Katz's Delicatessen

You know it, you love it, we might as well post on it here. Katz's. Way back before the Food Network, etc., brought every tourist to your local "Best __ Sandwich" spot via their food porn, every slack jawed yokel knew a visit to Katz's for historic pastrami was in order. It has always been known.

And so, it remains. If you are looking to spend $16 on a sandwich, this is one way to do it. And the truth is, what you are paying for is not just a pile of brined meat, but the experience of dining in an institution and one heavily reliant on nostalgia. I consistently find myself grinning and satisfied when I'm there. Just don't lose your ticket or act the rube.
As far as I've found, what you order at Katz's is the pastrami. When your personal slicer offers a sample, take, eat, nod in approval and then tip the man. Mustard on rye with the half-sour pickles is how I do. It is a monster pile of meat and overflows with saltiness and umami. Splitting one is reasonable. Finishing one will force you to waddle out the door. Only once did I eat one and then go eating more, but I was drunk and with a large, hungry man who had never tried a halal kart.

Also, via some food writing that is now several years old, I had read that the hot dog here is fantastic. Not so. At least the skin popped a bit with the first bite, but the bun and all else is mediocre. Save your, hopefully, limited hot dog dining for one of the variety of other spots that focus on the dog as a specialty.

Just to note, fries are big thick steak-cut and potato salad is super-mayonnaisey. Brisket is much fattier than the pastrami, as it should be. Also, you can get Cel-ray soda here. If you have ever gotten one of their copyrighted-slogan salamis, let me know how that shit be.

Info: Open everyday. Fri and Sat until 2:45 AM.

Eisenberg's Sandwich

How many Jewish-American delis are there in NY? What would you say - 300? 400? Eisenberg's is an old and trusted one - dating from the early 20th century and stationed right next to the Flatiron Building and Madison Sq. Park. And it absolutely has it's share of boosters and adherents. I rank it with a meh-y shoulder shrug. It's fine, just fine. Not at all amazing. But you know, if you are in the neighborhood and need something, it will do.

On a recent visit, Stan and I got a Chicken Salad with Bacon and a Brisket. The chicken salad was the better of the two, but still lacking. Compared with a delicious chicken salad club I had at Lexington Ave Candy Shop several weeks ago, this thing was way overpriced, small and bland. The brisket I found dry, overcooked and, compared to places like Katz' or David's Brisket, totally underwhelming. During other visits, the egg salad with bacon has left me smiling but slightly unsatisfied. So, basically you have $10 versions of all the classic NY deli sandwiches, done small but serviceable. Surely, if you need lunch in the area, this is a suitable option and certainly better than you're run-of-the-mill quick bite. But if what you are craving is a ___-salad sandwich in a soda fountain/deli atmosphere, you can do better.

Info: 174 5th Ave., Closes early on weekends.

Saltie

Saltie provides Williamsburg with something it greatly needs: a lunch-focused gourmet sandwich. It is a cleanly designed, take away-centric spot, with a few counter stools for eating in. The entire menu looks fabulous. In addition to sandwiches, they also serve pastries and ice cream.

Most everything here is served on sea salt topped Focaccia, with a good ratio of oil to crispness. The salt adds a strong crunch that is appreciated.

My recent purchase was a "Little Chef": Mortadella, Pecorino, Green Olive and Parsley. Very basic, very salty. The olive is chopped up in a muffaleta-like olive salad. Over extremely large parsley leaves, some olive oil is drizzled. The mortadella and pecorino brought a wonderful salt-nutty, combination. It is a great sandwich. This should be your go-to for daytime Williamsburg eats.
From the Saltie website:Info: 378 Metropolitan Avenue. 10am-6pm, closed Mondays.

Grubby: Lexington Candy Shop

If you are unfortunate enough to be wandering around the Upper East Side and in need of an $8 milkshake, this is your spot. Can't comment on the food but it looked like you probably should move along if you want anything but the most basic grilled cheese. Who knows, maybe the man controlling the tiny grill and fryer is actually a savant with sliced bread and mayo.

The fountain is a true throwback - the mint green Hamilton-Beach shake machines, the juicer, the soda water fountain and chocolate syrup pump have probably not changed in over 30 years. Prices on the other hand have adjusted accordingly. Given this, the $5 chocolate egg cream was good and the $5 lemonade was exceptional. I'm really not familiar with egg creams, and have heard that there is a debate about not only where the best egg creams are but even on what constitutes an egg cream. I do however know chocolate and this thing got five big pumps from the syrup container, giving it a dark cocoa tint.

I'm thinking this place survives on lottery ticket sales, loyal longtime customers and for allowing occasional film shoots cuz I'm just not seeing the draw. Nonetheless, if you stumble out of the Whitney, or find your self picking up craiglist furniture as we did (are there any other reasons to be on the Upper East Side?) and you are craving a malted or real-deal shake, give it shot.





Info: 1226 Lexington Ave.

Grubby: Bonnie's

I love Buffalo Wings. I love Blue Cheese. I love the two together - many do not. Given this, wings never really peak for me. They are either very good, mediocre, or awful. Never amazing.

So what. Bonnie's did me right...big time. Nice amount of vinegar with the spice - the medium level was spicy enough (though I might go with hot next time). I had to order two extra blue cheeses.

Thanks to Krista and Joel for sharing this Park Slope spot. 5 or so taps running. They weren't playing annoying sports on loud TVs.


Info: 278 5 thAve. Open 7 days.

Grubby: Crif Dogs

Dudes...deep fried dogs. All haters that say it's too pricey or too busy, can just go on "living" their healthy, long lives. What took me so long to get to this place? It took being hungover most of the day thanks to shitty whiskey and shitty beer with Will - thanks dude!

I enjoyed a Spicy Redneck: Bacon-wrapped, deep-fried Crif dog, topped with chili, jalapenos and slaw. Honestly, could barely taste the toppings. This shit is all about the crunchy fry! The dog itself, nothing special, but when you pop through that crispy fry crust, you get a "shpritz" of all that deep-fried juice. Crispy bacon trumps all here.



Didn't quite fill me up, so I will always order two from now on(not the Redneck though). Kinda pricey for dogs ($4.75) but shit, its open late and is BYOB. I guarantee the words "deep-fried hot dogs" will be an irresistible siren call some night soon.

I was apparently so bewildered after my meal that I nearly killed myself walking into traffic - one of those red turning to green moments where you are halfway through the street.

Anyone know what's up with the speakeasy with an entrance inside the phone booth in Crif Dogs? If so, what's the deal?

Info: 113 St. Marks Place; Open til 4 on Fri and Sat, 2 otherwise; BYOB