Surely there are debates on best pastrami in NY, but this is the one I tried when I visited. Mouth watering goodness!

  • SirEDCaLot@lemmy.today
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    2 days ago

    For anyone not familiar- Katz Deli is a somewhat famous sandwich place in NYC. Their primary menu item is the pastrami on rye sandwich, and it’s like $20-$30. They slice the pastrami right in front of you, still warm.

    I’ve only had it once but it was worth it.

  • Ohi@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    I’m going to NY next week and really appreciate the reminder to go eat at Katz again. 🤤

      • dependencyinjection@discuss.tchncs.de
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        2 days ago

        I could never eat all that. I tend to eat until I’m full then I stop. No need to stuff yourself so much you need a nap.

        Edit: Not that it matters but who downvoted this. I want to know the why?

        • Derin@lemmy.beru.co
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          2 days ago

          This place is known for both their price and portion size. I generally get two meals out of a single $30 sandwich.

          Regardless of how popular the place is with tourists, it is still a classic.

          And, bonus: if the line is too long you can just go to Russ and Daughters a block away and grab a pastrami lox bagel (see attached).

  • TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    3 days ago

    Katz pastrami is some of the best, imo. I’m sure you can find a small Jewish deli that does a better one off the beaten path, but it’s hard to beat Katz!

    • Krackalot@discuss.tchncs.de
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      2 days ago

      I didn’t go to Katz myself. So I can’t compare. I went to 2nd Ave Deli. The owner, a small Jewish guy, came over and chatted with me and my wife a few times, gave us free chocolate sodas, and it was the best pastrami I’ve ever eaten. Would highly recommend it if you want a more relaxing experience.

    • TexasDrunk@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      I’m into brisket, and pastrami is no exception to that. I’ve had a lot of pastrami in my life and I’ve got to say that Katz is fucking killer.

      I like to try to replicate things I really enjoy so that I can have it at home or fuse it with other food that I also enjoy. I spent months trying to replicate theirs and couldn’t do it. Unfortunately I think the issue by the 3rd batch was that I couldn’t smoke it at a low enough temperature to get 3 days of smoke on it.

      I’m sad that I don’t make it up to NY very often anymore so I haven’t had it in a few years. I’m hoping to head up there next year.

      • acosmichippo@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        I’m skeptical they actually smoke the meat for 3 days. my understanding is anything past 3-5 hours of smoke is not doing anything for flavor, and you’re better off just steaming or baking at that point. IIRC they do finish with steam even after whatever smoke process they have, which further leads me to believe they aren’t smoking for 3 days.

        • TexasDrunk@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          You’re probably right, but man I sure did try. And I’ve made pastrami since then using more traditional times. I make pretty ok pastrami, but there’s something in Katz’s that I just love.

          • acosmichippo@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            they also don’t use brisket exactly, it’s a slightly different cut, called belly or plate. something like that. not very easy to get a hold of.

            • TexasDrunk@lemmy.world
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              2 days ago

              They’re using plate?!? That is harder to come by, but I have a source. I may give it another shot but it’s been so long that I’m not sure I could try to replicate it.

              I just found out you can order their pastrami online. I may order a pound and try again. Thank you so much for the info! Now I have months worth of pastrami testing to do.

  • Linktank@lemmy.today
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    3 days ago

    I can’t be the only one who thinks this is visually disgusting right? It looks like completely uncooked meat. Why not just go down to the farm and slaughter one yourself and just eat it right there off of the ground?

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      It’s cured, slow-smoked (to an internal temp of 203 °F, much higher than what would be considered “well done” for steak), and then steamed. It’s literally the most cooked a piece of meat can possibly be without becoming inedible.

      On top of that, it’s a cheap, tough cut of meat that only becomes delicious because of the complicated and laborious prep. When you buy a sandwich like that (which is pretty expensive), the extensive cooking process is most of what you’re paying for.

    • solsangraal@lemmy.zip
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      3 days ago

      can’t be the only one who thinks this is visually disgusting right

      it looks visually delicious. pastrami is cured, not cooked. like other cured meats, it doesn’t turn brown in the process

      • acosmichippo@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        pastrami is cured and cooked for hours and hours to tenderize. the curing process turns the meat bright red even after it cooks.

    • Cadeillac@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      I also think it looks that way, but am not so foolish as to believe it is actually raw meat. Your opinion is fine, but the last sentence is unnecessary

    • southsamurai@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      Eh, disgusting is subjective, but there’s never only one person with a given opinion, particularly when it comes to food.

      Uncooked meat can actually be delicious though, so it’s kind of a double subjective lol.

      While it isn’t anything I have regularly, I tend to favor some steal cuts “blue”, which is essentially uncooked at all in the middle. Steak tartare is uncooked. Sashimi exists, and is amazing. Then there’s stuff like ceviche that’s not truly raw, but isn’t cooked with heat.

      The list of raw meat foods could keep going, it’s not an uncommon thing.

      Beyond that, you can’t really go by photographs for whether or not something actually matches visually. Raw meat and cured meats often do look similar in color, but not in texture. Not that color really matches, but it’s usually close enough to fool the eye depending on lighting and the film/sensor.

      Again though, whether or not a pile of raw meat would be disgusting is indeed something that you’ll find plenty of people on either side of. And you’d likely find people that see this picture and think it looks raw, at least at first glance (it really doesn’t once you pay attention to the variations in color across the slices).

  • renrenPDX@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Pastrami is one food I just can’t get to like no matter how I try it. Too damn salty for my taste, which is weird for me to say.

  • bestelbus22@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Are they still popular as ever? When I visited in 2016 I was super impressed by the throughput their kitchen maintains.