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Why is the 2nd Avenue Deli Not On 2nd Avenue in New York City? |
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Actually, the 2nd Avenue Deli really did used to operate on New York City's
2nd Avenue Street - this was back in 1954 when it was called New York's
best kosher deli establishment by the Zagat's restaurant guide. As a 2nd
Avenue deli, the kosher deli offered special examples of fine Jewish
cooking such as cholent, gefilte fish, knishes, pastrami, special corned
beef, and the classic matzoh ball soup. One problem encountered by the 2nd
Avenue Deli is that since its meat did not meet glatt kosher guidelines for
Orthodox Jews, such Jews refused to patronize the 2nd Avenue Deli. Another
reason Orthodox Jews used to shun the 2nd Avenue Deli is that it did
business on Saturdays.
When its owner and founder Abe Lebewohl was killed on March 4, 1996 by
thieves, the 2nd Avenue Deli was closed down. Eventually though, the 2nd
Avenue Deli experienced a rebirth under new owner Jack Lebewohl on July 31,
2007 when the kosher deli was transferred to a new location at 162 East
33rd Street between Third Avenue and Lexington Avenue. It continues its
tradition of good homecooked-style Jewish food that reminds Jewish families
of dishes that used to be served by their mothers and grandmothers. In
fact, the 2nd Avenue Deli is so dedicated to continuing this tradition that
it even came out with a cookbook called The Second Avenue Deli Cookbook:
Recipes and Memories from Abe Lebewohl's Kitchen, written by Jack Lebewohl
and Sharon Lebewohl with Rena Bulkin as co-author.Jewish cooking is characterized as being comfort food that not only
satisfies the soul but also fills the belly. The cookbook helps people
learn how to make Jewish biscotti such as the Mandelbrot (complete with
almonds), the Jewish New Year staple known as Honey Chiffon Cake, six types
of chicken soup (and you thought all there was to it was boiling the
chicken), the potato kugel pudding, a coleslaw dubbed Health Salad which
does not use mayonnaise, and the basic Schmalz which is simply chicken fat
rendered and ready to use for various Jewish dishes. The 2nd Avenue Deli
helps people enjoy such dishes even if they don't necessarily learn how to
make them from the cookbook. And even if you are not particularly
interested in cooking, the cookbook makes for a good read anyway since it
has plenty of anecdotes and memories from the Lebewohl descendants that may
render 2nd Avenue Deli regulars nostalgic for the old days when Abe was
still alive. Some trivia you might not have known about the 2nd Avenue Deli are:
- it produces coleslaw every day that totals 1000 pounds (believe
it or not)
- it offers 400,000 meals to diners annually
- and that allegedly deli founder Abe Lebewohl once claimed "what
can I say? My food will kill you." Whether or not the last piece of trivia is true, the 2nd Avenue Deli is a
well-loved icon of New York City ethnic cuisines that it has even merited
its own entry in the Wikipedia. Now how many New York City restaurants can
claim that singular honor?
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