Jewish Delis in NYC?

[Melonius Thunk]

Lex, I always wear gloves in the loo.

[joethefoodie]

Agree on no Harry & Ida's and no Eisenberg's.

 

The article defines Jewish delicatessen:

 

JEWISH delicatessens may now be known for knishes, latkes and pastrami sandwiches, but back in their heyday, during the 1920s and 1930s in the theatre district in New York, they also served beluga caviar, pâté de foie gras and Chateaubriand steak. Jewish classics were gussied up and defiled: chopped chicken liver was served with truffles. Treyf, like oysters and pork chops, was eaten with abandon alongside kosher delicacies.

 

[bloviatrix]

I know I'm in a minority, but I think that one of the requirements of a Jewish deli is that the place is at least minimally kosher (meaning some kind of kosher supervision no dairy). Otherwise, it's just Jewish-style.

[Sneakeater]

You'd be eliminating Katz's.

 

I hope this doesn't overstep the "religion" guideline, but I'd draw a distinction between Kosher-style and Jewish-style, since it's possible to be Jewish without being Kosher (although if you don't think so, then we're not allowed to discuss that). So, to me, a place can be kosher-style and still be Jewish.

[Wilfrid]

I did wonder if Ben Ash might not be Jewish, as nobody ever mentions it. But maybe it's just poor. Which isn't a reason to leave it off this list.

[Sneakeater]

I think Ben Ash is actually kosher. (In fact, I think that was the rationale for opening it despite the competition -- which, for a kosher clientele, isn't competition at all.)

[bloviatrix]

You'd be eliminating Katz's.

 

I hope this doesn't overstep the "religion" guideline, but I'd draw a distinction between Kosher-style and Jewish-style, since it's possible to be Jewish without being Kosher (although if you don't think so, then we're not allowed to discuss that). So, to me, a place can be kosher-style and still be Jewish.

To me there's a distinction. While a person can be Jewish without keeping kosher (it's a matter of birth or conversion) when it comes to the inherent nature of a thing being "Jewish" is some level of kosher. In that case, it's a defining characteristic. So, although matzo-brie with bacon is Jewish-inspired, it will never be Jewish.

[Sneakeater]

The interesting question isn't matzo-brie with bacon, cuz that's kind of a straw man: a kosher-style deli would never serve that. The interesting question is the Reuben, which I personally view as an abomination, but which kosher-style delis do in fact serve.

 

I think an interesting approach is presented by Mile End, which isn't kosher, but which keeps within the bounds of the kosher food usage rules (meaning they won't mix meat and dairy or serve traif, all that stuff, even though their food undergoes no certification), more as a kind of esthetic decision (and a kind of game) than for any religious reason.

[Melonius Thunk]

Barney Greengrass is not kosher, nor do they shy away from mixing dairy with meat. I believe they do not serve bacon of ham though.

[Daniel]

The interesting question isn't matzo-brie with bacon, cuz that's kind of a straw man: a kosher-style deli would never serve that. The interesting question is the Reuben, which I personally view as an abomination, but which kosher-style delis do in fact serve.

 

I think an interesting approach is presented by Mile End, which isn't kosher, but which keeps within the bounds of the kosher food usage rules (meaning they won't mix meat and dairy or serve traif, all that stuff, even though their food undergoes no certification), more as a kind of esthetic decision (and a kind of game) than for any religious reason.

No cheese in the poutine?

[Daniel]

 

 

Agree on no Harry & Ida's and no Eisenberg's.

 

The article defines Jewish delicatessen:

JEWISH delicatessens may now be known for knishes, latkes and pastrami sandwiches, but back in their heyday, during the 1920s and 1930s in the theatre district in New York, they also served beluga caviar, pâté de foie gras and Chateaubriand steak. Jewish classics were gussied up and defiled: chopped chicken liver was served with truffles. Treyf, like oysters and pork chops, was eaten with abandon alongside kosher delicacies.

[/quote

 

I would love to read a menu

[Sneakeater]

 

The interesting question isn't matzo-brie with bacon, cuz that's kind of a straw man: a kosher-style deli would never serve that. The interesting question is the Reuben, which I personally view as an abomination, but which kosher-style delis do in fact serve.

 

I think an interesting approach is presented by Mile End, which isn't kosher, but which keeps within the bounds of the kosher food usage rules (meaning they won't mix meat and dairy or serve traif, all that stuff, even though their food undergoes no certification), more as a kind of esthetic decision (and a kind of game) than for any religious reason.

No cheese in the poutine?

 

 

EXCEPT for the poutine.

 

(I think they'd say that's their Canadian dish, not a Jewish dish.)

[Sneakeater]

There's probably some breakfast stuff with cheese, too. I was talking about their Jewish composed-plate dinner menu (which I think they might not even have anymore).

[AaronS]

I had dinner there a few weeks ago, the menu was really paired down, and we were the only people there from seven to eight.

[Wilfrid]

Maybe they had enough smoked meat to go around.