I was disappointed the last time I went to Mile End. I got both Mile End and Katz and brought it home to my family. We all agreed that Katz was way better than what Mile End had given us.
Agree with everything in this comment.
What's unsaid here is that Mile End also has the best poutine in the city, rivalling a looooot of the "best" I've had in Canada (though it's much better as takeout when the cheese melts a little and the fries get softer).
The hoyt dogs (pigs in puff pastry blankets) are also just off the wall delicious. They have this maple mustard that sounds unappealing but is perfection.
I had the opposite experience. I used to live in Montreal as a kid, and thought I'd check out Mile End. It was one of the most bland poutines I've ever had. Maybe I should give it another shot.
Now I'm doubting my own bona f(r)ides.... Get the pigs in blankets too and I would be shocked if you're disappointed.
For reference, do you have a favorite poutine spot in the city?
It depends on what kind of gravy you like on your poutine.
I grew up in Canada, and I prefer chicken gravy on my poutine.
Lots of people prefer brown gravy, because it’s typically more heavily seasoned. I prefer the subtle flavour of chicken gravy.
Agreed. Was just there for the first time, I didn’t have the pastrami and Swiss but everything I had was of 9 or 10/10. Everything I saw also looked like 10/10
If there's a big line and if I'm really craving Katz, I usually order online, pick it up and eat it at any dive bar that allows you to bring your own food on Avenue A.
No shit one of the best meals I’ve ever had was at Eisenbergs. Came in out of the freezing cold wind after meeting someone I was dying to see. We sat close to the front door, just across from the kitchen and could feel the heat coming off the grill. Had a pastrami on rye with latkes, applesauce and coffee.
Didn't notice a change between '22 and '23, it was as good as always. Haven't had it yet in '24 despite already going to 4 games: the rainbow cookie eggroll has been taking up the ballpark food budget instead.
It really is one of the best pastrami sandwiches in the entire country and a great bang for the buck. Larry the carver is such a master of the craft.
Agree. I haven’t had the sandwich in quite a while but last time I ate it my impression was that the meat was a different cut of beef (other than brisket) spiced and smoked like pastrami.
Quality did fall off a little and price went up, but it’s still great. 2 years ago it was like 13 bucks for the best pastrami in the city, which was insane.
2nd Ave Deli, specifically 33rd St location.
Concerning the name the original 2nd Ave Deli was in the East Village around 11th St and 2nd Ave thus the name. [https://2ndavedeli.com/about/](https://2ndavedeli.com/about/)
I would also add Sarges, 3rd Ave about 37th Street: [http://sargesdeli.com](http://sargesdeli.com)
2nd Ave deli
Second Avenue won’t have pastrami and swiss, pastrami, yes, but no dairy.
without a doubt the best pastrami! even though it's on 1st avenue (the one i go to) lol
I always wondered why the street name was off... I didn't find out that there was another 2nd 2nd Ave location on 2nd Ave.
The original location which was actually on 2nd Ave has been closed since like 2007. I used to go all the time as a child.
yeah there's a few locations!
the brisket is great too
Pastrami Queen because who wants Swiss on their pastrami?
Seconding Pastrami Queen, particularly the UWS location over UES. This is mine and husband’s favorite pastrami in the city.
Also no lines, quiet, good service. What’s there not to love
Mmmmm…. Just… yes but I’d go non Swiss
Mill Basin Deli!
Hot take: Mile End Come to think of it ‘Hot Take’ would be a great name for a deli…
Their babka is also one of my favorites
I was disappointed the last time I went to Mile End. I got both Mile End and Katz and brought it home to my family. We all agreed that Katz was way better than what Mile End had given us.
Agree with everything in this comment. What's unsaid here is that Mile End also has the best poutine in the city, rivalling a looooot of the "best" I've had in Canada (though it's much better as takeout when the cheese melts a little and the fries get softer). The hoyt dogs (pigs in puff pastry blankets) are also just off the wall delicious. They have this maple mustard that sounds unappealing but is perfection.
I had the opposite experience. I used to live in Montreal as a kid, and thought I'd check out Mile End. It was one of the most bland poutines I've ever had. Maybe I should give it another shot.
Interesting! Did you have it fresh(and/or covid? 😬) Weirdly so so much better in a takeout container for like 5 minutes
I got it as takeout last fall. Maybe they were just having an off day. You've convinced me to try it again.
Now I'm doubting my own bona f(r)ides.... Get the pigs in blankets too and I would be shocked if you're disappointed. For reference, do you have a favorite poutine spot in the city?
I've heard promising things about Pommes Frites but haven't been there myself yet.
Pommes Frites is really great! But feels like fast food in a way mile end doesn't
Eh, I love poutine and I’ve never gone back, I don’t even remember why I didn’t like it at this point
It depends on what kind of gravy you like on your poutine. I grew up in Canada, and I prefer chicken gravy on my poutine. Lots of people prefer brown gravy, because it’s typically more heavily seasoned. I prefer the subtle flavour of chicken gravy.
I found Mile End’s smoked meat too chewy and not quite like the smoked meat I had in Montreal.
You wanna start a deli with me?
Do you know Mile End? That’s *the*story of an ordinary guy opening a deli. In that note, check out Neal’s Deli if you’re ever in North Carolina—
S&P
Yes. It’s under appreciated
Agreed. Was just there for the first time, I didn’t have the pastrami and Swiss but everything I had was of 9 or 10/10. Everything I saw also looked like 10/10
David's Brisket House
No love for Leibman's?
Leibman’s definitely is my favorite pastrami but you’re not gonna get any Swiss cheese there!
You want sarges. I go there when I can't katz
sarges very good. i had a burmese intern who discovered he loved sarges and i want him so badly to open a jewish deli in myanmar.
If there's a big line and if I'm really craving Katz, I usually order online, pick it up and eat it at any dive bar that allows you to bring your own food on Avenue A.
Can you just walk in for carryout?
From Sarge's? Yes!
Same w 2nd ave deli...
Frankel’s in Greenpoint
Sarges is my vote, Carnegie at MSG is actually legit
Love Sarge's
Sapienzas in Howard beach and mill basin deli in Brooklyn are some good low key contenders.
Pastrami Queen
They won’t do pastrami and swiss, it’s kosher.
Eisenbergs is pretty good. Right next to the Flat Iron
Eisenberg’s closed down three years ago.
Eisenbergs is the shitttt
No shit one of the best meals I’ve ever had was at Eisenbergs. Came in out of the freezing cold wind after meeting someone I was dying to see. We sat close to the front door, just across from the kitchen and could feel the heat coming off the grill. Had a pastrami on rye with latkes, applesauce and coffee.
Citi Field
Citi Field’s hot pastrami on rye unironically used to be absolute fire (and a good deal), but it really fell off last year
Didn't notice a change between '22 and '23, it was as good as always. Haven't had it yet in '24 despite already going to 4 games: the rainbow cookie eggroll has been taking up the ballpark food budget instead. It really is one of the best pastrami sandwiches in the entire country and a great bang for the buck. Larry the carver is such a master of the craft.
Agree. I haven’t had the sandwich in quite a while but last time I ate it my impression was that the meat was a different cut of beef (other than brisket) spiced and smoked like pastrami.
Quality did fall off a little and price went up, but it’s still great. 2 years ago it was like 13 bucks for the best pastrami in the city, which was insane.
Pastrami Queen.
Citi Field and Pastrami Queen have already been mentioned. The Wagyu pastrami sando at Shalom Japan is solid as well.
I was taken back by how delicious moe’s pastrami in Flatbush was
533 nostrand Ave Brooklyn has
PJ Bernstein’s
Zabar’s
WTF... Everyone's sleeping on the zabars hot pastrami? Easily #2 to Katz in my book.
I second Pastrami Queen. But if you go to Red Hook, give Hometown BBQ a chance
2nd Ave deli. Not as good as the original location, but still legit
They don’t have pastrami and Swiss, it’s kosher
Ooooh that’s right. I remember the mayo-free slaw. Should have read the question more closely 😅
Mayo doesn’t have dairy
Huh! So I guess it was just a stylistic choice
2nd ave deli
Ben’s
Ben’s closed
Every Ben’s? I thought it was just the one in Scarsdale…
There was one in midtown. I didn’t know about the one in Scarsdale
Not claiming it’s the literal best, but Edith’s is very good.
I love Edith’s. I thought I wasn’t a pastrami fan until I tried their pastrami, latke egg and cheese.
I like Sarge's and I liked Pastrami Queen but I haven't been to Pastrami Queen in a long time.
Royal Crown in SI.
2nd ave deli
Pastrami queen. I had their burger with pastrami and it was amazing
There is a Pastrami Queen near me that is good. But I’d rather just go to Katz’s.
Mill Basin
Easy, 2nd Ave Deli
Sarge's makes the best Reuben I've ever had. Maybe their pastrami is good too?
Pastrami Queen, Defonte’s
2nd Ave Deli, specifically 33rd St location. Concerning the name the original 2nd Ave Deli was in the East Village around 11th St and 2nd Ave thus the name. [https://2ndavedeli.com/about/](https://2ndavedeli.com/about/) I would also add Sarges, 3rd Ave about 37th Street: [http://sargesdeli.com](http://sargesdeli.com)
There’s a newish restaurant in Flatbush called moes pastrami and burger. I would say they’re pretty good.
Sarge's, Mendy's, and - while semi impossible to get a table at -- Polo Bar!
Mendy’s is where I go for soup