Crave Great Deli? Quit Kibitzing and Head Over to Old Pasadena

Does the smell of pastrami set your mouth to watering or just the thought of a big juicy dill pickle bring back fond memories of eating in a corner deli in New York? If you’ve just got to sink your teeth into an honest-to-goodness Kosher-style deli sandwich, save the airfare and head on over to New York Deli in Old Pasadena.

Owner/manager Haamed (Leo) Temory said that what makes a great New York sandwich is, “meat, more meat and more meat.”

Customers are surprised when they see the sandwiches. “It’s a slice of New York in Pasadena, the pastrami is the best and corned beef,  you really can’t compare,” Temory continued.

I just had to try the “New Yorker” which was lean, juicy, peppery pastrami and tender corned beef teetering on a triple-decker sandwich dressed with Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian dressing on rye bread. My eyes were as big as saucers as the culinary monster was brought to my table. It’s not every day that you see sandwiches like this on the West Coast. This work of art was piled high with so much juicy pastrami and corned beef it threatened to topple over. The side of potato salad and juicy Kosher pickles perfectly finished off this gastronomical treat. My suggestion? Bring a friend to share this delicious sandwich.

Enjoy matzo ball soup? I know I do. But all too often I’m disappointed by the heaviness of the matzo ball and a lack of flavor in the soup itself. New York Deli serves a matzo ball soup with a tennis-sized matzo ball which is light and tasty. The soup is chock-full of white meat chicken, carrots, noodles and big chicken flavor. Just like Bubbe used to make.

Good as the matzo ball soup is, NY Deli also cooks a tasty chicken noodle soup and cabbage soup – oh, and cabbage with meatballs, too.

What would a deli be without the iconic Ruben sandwich? The New York Deli serves theirs on grilled rye or sour dough bread with your choice of the traditional corned beef, pastrami, turkey – or to guild the lily, corned beef and pastrami. And the New York Deli doesn’t just grill the bread; they grill the meat and sour kraut and dress the whole sandwich with Russian dressing. The sandwich comes with your choice of one side and pickle.

Chopped liver, Kosher style franks, knockwurst, brisket: these are magical words that bring thoughts of lip-smacking flavors just not found in Pasadena.   Couple that with chopped chicken liver, egg salad and chicken salad what more could you ask for? Lox and white fish that’s what!  And don’t forget the pickled herring. Now where in Pasadena can you order pickled herring?

There are salads to choose from, deli plates to share, and bagels to schmear. Along with authentic New York sodas in bottles and a large assortment of desserts to choose from (not made in-house).

So the next time you want real deli and think you can’t get it in Pasadena-forget about it and give New York Deli a try.

The New York Deli is located at 25 N. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena. Their hours are Monday – Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. For more information call (626) 578-0010 or log onto www.thenewyorkdeli.com.