Delicious delis

Katz’s Delicatessen in New York. Photo: Wikipedia

Kosher style delis are making a comeback as part of the nationwide trend toward recreating and reinventing traditional foods. These delis specialize in Jewish comfort foods that include cured meats, heavenly breads and bagels, sour pickles, andsweet pastries. Some of the delis featured here have been dishing up matzo ball soup for more than a century, while others are just getting started. But they’re all great places for a nosh and a kibbitz. (That’s Yiddish for a snack and a good conversation.)

Founded in 1888, Katz’s Delicatessen is a New York City institution. Every week the deli serves 15,000 pounds of their signature pastrami and more than 12,000 hot dogs, both of which are considered among New York’s best. Katz’s still keeps many of the old school touches, like paper lunch tickets and giant barrels of pickles. The deli was also the setting for the famous Meg Ryan scene in When Harry Met Sally—you know the one. A sign above the table where Meg and Billy Crystal sat reads “Hope you have what she had!”

Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen in Chicago may not have been around as long as Katz’s, but it comes recommended by President Obama. In fact, Manny’s has long been the place where Chicago power brokers discussed the city’s affairs over corned beef sandwiches. Those sandwiches are what Manny’s is best known for, but the matzo ball soup, potato pancakes and cherry pie are also local favorites.

The owners of Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen had grown up eating at places like Katz’s and Manny’s, but couldn’t find anything comparable in Portland. So five years ago they founded the deli and bagel shop that the New York Times has called “the future of delicatessen.” Kenny & Zuke’s focuses on recreating artisan versions of Jewish comfort food, the kind you could get before the advent of commercial food suppliers. They brine their own pickles, bake their own bagels and cure all the meats themselves.

One thing all these delis have in common, besides great food, is nationwide shipping. So if you’re craving a knish and can’t get to New York, Chicago, or Portland, they’ll send one (or a dozen) to you.

Tagged: Midwest, New York, Portland