie!
Nothing like a hot bowl of matzo ball soup on a cold day out! I am sure yours was awesome too as you are a talented cook!
All of this stuff has my mouth watering. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had pastrami? Yum!
Hey Kitt!
There’s nothing like putting some tasty meat in your mouth! Wait, what? ๐
Never been to the 2nd Ave. Deli but definitely need to give this one a shot. That matzo ball soup looks incredibly good, even in this heat ๐ I’ll skip the pastrami and corned beef and go for the turkey–boring! But I’ll definitely od on the pickles.
Hey Tracey!
The soup, along with the great complimentary tray of pickles and slaw are more than a meal for some! Good stuff.
I’m smiling over “lean pastrami.” Very funny! ๐
Hey Coleen!
I have to watch my girlish figure! Gotta look good in that speedo this summer!
Craving a New York Deli, and a Corned Beef Special, and Pickles sooo much! I already make the Matzoh Ball Soup at home, with real rendered chicken fat in the matzoh balls too, though my matzohs tend not to be the size of an infants head. Besides, the size of the sandwiches alone at a New York Jewish Deli could feed one person for a week, except that they taste so good, I just keep going in for another bite. Shalom.
Hey Peggy!
It’s like we know how much food is there yet we can’t stop ourselves from eating it all! Gluttony!
I bet you make a kick ass Matzo Ball soup! Yeah, this one is the size of a small animal, but oh so good!