The Best Kosher Deli Sandwich In The New York Area

This past Wednesday, I judged three very different kosher deli sandwiches on taste, appearance and creativity at the 21^stannual Kosherfest Best Kosher Deli Sandwich competition. Whenever I came to New York with my family before I was married, we always went on a deli “roll” and went to as many deli’s as we could in Manhattan. I definitely had enough experience to qualify as a judge regarding where one can find the best kosher pastrami or corned beef or chopped liver sandwich in the New York metropolitan area.  Three kosher delis participated in this year’s search for the best kosher deli sandwich:  Traditions Restaurant in the 5 Towns,  U Café and Klapholz’s (Elkins Oark PA).

When I was first approached by Kosherfest to be part of a panel of culinary experts to judge deli sandwiches, I was thrilled beyond belief. I was introduced to the deli sandwich from a very young age. Whenever I traveled with my family to New York, L.A., or West Palm Beach, we always went on a deli “roll” and ingested some of the best Pastrami on Rye ever.

Many things have changed since those days of dining out with people (with three kids, four and under, you just don’t). I became strictly kosher several years ago and I do not eat in any delis also known as “kosher-style”. I will only eat in a “kosher” deli serves only kosher meat, fish, chicken, vegetables, and absolutely no dairy. Mr. David Sax author of “Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen” also describes the “kosher-style” deli as an American innovation that originally differed from its kosher counterpart mainly in hours of operation (they did not close on the Sabbath) and lack of rabbinical supervision. Since I keep kosher and observe the Jewish Sabbath, I will only eat in “kosher” delis.

From my personal experience in the New York area, here a couple of kosher delis that I have tried and they are good. If you were to ask  30-year-old Toronto native David Sax, he would have a different list. According to a recent article posted on the Jewish Chronicle, Mr. Sax identified the following cities for his top choices; Chicago and Cleveland serve the best corned beef. Montreal has the best smoked meat, New York owns pastrami, and no one can touch London for pickled tongue. How does he know this? He spent three years tasting the deli sandwiches of more than 50 Jewish delis to get real live research for his book.

Now, back to the best deli sandwich in the New York area. The winner of The Best Kosher Deli Sandwich at the 2nd Annual Kosherfest Culinary Competition, (drum roll please) goes to UCafe located at 1436 Lexington Avenue (between 93rd & 95th Street). This was not my first choice. I absolutely loved Klapholz’s multi-layer sandwich with Bison (marinated and incredible) with sauteed onions, mustard that had kick, and homemade chopped liver.  The bread tasted incredible and it was baked perfectly. This is definitely not  “first date” type of sandwich (fyi, you will need  bib and  lot of napkins). So, if you are looking to experience more of the “24/6″ New York deli, here are a couple of my favorites.

Mr. Broadway Kosher - 1372 Broadway (at 38th Street) located in the heart of the Garment Center just a few blocks from Macy’s, Madison Square Garden, the Javits Center, the Fur District and the Broadway Theaters, Mr. Broadway has been in business for over two decades. Their menu has a variety of items that everybody will kvel over. From their authentic Mediterranean salad bar, or Japanese cuisine from a 12 foot fresh Sushi bar.  You will find the juciest corned beef and pastrami sandwiches that will keep you coming back again and again.

Noah’s Ark - 493 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ, 07666, Phone: 201-692-1200. Before I got married and moved to Queens, I had some very delicious meals at this deli located in Teaneck, New Jersey. If you ever have to attend an event in that part of the state, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to eat a hearty, deli sandwich at Noah’s Ark. Noah’s Ark, a classic deli that made Teaneck, NJ’s collective mouth water. Noah’s Ark family  includes Noah’s Ark Deli/Restaurant, Shelly’s Vegetarian Café, a mail order business that ships gourmet frozen kosher food cross-countryand  catering that has won accolades from heads of state.