Today, the Carnegie Deli serves it’s last pastrami sandwich. I had that sandwich, followed by a humongous slice of cheesecake, when I visited NY a few years back and no sandwich since has surpassed it. I remember the crowds, the autographed photos on the walls, Jackie Chan grazing on a salad two booths down…I enjoyed it all. Thanks for the memories.
I’ve been to New York countless times and to several of the famous delis but not that one. I feel bad I missed it.
Don’t be: there’s still Katz’s Deli on Houston Street, which is measurably better than Carnegie, IMO. Katz is the only remaining deli in NYC that still uses navel meat instead of brisket for their pastrami. The sandwiches aren’t as ridiculously large as Carnegie and other touristy delis, but that’s a plus for me. Their blintzes are great and my wife still swoons over the matzo ball soup.
For a few years I lived about two blocks from Katz’s, and I agree (gotta mention their knishes). Carnegie was never as good as some of the others, but it made up for that in chutzpah. It will be missed.
If that had been me, I’d have had a coronary years ago.
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Carnegie Deli, but I think I’ve been to Katz’s many years ago.
Is there now a deli in Manhattan that can be labeled THE deli to go to next time I’m in NY?
I guess there’s no one answer to that question, but I’m interested in the discussion. I’ve never found corned beef as good as is in NY any where in the nation.
I was in New York on business and stopped in there, but the prices made me cringe. I wasn’t going to spend $25 on a sandwich on the company’s dime. I ate at Benash Deli across the street and was quite satisfied.
Huh. That’s one of the few I’ve heard of, even as a non-New Yorker. (I probably just remember hearing someone on TV saying it, and then associated it with Carnegie Hall.)
Ok, maybe I completely misunderstand how that business works, but doesn’t closing the place sound like an incredibly poor business decision? If the place is famous, just the name all by itself is worth a lot of $. 3/4 of the measure success of an eatery is name recognition, and that one has it built-in. Couldn’t they find a buyer?
My understanding is business was fine; the issue was the kids of the family did not want to take over and the elderly owner was tired of the grind. He also owns the building it was in so rent was not an issue.
I know they have franchised the name to at least one other place in a hotel somewhere so maybe they will do that with another place in NYC.
Well, NOW it’s Katz’s.
(Although it was always better than Carnegie, mostly for the reasons Chefguy stated in the third post. Also because it’s just a few doors west of Russ & Daughters, so you can stop in and get your smoked whitefish and Nova on the same trip. Carnegie is in the Tourist Hell of midtown.)
What will Rupert Jee do now?
From the OP’s linked article.
I did have quadruple bypass, 20 years later.
Rupert owns Hello Deli.
Good riddance.
If I understand this news correctly, the satellite location at the Mirage in Vegas is still in operation.
I ate there last year, and it was probably the best pastrami sandwich I ever had.
I was always a 2nd Avenue Deli person, myself, ever since my parents would take me there in the late 70’s. I understand it’s closed now, though, but I suppose Katz’s is a decent second place. I’ve never been to the Carnegie Deli - too touristy.
I’m a fan of Leibman’s, in the Bronx, or Fine & Shapiro.
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$20 pastrami sandwich?
Damn, that thing must be a foot tall.