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Second Avenue Deli: Counting Down the Days
By Dale Raben / October 22, 2007
The Second Avenue Deli won't be on Second Avenue anymore, but at least it's really coming back.
The New York Times Magazine published an illuminating article yesterday on the rise and fall (and soon to rise again) of the venerable New York institution, along with a brief history of the Jewish deli in general. Did you know that in the 1960s there were 300 kosher delis in New York City and its suburbs? Now, you've got to do some research to find one. What about Carnegie, Katz's, and Stage, you ask? Nice try, but they're not kosher. All the more reason to be excited about Second Avenue's reopening—as the only big-name kosher deli in New York.
I'm keeping my eye on the construction site at 33rd Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, where the deli is scheduled to open early next month. A change of locale won't be the only transformation: the restaurant will be open 24/7 and will have a full bar; it will fit a mere 65 people compared to the 128 seats at the old location; and there's going to be a new "appetizing" section on the menu with pastrami lox, smoked tuna loin, herring and the like.
It's comforting to know, though, that most of the same cooks will return and, of course, the deli is staying in the family. Stay tuned for updates…
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Best Jewish deli out there as of now, although I haven't tried Adelman's. It is about as close to authentic as you can get and it is well worth the trip out to Queens to try it.
In the interest of full disclosure I must admit that the 2nd Ave. Deli is moshpucah in a Jewish sort of way. (If I have to explain that, you will never get it.) Calling Mendy's mediocre is being very generous. Ben's has become nothing more than a Jewish Deli chain operation. Some are good and some not so good.
What separates the men from the boys is a very simple concept. The 2nd Avenue Deli is a family love affair with "real" Jewish cuisine. The size of the portions remind me of my grandmother urging me to "eat more tatala". I award a medal to anyone that can finish their corned beef sandwich. Dinner at the Deli means you already know what you are having for lunch the next day.
Here's to Jeremy on continuing a great tradition. Uncle Abie would be proud of you.
mendy's is mediocre and while adelman's is excellent it is not in manhattan. there is nothing in manhattan even remotely close to the second ave deli
I'm sorry! It should've been "big name" kosher delis
Epstein's out there, which I believe closed in the Bronx. But there is one in Yonkers still. Not glatt, but it is kosher. I have such fond memories of Epstein's in the Bronx on Gun Hill Road as a kid. Ahh memories. And yet I still have somehow found a way to foresake corned beef on rye…
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