NYC: Barney Greengrass

After my last post on Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, I thought it would be only fitting to do a post on Barney Greengrass - The Sturgeon King, my favorite New York City deli. My husband Ethan and I have been going here for a while now and we always take our out-of-town guests here. Of course there's 2nd Avenue Deli, Katz's Deli, Carnegie Deli, etc...the list goes on.

A few things to know when you come here to eat. Be prepared to order quickly. Save the conversation until after you've given your order. My favorite is the hot pastrami with coleslaw on rye. Unlike other deli's oversized sandwiches, Barney Greengrass sandwiches are reasonably sized for an average American (wink to Lexanonymous). If you come on a weekend, you definitely have to order the latkes since it's only available on the weekends. The Latkes come with sour cream and apple sauce - a true taste of heaven. Ethan often orders one of the triple decker sandwiches. On this day, he ordered the pastrami and tongue with coleslaw on rye. The sturgeon is also great, a bit expensive, but something really good to try while you're here...I mean, he is the "King". On this visit, Cecilia (Ethan's sister) ordered the cheese blintze with jam. I had a little taste and it was great.

Latkes with a dolup of applesauce and sour cream

Hot Pastrami with Coleslaw

Triple Decker: Pastrami and Tongue with Coleslaw

Cheese Blintz with Jam

Pick up a black and white cookie before you leave!  It's not the oversized ones you usually see, but a great little sweetness to linger in you mouth as you walk out the door.  

Barney Greengrass (map)

541 Amsterdam Ave (bet. 86th & 87th)

New York, NY 10024

Zingerman's Delicatessen - Ann Arbor

On my recent trip back home to Ann Arbor, Michigan I ate lunch at Zingerman's Deli.  I love this place!  Is it strange that the first thing I want to do in Ann Arbor is go to Zingerman's - a New York style deli?  I went here with my husband Ethan and brother Jason.  I never know what to order when I see the list of all the sandwiches on the board, so I did something completely out of character for me...I agreed to split a sandwich with Jason.  When Jason was halfway through the second half sandwich I realized that he wasn't going to share.  That's okay, I didn't want to share, either!

So, would I say it's pretty close to a NYC style deli?  In some ways yes, and in many ways, no.  The sandwiches are made with great quality ingredients, and in some people's eyes, they're oversized.  The difference I think is that Zingerman's is just too pretty.  You would never walk into a NYC deli that looks like this.  The staff are all ridiculously friendly and they never rush you - this isn't a bad thing, it just doesn't happen the City.  And the differences are the big reasons why I love Zingerman's ; )

Between three of us, we ordered the following:

#2 Zingerman's Reuben
Zingerman's corned beef, Switzerland Swiss cheese, sauerkraut & Russian dressing on grilled, hand-sliced Jewish rye bread.

What Jason says, "I remember this sandwich being so much better...like "this is the best sandwich ever" good.  Don't get me wrong, I loved every bite of the delicious grill Zingerman's rye bread and tender corned beef (which I didn't share with anyone), but I don't know about $15 and long lines (luckily the lines weren't too bad that Saturday).  And I almost ate another one before I left, but it wasn't good enough to spend $30 on 2 sandwiches in one weekend..."

#13 Sherman's Sure Choice
Zingerman's corned beef, Switzerland Swiss cheese, coleslaw & Russian dressing on Jewish rye bread.

Ethan's not always a fan of grilled (melted cheese) sandwiches.  He thought the bread was really good and was excited to eat the Reuben that wasn't grilled.  He loved the pickle too!

#85 J.V.W's Detroit St. BBQ 
Zingerman's BBQ Amish chicken, Nueske's applewood-smoked bacon & coleslaw on grilled sourdough bread.  Served with a side of applewood-smoked baked beans.

I loved my sandwich! The BBQ chicken was amazing with the coleslaw and bacon...my mouth is watering all over again just thinking about it.  I have to agree with Jason on the price, $15 for a sandwich is a bit much, but without thinking about the price, the sandwich was still great!

Here are some additional random photos:

Zingerman's Deli 
422 Detroit St. (map)
Ann Arbor, MI 48104