Six of Brooklyn's Best Pastrami Sandwiches
Editor’s note: Brownstoner plans to run more features on topics we have always covered, including restaurants, retail, and renovation, and maybe on some new subjects as well. We hope you enjoy this look at one of Brooklyn’s specialties, the pastrami sandwich. When it comes to pastrami, that old world meat that is a staple of…
Editor’s note: Brownstoner plans to run more features on topics we have always covered, including restaurants, retail, and renovation, and maybe on some new subjects as well. We hope you enjoy this look at one of Brooklyn’s specialties, the pastrami sandwich.
When it comes to pastrami, that old world meat that is a staple of Jewish deli food and a hallmark of New York City’s culinary tradition, Brooklyn has an embarrassment of riches spread throughout the borough. Sure, Katz’s on the Lower East side gets all the attention — and don’t get us wrong, despite the tourists and the crowds they make a darn good sandwich — but for a tender, salty, juicy, stacked-high pastrami sandwich, you’re better off staying in Brooklyn. Here are a few of our favorites, including a few nontraditional takes on this most traditional of deli foods.
Photo by Lex X. via Yelp
David’s Brisket House and Deli (Bed Stuy and Bay Ridge)
Halal pastrami may not be typical but at David’s Brisket House, it’s the key ingredient in one of the best sandwiches in the borough. The deli is over 50 years old and the store as well as the recipes have been passed down from one owner to the next over the years. According to a detailed story in Grub Street, “the original Dave was a Russian Jew who sold the deli to a Romanian Jew, who inherited the name.” He ran off with a Columbian woman, leaving two new partners to take over the operation — they were from Yemen, one Jewish and one Muslim. The Jewish partner died of a heart attack, leaving his Muslim partner with the deli. The pastrami, pictured above, is as good as you’ll find anywhere in Brooklyn.
Photo by Salim Virji
Jay and Lloyd’s Kosher Deli (Sheepshead Bay)
This kosher deli in Sheepshead Bay has been around only since 1993, which makes it a bit of a newcomer in the world of traditional Jewish delis. But its relative youth is no stumbling block when it comes to food. Jay and Lloyd’s routinely ranks among the borough’s best when it comes to its pastrami sandwich. Anthony Bourdain even wrapped up the last episode of his Travel Channel show, “No Reservations” at Jay and Lloyd’s, during which he sampled, among other things, the pastrami.
Photo of Mill Basin Deli by Chris E. via Yelp
Mill Basin Deli (Mill Basin)
The Mill Basin Deli has been serving up pastrami for over 40 years. In 2011, Daily News readers voted its sandwich the best pastrami sandwich in the entire city. The owner, Mark Schachner, uses his own secret rub for the meat and steams it twice each morning.
Our last three picks offer new takes on a great old thing.
Photo of Mile End by Tammy T. via Yelp
Mile End Deli (Boerum Hill)
The ceaselessly popular Brooklyn take on Montreal’s deli comfort food served at Mile End does not exactly include pastrami. Instead, it serves a Canadian version of the cured, smoked and steamed meat called, appropriately, smoked meat — those Canadians get straight to the point. Check out this long and exhaustive story about the differences between pastrami and smoked meat on Serious Eats. Suffice it to say there is a reason there is always a line here.
Photo by HBH Gourmet Sandwiches and Smoked Meat
HBH Gourmet Sandwiches and Smoked Meat (Carroll Gardens)
This sandwich shop takes a very different approach to pastrami. It uses short rib instead of the traditional brisket. The owner cures and smokes the pastrami-style short rib in house and serves it up on marbled rye with Swiss cheese and horseradish mustard.
Photo by Fette Sau
Fette Sau (Williamsburg)
At this Williamsburg barbeque joint you’ll have to figure out the sandwich part on your own but, as with much that is smoked, sliced and served here, the pastrami is well worth the trip and the wait in the inevitably long line. The pastrami rivals any you’ll find at a deli anywhere in the city. Pastrami is not always on the menu but we’re sure that if you miss it you’ll find something else to fill you up at this temple to smoked meat.
I love pastrami. I have driven all the way to David’s in Bay Ridge and it is outstanding. I have also eaten at Mill Basin Deli and it was good but not that memorable. I live very close to Mile End but can’t bring myself to eat there. Too much of a poseur IMO.
Oh my god why is everyone so mad at a pastrami article on a Brooklyn real estate website.
I typed in Brownstoner and Eater came up instead??
Sorry to say that J&L’s and David’s Brisket House (Bay Ridge location) are only MEH. The smell inside David’s is seriously nausea inducing. The waitresses at J&L are very condescending unless of course, you are Jewish and from the neighborhood.
My sentiments exactly.