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.

Grubby: Pommes Frites

Ok. This is kinda a gimme. Everyone has relied on this establishment, as one does a sponge, to soak up unwanted, or shall I say overwelcomed, fluids. I'm going to post it anyway, if only because I happened to take pictures there.

Ahh, yes, the Belgian frites place. Filled with ravenous grease seakers, drunk or otherwise, day and night. It is consistent. It is somewhat affordable. It offers a hundred sauces (Fairly useless most of them, I'm sure. Horseradish mayo was dissapointing despite my adoration for both ingredients). Despite believing myself fairly cosmopolitan, I still feel American shame and disgust darting from the eyes of onlookers if mayo is used as a dipping sauce. Freedom can be had on 2nd Ave! At this "Euro" establishment, I may shamelessly dunk in mayo to my heart's content (my heart likes it!). Me likey.

Info: you know where it is. Open when you've been drinking.

Grubby: Porchetta

Playing catch up here. Porchetta has been hyped pretty big by Time Out and others. A porchetta is basically a slow-roasted boneless pork roast. At Porchetta in the East Village, rosemary and thyme crusted pork roast fills fresh, crusty Italian bread in a tasty, if not slightly high priced, $10 sandwich. It's a hole in the wall place - a couple of bench spots for eating in - with a big oven slow-roasting massive appendages of pork.

This sandwich really has to be all about the pork. And was it? Meh...kinda, I guess? Really, the highlight of the sandwich is the 10 or so pieces of cracklins, or fried pork skin, thrown in like delicous croutons on an underwhelming salad. Considering it is filled to the brim with pork that has been roasted for hours, little pieces of skin should not overwhelm my attention. The herbed edges of the pork were flavorfull but for flesh cooked over such a long time, I found it not nearly delicate enough and too dessicated. The bread and cracklins shouldn't be the highlight!

We also ordered some darkly roasted potatoes covered in thyme that were just fine. Again, not amazing. Listen, I'd try it again - I'm not going to damn it because of one sandwich. And you should try as well, because enough people have raved and the potential is absolutely there. But, I've warned you - the delicious inputs may not result in a satisfying output.

Info: 110 E 7th St. Open Daily 12-10.

Grubby: Cong Ly

A second post concerning my search for the premier Pho Tai. This one is at Cong Ly, a small, somewhat grimy place right off of Chrystie St. I'll be succinct here. I dug it - good, greasy broth. Still, haven't found my perfect pho broth in NY, but Cong Ly can certainly suffice when in need. Julia however found it too greasy. Below she laddles the top layer of grease.

And here you can definitely see the shiny surface caused by all that rendered fat. Of course it has been pocked by drops of Sriracha. The accoutrements weren't quite as fresh as the aforementioned Xe Lua but I found the broth tastier. And that pinnacle of energizing beveridges, the Vietnamese coffee, was delish. It is super cheap too. A strong pho option.


Info: 124 Hester St. Open Daily 9am-9pm

Grubby: Grand Sichuan

This is the original, separated from the 7 location Grand Sichuan chain known throughout the city. I'm not gonna talk about the other GS locations as I've had mixed experiences. This is about the OG. A lot of things look fantastic here (especially the tea smoked duck which I just must try), but I'm just going to talk about one dish, which I've had twice now: the hot pot.

When you walk into the spot (right next to one of the Boston-NY Chinatown bus companies) during dinner time, you will likely find every table occupied and a line out the door. And what is on nearly every table? A steaming pot of broth and piles of lovelies waiting to be cooked.

This shit is all about the SPICY. You've got two options for broth: a basic chicken broth and a red vulcan broth with chilies and peppercorns below. You can do one or get a divided bowl. Witness the fire - It is really fucking hot - you'll love it and beg for water several times during your meal. The veggies and meat are of good quality and fresh. The napa is crisp, clean and a must get. The beef, as seen below, is in nicely marbled, thin strips. Pork dumplings are another good meat choice. Tofu did not fare well; we do not recommend.


This is food for sharing and for conversing over.
Bring a nalgene or something. You'll need it.

Info: 125 Canal St. Open 7 days,

11:30am

–

11pm

Grubby: Rafiqi's Halal Cart

Everyone has their fav lunchtime halal cart. Mine: Rafiqi's in midtown, corner of 31st and Broadway . When I worked at the Empire State Building I would grub on it weekly. It was the New York Times reviews proudly pasted to it's exterior that first drew me in.

Not the best photo, but what you see above is my order: lamb and chicken sandwich, lotsa of spicy red sauce, lotsa creamy white sauce. It KILLS. The chicken, mostly dark thigh meat, is covered in a red spice marinade. The lamb, superior to the chicken in most everyway, is cooked until almost crispy. I really love it and its greasy goodness.
It's only $3.75 too. If you are in Midtown looking for lunch on a weekday, you can do a lot worse than this

Grubby: Russ and Daughters

Bagels. They scream NY but where are the ruling bagel spots? I'm certain allegiances to bakeries are dictated by where one lives or works. So I'm just taking shots in the dark. Russ and Daughters is loved by many and from what I gather, it is all about the lox. "The Heebster" (Whitefish & Baked Salmon Salad and Horseradish Cream Cheese on a Bagel) is often cited as a favorite. I have yet to venture into the fish zone, which is likely abhorrent to regulars. When I've gone to R&D my weakened weekend morning stomach has not been strong enough for an injection of fish. But I need to, cuz it looks fantastic.

The entire operation is a throwback - from the design and color schemes to the numbered ticket counter service, high quality printed butcher paper and bulk appetizers and food stuffs. The bagels - chewy and fresh but lacking an exterior crispness I prefer. The everything bagel is not tainted by the overpowering onion that most are. Only covered with sesame and poppy seeds, they are wholesome. The salty exterior is fantastic. I've tried both the horseradish and scallion cream cheese schmears - and as a lover of all things horseradish, I'm surprised to say that the scallion killed it for me. Large dices of really fresh green scallion mesh with the salty bread perfectly.

So, where do you go for your bagel fix? Highlights I need to visit? Comment, y'all.


Info: 179 East Houston St

Grubby: Xe Lua

We love us some pho. Really and truly. I didn't really become completely enamored with pho until I lived in New Orleans. There are two Vietnamese communities in New Orleans (East New Orleans and West Bank) that have been thriving since being established by war refugees in the 70's. The similar climate and the shrimping industry led them there I believe. I digress. I have yet to find a pho broth in NY that I love as much as those I've found down south, but I am determined to. Soon after moving here, I asked a friend of a friend if he had a preferred pho spot. He pulled out his wallet and handed me a business card for Xe Lua. Apparantly, he is horrible with directions as he needed the business card to lead him to the resturaunt several times a month.

We skipped the heo, bo, ga and ech seen above and headed straight for the pho tai - the basic beef pho, the baramoter. We were also pleased to find the Singaporean beer Tiger - a favorite (and strong too).
The pho arrived with the requisite plate of goodies. Fresh thai basil, crunchy bean sprouts, cilantro, lime and plenty o' jalapeno.


The broth was good not amazing. Good amount of salt from the fish sauce - and Sriracha and jalapenos provided the heat. The beef, basic - not rubbery but I could have had it a bit pinker. Vermicelli is vermicelli. The veggies were tops.

So, is it the best pho in NY? I can't say, but I hope there is better. Would I go back there? Absolutely - in a second. But until then, I'm ready for another spot. I've got to try as many as possible to find that flavor that will keep me from dreaming of that southern pho I fell in love with. Got recommendations?

Info: Open daily, 10-10. 86 Mulberry St.

Grubby: Baden Baden

Are you there, friends? I'm sorry y'all - I know I hurt you by not posting. But it hurt me too. It's both of our faults, really. I'm sorry baby. I promise, that's the old me. I've turned a corner. Come back to me. I'm still hungry and you are still bored - we can make this work.

After a whole freakin' month of not posting because of delicious trips to the Bay Area and New Orleans, I'm back. I won't be mean and tease you about the pulled meat and sliced meat and slow roasted meat and bbq meat I had. Instead, I'll give you fried meat that you can get right here in NY. I'm posting about a place we visited 2 months ago or so, but its still on my mind.

Stan took a few of us to the unmarked (at least in English) 2nd floor K-town joint Baden Baden. Their specialty: KFC, or, Korean Fried Chicken. Don't be looking for thick, greasy breading here or the dry hunks of flesh found in most fried chickens. This is juicy rotiserrie chicken that I'm guessing is flash-fried at the end leaving a dark, crisp yet thin skin. It is fine as Ginuwine. Squirt Sriracha all over to keep it real. And yes, those O-Rings were as good as they look.

It ain't just chicken either - they do much more. Pictured below is a sea snail salad with thick jalepeno slices and chilled vermicelli noodles. Fantastic. A soft tofu salad was also devoured quickly. More kimchi was needed - next time.


Info: Upstairs at 28 W 32nd.

Grubby: Max

Small and candlelit, Max is a great date spot that I highly recommend. I really like this place and I always order the same thing: lasagna. Oh my god...it is so good. The sauce is possibly the darkest, deepest shade of red I've seen for a tomato sauce. Yet, there is the taste of cream in every bite. Served in individual casserole dishes, each order is good for at least two meals. You'll get to take a delicious lunch to work the next day.


Gnocchi proved tasty as well. I haven't tried the rest of the pasta dishes but the price is right at $10-15 a dish.
Really, it's the lasagna you want.



Info: 51 Avenue B

Grubby: Dumpling House

Also called Vanessa's Dumplings (bought by new owner?), I thought this spot was really good. Big crowd there around dinner time and not a lot of tables. Everything is cheap as shit. The sesame sandwiches looked great but Julia got a veggie one and all I could think about was how much better a pork and egg one would be. Also don't get a veggie bun - tasted like rotting fungus.

Do get pork and chive dumplings. So good for so cheap. Julia thought the dough was too think - whatever. Extra dough is nothing to scoff at.
Can't tell how much better/worse it really it is than other dumpling spots as dumplings are pretty much impossible to fuck up and almost always taste good. Anyone want to go back with me and get a pork & egg sesame sandwich and more dumplings? Oh, the honey lemon tea was sweet, figuratively and literally.


Info: 118 Eldridge

Grubby: Tasty Dumpling

Another choice for dirt cheap dumplings. Not nearly as pro as Dumpling House - just a grimy little kitchen with a couple grimy little tables. But c'mon, it's $1.50 for five competent pan-fried pork and chive dumplings. Use the tar-like sauce, it be good.

This picture really didn't turn out...we gotta get a better camera!

Info: 54 Mulberry

Grubby: Chatham Square Dim Sum

Stan, good job man. You did well guiding your first food adventure. Dim Sum, ice cream and Dance Dance Revolution - powerful combo. I don't know what was with the mellow vibe - maybe no alcohol? Too early in the day? Big crowd? New faces? No hype man? Fuck it. Shake it off.

Dim Sum was good - although we knew very little of what we were eating. Lots of buns. And rolls. And goopy dough. Few on the wait staff speak much English - but you order with a pencil and paper, so no problems there. Try the bamboo fungus roll. The translucent jelly cube has lychee in it.


I really liked these pork buns...almost a bbq sauce thing going on.

Behold: Krista's right hand in all of its dexterous glory. We won't see fork action like this from Krista for a few more weeks, but I'm sure her left hand will compensate until the cast is off. Enjoy your painkillers Krista and get better.

Sauces. I love sauces.

Two fly boys.

Info: 6 Chatham Square

Grubby: Chinatown Ice Cream

It's a must-go.

The "Regular" flavas: Sesame, Ginger, Taro, Green Tea, Zen Butter (sesame/peanut butter), almond cookie, Lychee sorbet, etc.

The "Exotic": Vanilla, Chocolate, Chocolate-Peanut Butter, etc.

Unless you're getting the Choco-peanut butter (Always a top 2 flavor for me, anywhere), stick with the "Regular" if you know what's good for you.

I scream. You scream?

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: Tuck Shop

Awkwardly billed "The Great Aussie Bite", Tuck Shop was introduced to me by Stephen. This here is drinkin' food - meat, some (not too much) grease, and good gravy (its just Brown and Water).
Open til 4am or so, it will be there for you when the booze isn't.

Steve and I both sat down to our own Guinness Steak and Mushroom pies (with green peppercorn and horseradish gravy). Satisfying. It's got bust-yer-nut umami. For those of you are unfamiliar with the concept of umami, learn it and love it - I will use it often.

We also split a nice pork and sage roll. Greasy, but good.

Super easy location - 1st and 1st, right by 2nd ave F stop. If you are there on a Thursday, between 10-12, duck around the corner to East Village Radio and give a "what's up" to Still Life spinning the stanky shit.

Info: 68 EAST 1ST STREET, Open late, Beer and Wine

Boozey: Local 138

Bare with me. A year later, I'm still trying to form some sort of opinion on bars in NY. I have yet to find tried and true haunts. I think this means I need to patronize more bars, more often.

Given all this, Local 138 seems like an easy enough to deal with LES spot. Proximity to JMZ a plus. No juke here, but decent enough tunes when I'm there. The prices and crowd seem normal enough. Nice box window seats for a small group.

I don't know. Considering how "meh" NY bars have been to me, this place qualifies as "competent".

Info: 138 Ludlow St.

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