2nd Avenue Deli

05/27/09

Not worth the hype

by tmitchel11 at Citysearch

Their deli doesn't have prices on it. They pretend to ignore you when you ask how much everything is. I ordered a half pound of turkey, a half pound of roast beef, and a half pound of pastrami and some side salad and the total came to $77. They only told me the price after everything was wrapped up and I felt obligated to pay. Their fake smiles could not satiate the bad taste in my stomach I got from knowing I was ripped off.

• Cons: Overpriced and TERRIBLE service

03/14/09

Product Poor, Service Worse

by servicepoor at Citysearch

Product is poor, and service is worse. Tonight I went in and ordered a sandwich to bring as a gift for a friend. They made the sandwich wrong and I brought it back. Before I went back I called, the person on the phone said just come in and we'll have a new sandwich waiting for you. I get there and ask for it, and then they say give us the old one we'll clean it up for you. As he starts "cleaning it up" he uses his bare hands to take apart and put back together the food. Now that's a first class move. So they lied on the phone. Then I went and asked to speak with the manager after watching my turkey get man handled. So some guy named Mohamed said he was the manager. Seemed nice at first. He said it wasn't him who answered the phone and would not make a new sandwich for me. Then I just asked for a refund. Mohamed says where is your receipt. I said I was never given one, but the guy who took my cash was right there. The cash man acknowledged me, but then Mohamed said without the receipt no money back. So much for service. And... I did spend $31 for a quart of soup and 1 turkey sandwich. Sheesh. You would think you would get more for what you pay at this place. My only recourse is to talk with some guy Jeremy who owns the place. I'm told he is in every morning. Jeremy, if you are listening Mohamed should have slightly better customer service skills, and the guy behind the counter shouldn't argue about not making the sandwich wrong. Heck, it might be nice if he didn't stick his fat knuckles in my food. After all, I did order it, and ya made it wrong. So, I congratulate you on taking my money without issue, and telling me to shove it just as easily. Hope others fare better at this place than I did. Anyone reading this, I'll smile if you eat somewhere else. Besides, its new york and 2nd avenue deli is nothing more than overpriced and loaded with fat fingers.

• Pros: Nice Decor
• Cons: Service is Lousy

07/23/08

Had a "Pastrami Off" Versus Eisenberg's, and Eisenberg's Won!

by funitalian67 at Citysearch

I'm a lover of pastrami, and I recently found Eisenberg's, and thought I was in heaven (read my review). However, since I'm always searching for the next best thing, I decided to give the 2nd Ave. Deli a try given its long heritage and proximity to my office. Do not get me wrong, 2nd Ave. makes a very good, tasty sandwich, but it is on the leaner side. Unfortunately, a little to lean for my taste. As such, I had to give the victory to Eisenberg's by 20 cholesterol points...lol. As an aside, 2nd Ave. gives its patrons a small shot glass full of its very tasty chocolate soda to cap off lunch...very nice touch!

06/02/08

Still Great Matzoh Ball Soup But Something's Missing

by huskyduck at Citysearch

I went to the new location late on a Saturday night and I was literally the only person in the place for about 30 minutes until another party was seated. I'm not sure if the dead atmosphere contributed to my overall impression of the food, which was good, but it's just not the same as the old location. It felt kind of sad to be honest. The matzoh ball soup is still tops in the city, however. The complimentary pickles and slaw as good as ever. I'm curious to see if in the long run this new location will have a permanent effect on this great New York institution. Even so, the Second Avenue Deli is still one of the top 5 New York Delis, though I used to rank it overall number one.

• Pros: Still great matzoh ball soup; still great pickles and slaw bowl
• Cons: The new location has taken something away from this great New York institution

03/19/08

rude!

by tbp9 at Citysearch

Sadly, not as good as the original. The portions are just not what they used to be and the SERVICE is horrible. When calling for a delivery expect nothing but rudeness. This is unfortunate... the food is still good, but not sure if it is worth the trouble.

• Pros: delivery all over the city
• Cons: RUDE

03/19/08

This kosher classic may have relocated, but it still jolts the matzo ball memories of every deli denizen in town.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Like Streisand on repeat, the 2nd Avenue Deli recalls an endless strain of the way we were. Brightly lit and tightly packed, the new location recreates the old with tile floors and Hebraic lettering--minus grimy decades of matzo meals. Service is brisk, since every customer insists on telling the waiter a story about the time Aunt Esther ate at the old deli in 1974.

The Food
The deli staples remain much the same (cue "Tradition!"). Matzo ball soup is shot through with chicken flavor and is surely a cure for anything that ails, while pastrami, though piled on mediocre rye bread, tastes as wonderfully salty and greasy as ever. In keeping with kosher law, soy product fills the sweet, tender cheese blintzes. Such sacrifices are tolerated, though, especially when the corned beef hash arrives crispy on the edges, and the fluffy matzo balls remind you of that one Passover when everyone got along.

Hits: For the trip down memory lane alone, 2nd Avenue Deli is a worthwhile recreation of a fading era, accompanied by the kind of food that makes us true New Yorkers.

Misses: Sticker shock is common--prices are high and portions are not as huge as they once were.

01/03/08

Ridiculous and horrible

by rikanmagick at Citysearch

Are you freaking kidding me? I ordered from this place at 11AM to make sure that we had our food by 1pm. As I am writing this, its 2:30 in the afternoon and my food isn't even here yet. I WILL NEVER ORDER AGAIN!

01/02/08

HELLO DELI! WELCOME BACK!

by wise1too at Citysearch

It's great to have his place back! And I'm expecially glad it's in my hood! This is the real deal if you want a Jewish Deli! Sadly though one would have thought they would recognize the problems of the old place and made this new start a better experience. It' small, crowded and uncomfortable. If you order take out you're made to feel like you're in the way and the hostess is just plain rude. And there's been a huge wait to get in! Be preapared- the prices are very high! For general overall deli food it's the best but my favortie, pastrami, is second to Katz's in NY and Langer's in LA. But glad you're back, warts and all!

PS- Now all the tourists will be confused that the Second Avenue Deli is on Third Avenue!