2nd Ave Deli
A kosher deli institution serving pastrami, matzo ball soup and free health warnings, now located on 33rd Street.
Example
Ordering pastrami here means no cheese and no butter for the rye, because the kitchen is strictly kosher and keeps meat and dairy apart.
Related terms
Bagels and delis
Katz's Delicatessen
The 1888 Lower East Side deli famous for hand-carved pastrami on rye and the ticket system every visitor fumbles.
Bagels and delis
Pastrami Queen
A kosher deli since 1956 whose Upper East Side and Moynihan Train Hall counters serve top-tier hand-sliced pastrami.
Restaurants
S&P Lunch
The revived Flatiron luncheonette at the former Eisenberg's counter, serving tuna melts, matzo ball soup and egg...
Bagels and delis
Russ & Daughters
The century-old appetizing shop on Houston Street, the definitive source for lox, smoked fish and bagel boxes.
Frequently asked questions
Katz's or 2nd Ave Deli for pastrami?
Katz's for the hand-carved theater, 2nd Ave for shorter lines, table service and the full kosher deli menu around the sandwich.
What does kosher mean for my order here?
No dairy with meat, so no cheese and creamers. The trade-off is a deli running the way the tradition intended.
Is 2nd Ave Deli a good fallback when Katz's is packed?
Yes. It offers table service, shorter waits and the full kosher deli menu around the sandwich, which suits a group that does not want to stand in line.
