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| Pastrami sandwich at Katz's |
Photos and text by
Gabi Porter
If you're going to come to New York for the weekend, there are a few sites you have to see - the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, etc. But, what if you want to do the culinary version of a whirlwind tour? We've whittled down the millions of edible options into nine dishes that define the Big Apple - from bagels to soup dumplings to black-and-white cookies, these are the must-scarf foods if you want to take in the culinary scene of classic New York. Think we missed a few dishes that have shaped the city? Let us know your nominees for other iconic grub in the comments. Click through to check out the slideshow.
Do you have a best pizza list?
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to work on one! Any favorites you recommend? I think they would have to be broken down into categories: best slice, best classic New York pizza and best newcomers.
ReplyDeleteI've lived in nyc an embarrassingly long time w/o having tried a majority of these foods. Now I know how I'll be sending my next few weekends!
ReplyDeleteI've had 8/9, I've gotta get to Einsenberg's for an egg cream!
ReplyDeleteJoe's Shanghai blew me away... Not only are the soup dumplings simply divine- I recommend the Orange Beef and the Shanghai Noodle dishes.
ReplyDeletehow about a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity?
ReplyDeleteThe Frozen Hot Chocolate is actually on our list of Most Overrated NYC Dishes. Check it out:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.zagat.com/buzz/new-yorks-10-most-overrated-dishes
John's of Bleecker for best pizza!
ReplyDeleteNeed an eggcream...now. Ok for bfast?
ReplyDeleteIs Gus's pickles still around?
ReplyDeletehow about ramen at ippudo?
ReplyDeleteWell done!!!!! But i'd add the Pork Buns at MOMOFUKU to keep it MODERN :)
ReplyDeletecupcakes (or banana bread pudding?) at Magnolia?
ReplyDeletegreat list. also: matzoh ball soup from 2nd Ave Deli.
ReplyDeleteMagnolia's cupcakes are completely rubbish and inedible (not to mention they're all tourist traps). Billy's Bakery all the way.
ReplyDeleteBreakfast at the original Veselka?
ReplyDeleteIs a shake shack truly "iconic" NY food, or is it #1 on this list because of who owns it? And Artie's beats Katz's any day. Except Saturdays.
ReplyDeleteIt's not chocolate sauce but chocolate syrup that goes in to an egg cream. And it has to be U-Bet!
ReplyDeleteGood list of items, but all of them from the wrong places.
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised here and have never lived anywhere else and the fact that Shake Shack is here and not Corner Bistro is just wrong wrong wrong.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above poster. Shake Shack should be on the most overrated list. I just had one this week and it was nothing special. I could name a dozen easy that are better. Corner Bistro is a much better choice. Are you putting on Shake Shack just because they have a long line?
ReplyDeleteYou could also have added the Halal Cart on 53th and 6th. The line is always down the street. I know people that when they come into NYC that always make sure it's a stop on their trip.
ReplyDeleteThe only Hot Dog that is worthy of the list is Nathan's in Coney Island. Where is Junior's Cheesecake? I think you have to increase the list to a "Baker.s Dozen (13).
ReplyDeleteCupcake Cafe makes the best cupcakes. Sugar Sweet Sunshine is second and Billy's is third. Butter Lane would be second but their cakes are not a good value. Magnolia's are always dry and the icing is too sweet.
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco has far better chinese soup dumplings...served so you don't worry about getting burned....
ReplyDeleteAnd black and white cookie...disgusting.
I don't know but this article is whack.
Uh Katz's. Love it too, but the header in the slide show says pastrami but the picture is of brisket sandwich, which is also incredible. The description goes on about brisket followed by a the typical quip about having mustard with that? Pastrami yes, but brisket ? No way, ever. Either someone's very confused or the editing here is even sloppier than the sandwich.
ReplyDeleteGabi, I'm really impressed that you nailed almost everything on this list. But you blew it BIG TIME on the Burger.
ReplyDeleteHow can you say that the grilled burgers from a place that's only been around since 2004 are more iconic than the flame broiled burgers from The Corner Bistro, which has been around for at least 50 years?
You should start by reading the 2012 Zagat's guide where you might notice in the Top Food: By Cuisine: Burger category that Shake Shack doesn't even APPEAR, yet there is the Corner Bistro. Oh, and the burgers at Corner Bistro are not only bigger, but less expensive than Shake Shack. Not to mention that the CB fries are far superior (and a larger portion for less money).
Huge FAIL! Otherwise, you are spot on with every other Iconic food on this list.
You forgot the ultimate NY food. The one thing you can get here that can be found no where else on the planet! The street pretzel!
ReplyDeleteKATZ's pastrami? Sacrilege. If you're going to pick traditional deli, you have a responsibility to at least make it kosher. KATZ's??? In a city with the 2nd Avenue Deli and Pastrami Queen with Shmulka Bernstein's secret recipe? My bubi and zaydi are turning in their graves.
ReplyDeleteShake Shack is just In and Out with a line. A copy of a classic
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I am from NY
In and Out is actually WAY WAY WAY better than Shake Shack. But you still have the lines!!! At least it's cheaper. When is In and Out coming to New York?!?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteThe Papaya king hot dog should be on the over rated list
ReplyDeleteShake Shack is so overrated. Insanely overrated. The burgers are good, but the lines are completely not worth it. I've only gone with friends who are visiting NY. Hardly iconic.
ReplyDeleteHwa Yuan sesame noodles. Gawd, I miss them!
ReplyDeleteI THINK THE LIST IS PRETTY TRUE - BUT - I ALSO THINK THAT THE SHAKE SHACK IS "GOOD" AND NOT ICONIC. YES, ALSO THE "HALAL GUYS" CART SHOULD HAVE MADE THE LIST & WHAT ABOUT ICE CREAM CATEGORY WITH "BROOKLYN ICE CREAM" LEADING THE LIST???
ReplyDeleteTo the above mistaken "Brisketeer". It's pastrami! Red in color, seasonings are visible as opposed to Brown brisket . Go back to Katz's and order both again and don't forget Dr.Brown's Celery.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that two places are no longer there. The first was the Automat. Their pot pies, baked beans, baked maccaroni and salisbury steak were to die for.The second was Chock Full O' Nuts which made the world's best donught.
ReplyDeleteAnd you did leave out one existing icon. The sish-kebap truck. NY if ever there was a NY.
What about dirty water hot dogs? Zabar's whitefish?
ReplyDeleteI went to NYC and tried a bunch of different pizza places that were supposed to be famously divine. Not a single one was even good, much less divine. Hate to tell you, but California has you beat many times over on pizza, NY (and I don't even live in California). My fav: Zach's. All the other stuff on this list you can keep - I no longer eat hot dogs, pastrami, or other heart killers. How about doing a list on the best-tasting healthy foods in town for a change?
ReplyDeleteCouldnt agree more with the above comment. California has NY beat, hands down.
ReplyDeleteRight you are! The picture is pastrami, but not the overstuffed pastrami sandwich I got at Katz's during my last visit for $17.95. I remember it being at least a half pound or more thick. Good pastrami! But hardly a bargain for $17.95. I'm not rushing back any time soon.
ReplyDeleteGM Liang
Howell, NJ
From the person who ordered, shot and then ate the PASTRAMI sandwich in the picture above (and the other photo featured later on in the piece...same sandwich), that is absolutely pastrami and not brisket. And it most definitely was way over a half pound of meat (I tipped the guy) and insanely difficult to finish. And for those of you who question Katz's utter superiority, have you been lately?
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree about Corner Bistro vs. Shake Shack debate. I like them both, but... Talk to the editors about that one!
And Noah, I debated with myself about whether the Momofuku pork bun was an icon YET. Give it a few more years and definitely.
I also thought a bacon, egg and cheese on a roll should be on the list.
Hello..
ReplyDeleteI like this blog..
Actually I like restaurant blog and i am always follow the best blog and this is the best one for me..I am agree with all the facts that you have describe here..
Thank you for this nice sharing..
Timmy`s By The Riverh
how is papaya king a pretender? it was the first and grays papaya was a spinoff, a former partner of papaya king started grays papaya.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papaya_King
I think Billy's Bakery stuff tastes like it comes from a package mix.
ReplyDeletethe whitefish salad at Pick-a-Bagel. PJ Clarke's hamburger, Utopia Bagels, Kossar's Bialies, Peter Pan Donuts
ReplyDeleteI also thought a bacon, egg and cheese on a roll should be on the list.
ReplyDeletethere used to be a wonderful food truck on Broad Street the made a wonderful sandwich
There's nothing better than a hand rolled
ReplyDeleteDavidovitch Bagel at Barney Greengrass.
there used to be a wonderful food truck on Broad Street the made a wonderful sandwich
ReplyDelete口臭