Mayogate Not As Bad As I Thought
Saturday, August 21st, 2010Yesterday I reported that President Obama ordered a deli sandwich with mayo, assuming it was for him. I was wrong, and shouldn’t have assumed that. A Save the Deli source in the White House corrected the error. I’m quoting his email here:
“Fear not! I was also horrified when I first learned about this, and checked, turns out it was actually Kendrick Meek who ordered corned beef with mayo. The President ordered his with mustard (Axelrod’s influence, no doubt!). The confusion happened because technically the President ordered both, since he paid.”
My apologies to the President, his family, and America for the error. Allowing Congressman Meek to order his sandwich with mayo is still a minor sin (a time for leadership, if there ever was one), but my presumption blew mayogate way out of proportion.
I suppose this is a good time to announce that I’ll be leaving New York and moving back to Canada at the end of the month. No, I haven’t been exiled for dragging the President’s name through the mud. Just married to a lovely woman from the homeland. I’ll miss you NY, and your delis, of course.
Oy, Obama (see correction in next post)
Friday, August 20th, 2010***I got this wrong. The President ordered the mayo sandwich for his companion. Please see next post for correction***
Despite the fact that President Obama has been seen eating corned beef, on rye, with mustard at Manny’s Deli in Chicago, despite the fact that I actually visited the White House, and saw a signed photograph of Manny’s in Obama’s chief advisor’s office, despite the fact that this advisor, Lower East Side deli maven David Axelrod, runs much of the show inside the administration…the President of the United States made that cardinal sin of all American politicians…
He ordered his corned beef sandwich with mayonaise. Oy.
Reports the Miami New Times:
It has been widely reported that President Obama and U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek stopped by Jerry’s Famous Deli on South Beach after their fundraiser at the Fontainebleau. Never mind that the Prez ordered one of two corned beef sandwiches with mayonnaise (oy!) — the biggest political sandwich blunder since presidential candidate Kerry went to Philly and asked for a cheesesteak sandwich with swiss cheese!
Like George McGovern and Bobby Kennedy before him, Obama made the mistake of asking for mayo, that technically kosher, but spiritually treyf condiment so abhorred by true deli lovers. But the New Times heaps further scorn for his choice of deli: Jerry’s Famous Deli, the big business deli that destroyed the Rascal House, Wolfie’s, and much of South Florida’s deli legacy.
I know it’s just a trivial matter of picking out a deli, but I’ll bet Bill Clinton’s aides would have seen to it that when he was going to make a comment about supporting small business, he’d do so in the confines of an actual small business, with real working class small business owners hugging him and glowing with appreciation (actually, he’d be hugging them, but you get the point).
Here at Save the Deli, we think the President still has a chance to regain our trust. I’ve just been informed that a new Jewish deli is opening in the DC area. The Uptown Deli is opening soon in Bethesda, MD, that military rich suburb outside DC, where the Prez surely goes to visit his doctor. Its owner, Howard Wasserman, is promising authentic Jewish deli fare, and he is doing something the President can surely support: opening a small business at the height of this recession. Pay Howard a visit Mr. Obama. For our sake and yours.
Uptown Deli
7905 Norfolk Ave
Bethesda MD 20814
301-961-5787
This Sunday Night: The Foodstuff Show
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
I’ve been told I’m kind of funny, which is the best compliment for me to hear. As a kid, my greatest dream was being on Saturday Night Live, and I spent a lot of time in front of the mirror imitating Dana Carvey characters. All of this helps explain my late exit from virginity.
But this Sunday I take to the esteemed stage of the People’s Improv Theatre (the PIT) in New York, as a guest on the Foodstuff Show with Brett and Ben, the funniest comedy duo focusing on food in the world (and yes, the only one). The Foodstuff Show came about this summer because actors, comedians, and budding diabetics Brett Wean and Ben Masten wanted to drain the seriousness out of food, and inject it with a big dose of laughter. They’ve got musical guests and comedy guests, and each show one food guest. That’s me this Sunday night. We’re going to be talking deli, and I’m told that I have to make the audience laugh or they’ll go on Amazon and bombard my book’s rating with one star reviews.
The guests this week include the Ninja Sex Party
And a special musical guest. I’m not allowed to say who he is, but if you’re a fan of this band, you will certainly know him (or her).
And me, talking and joking about deli. Or maybe being dead serious and pulling an Andy Kaufman. Either way, should be fun.
It’s already being hyped in the Village Voice as “laughs for a slightly more refined palate”.
8pm on Sunday, August 22nd
Tickets $5 BUY THEM HERE
The People’s Improv Theater,
located at 154 West 29th Street, between 6th & 7th Avenue
View Larger Map
Treyf Delicatessen Coming to SF
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
Considering San Francisco doesn’t have a kosher delicatessen, in theory, all its delis are treyf. But that doesn’t seem to be clear enough for Evan Bloom and Leo Beckerman, who will soon open Treyf Delicatessen in San Francisco.
Now before you call the local rabbi and start protesting, know that the name is tongue in cheek only. While not kosher, Treyf is going to be a classic Jewish deli in every sense, with nary a slice of pork in sight. The project’s evolution is outlined on the duo’s blog sfdelicatessen.blogspot.com, which includes the following mission statement:
It is our belief that San Francisco (and the Bay Area), home to some of the finest food and restaurants in the world, needs some good pastrami, pickles, and Babka (among other things). While we appreciate the Deli that exists here, we long for steaming hot, housemade pastrami cut by hand; would plotz for some earthy, shmaltz laden Kasha Varnishkas; would die for a decent black and white cookie.
There’s even photos detailing the home curing and smoking of their pastrami:
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This looks promising. There’s been so much potential for a great roots delicatessen in San Francisco, though many have failed in recent years (the California Street Deli in the JCC, or the SF-NY Kosher Deli coming to mind). Could this be the one that hits it big? The actual opening is still months away, as Bloom and Beckerman seek out investors for the deli. If you’ve got some cash kicking around (and who doesn’t these days), perhaps this is a safer bet than those CDOs you’ve been eyeing.
Off to the Old Country
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
Well amigos, it’s time to return to the roots. Back to Eastern Europe for me, as I leave for Romania and Hungary, reporting for a magazine to be named later. Should be fun. Hopefully I’ll find the lost temple of smoked meats. Or something.
Meet Gladis, Chicago’s counterwoman
Friday, July 9th, 2010Last week I wrote about Diana, the counterwoman at Brooklyn’s Mile End, who broke the schmaltz ceiling for women in delis who are slicing meats. I asked you to provide me with evidence of another woman with a knife in her hand and pastrami in her heart.
Now, Brad Rubin of Chicago’s Eleven City Diner has answered. With not one, but two counterwomen, who happen to be sisters. Below is Gladis. Her sister Maria also works behind the counter. I’ve asked Brad for her Maria’s photo too.
A big hand for these ladies. Keep them coming!
Toronto’s Smoked Meat Duel is Imminent
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
A few years ago, the only smoked meat you could get in Toronto was the kind brought in from Montreal.
Then Caplansky’s entered the scene. Then the Stockyards started selling a pastrami sandwich. Then Goldin’s smoked meat appeared around town, and at the Free Times Cafe. Opinions and preferences began to fly. Each claimed their top spot. Their fans fought hard on the foodie blogs and message boards.
But now, the battle is going public. Because on July 25th, at 1pm, Caplansky’s, Goldin’s, and the Stockyards are bringing out the knives and the briskets, converging on the Wychwood Barns farmer’s market, and having an old fashioned duel for smoked meat supremacy.
The best part is that the proceeds will go toward the Stop, a wonderful organization combating hunger and malnutrition in the city, via education and advocacy in the kitchen and garden.
This is going to be huge. Get there early and get there hungry.
Where: Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St. (Barn #1)
When: Sunday, July 25, 1 to 5 pm.
How much: Free. (Food and drink available for purchase; all proceeds go to The Stop.)
Is This the Only Counterwoman in a Jewish Deli?
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Meet Diana. She’s a cool lady. Funky Rockabilly hair, a few tatoos, and mad mad knife skills.
For the past little while, Diana has been working at Brooklyn’s Mile End Delicatessen, slicing smoked meat by hand.
Rachel Cohen, the owner of Mile End, along with husband Noah Bernamoff, asked me whether Diana was the only female counterwoman in the deli business. I wracked my brain and am kind of stumped.
I’ve met about a dozen female delicatessen owners, such as Cheryl Morantz at Toronto’s Centre Street Deli, or the Markowitz sisters at Factor’s in LA. I’ve met hundreds of great deli waitresses. But I don’t think I have ever seen a woman slicing deli meat, either by hand, or on a slicing machine.
The world of countermen is very MEN centric. It’s knives and meat and big beefy hands, and is the last bastion of the deli business that’s segregated by sex.
So deli world, let me know, is Diana from Mile End the Sandra Day O’Connor (America’s first female Supreme Court justice) of the deli counter? Has she shattered the schmaltz ceiling? Should we start minting coins in her honor?
Or are there other pioneers out there, now, or before?
Let me know.
Fresser’s Parks Forever
Friday, June 18th, 2010
More bad news. Fresser’s, the LA Pastrami truck, has decided to ground its wheels, and stop rolling out the meat.
The news came at the start of May, but I just heard about it now. Here’s what they wrote on their blog:
After much thinking, conversation, and soul searching we have decided that the time has come to close our doors. We enjoyed our time on the Fresser’s truck serving you our delicious pastrami. We’ve met a lot of wonderful people and made new friends along our journey, and we will miss you all. Thank you all for your support!
Please join us to say farewell at beautiful Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. This will be our last event and all are welcome! We will be there with our friends Flying Pig, so come have a bite, a glass of wine, and help us give the truck a proper goodbye!
Thank You,
Jessica Ary & Scott Helberg
Anyone out there try Fresser’s when they were in business? Share your stories with us.
New Jersey’s Goodman’s in New Hands
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010A quick note for you Garden State deli lovers. The venerable Goodman’s of Berkely Heights, NJ is under the new ownership of Don Parkin, a committed deli fanatic. Don’s assured me that he’s keeping faithful to the tradition of the Goodman family, who remain regular customers. Considering this place has been around since 1943, it’s a gem worth preserving, and we wish Parkin the very best of luck.
Here’s a look at Goodman’s back in the day:
Goodman’s Deli & Restaurant
goodmansdeli.net
400 Springfield Avenue
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Ph: (908) 898-0900
Fx: (908) 898-0905
