Did you know that I lived in NYC for four years before I took off on my travel adventure that led me to my inevitable life as an ex-pat? I did. And I have to confess that in all those years I never visited Carnegie Deli. I passed it hundreds of times. I always peeked inside. But I never entered because I was going through a vegetarian phase of my life. I don’t regret that stage, but have to say I’m grateful it is over, and I can fully enjoy what this famous NYC restaurant has to offer.
If you’re looking for a true NYC, local experience (as local as you can get in this city) then you CANNOT MISS eating at Carnegie Deli!
Note
Carnegie Deli closed on December 31, 2016. This post serve as proof of its awesomeness and history in the city.
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Carnegie deli review
A Guide to Having the Perfect Eating Experience at Carnegie Deli NYC
1. Entrance – I have a feeling that no matter what time of the day or time of the year you will visit, you will most likely have to wait in line. It’s not a long wait. But it’s certainly one worth waiting.
2. Getting seated – Once inside, you will have to wait to be seated. All the while you are drooling from the aromas and the insane deli counter filled with all sorts of yumminess.
This is also where you get the first look at the visitor’s hall of fame. It looks like every single celebrity of all caliber of stardom has visited this place in the past 70 years.
3. Meeting our waiter – obviously every customer is going to have a different waiter, but Wayne, our guy, has been working here for over 15 years. He was super entertaining, a Carnegie Deli and NYC walking encyclopedia, and a great guy all around. I can bet the farm that the other waiters are probably as much fun since I think working here allows you to be your creative self no matter what role you take on.
4. Starters – How can you come to a deli and not get pickles? OMG, they have so many to choose from, and they are all done homemade just for the deli. You can’t get these anywhere else.
5. Matzah Ball Soup – this is the other MUST HAVE at any deli. However, these have got to be the absolute best ones I’ve ever tasted in my life. And growing up in NY and being a Jew, Matzah Ball Soup is something that I have eaten plenty of. But none have ever compared to this one. Secretly, I was super grateful when my son couldn’t finish his, and I got to eat it all.
6. Latkes – I love potato latkes. I never get to indulge in these where we live, so we splurged on these. And with extra sour cream.
7. Knishes – this is another one of my absolute favorites. I can eat these all day.
8. Plenty of kids options – I don’t know about your kids, but my kids like the conventional sandwiches. My oldest wanted the NY-style hot dog.
My baby went for the grilled cheese. Little did he know it was three layers, and he ate more than he ever did at one meal. Which made me one happy momma.
9. Sandwich time – we got the most popular sandwiches that the Deli offers. But there are so many to choose from. Woody Allen has left his mark in many places, and this deli is no exception. We had the Woody Allen Sandwich with Carnegie Deli’s famous Pastrami that they cure at their own factory for 13 days, as in comparison to most places that only do it for three days. And look at THE SIZE OF THIS SANDWICH.
And if we thought the Woody Allen sandwich was huge, it has nothing on the famous Reuben Sandwich smothered in cheese, and you can add Russian dressing on top of it.
10. Cakes, Cakes, and more Cakes – If you thought Carnegie Deli is only known for its sandwiches, pickles, and Matzah Ball Soup you are dead wrong. They are actually world-famous for their freshly baked cakes and cheesecakes as well.
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History of Carnegie Deli
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Carnegie Deli, one of NYC’s culinary landmarks, opened in 1937 in midtown Manhattan across from Carnegie Hall as a small 40 seat restaurant.
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When the original owners retired in 1976, the deli was taken over by Milton Parker.
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Now in its third generation of owners, the deli is still family owned and operated by Marian Levine, Milton Parker’s daughter.
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Popular New York Times critic Mimi Sheraton really put Carnegie Deli on the map when on March 2, 1979; she named the Carnegie Deli’s Pastrami Sandwich the #1 pastrami in New York City.
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Thirty years later, in September 2009, Dr. Phil said on his show, “The Carnegie Deli makes the best sandwiches in the world.
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Carnegie Deli cures, pickles and smokes their own meat at their factory in Carlstadt, New Jersey.
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Their cheesecake is also baked on premises and shipped from coast to coast.
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They have now tripled their seating and restaurant size.
My Recommendation When Visiting Carnegie Deli New York
I would take this deli experience over a fancy-schmancy NYC restaurant any day of the week. The food here was phenomenal. The kids had plenty to choose from. And we were full until the next day.
A couple of things I would highly recommend:
1. Come with an (extra) empty stomach – as you can see you will not only be full, but you will pop your buttons from the huge portions and deliciousness.
2. Choose your food wisely – We got a lot of starters, if you are here for the sandwiches, which all resemble little mountains, you might want to get one starter and either share a sandwich or know you will be taking some home.
3. Leave room for the dessert – like I mentioned above, the cheesecakes (their main dessert specialities) are baked on-premises. They are fresh, creamy, and delicious. So find that extra tiny spot in your belly to fit it in.
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Information for Carnegie Deli NYC
carnegie deli nyc address: 854 7th Avenue at 55th Street, New York,
Phone: 212-757-2245
Hours: Mon – Thu: 6:00 – 2:00; Fri – Sat: 6:00 – 4:00; Sun: 6:00 – 2:00
Prices: $10 – $20
Entertainment and Food – Carnegie Deli NYC Review
The post Carnegie Deli Review: The Legacy of One Famous Spot in NYC appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: Carnegie Deli Review: The Legacy of One Famous Spot in NYC
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/carnegie-deli-nyc/
Published Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:00:03 +0000
