Sometimes there isn’t anything better than good bread, a commendable filling and a can of Pepsi, bottle of Pilsner Urquel or glass of Domaine Tempier Rose. Here are some ideas.
Katz NYC
Katz’s — Manhattan
Katz’s has long been a favorite. It was started back in 1888 by a Russian immigrant. It isn’t likely he envisioned one of his tables being used for a climax scene in When Harry Met Sally — but he would have liked the crowds of people staring at the table marked (Sally was here) and chomping down on one of the best pastrami sandwiches in the world. Katz has breakfast but I’ve never gotten up that early. I suspect their lox and onions omelets are very good as well as their special tongue omelet. But, Katz is about pastrami, matzo ball soup, knishes, kugel, potato latkes and blintzes. While you are waiting you might throw a dollar in the tip jar and the pastramier will give you a sample taste of the meat and legend has it (and I believe in legends) will make sure your sandwich has a little more than the maximum amount of meat on it. I never have any room after eating my sandwich but I’ve seen people devouring cheesecake as well. This is one of the treasures in New York and worth the effort of going there. (although if you can’t, there are several other delis in whatever area of NY you stay that shouldn’t be missed).
Katz Pastrami NYC
Carnegie Deli — Manhattan
Carnegie was founded in 1937. Located near the Theater District on 55th and 7th Avenue you can get that one pound pastrami sandwich you dreamed about from 6:30 am to 4:00 am. I’m not sure why they take the two hours off but I’m not their business manager. They are known for their sandwiches but one look at their fifteen plus eggs dishes from bologna and eggs to sturgeon & onions omelet you know that whatever your taste, you can get something here. Again I tend towards the pastrami/corned beef combo (young David spent two days eating the bologna sandwich) and the winemistress usually starts with matzo ball soup (figuring there is no way I can eat all of the sandwich by myself, but don’t let them see you sharing, it is a heavy fine). You can also get a bowl of prunes as needed.
Roma Deli — Las Vegas
Out on Spring Mountain Road is wonderful little Italian deli that has your household necessities like pastas, olive oils, salumi, olives and wines; it also has amazing sandwiches and dinners. Last time we started with the fried calamari and progressed to the pork chops milanese with pasta, eggplant parmigiana and pollo alla marsala. Intense, fresh flavors. We went back out there to get a Sicilian sandwich with provolone, ham, capicollo, mortadella, salame, tomatoes and vinaigrette. You can get homemade cannoli or ricotta cheesecake. And the prices are amazing. Most of the entrees are under $15.00 and desserts about $5-6.00. If you have a car, get off the strip and enjoy the food some of the locals eat.
Capriotti’s — Las Vegas
Here’s the story:
Lois Margolet grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, in a neighborhood known as Little Italy. Lois had a dream to open her own sandwich shop, but she knew she needed to have something unique because there was plenty of strong competition out there. Little Italy had at least seven sandwich shops within a three block radius. In 1976, Lois quit her full-time job, borrowed money and purchased a boarded-up building on North Union Street in Wilmington, where the original Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop still stands. Lois, along with her brother Alan Margolet, decided to open a sandwich shop on the first floor, while she lived on the second floor. She and Alan would name the sandwich shop after their grandfather, Philip Capriotti, who loved to cook for them.
Their concept was to capture the hearts of “real turkey lovers,” an idea that would separate Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop from almost all of its competition. They wanted to roast whole fresh turkeys overnight, a concept that no other sandwich shop in the area offered. They began by cooking one turkey per night, but the demand grew to the point where they were cooking 10 to 12 turkeys per night. They served sandwiches made-to-order with fresh roasted pulled turkey, the best quality meats and cheeses, and fresh rolls and produce delivered daily.
I don’t get here often enough so I stick to the homemade roasted turkey or roast beef sandwiches. The Bobbie is a Thanksgiving meal on a hoagie — turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo. I did venture away last time there and ordered an Italian as well. Genoa Salami, Capacolla and Prosciutini. One of the workers at the Orleans (site of the WCC basketball tourney) says she always orders the Tuna sub. I’m not sure if they catch the Tuna fresh daily. They also have four different vegetarian sandwiches. Another local hangout in Vegas worth trying if you are in the mood for a sandwich.
Roxy’s — Seattle
A displaced New Yorker decided to move his deli from downtown Seattle to N. 36th a few blocks from the Troll in the Fremont district. The place is big on breakfast bagels and combos like Challah French Toast or bagels, cream cheese and smoked trout. My main goal is to get a NY size Pastrami sandwich, chipotle turkey club or a Beef Brisket. You can always get a bowl of Matzoh Ball soup or a variety of Roxy Melt sandwiches. It doesn’t make me forget Katz’s in NY but does help erase from my mind a bunch of other NW restaurants who claimed to have pastrami sandwiches just like NY. Roxy’s has a little NW twist to his deli and that makes sense to me.
Salumi — Seattle
Salumi — Seattle Salumeria started by Armandino Batali
Started by Armandino Batali this salumeria is a jewel in the Pioneer Square area. They make their own meats — Lardo, Oregano Salami, Culatello, lamb prosciutto, hot sopressate salami, finocchiona salami, smoked paprika, cotecchino and coppa are some of my favorits. I loved the cracked fennel in the finocchiona and garlicky flavor of the hot sopressata. The mole is really different, spiced with chocolate, cinnamon, ancho and chipotle peppers. The guanciale is made from the jowels of the pig and their dario has nutmeg and mace to create an aromatic salami. Always a long wait it is best to get there about 10:45 (they open at 11:00) or after 2:30 you might have a chance of getting in within a half hour. It’s busy and it’s worth the wait.
Kinder’s Meats — Martinez CA
Kinder meats started in 1946 in San Pablo. I”ve been to their store in Concord and Martinez. I started out on the marinated Ball Tip Steak sandwich with potato salad and BBQ beans. It didn’t take long and I was eating the slow cooked BBQ beef sandwich or Louisiana Hot Link sandwich. We started taking a full rack of tequila lime ribs home or smoked tequila lime chicken quarters. If I”m there on Thursday I go for the Jerk Pork sandwich. Great food and they’ve been doing it for three generations.
Pat’s & Geno’s — Philadelphia
Tony Luke’s — Philadelphia
Spartan — Philadelphia
Paseo — Seattle
The Carts — Portland
Domini’s — Spokane