What a great Christmas Hanukkah gift this book would make! “Save the Deli“, a hardcover by David Sax, just came out a couple of days ago.Believe it or not, this vegetarian grew up on deli food. There were plenty of delicatessens in NYC back in the day. But alas, they’re all disappearing. Ok, so the food is unhealthy and kind of on the disgusting side. Anyone ever tried tongue? I have. Used to love it. And stuffed derma? Mmm… intestines!
Even though the only thing I’d eat at a deli these days is a knish, I don’t want to see them die. They ARE history! Not just for Jews, but for New York. Can’t they just change with the times? Soy pastrami? Free range organic grass fed corned beef on whole wheat?
And while I’m on the subject, you know what else is dying in New York? Yiddish! I ordered a bagel with a schmear in a Brooklyn cafe that shall remain nameless (Prospect Perk) and they didn’t know what I was talking about!! WTF? You know why, don’t you? It’s because there are no NYers left in NY anymore. Everyone is from somewhere else.
Anyway, enough kvetching. Go out and buy the book for your bubby. It will be a mitzvah.
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Thanks PB! I would hate to see the Deli die in NY. I feel like we’ve seen so much die in our young lives. The death of yiddish is even sadder, especially at a bagel shop. It should be part of their employee training.
Your reasoning is right on. The lack of New Yorkers in NY is what drove me away. But now I’m longing for those ole LES fixes, Katz’s Pastrami sandwich, a knish, and maybe next time I’ll cross Delancey for a pickle. My mouth is even watering at the thought of a real bagel.
Now I’ve got to go eat.
Thanks!
Comment by Haydee Velez-Colon — October 22, 2009 @ 9:57 am
I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but NYC is a shell of it’s former self. It became a strip mall with all the franchise shops, so I too, figured I’d just move to a place where I can get more space and clean air. The energy of the city still can’t be beat (as I found out), even though NYers are few and far between.
FYI, (Haydee went to my high school) when we had our high school reunion, about 10 of us went out to dinner afterward and there were only 2 who still lived in NYC. I didn’t count myself because I’m only around sometimes.
Comment by RH — October 22, 2009 @ 11:44 am