From Pastrami to Pickles: A Love Letter to the Jewish Deli
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A Brief History of the Deli
Jewish delis sprouted in New York City in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, brought over by Eastern European immigrants who craved the familiar flavors of home. What started as small storefronts selling pickled herring, cured meats, and breads soon grew into bustling institutions where cabbies, comedians, and grandmothers alike rubbed elbows.
The deli wasn’t just about food — it was about assimilation and identity. Kosher or not-so-kosher, these spots became social hubs for new arrivals trying to make a life in America. The Jewish deli became as iconic to New York as the Statue of Liberty — just with better sandwiches.
The Legends of the Deli World
Some delis have transcended mere restaurant status to become cultural landmarks:
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Katz’s Delicatessen (New York City) – Since 1888, they’ve been hand-slicing pastrami and stacking it taller than a skyscraper. Yes, that “I’ll have what she’s having” scene from When Harry Met Sally was filmed here.
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Carnegie Deli (New York, RIP) – Famous for sandwiches so big you needed a strategy to eat them. Though it closed in 2016, its legend lives on in pop culture.
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Langer’s Deli (Los Angeles) – West Coast pastrami royalty. Their #19 (pastrami, coleslaw, Swiss, Russian dressing on rye) is often called the best sandwich in America.
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2nd Ave Deli (NYC) – Both kosher and legendary, with matzo ball soup that could heal heartbreak.
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Canter’s Deli (Los Angeles) – An institution for late-night noshing, attracting rock stars, comedians, and insomniacs since the 1930s.
The Art of the Sandwich
At the heart of deli culture is the sandwich. The pastrami on rye is king: smoky, peppery, piled high, and often served with a sour pickle spear sharp enough to make your eyes water. Corned beef, chopped liver, knishes, and kugel round out the supporting cast.
But beyond the food, delis are about attitude — a mix of warmth, sarcasm, and speed. Order wrong and you might get a raised eyebrow; order right and you’re family.
Why Delis Still Matter
In an era of fast food chains and “artisanal” everything, the deli remains stubbornly itself: generous, unpretentious, and a little salty (like its regulars). It’s about tradition, nostalgia, and the joy of eating something so stacked with meat you need two hands and a prayer to get through it.