2nd Ave Deli Reviews Summary

Category: Deli New York

Address: 1442 1st Ave., New York, NY 10021, USA

Phone: +12127371700

Rating: 4.2
based on 126 reviews.

Food Quality

Pros:

  • "The food was amazing at this kosher-style deli!"
  • "The pastrami was lean and delicious."
  • "Loved the matzoh ball soup, the classic pastrami sandwich and the coleslaw."
  • "Excellent matzoh ball soup. Broth was very flavorful and matzoh ball was soft and fluffy, as it should be."
  • "The pastrami sandwich came with a generous portion of pastrami, which was juicy and flavorful."
  • "The home cured corned beef was fatty juicy and Simply Delicious."
  • "Pastrami was extremely juicy and fresh."

Cons:

  • "The worst food that I ever seen for unbelievable pricing!"
  • "Hot pastrami sandwich was awful. The meat was dry and the flavor was average."
  • "Made the effort to walk from west side to east 75street only to find out they no longer had turkey pastrami... he then became loud and hostile... very upsetting experience."
  • "It was cold, stale, meat had an unusually strong taste and I couldn’t finish it."
  • "The brisket was drier than the pastrami."
  • "The corn beef was stringy...pastrami underwhelming."
  • "Pastrami - seemed like a one trick pony, relying purely on hot fat to make it palatable."

Service

Pros:

  • "Good service overall, we had no complaints."
  • "The server was great, and very attentive."
  • "I placed a large order for delivery from 2nd avenue deli and could not have been happier with the service I received."
  • "Service was impeccable and really good."
  • "Waitress was a jewel and everyone was friendly."
  • "Aside from the amazing food, the service and atmosphere of this place is also incredible."
  • "The service was superb."

Cons:

  • "The staff had no interest in providing even basic customer service."
  • "Service can be improved."
  • "When I requested mayo, I was provided a container that came from another customer’s table."
  • "Worse meal I’ve ever had, been going there since I was a kid will never go back there."
  • "Service was good but there was only one other customer. I use to love the original 2nd ave Deli. This new version is the equivalent of an average diner."
  • "Waitress was rude and in the end she threw my check at me."
  • "Service was extremely slow and the servers were very abrupt, not pleasant to deal with."

Price

Pros:

  • "Corned beef sandwich and a pint of matzoh ball soup came out to $36 but was honestly worth it."
  • "The prices are not cheap but the quantity and quality are great."
  • "The prices are moderately expensive but there isn't any place in the neighborhood like it. The food makes up for the extra bucks."
  • "Pastrami sandwich on rye is a whopping $25.95. Yes but well worth it, and the pickles are free and super great."
  • "We finally leaned how to order the pastrami (extra lean) the way we were used to having it in Buenos Aires, with the added benefit that this is kosher."

Cons:

  • "3 sandwich 3 sodas Cole slaw pickles and 1 knish 150 + bucks...ugggh"
  • "The prices are insanely high, however, so be prepared for some serious sticker shock."
  • "The prices mean this place is no longer the bargain it was back when Aunt Zadie and Bubbie went here on dates in the 1950s."
  • "The prices'll bankrupt you."
  • "Not great, food is overpriced and the manager is rude. They used to be amazing before they sold out to only make as much money as possible."
  • "Just wish it was a larger portion as it's not exactly cheap."
  • "Seriously, $22 for a basic sandwich that comes with nothing."

Ambiance

Pros:

  • "You might just fall in love with the food, the old style building, and the very personable staff!"
  • "Every time someone comes to NYC, I make sure they experience 2nd avenue."
  • "An authentic slice of old New York kosher Jewish deli culture."
  • "This place has an old New York charm to it."
  • "Classic NY Jewish Deli experience."
  • "Great place with two locations (neither on 2nd Ave)."
  • "The atmosphere is casual, but the food is more refined than your typical Jewish deli."

Cons:

  • "Coming here for the second time was 'disappointment squared'."
  • "Very strange place that I would not return to. Prices are so high for a rundown sandwich and deli meat."
  • "Both our meals seemed kind of basic and cheap. I feel that the only thing you're paying for here is nostalgia."
  • "Despite its historic roots, it is too new to feel old and therefore just seems a bit dingy."
  • "Some sanitary concerns."
  • "Everyone in the restaurant seemed confused and disorganized."
  • "Please do not support this business. The owners of 2nd Ave Deli own the building at 642 E 14th Street. All of the tenants were forced to vacate their homes with no notice on Tuesday due to structural damage from the construction next door."

Vegetarian Options

Pros:

  • "Great food, nice staff need more vegetarian soup options."

Cons:

  • "I am a vegetarian, and it was pretty tough for me to choose something."
  • "Everything on the menu is made with tongue, or some sort of red meat... Yuck."

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