NYC Delis and Sandwiches

Barney Greengrass will always be special to me because it was here that I had my first real experience with the snout fish, the sturgeon. This long fish might be better known for its prized eggs but when properly smoked, it transforms into a delectable oily, firm and white-coloured flesh. Barney Greengrass, the self-proclaimed New York City’s “Stugeon King” have bragging rights. The traditions and secrets of treating sturgeon have been passed down from generation to generation since 1908 from mother to son to son. The current third generation Greengrass that run’s the place is Gary Greengrass.

Famed for their smoked fish platters in particular the sturgeon, what you should also try is their chopped chicken liver (although I recommend that you share the chopped liver because it is a large mount to finish by yourself). Smoked sturgeon or sturgeon omelette or only egg white omelettes, which ever you order, I urge you to try it. First apply a coat of cream cheese to your bagel, step two generously slap on the sturgeon or sturgeon omelette then lay aside your cutlery and enjoy eating with your hands. Other Jewish comfort foods such as Matza Ball Soup are also served here. We liked it so much we ate breakfast here twice.

We also did a taste test between the Pastrami Sandwich between Carnegie’s Deli and Katz’s Delicatessen. Between the two, I liked Katz’s better both in terms of food and ambience. To me, Katz’s has some sort of an old world charm with less of a fuss. Pastrami against pastrami, Katz’s pastrami had a fuller taste and a good amount of fat. The smoking and the spices used would differ from deli to deli, so as a personal preference, the end product at Katz’s was better. Other items that we tasted at these Deli’s: corned beef sandwich at Carnegie’s Deli, Rueben’s sandwich and cheesecake at Katz’s Delicatessen.

Another awesome sandwich had we had was the Barbequed Pork sandwich at the Blue Ribbon Bakery. This corner shop has an awesome brick oven that is hidden from the street level (you won’t see it when you walk in, only if you dined in the lower level or decided to use the bathroom). The menu here is eclectic, with a long list of sandwiches and mains such as sweet breads. Other sandwiches we tasted and liked here: Serrano ham with brie cheese and duck club sandwich.

Barney Greengrass
541 Amsterdam Ave (at 86th Street)
New York, New York 10024
Tel: (1) 212-724-4707

Blue Ribbon Bakery
35 Downing St
New York, NY 10014
Tel: (1) 212-337-0404

Carnegie’s Deli
854 Seventh Ave. (at 55th Street)
New York, New York 10019
Tel: (1) 212-757-2245

Katz’s Delicatassen
205 E. Houston Street
New York, New York
Tel: (1) 212-254-2246