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2nd Avenue Deli
Category: Restaurants Delis Delis [Edit]
162 E 33rd St(between Lexington Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill, Kips Bay
(212) 689-9000
- Nearest Transit:
-
33 St (4, 6, 6X)
28 St (4, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St (7, 7X)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 12 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Bill N. said: "Another superb lunch from Vito's. I can honestly say that the "Vito" w hot peppers is the perfect Friday lunch. Fresh mutz, great meat, perfectly prepared. I've been going to Vito's for over 20 years, have tried sandwiches, salads,…" read more »
378 reviews for 2nd Avenue Deli
Review Highlights
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"They have the best matzo ball soup ever." In 48 reviews -
"I was in deep withdrawal from their addictive pastrami." In 192 reviews -
"the brisket and corned beef amazing as well." In 86 reviews
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377 reviews in English
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Review from Michelle W.
New York, NY
5/19/2012
One of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Be prepared to blow your weekly allowance here, but also do be prepared to have a party in your mouth.
The people who make your sandwich are super friendly, but the cashier, waiters and the boss, not so much. I had never ordered a sandwich here so I didn't know what the process was, and they were pretty rude when they told me where to order and what not.
No doubt the food is good and it's definitely worth the price, just not an everyday thing. I mean $23 for a sandwich and fries isn't exactly a bargain find. -
Review from michael c.
New York, NY
5/8/2012
this place is solid. very good meat if you know what i mean. har har.
if youre looking for a sandwich piled high with meat with this place aint too shabby...but there's another place that definitely trumps this and you can read it in my next review. -
Review from Chris D.
Sandwiches are not as big as the ones at Carnegie hall, not even close, you could mow this thing down in a blink of an eye... but this pastrami rains superior. More juicy.. More flavor. and defiantly more jewish. The moment you open the door all you can smelll is the heavenly aroma of pastrami. Warm juicy amazing pastrami. This has got to be some of the best pastrami ive had. coal slaw... pickles deslishous.
Cons: I had to wait WAY to long for fries. 10..15 min after i already gotten my sandwich.
I ordered a chocolate egg cream and he brought me a choclate soda... this is not exceptable.. but i guess chocolate soda is there thing over here on 2nd ave deli.
next stop katz. -
Review from Amanda S.
San Francisco, CA
I walk in totally unsure if I'm supposed to order then sit, or sit and then order. This very nice older gentleman walks up and sees my confused face, " has anyone helped you dear?" ummm do I order then sit? " ah you want to sit, here this is my favorite waitress, she'll help you out." to me " you look wonderful today, not good but beautiful." to the waitress, "you take good are of her." she says of course! With a smile that never left. Fabulous experience! Some of the best customer service I've ever received... Buttering me up with compliments doesn't hurt either ;)
-
Review from Joe H.
Richmond, CA
3/2/2012
Ok if you like corned beef, pastrami, and other traditional NY/Jewish Deli food, this is a great to go. Also great atmosphere because of all the old timers here. We had the tongue sandwich (refreshing and tender), the #4 triple deck (loved the corned beef and Pastrami. Wish they skipped the "salami"), and two types of soups. All are good (from a NYC deli point of view), and triple deck is huge.
Also, this place is much less touristy than the other deli - I definitely think it's a plus. It's in a mostly jewish residential neighborhood. When you dine here you feel like a local. -
Review from Alissa S.
Manhattan, NY
4/7/2012
Somehow we managed to drop over $80 here for dinner, but it was memorable. Mom ate the pickled green tomato and still doesn't have words to describe it, good or bad, but said she liked it better than the other pickles, which my brother loved. The sauerkraut-style picked salad brought my mom back to her youth (and we're of British descent via Ohio), but something about the light dressing was right out of great-grandma's recipe book. I had my first noodle kugel, which was studded with spices and raisins and the highlight of the meal. The blueberry blintzes were just pie-filling and nothing special. The corned beef sandwiches were good, as was the pastrami, and the potato knish was light in texture. Next time I will try the soup.
-
Review from Paul W.
Manhattan, NY
2/15/2012
Am I Jewish? Well, in a Church of England kind of way, yes. Which means I was born in Brooklyn, I know what an egg cream is and I like my corned beef lean. I have traveled out of my way to get good half sour pickles. I understand why you need applesauce with latkes.
So as this Irishman will tell you: I know good deli. Here it is. Look no further. All will be revealed upon entry: sit, eat, you're a stick.
I go to take out their huge pastrami on ryes, the kugel and a Dr. Brown's cream soda. Eating in is ethereal. Enough. Just go already. -
Review from Robert B.
San Francisco, CA
2/18/2012
Best pastrami I have had in new York. I have not tried anything else on their menu.
It's definitely on the pricey side, which is my only real down side to this place.
Oh, and open 24h? That has to be worth an extra half star. -
Review from John M.
Crystal Lake, IL
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Outstanding service and a terrific hot pastrami sandwich! Can't wait to go back. Went about 4:30 pm and there was no crowd at all. Yes, it's expensive, but good food is. Definitely worth it!
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Review from Lisa B.
Seattle, WA
4/1/2012
Whenever I come to NY I go here. When I'm not in NY I think about it. The corned beef sandwich on rye, potato pancakes, pickled green tomato, chocolate babka... so much food and so much love. Don't forget the chocolate cream soda at the end! Possibly my favorite restaurant... ever. Only downsides: sometimes there's a wait, it's crowded, small groups only.
-
Review from Ethan L.
2/16/2012
Where else do you find the 2nd Avenue deli! On East 33rd street! I mean DUH!!
That being said, a real nice atmosphere, you can smell the beef and roast comming from the counter. You pass by a glass counter filled with all tasty meats, potato salads, kinisches, and neat stuff. A real neat mosaic tile floor follows you along to your booth, with frosted glass Hebrew script accenting the top.
Out come pickles and slaw. I don't like cole slaw, but this I liked. On top of that they have my favorite kind of pickles, the ones that are just barely brined, shocking emerald green, and snap and tasty so wonderful, just salt accented without too much salt. Iz so good!
I went for a simple Turkey sandwich, my dining partner the of course pastrami. Side mustard so tasty at the ready. The sandwiches are big, but nothing too outrageous, but they will fill you up. Service is solid and prompt, it didn't take us very long at all to get our food. The house cured pastrami just glistens. Rye bread is standard and does the job. Had a potato kugel which is real interesting and a neat take on a sort of quiche/potato.
After we were done, chocolate soda samplers come out to cap it off. Really nice touch.
Great place, not cheap, but I would love to go back. -
Review from Janice D.
1/5/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I come here often for Matzo ball soup, its pretty good! But its $8 plus tax!
One day I wanted more than soup and asked for 1 potato pancake, they are pretty small, it was $6.
This place is overpriced!
but that soup does cure what ails me. -
Review from Dave B.
Brighton, MA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's just as good as I remember!
I was heartbroken when the original 2nd Avenue Deli closed, even though I didn't live in NYC any more. It was great news to hear they'd reopened at new locations, so I had to try one when I was in town. And I wanted to introduce SWMBO to "real authentic New York Jewish deli."
They still put a bowl of coleslaw and a couple pickles in front of you when you sit down. I love their slaw! It's made with a vinaigrette dressing instead of mayo, so it's very different from traditional slaw. Anybody who "doesn't like coleslaw" should try this stuff before rejecting it. I can't guarantee you'll like it, and if you don't, that's okay! But give it a chance. The pickles taste just like they should.
Sandwiches...that's what this place is really about. Okay, first of all, a word of caution: if you're ordering turkey breast, or roast beef, or tuna salad, or anything that's not really a "traditional Jewish deli meat," you deserve exactly what you get. I'm annoyed with reading the negative reviews from people who ordered things that aren't Jewish deli specialties and then acted surprised when they didn't get a great sandwich. If you went to a Chinese restaurant and they had spaghetti and meatballs on the menu, would you expect it to be as good as the pork lo mein? You have to know what to order in an ethnic restaurant. Yeah, maybe they should stop serving things that aren't their specialties...but they do anyway. And you should do your homework before coming in.
Anyway, stick with the traditional favorites: you can never go wrong with corned beef or pastrami. And why not do a combo and have BOTH at the same time? The chopped liver is excellent, too, although a little salty for my taste. Have you ever tried chopped liver? You're not allowed to dismiss it with an "I don't like liver" if you've never had chopped liver. It's a completely different kind of food from the dried, leathery "liver and onions" you might be thinking of. I would describe chopped liver as "Jewish pate." They also serve excellent hot tongue here. "Eww tongue is gross" you say? Have you tasted it? Y'know, it's all part of the same animal as the pastrami and corned beef. Grow up and try it.
You may notice that "fixins" like tomato and lettuce are all extra...that's because you don't need them. Just a pile of thick cut meat on rye bread is what a deli sandwich should be. That's right, THICK CUT. I don't know where people got the idea that deli meat should be razor thin. That's insane. They charge extra for lean meat and even more for "extra lean," but they also include this disclaimer: "If you like your meat juicy, we recommend you do not order lean or extra lean meat. **Not responsible for lean or extra lean meat.**" The fat is where the flavor is! If you're looking for lean meat, just get out now. I'm sure there's a place serving salads in the neighborhood.
We shared a delicious potato knish, but we were too full to finish it. It was EVEN BETTER cold the next day as a snack.
Everybody gets a little shot glass sized chocolate soda at the end of the meal. Is that new? I don't remember that at the original location. But it's a nice touch! If I weren't so full I might have ordered a full size one. -
Review from Sajak, P.
Brooklyn, NY
3/8/2012
When Zeus and Apollo aren't finger-banging Hera or overseeing famines in Africa with wry apathy, they can usually be found eating sandwiches here in the company of mortals.
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Review from c k.
Los Angeles, CA
2/16/2012
This used to be my favorite Deli in NY (when 2nd Ave. Deli was actually on 2nd Ave).
The dill in their matzo ball soup... The garlic in their pickles... The chopped in their liver...
What a difference an avenue makes. -
Review from A. B.
Brooklyn, NY
4/5/2012
My relationship with this place is starting to become unhealthy and borderline obsessive. It cannot be possible for a person of my petite stature to scarf down the absurdly extravagant piece of pastrami sandwich in NYC and still crave chopped liver, egg salad, and coleslaw on challah bread. When in doubt, always order to go. Trust me, you won't be regretting it tomorrow...or 2am later the same night. Whatever people, you'd to it to.
ps- that chocolate soda...very nice touch -
Review from Joey S.
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Yikes, expensive, but really good. $18 dollars for a sandwich is a BIT much in my book.
Anyway, I stopped at 2nd Ave for lunch and was not disappointed, the pastrami was delicious and piled high, the coleslaw was light and tasty (I like my slaw less creamy and this fit the bill), and the service was quick and friendly. The waitress even gave me some chocolate soda to wash down my sammy as I was paying.
I think a full sandwich was probably to big for one person. The next time I go to 2nd Ave I will take a tip from the guy sitting next to me who ordered a half sandwich and some soup. Although it is a little on the expensive side, 2nd Ave is a great place to stop in for lunch if you work in the area. They get you seated, fed, and then out the door pretty quickly. -
Review from Jillian K.
New York, NY
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've had 2nd Avenue Deli bookmarked for more than a year, so I had high hopes. I don't eat beef, so I can't comment on the pastrami, brisket, or any of the other meats that this place is famous for, but I was hoping that 2nd Avenue might have hot turkey sandwiches to rival Katz's or Mile End but without the crazy crowds.
Unfortunately, though, 2nd Avenue's turkey offering is so bad that I was almost offended by it (especially considering the price).
I'll cover the good stuff first: the matzo ball soup had a gloriously light and fluffy matzo ball, the lemonade was so surprisingly yummy that I ended up getting a second glass to go, and I really enjoyed the great complimentary pickles that came before our meal.
But despite the $16 price tag, my smoked turkey sandwich was just a pile of cold deli meat between two slices of rye bread. At Mile End and Katz's the turkey is hot, smokey, and freshly carved, but it seems like 2nd Avenue just doesn't give a shit about its less-famous secondary offerings. I'm more than happy to pay a premium price for a premium sandwich, but that sandwich wasn't worth more than $8 on its best day.
So, for now, I'll keep going down to Mile End for their genuinely delicious smoked turkey. It's worth the schlep. -
Review from Evan R.
11/15/2011
I came here for a lunch meeting recently. When I arrived, there were already kasha varnishkes and giant pickles on the table. My kind of place.
I started with the matzoh ball soup. I never find restaurant matzoh ball soup to be as good as my mom's, but this was better than most.
For lunch, I had the hot pastrami. It's $16. You know why? Because you get $16 worth of sandwich. If you can finish this without flinching, you are probably making bad life decisions (still, Carnegie gives you even more).
My business partner got the largest knish I've ever seen. I'm not normally the kind of guy that would want to see his partner's knish, but it was impressive and I helped him finish it. Beep?
Although everything was very, very good, I don't think this is the best in the pantheon of NY delis. It does feel like it lost a little something in the atmosphere when they moved. That said, it is still one of the top 10 delis in the country, and definitely worth a visit. -
Review from Lauren S.
If I could live here, I would. The service; Boris and Stevie, made it all worth while. Best black and whites in town. Kasha varnishkas, amazing latkes, amazing matzoh ball soup - very expensive, but OH SO WORTH IT. Pastrami is to DIE FOR.
My fav place to eat in all of NYC. Seriously. GO! They have a new location on the upper east side I hear in the 70's - check em out !! Ask for Boris. He's a pleasure! :) -
Review from Glenn G.
11/2/2011 1 photo
There's not much I can contribute that hasn't been covered by the hundreds of reviews this landmark.
THE OBVIOUS:
they are no longer on 2nd Avenue
the pastrami and corn beef are outrageous
they have been reviewed by so many food reviews, writers, news shows, cooking channels beyond Yelp that it has gone to their heads over there
FOR FIRST TIMERS:
Don't go searching for better glasses or asking someone if there was a misprint on the menu... those really are the prices. They have had so much attention by so many sources that they have somewhat become a tourist trap with blown out of proportion pricing. The pricing was so extreme that I deducted them to a 3 star but rest assure...
THE FOOD IS 5 STAR. Also 5 STAR include our server (cordial, attentive and polite). Also 5 STAR is the cleanliness of the entire place (I can't speak of the kitchen but the deli and dining area were immaculate.
WORTH THE VISIT:
yes, to see what the hype is about but then go to other classic deli's with incredible corn beef and pastrami with pricing that is more reasonable for good food instead of making an extra buck off tourists. I love the food but it's just as good at some of the other famous deli's like Sarge'sListed in: Between 2 Slices of Bread
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Review from Todd Q.
Portland, OR
1/18/2012
Lots of tables are crammed into a small space here because lots of folks know how good it is and they all want a seat.
The pastrami sandwich and matzo ball soup were as good as it gets.
Great variety & amount of pickles (complimentary) traditional dill & vinegar and sour pickles in brine.
A bit of a wait to get in but it's worth it. The eating experience is not touristy like Katz' and the food is better. -
Review from Chris B.
Rowland Heights, CA
12/26/2011
I was over at 2nd Avenue a few hours before I got on the plane to leave for Los Angeles. I can say that for a first-timer, the HOT PASTRAMI is the sandwich to get. I've never tasted pastrami that buttery and that good in my life!
We have something called "The Hat" for pastrami sandwiches in So-cal, but I can say that 2nd Avenue beats the shit out of the hat with the large gourmet sausage it hangs in the deli.
Tips and Observations:
1) When you order to-go, be sure to be assertive. If you politely wait, you will be overlooked because other people are constantly dropping their empty plates and commanding the
2) There is a line to be seated even in the mid-afternoon so if you're in a hurry, take your sandwich out in a brown paper bag.
3) Actual Price = 2.5 $ signs. Why? The hot pastrami is really great and the portion is decent, but it's $17! The sandwich has quality meat, but I think it's overpriced. It should be more around $12 at most.
4) GREAT FOOD, but like some of the other reviews said --- their prices reflect the deli's gigantic ego. I still think the price is outrageous for what you get though it's high-quality. When was the last time you paid $17 for a sandwich in your life? Oh wait...at 2nd Avenue Deli. Good god. -
Review from Gillian K.
New York, NY
2/28/2012
I'm bumping up this rating because the service/ staff are so wonderful. I last went here for brunch with a friend and while my pastrami hash wasn't very good, the free pickle bowl they give you, along with the attentive service made the experience worth the price. The owner or manager was an older guy who chatted us up and really made us feel like we were eating at a special place - a real deli hold-over from another generation. The matzo ball soup and chopped liver are good. I would definitely bring my parents here. This is the kind of place you want to keep in business.
-
Review from Kyle S.
New York, NY
12/24/2011
I stopped in here on a Saturday afternoon for matzah ball soup, a potato latke and a half brisket sandwich. $23 total, which is overpriced by a few dollars.
The soup was fantastic. I chose noodles with it; they pour the chicken broth over the matzah ball, noodles and carrots. The broth and ball weren't too salty. The ball was spongy but not too much so. I could eat this every day, especially on a cold day.
The latke was fine. I prefer that it be crispier, like the ones at Katz's Deli. This brisket wasn't hot and it was too dry. It's still great, don't get me wrong. It just wasn't as flavorful or moist as I had hoped given the reputation of this place. -
Review from Frank N.
Meriden, CT
3/2/2012
Just as good as Katz's on Houston. Depends which part of the city youre in to go eat at a deli!
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Review from David F.
San Jose, CA
12/9/2011
That was the best and most expensive pastrami sandwich ever. I stopped in for takeout, craving a real NY deli sandwich to fix my red eye flight blues. Also, I could never get anything like this back in CA.
I ordered a pastrami and rye with some fixings, a coffee and a rugelach to go. My eyes popped out of my head a bit when I saw the bill. $24??? Honestly? The sandwich alone was $17. But they gave me a sample of the pastrami while I was waiting, and I was already past caring.
The pastrami is amazing - smoky, moist, tender. I think they take it right out of the smoker and slice to order. They don't skimp on the pastrami, either. There was easily 1/3 lb. or more on the sandwich. But as I was helpful reminded (and should have remembered since it is a Kosher deli), there'll be no cheese on your sandwich here. Oh, and no milk in your coffee.
The coffee was decent and thankfully not the usual deli extremes of either burnt-bitter or dirty water. The rugelach was a bit dry but just the right balance of sugar and cinnamon.
Still, $24 for a sandwich, coffee and what's basically a cookie? They do have some tables and counter seating, but it's hardly what I would call a diner. Even in NY, I know I can do better on price. But oh, such good pastrami! -
Review from Michael S.
Manhattan, NY
11/2/2011
I work nearby and have ordered take-out/delivery for lunch multiple times. The portions are gigantic, the prices are eye-popping, and the food (for the most part) is pretty good.
For a Kosher restaurant, I found their Jewish staples lacking. The matzoh ball soup was just ok, with a nice, big, fluffy matzoh ball, but coming up a bit short in the flavor department. The noodle kugel "side order" is big enough that they could package it to-go in a shoe box, but it was overly sweet and nothing at all like the noodle kugel I was raised on.
I would stick to their sandwiches, which are so big and meaty that they could give you a coronary. The chopped liver and pastrami are both delicious and you can't go wrong there. The prices are very high, but it really is enough food for two meals. If you are one who favors quantity over quality, you'll be in heaven. -
Review from Lee G.
Manhattan, NY
2/16/2012
A few years ago, the 2nd Avenue Deli opened in Murray Hill without losing any of the greatness that made it an institution in the East Village since 1954. No sandwich is more of a New York classic than pastrami on rye. While 2nd Avenue's pastrami isn't cut thick like Katz's, for $15.95 it's enough of a meat bomb to keep you satisfied throughout the day. The meat is just fatty enough with a nice smoky spice and works best with the dual combo of mustard and Russian dressing. Bread got a little soaked and greasy towards the end, but they always give you extra slices for any rogue bites left behind.
http://sandwichguynyc.... -
Review from MichLee A.
New York, NY
2/13/2012
Bread. Russian dressing. Coleslaw. Pastrami. Corned beef. Salami. And don't forget the half-sour pickles!
Second Avenue Deli is good at what is does: delicious, flavorful, comforting deli food reminiscent of an old NYC (with new NYC prices). We really enjoyed the sandwiches, topping them with extra Russian dressing here and there, although we were thirsty as hell a few hours later (who knows how much salt they use to cure their meats?).
Definitely recommendable. -
Review from Sofia T.
Palm Springs, CA
9/26/2011
New Yorkers like to argue about... well pretty much everything. So when I say this is THE BEST DELI IN THE CITY, I can hear people revving up their countering responses. So, let me just restate yelp's five-star tag, "Woohoo! As good as it gets!"
I probably indulge in this type of food only two or three times a year, at most, but since it might be a while until I'll be returning to NYC... Along with three friends, I scarfed down salty nitrate laden deliciousness and Jewish specialties until our stomachs could stretch no further. (I was the only female and these guys can really eat!)
--The pastrami and corned beef were so unbelievably lean and tasty.
--hard salami! Where will I ever find this in the CA? (maybe I should hang a whole salami to dry out in the blazing hot desert sun in our new backyard? Yeah! We have our own backyard!)
--I need to find a Jewish mother or friend who can make tender savory brisket like here. Mamma Mia! (oh--wrong ethnicity)
--Potato knish was as big as a soft ball, loved the crusty exterior and piping hot potato filling.
--Potato pancake was crisp and yummy.
--Matzo balls were light and fluffy and comforting.
--Dr. Brown's black cherry sodas, the perfect way to wash it all down! -
Review from John C.
11/28/2011
Note: This review if for their super-duper expensive noodle soup.
Really??
And I mean the $7 pint-size container; extremely salty, barely any noodle in broth soup.
I've heard good things about this place but I only ordered the soup cause I was sick.
What else do I need to say?
Oh, did I mention the ridiculously $7 pint-size container; extremely salty, barely any noodle in broth soup?
Really? -
Review from Evan M.
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I walked into this madhouse at 1pm on a Thurs afternoon and even the bar stools were taken. Like a vulture, I circled around this one guy who was finishing up his meal and ready to pay the check. Waited for about 10 minutes before I took the bar stool. Had to fight off this corporate fat cat who just strolled in from his business trip. Suit does not grant you entitlement here at this legendary establishment.
As far as old school Jewish delis go, this is one of the best known and for good reason. Although it moved from its original location they still crank out some of the best Jewish eats in the city. The prices are outrageous but I have come to expect that from a really great Jewish deli. I'm usually suspect of tourist traps but if you have the food to back up the rep, you are okay in my book.
Being an old school place I had to go with the classic pastrami on rye. The pastrami was a nice lean pastrami, thin cut. Normally I like a little more moisture but this was just fine. They put the correct portion that I am used to on the sandwich. I'm also a fan of Katz and I would have to say that Katz has a slight edge over this place in pastrami goodness. The pickles that came with the sandwich were fantastic, both sour and dill. There was a saltiness to them that I found delicious.
Also went with a spinach knish. On first glance it looked as if there was too much spinach and not enough potato but after taking a couple bites the distribution between the two was a happy harmony of flavor. I was a little skeeved out by the mustard bowl they laid out for patrons. What's to stop anyone from double-dipping? I didn't dwell on it too much because the food was so good.
This seems like it's more of a take out place for me because it was like Grand Central in there without enough seating. This is the perfect place to enjoy great Jewish food and loud, screaming conversation with relatives. -
Review from Alex C.
11/10/2011
I found this place on Yelp. I didn't know where to go but I knew I wanted a pastrami sandwich nearby.
It was a moderate walk from my hotel. I passed by this place twice while I was walking. Dang Google Maps! That pin goes up and down the street with every step.
This is my first Kosher meal ever. Yes, I live in LA and have been to Canter's. But this is the first legit "sit down and enjoy" Jewish meal.
The first thing that lands on the table is a plate of whole pickles and cabbage. Now those are some tasty pickes; clean and crisp.
I told the waitress I wanted a pastrami sandwich. She said good choice. I didn't know what else to order so she suggested trying the matzoh ball soup. I decided to go for it.
I'm not sure what it is but Kosher food tastes so good. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite of my sandwich. And the matzoh ball soup? It was delicious. It finished both like it was my last meal on Earth.Listed in: The Big Apple
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Review from Elijah D.
ASTORIA, NY
2/1/2012
Came here for lunch one afternoon. Was allowed to immediately sit at the counter rather than wait for a table. Waitress was very nice and to the point.
As for the food, I got half of a corned beef sandwich and a bowl of matzo ball soup. Came with a side of cole slaw and pickles. Cole slaw had very little (if any) mayo, which I generally like, but it could have been a touch more creamy for my taste. As a huge fan of pickels, I was expecting something tastier from a Jewish deli. Soup was very good, though. As for the corned beef sandwich, it was definitely tasty and tender, but it didn't blow me away by any means. Mustard was also good, but it didn't have nearly enough of a kick for me.
When you consider what you pay for this meal, I was sort of expecting to be wowed, but I can't say that I was. A shot of Bosco's chocolate soda at the end of the meal is definitely a nice touch, though. -
Review from Shamus K.
Manhattan, NY
1/25/2012
Solid pastrami sandwich. One of the better in the city. It's kosher. So avoid the desserts: no dairy. Cheesecake is tofu. And you can't bake without butter.
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Review from Ys C.
Mamaroneck, NY
11/11/2011 1 photo
Went to katz a few days prior for the first time and liked it. Had a craving for huge corned beef sandwiches today, so we thought we'd try our luck here due to all the raves and favorable comparisons.
we must have come here on a bad day or something:
-the prices are pretty expensive, but that would have been okay except:
-the sandwich is just so small and skimpy it made me mad (picture included)
-took us 15 minutes to get a grumpy staff to help us in a nearly empty shop, with 4-5 of them just crowding in front of the restroom doing various nothings.
-maybe it's just me, but the hot corned beef was neither hot nor tasty. I felt like I was chewing tasteless cud between two cold and damp slices of wheat bread.
It was such an intensely dissatisfying experience that I felt compelled to find another place to take the bad taste out of my mouth. I know I'm an outlier among this long list of raves, but until I muster enough courage to try this place again (likely never), this will remain an honest report of my experience. -
Review from Debbie W.
New York, NY
Updated - 8/18/2011
Gotta give a shout out to the hot brisket sandwich, and a big high five to the triple decker turkey and chopped liver with cole slaw and russian dressing.
mmmmm now I am starving. too bad its 1am.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/7/2008
One of the best in New York. Try anything. My only regret is that its not on second avenue… Read more »
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Review from Dong K.
Jersey City, NJ
8/23/2011
I was so excited to try this place because it's one of the landmark deli's in the city. I've been here 3 different times and i can say this:
THIS PLACE CAN'T COMPETE WITH KATZ!
Seriously, I LOVE KATZ. If you don't have a health problem or even if you do you have to try Katz's Pastrami Rueben! AMAZEEEEE-ING!
Anyway, reason why I wasn't impressed with 2nd Ave Deli is because their pastrami and matzah ball soup were just not as good as Katz's. I've even tried their chopped liver sandwich. All very good portion, but insanely expensive for what it is. Their staff was not very efficient or nice to me all 3 times i've been there over the course of like 2 years.
Maybe I'm just biased, but listen, we are all here... on this earth... to eat and be marry. You go try this and if you like it, great, if not, GO TO KATZ!!! NOWWWWWW!!! -
Review from Steven W.
9/24/2011
Great Kosher Deli worthy of its reputation!
Shared a brisket sandwich, potato pancake and bowl of matzoh ball soup with my daughter...Bland broth in the soup was really the only thing keeping this from a 5 Star experience.
The superstar of the meal was the brisket...WOW...Juicy, succulent brisket that melted in the mouth...I love the way the menu says something to the effect of...if you choose the lean or extra lean meat the restaurant can't be responsible to the less than perfect experience...and it costs more...that was brisket perfection!
The matzoh ball was full of flavor and a perfectly fluffy consistency, if you like that. The potato pancake was great on its own, but the apple sauce, bursting with apple flavor, really took it to the next level.
Finally, a couple of chocolate soda (maybe egg creme) shots at the end of the meal were the perfect ending.
The service was right on, we sat at the bar...Definitely my go-to Kosher deli in NYC.
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