Restaurant Review: Carnegie Deli, New York City

New York City is famous for delis, but unfortunately many of the city's authentic delis have gone by the wayside. The Carnegie Deli, a theatre district stalwart, is one of the few delis to remains true to its roots, serving up delicious, authentic Jewish deli cuisine.

Stepping into the Carnegie Deli is like stepping into a time warp - nothing has changed here in decades. The entrance is dominated by a huge deli case full of Carnegie specialties, like house-made salami and smoked salmon. The dining room screams "Old-School-NYC," with dark hardwood paneling and pictures of celebrities lining the walls - you can really feel the history. Of course, things are none too clean, but that's part of the Carnegie Deli's charm!

As for the menu, you really can't get more traditional Jewish deli than this. Gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, tongue sandwiches, chopped liver, pastrami, brisket and knishes abound. For those with more traditional tastes, the Carnegie Deli has a large selection of salads and serves up one of the best cheeseburgers in Manhattan (in my opinion). The Carnegie Deli also has an extensive breakfast menu, including massive omelets filled with any of their delicious meats (chicken liver omelet, anyone?), Challah French toast, cheese blintzes, even matzoh brei - but no pancakes, unless you count their delicious potato latkes. Desserts include rugelach, babka, several types of cake and pie, and of course, cheesecake. World-famous cheesecake!

Unfortunately, due to its status as the best-known deli in New York and its central, theatre-district location, the Carnegie Deli isn't cheap. I eat at the Carnegie Deli as frequently as my cholesterol level and wallet will allow, and I've never been disappointed in the food. Their pastrami and brisket are always juicy and succulent, their burgers always cooked perfectly - and oh, the CHEESECAKE! However, you must be aware of the portion sizes before you order. For instance, the hot pastrami sandwich (pricey at $13.95 before adding cheese and grilled onions), contains at least a pound of meat - it easily feeds two, and possibly four! They charge $3 for sharing, but it's worth it, unless you're a competitive eater. Just be sure to note that there is a $12.50 per person minimum on food, so if you're ordering one sandwich for two, you'll have to indulge in a side dish and/or a dessert as well. Trust me, this will not be a hardship!

The Carnegie Deli is a must for anyone who loves deli-style cuisine. Yes, it's touristy, but so is everything in the theatre district. If you're a tourist, so much the better - you'll be able to tell your friends back home about your trip to the best-known deli in New York. And if you're a local, you'll be able to make fun of all the tourists while indulging in some of the best deli food in the city, and maybe the world!

Address: 854 7^th Ave., at 55^th St.
Website: www.carnegiedeli.com
Phone: 212-757-2245
Hours: 365 days a year, 6:30am to 4am
Price Range: Sandwiches $12-$25