Eyes on Second

Thank goodness Second Avenue re-opened on 33rd Street. Besides the addictive pastrami, the chicken-in-a-pot is like grandma's. Jewish penicillin, the best matzoh ball...yummy. and they deliver. more

Last August, I was back in New York for a tradeshow, and I was lucky enough to head into to the Lower East Side with some colleagues for a pre-drinking nosh at the now dearly departed 2nd Ave Deli. For the three people I brought with me, none had ever experienced real New York deli... so this is where I initiated them to real pastrami and corned beef, chicken soup with kreplach or matzo balls, rugelach... oh, the rugelach. Ed, my beer drinking buddy from Chicago who had said in the cab ride there that he never understood what was so great about New York deli had to not only take pause - he had to call his wife from the table and say that he finally understood why New Yorkers laid claim to having the best deli in the world. When Ed wrote to me a few weeks ago to say that when he recently went back in search of a turkey sandwich, 2nd Ave was closed... possibly temporarily and probably permanently. For such a venerable institution to close because the new owners have visions of neighborhood gentrification is an insult to all of the memories people for many generations had of this deli. In New York, and the world, this was one of the best, and now it's gone. more

Well known for their chopped liver, cole slaw and hot dogs, Second Avenue Deli is a new york institution. The food is consistently good, fresh and authentic. The wait can sometimes be long, however, once you are seated, the service is very efficient and fast. They also offer a take-out which can also have long lines. It is well worth the wait. more

Ok, this is my 2nd favorite deli in manhattan. Katz has a better pastrami sandwich but 2nd avenue deli is in a much better location. 2 blocks away from the Orpheum theater and several blocks away from East Village there's plenty to do before and after the meal. This diner is jam packed throughout the day so expect to wait about half an hour before being seated. You're immediately served a fresh bowl of their house pickles (delicious!). Some of the sandwiches on the menu are a bit pricey so expect to pay about $15 a sandwich. I would recommend the pastrami or corn beef sandwich. I didn't have much luck with the corn beef, it was a little dry that day, the pastrami was a little better but not half as tender as Katz. The sandwich I DO come back for time after time is their cow tongue sandwich. You get a choice of lean or fat... choose the fat... this this is soo juice and tender and the flavor of this meat is phenomenal. Stay open minded and give this a try... guaranteed to be a hit! more

2nd Avenue Deli is such an institution that it barely needs reviewing. Also, I’m not Jewish. A lot of people think I am, but I’m not. I never had matzoth ball soup until a friend brought it over when I was sick. Now I’m addicted. And of all the places I’ve tried, the original (to me) is still the best. But wait, there’s more. The pickles are divine. I’m a HUGE pickle fan and take them very seriously. At 2nd Ave, you get a big bowl and can sit and munch away happily for hours. Of course, they’ve also got HUGE delicious sandwiches. I get the roast beef but I hear the pastrami is excellent. The place can get packed, especially on the weekends, but it’s worth a visit whenever you’re in the neighborhood. more