2nd Ave Deli

All 363 rated mentions, most helpful first

postUpdate - Soup for Hospital Visit69 pts
“Wow, the pastrami was so moist and had the perfect amount of fat.”
H3
in:Katz’s or 2nd Ave Deli?20 pts
“Second Ave Deli for matzo ball soup (best I’ve had - loads of carrots and fresh dill with chiffon like matzo ball) and center cut tongue sandwich.”
H3
in:B&H vs. Russ and Daughters for sit-down latkes?15 pts
“second avenue deli also makes a mean latke. Much thicker than your typical latke with a super crispy, flavorful crust.”
H3
in:Pastrami Queen or 2nd Ave Deli?3 pts
“2nd Ave deli is always low stress and good vibes with excellent service. You’ll get delicious vinegar coleslaw and pickles to start, and while the pastrami is not as good as Katz’s it is still really solid.”
H3
in:Katz deli like delis, and recommended restaurants in Midtown area.3 pts
“I think 2nd ave deli is a more enjoyable experience and def closer to where you are. No, there pastrami isn't as good as Katz's, but i give it the nod for the sides for sure. Love their kasha varnishkes and latkas.”
H3
in:Ny in two weeks. Finalizing my restaurant list1 pts
replying to u/Growlersday: Thai Diner is a great lunch spot. Good luck getting a res at Four Horsemen. Maybe you could get a walk in as soon as they open, but it depends on party size. ESSENTIAL eating is Raku in East Village. It’s handmade udon. I’ve lived here for two years, work and eat in Michelin starred restaurants, and it’s still one of the best meals I’ve had in the city. They take reservations now, too. Favorite hot udon is the snow crab, favorite cold is the ja ja, and I always start with the monkfish liver. Anytime I have someone visiting, this is the first place I take them.
“Also, I prefer 2nd Ave Deli to Katz. Easier to get in, and they run their pastrami on a slicer instead of hand cutting so I feel it eats better.”
H3
in:Need help with good dinner places1 pts
“2nd Ave Deli is every bit as good as Katz’s without the notoriety and difficulty procuring your food. Pastrami is not thick sliced like Katz’s if that will be a deal breaker for you. Best matzo ball soup I’ve ever had.”
H3
in:Katz’s or 2nd Ave Deli?0 pts
“I think the pastrami is pretty comparable, but the sandwich is not as big at 2nd Ave. Also, it’s kosher, so no pastrami reubens or anything. Still, it’s easier to get into and really delicious”
H3
in:Katz’s or 2nd Ave Deli?0 pts
“Tongue is their best meat and in general, the prices are higher with a smaller portion as they're actually Kosher instead of kosher-style like the other two. If you prefer an in-between in terms of thickness with a bit more salt, I'd recommend this place if you don't mind paying more.”
H3
in:Katz’s or 2nd Ave Deli?114 pts
“Go to Katz’s for the pastrami. Go to 2nd Ave Deli for everything else.”
H2
in:Pastrami Queen or 2nd Ave Deli?39 pts
“I loved 2nd ave deli for their thinly sliced version with coleslaw that was actually pickled and no mayo.”
H2
in:The best pastrami in NYC30 pts
“I really like 2nd Avenue Deli’s pastrami”
H2
in:NYC sandwich spots24 pts
“Katz / 2nd ave / Sarge will have a great pastrami/corn beef sandwich.”
H2
in:Katz’s or 2nd Ave Deli?19 pts
replying to u/Blue387: You don't have to go to Katz's but I do recommend Sarge's which is a few blocks away from 2nd Avenue Deli
“imo sarge’s is much better than 2nd Ave”
H2
in:How is this sandwich $27 at Pastrami Queen?18 pts
“last time i went, 2nd Ave Deli was also kinda pathetic with their portion.”
H2
in:Katz deli like delis, and recommended restaurants in Midtown area.17 pts
“2nd avenue deli is a good place for a pastrami sandwich”
H2
in:NYC for the first time15 pts
“Pastrami on rye, matzoh ball soup, and a celery soda from second avenue deli.”
H2
in:Best Sandwich in NYC15 pts
“My top sandwiches: S&P Sandwich - Tuna Melt S&P Sandwich - 50/50 Katz’s Deli - Pastrami on Rye 2nd Ave Deli - Pastrami on Rye”
H2
in:Pastrami Queen or 2nd Ave Deli?15 pts
replying to u/twoanddone_9737: Katz is unironically the best in the city, we all know this. It’s like the only place in the city that’s a full blown tourist trap but is also the best of its kind.
“having had both 2nd Ave Deli and Pastrami Queen, Pastrami Queens is much better.”
H2
in:Where do you "grab dinner"?15 pts
“2nd Ave Deli (pastrami or matzo ball to-go, still hits)”
H2
in:We are doing a Sandwich Trip:15 pts
replying to u/CloverB612: We’ve done Pastrami at Katz a few times, it’s been hit or miss. Looking to compare S&P. Their tuna looks great too, if only I had another stomach!
“I'd recommend Sarge's or 2nd Ave Deli for a pastrami sandwich.”
H2
in:Best sick food/soup to order in Manhattan?14 pts
replying to u/JealousBreadfruit704: Second Ave deli
“That said, 2nd avenue deli literally calls their matzo ball soup "Jewish Penicillin" and as one of the tribe - I most certainly cosign that statement”
H2
in:Girls weekend in Manhattan early January13 pts
“Pastrami on rye, matzoh ball soup, and a celery soda from second avenue deli.”
H2
in:What's your against-the-grain recommendation?12 pts
replying to u/No-Basil7368: Katz deli is the best pastrami on earth and people that try and be contrarian (really just the norm these days) by suggesting Sarge's or 2nd Avenue Deli or honestly wherever is better are just trying to flex that they are educated on the subject and have a different take. These places aren't as good, and its so obvious.
“the other items: latkes, matzoh ball soup, blintz’s, etc. at 2nd Ave deli are (in my opinion) far superior.”
H2
in:Can yall weigh in on the list I made for restaurants to eat at during my visit in July?12 pts
replying to u/Grose040791: Yes we are def going to Katz 100 percent
“Their pastrami is great too and you get the feel of a good old school deli”
H2
in:I'm tired of New Yorkers hating on Katz's Deli just because it's a tourist spot10 pts
replying to u/IvanTheNotSoBad1: New Yorkers just hate being on the same line with tourists. Food's pretty good albeit expensive. 2nd Ave deli is just less hassle.
“their matzah ball soup isn't even as good as some greek diners”
H2
in:Best places for soup in Manhattan itself?10 pts
replying to u/halermine: I will mention that half a sandwich and soup at Katz’s is pretty happening. Their split pea soup is phenomenal.
“matzoh ball is better at Second Avenue Deli.”
H2
in:Going to NYC for a weekend for the first time, are my choices pretty good?10 pts
“Oh and the pastrami, good lord, Katz’s Deli/Pastrami Queen/2nd Ave Deli clears the Hat/Johnnys/Langers and this is coming from someone who fucking loves the Hat.”
H2
in:your favorite dumplings in the city (from any culture!)9 pts
“2nd Avenue deli for kreplach (Jewish dumplings) and chicken soup”
H2
in:recommendations for Jewish diners across all the boroughs?9 pts
“Second Ave Deli for MBS”
H2
in:The best pastrami in NYC8 pts
replying to u/NYnosher: Katz's has the best pastrami in the city even if the majority of customers are tourists. NYC locals still, undoubtedly, go to Katz's from time to time. Otherwise, Pastrami Queen in the Upper East Side and Frankel's in Greenpoint have excellent pastrami. 2nd Ave is very good too.
“2nd Ave Deli is my choice for UES pastrami.”
H2
in:I'm tired of New Yorkers hating on Katz's Deli just because it's a tourist spot8 pts
replying to u/IvanTheNotSoBad1: New Yorkers just hate being on the same line with tourists. Food's pretty good albeit expensive. 2nd Ave deli is just less hassle.
“2nd Ave slices their pastrami way too thin”
H2
in:Best places for soup in Manhattan itself?8 pts
“2nd Avenue deli makes an incredible matzo ball soup. Their mushroom barely is great as well”
H2
in:2nd Avenue Deli > Recommendations needed8 pts
“Get a few pints of soup and a pound of pastrami for later”
H2
in:Most iconic Dishes You cannot Miss out on in New York City8 pts
“matzoh ball soup from 2nd ave deli”
H2
in:Born and raised NYer’s, what is your overrated and underrated spot?7 pts
“This one is my favorite. Everything is so good. Special shoutout to the round knish.”
H2
in:Pastrami lean extra lean fatty7 pts
“for an uptown sandwich I tend to prefer 2nd Ave Deli over Pastrami Queen”
H2
in:Best sick food/soup to order in Manhattan?6 pts
replying to u/Party-Veterinarian60: +1 to second avenue deli, but heads up that this (and most) jewish delis are astronomically expensive. Plus, the fees across all platforms (doordash, grubhub, ubereats) are particularly high. That said, 2nd avenue deli literally calls their matzo ball soup "Jewish Penicillin" and as one of the tribe - I most certainly cosign that statement
“My wife loves 2nd Ave deli matzah ball soup when she’s sick.”
H2
in:Going to Brooklyn for 2 days 6 pts
“I personally think the others are all great, less crowded, and have a better vibe where you can sit down in a booth and order.”
H2
in:Pastrami Queen or 2nd Ave Deli?6 pts
“2nd Avenue deli >>> pq especially if you’re trying to sit down there. Pastrami is comparable, overall menu is better, and it actually has nice seating.”
H2
in:Katz deli like delis, and recommended restaurants in Midtown area.6 pts
“you can also get good pastrami at 2nd Avenue Deli”
H2
in:I gotta run to B&H today. Where should I get lunch?6 pts
“Pastrami Sandwich!”
H2
in:Looking for healthy and slightly bland food suggestions (seriously)6 pts
“Matzah ball soup at either Veselka, Sarges or 2nd Ave deli”
H2
in:If you could only order one menu item in all of NYC, what would it be? (Stolen from r/philadelphiaeats5 pts
“2nd Ave deli: Matzah Ball soup with side of fries, includes house cole slaw and pickle, complimentary shot of egg cream when your bill comes.”
H2
in:What is your favorite delivery restaurant/meal? 5 pts
“Chicken in a pot from Second Ave Deli (or Sarges).”
H2
in:Advice on Katz’s or Alternatives5 pts
“If getting a NYC Jewish Deli experience is the goal, I also recommend 2nd Ave Deli. My favorite Jewish Deli in NYC, and they’re one of the few left in the country that are still kosher. Food’s great, with a wider and deeper variety than Katz’s has.”
H2
in:Katz deli5 pts
“If you want brisket go to 2nd Ave Deli”
H2
in:Pastrami Queen or 2nd Ave Deli?5 pts
“As an UES resident, face value I think PQ>2nd but it’s very close.”
H2
in:Best matzoh ball soup in Manhattan….5 pts
“Its not 2nd ave deli...... There's inn't salty enough”
H2
in:Best sandwich places5 pts
“Katz’s or 2nd ave deli for corned beef or pastrami”
H2