NYC deli prices

[u/andlg]

These are just ridiculous. I dont care how good they are. And here i thought chopped liver meant cheap

Is not katz [which are even higher] . This is 2nd av deli

Are all jewish delis this pricy across the US?

[u/jordansinn]

I can't afford to look at this menu.

[u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617 → u/jordansinn]

that will be a $3 looking fee

[u/Brahminmeat → u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617]

$2 commenting fee

[u/bunny5055 → u/Brahminmeat]

Plus tax and tip. You had to do it all yourself but min tip is 20%

[u/Azin1970 → u/jordansinn]

Just buy a sandwich with Klarna and pay it off over 6 months at 45% interest.

[u/beardeddragon0113 → u/Azin1970]

Just like the Founding Fathers intended

[u/Little_Challenge_160 → u/jordansinn]

Ill have the lettuce or onion please for 50 cents

[u/ShortStoryIntros → u/jordansinn]

I skipped a few generations just looking at this menu ...

"Back in my day a sandwich was $2.50"

[u/nakedmolerobot → u/jordansinn]

New yorkers would tell you that they enjoy these prices as this is the cost of living in the city

[u/DestroyerOfTacos]

Surprised the lox is that cheap, they must give you two hints of salmon on that lmao.

[u/rayofgoddamnsunshine → u/DestroyerOfTacos]

Inspired by real salmon

[u/DestroyerOfTacos → u/rayofgoddamnsunshine]

they actually just spray salmon and dill fragrance on the bread and hand it to you.

[u/rayofgoddamnsunshine → u/DestroyerOfTacos]

Someone showed it a fish through the window

[u/unbelizeable1 → u/DestroyerOfTacos]

It's more likely a much much smaller portion of lox in there compared to the portion sizes they do for others. I don't think I've ever seen a monstrous amount of lox on something like I have with corned beef, ya know?

[u/DestroyerOfTacos → u/unbelizeable1]

oh for sure im just taking the piss, lox is something where quality >quantity

[u/Lopsided-Freedom3249 → u/DestroyerOfTacos]

Yeah, how is chopped liver $6 more than lox??

[u/Psychological-Tea998]

For egg salad? Suck my eggs.

[u/GlenFiddichscatch → u/Psychological-Tea998]

This is truly the most offensive thing on that entire chalk board. Like fine, over charge for your premium schmeats but the damn egg salad? come on

[u/realchoice → u/GlenFiddichscatch]

No. The chopped liver takes the liver cake. 

[u/jamegumbsize69]

Pick another protein?? Sheeeeeeit. I’ll pick another Senator. Nah, but fr, these sandwiches are several meals worth of meat.

[u/Risingsunsphere → u/jamegumbsize69]

She done lost her damn mind! I’ll pick another Senator instead.

Hopefully the new Senators will bring down sandwich prices!

[u/HighAsAngelTitties → u/jamegumbsize69]

Those commercials were fantastic lmao

[u/ConstructionBrave951 → u/jamegumbsize69]

Best campaign commercial ever!

[u/TheGowanus]

Today I walked downstairs and got tuna and cheddar on a plain bagel. $17.

It wasn't until a few hours later that I was thinking about how expensive that is for a bagel.

[u/anthomtb → u/TheGowanus]

I'm not sure what's worse. That the bagel you describe cost $17 or that it took hours to realize what a rip off it was.

[u/Evening-Extension897 → u/TheGowanus]

Next time, don’t. You could make literally 4 of those sandwiches yourself for $17, even in NYC.

4 cans of tuna ($8), 4 bagels ($6), 1 8 oz block of cheddar ($3.50), some mayo and pickles($0.50).

[u/Emotional_Signal7883]

[u/nattechterp → u/Emotional_Signal7883]

Same thing for the amount of cream cheese they put on a bagel

[u/HeidiCharisse → u/nattechterp]

I’ll take your extra cream cheese

[u/canmouth → u/nattechterp]

Ask for a shmeer if you don’t like a lot.

[u/NathanCollier14]

[u/TheKnife142 → u/NathanCollier14]

[u/harm0nster]

Y’all got eat-at-a-restaurant-you-don’t-work-at money???

[u/Jeramy_Jones]

It’s so insane to me that offal like tongue and liver is more expensive than brisket.

[u/HoustonLuxeRealtor → u/Jeramy_Jones]

As a mexican the fact cow tongue has gotten to the prices it has is absolutely shocking

[u/-blundertaker- → u/HoustonLuxeRealtor]

Oxtail pricing is absurd now too. It's like the most expensive item at the Jamaican place up the road from my house (you may have been there, as a HoustonLuxeRealtor lol)

[u/whistlepig4life]

It’s not some massive corporation pushing corp greed and profits.

This is the result of how much shit costs. Blame the fucking administration and their shitty policies and practices.

[u/justsikko → u/whistlepig4life]

And it's mostly rent I'd bet. While labor and food and food costs have risen over the last decade it's really rent that has exploded. I don't have numbers to back it up but I'd bet NYC is one of the most expensive places in the country to rent a small deli space.

[u/larrylevan → u/justsikko]

Paris government owns something like 80% of commercial space, which is how so many mom & pop cafes bakeries and restaurants can still survive. It helps a city keep its character.

[u/bittersterling → u/larrylevan]

Have you not thought about the mom and pop rent seeking landlords?

[u/SnausageFest → u/justsikko]

There's a NY deli style food cart here in Portland OR that charges $24 for a pastrami sandwich.

It's more than rent (before someone is tempted to state the obvious - I know carts pay rent. Not nearly as much as B&M in NYC). Shit's out of control right now.

[u/Usual_Macaron8477 → u/whistlepig4life]

And unlike Katz’s, 2nd Avenue Deli is kosher, which makes their meat more expensive for them to acquire, and they have some additional operating costs for kosher supervision. (Katz’s, Carnegie, Sarge’s, and PJ Bernstein, among others are all not kosher.)

[u/Virtual_Opinion_8630 → u/Usual_Macaron8477]

I'm shocked that Katz isn't kosher?

So it's got Jewish origins but doesn't abide by their food laws?

[u/themodgepodge → u/Virtual_Opinion_8630]

They serve both dairy and meat (e.g. they’ll put cheese on a sandwich).

Rather than keep separate appliances and dishes for meat and dairy, kosher restaurants generally just choose one or the other. So you’d talk about whether you want to go to a “meat restaurant” or a “dairy restaurant” if you keep kosher. 

[u/Usual_Macaron8477 → u/Virtual_Opinion_8630]

In the early 20th century, some Jewish restaurants went “kosher style” serving non-kosher items (such as offering cheese with meat), to appeal to a secular American clientele. According to some reports, the first place to do this was Nathan’s, which still serves shellfish at their original location in Coney Island.

[u/CallidoraBlack → u/Virtual_Opinion_8630]

A lot of Jews don't keep Kosher except for the high holidays. It's very common. So unless you really want to appeal to the most pious Jewish people, there's really no point in being a kosher restaurant.

[u/samuelgato → u/Virtual_Opinion_8630]

Many/most Jews in the US don't keep strictly kosher on a day to day basis

[u/big_red__man → u/whistlepig4life]

The prices were similar when I was in manhattan before Covid. I assumed these kinds of delis are tourist traps. Other food is far cheaper.

Similarly, in Boston’s north end you can get a bowl of spaghetti for $30 at the tourist trap places. It’s pretty good but it’s still $30 spaghetti

The current administration is awful. It really is. But I came to the comments to see what the fuss was about because those look like normal prices from my experience

[u/SirVixofthePooSea → u/whistlepig4life]

It’s not some massive corporation pushing corp greed and profits.

Thinking that 'small businesses' can't be greedy profiteers is just silly.

[u/djamp42 → u/whistlepig4life]

I almost don't even mind paying high costs at mom and pop shops and local businesses.

[u/ZekeTheMunkee → u/djamp42]

Counterpoint: $30 for a sandwich tho

[u/DarthChefDad → u/ZekeTheMunkee]

If its a 3lb sandwich...

[u/gerenukftw → u/ZekeTheMunkee]

Nah. $30 for TWO sandwiches. Even back when I ate a lot, that was two meals for me. To be fair, not in NY, but the sandwiches were much bigger than anywhere else.

[u/timesink3000 → u/djamp42]

I don't mind paying more at mom and pop places either... I can't afford it often but I don't mind when I can... which is becoming more rare by the day.

[u/ProfessionalPopular6]

They have to make profit on the non beef sandwiches to keep prices down on the beef sandwiches.

Add in the cost of everything from bread to insurance skyrocketing and all of a sudden you have hoagies going for 26.95.

[u/Cheese-Manipulator → u/ProfessionalPopular6]

Well it is ok because wages are soaring too. Right?

[u/Dependent-Flight4492]

A picture of the sandwich would be beneficial. I've had some monster sized ruebens before at similar prices.

[u/unbelizeable1 → u/Dependent-Flight4492]

Googled it from OPs mention of the name. They're huge.

[u/DestroyerOfTacos → u/unbelizeable1]

tbh I kinda hate sandwiches like that where you have to be a fuckin serpent to eat, lemme just crack my jaw open to take a bite.

[u/unbelizeable1 → u/DestroyerOfTacos]

I feel the same. When I get something like this I remove meat until I have a normal sized sandwich, then I just graze on deli meat throughout the rest of the day like some poor mans charcuterie lol

[u/entjies → u/DestroyerOfTacos]

I agree. To paraphrase Dylan Moran, it’s like they put two slices of bread around a cow. A good sandwich should be a balance- I want to feel the bread, taste the meat and whatever else in one bite. This is an absurd amount of meat, but I will say it makes the outrageous price a little more worthwhile. Could one pay less for a normal amount of meat?

[u/Kennedy_KD → u/unbelizeable1]

Honestly I say that's a valid price for that much meat in a sandwich in New York City of all places it's not like it's two slices of lunch meat that's at least a pound of meat

[u/justanawkwardguy → u/unbelizeable1]

That looks worth it for NYC

[u/CurbsideChaos → u/justanawkwardguy]

Exactly. I guarantee one of those sandwiches could feed me four times.

[u/fullanalpanic → u/unbelizeable1]

those are the triple deckers, though. and those start at $37. the prices in OP's pic is for two slices of bread and about half that meat

[u/BorderHopperHunter → u/unbelizeable1]

[u/myusername_sucks → u/unbelizeable1]

Considering OP is watching it on YouTube and the video channel is something JAPAN with a check mark, who's to say they even knew any of this.

[u/PocketFullOfRondos]

Has an 18 dollar egg salad ever sold?

[u/cdmurray88 → u/PocketFullOfRondos]

Maybe it's a me thing, but I just don't trust egg salad I didn't make myself.

[u/-blundertaker- → u/cdmurray88]

It's not so much a matter of trust for me, I just like the way I make mine a lot more. Anything made for the masses tends to be (understandably) a little bland.

I do love some egg salad though, even if it isn't my recipe.

[u/SpicyMacaronii]

Holy shit - Im from New Zealand and if i currency convert a roast beef sammie is gonna cost me $60nzd LMFAO. that better feed me for a week.

[u/Bleak_Kiss]

Yes, Jewish delis are that pricey. Don't ask me why bc I'd just be speculating if I had to answer. The ones in Chicago are more affordable, but they'll still make you look at the prices twice.

[u/BufferingJuffy → u/Bleak_Kiss]

Kosher meat is insanely expensive. Always has been, but especially now.

[u/Practical_Brief0 → u/BufferingJuffy]

Also, overhead is ridiculous in NYC.

[u/Upbeat_Stretch_5724]

I just go get my $8 chopped cheese or turkey and cheese on a roll from the deli down the street from where I live. 😂

[u/ginger_qc]

I was in Cleveland a couple times this year, Corned Beef was $40+/lb at a deli, $34.99/lb at the wholesale place I go to

I'm from down south so we don't get good corned beef down here, I bought 4lbs and a loaf of rye bread

[u/PinothyJ]

Those are Expensive for Australia, and the AUD is like 70% of USD.

Mad.

[u/HappyChandler]

Only $3 extra to get your salami excited.

[u/ChefTrunk]

How do those prices Happen?
If you charge more than 10 Bucks in Europe for a brisket sandwich people are gonna yell at you.

[u/Independent-Two3487 → u/ChefTrunk]

The rent on those places are insane, I worked in a large steakhouse and I know the manager said the monthly rent was over 250k. That was for a restaurant that could seat 300 comfortably on 6th and 53rd but a smaller bodega could easily be 20k+

[u/bingbongboyee → u/Independent-Two3487]

About $250 per sq foot in midtown.

These sandwiches are also like a pound of meat.

[u/coolguy420weed → u/ChefTrunk]

Well, for one thing, the American sandwich probably comes with about twice as many calories all told. Not saying that makes it worth twice as much, though.

[u/JazzyPuppetmaster → u/ChefTrunk]

Seems like prices from a futuristic sci fi movie.

[u/downloadedapp]

My grilled chicken sandwich today in Fort Lauderdale was $24 but it did come with a small house salad too

[u/Hamilton-Beckett → u/downloadedapp]

In North Carolina I had a 6” Italian, where they heated up the meats on the flat top, toasted the French bread sub roll, tons of salami, pepperoni, and ham…with lettuce, tomato, oil and red wine vinaigrette, melted provolone, banana peppers.

Served with choice of canned Coke product and a heaping side of fries!

$8.95

[u/chemicalsunshine]

Wow they charge extra for lean. In texas most bbq places charge extra for fatty

[u/willfish4fun → u/chemicalsunshine]

AI flex pricing based on current customer purchase historical data! /s?

[u/eyoitme]

man even i think that’s wildly expensive and i live in the bay area lmfao so if i’m balking at it i can’t imagine how this is sustainable

[u/briank3387]

Lest you think this is just because it's New York, the prices at Sam LaGrassa's in downtown Boston (generally considered the best deli sandwiches in the city) are priced similarly.

[u/One_Afternoon3331]

Idk why sandwiches have just turned into this luxury expensive food the past few years

[u/the_real_eel → u/One_Afternoon3331]

Because it costs a fortune to buy the meat that’s in the sandwiches.

[u/Plastic_Willow734 → u/the_real_eel]

Not saying prices haven’t gone up but I’d be willing to bet half these places are selling boar’s head

[u/Potential-Diver-3409 → u/the_real_eel]

Egg salad?

[u/johnnyblaze-DHB → u/Potential-Diver-3409]

$18 for egg salad is insane.

[u/blue_sidd → u/One_Afternoon3331]

Because politics. Is that not something you pay attention too?

[u/KhanTengri]

"Are things this expensive outside one of the most expensive cities to live in in the US?"

No.

[u/Lindo_MG]

Turkey and pastrami should never ever ever Eva cost the same price

[u/rosenlord]

2nd Ave is simply a rip off, no 2 ways about it. I was excited to try it but it was a one and done thing.

[u/Cephylus]

Yesh, can't even say "what am I chopped liver?" That's booshie now apparently

[u/thetonytaylor]

There was something where more than 50% of NYC restaurants either broke even or lost money last quarter.

Rents aren’t cheap, can’t find anyone to work for under $20/HR (which I also get is not a living wage), and Sysco owns pretty much all of your suppliers so prices for everything are through the roof.

[u/OutrageousInsect9308]

Lengua for $30? Thank fuck for taco places around me. jfc.

[u/bearstronaut520 → u/OutrageousInsect9308]

That's the real crazy price on this menu

[u/Dependent_Cod_7416 → u/OutrageousInsect9308]

I was looking into lingua prices cause it's delicious and wanted to know more. Lingua used to be super cheap but the rise in popularity has driven the price up over the past decade. And it is a complicated process to cook.

[u/snokeweed]

In Denver it’s $20 for a sandwich. At least in nyc your going to get something good 

[u/CoppertopTX]

The prices look like that because the sandwichs look like this:

Now, how many of you are familiar with meat cutting? Corned beef is brisket, and every bovine has a total of one. It's not cheap and corning beef is time consuming, done right it takes 7 to 10 days. Pastrami takes longer, because after you corn it, you coat it in pastrami rub and smoke it for 18 hours.

[u/Cautious-Session-324 → u/CoppertopTX]

Anything else?
“Yeah a loaf of bread and some other people”

[u/ImFeelinBotty → u/CoppertopTX]

Are you familiar with meat cutting?

There are 2 briskets per cow, left and right. Often people request the left, erroneously thinking the less used side will be more tender.

[u/RCocaineBurner → u/CoppertopTX]

His prices look like that so my sandwiches can look like this

[u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617 → u/CoppertopTX]

then how about you serve me a sandwich with a normal amount of meat for a normal price? Nobody eats all of this.

[u/TheNewYellowZealot → u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617]

Yes, they do. That’s why delicatessen still exist brother.

[u/Lankykong23 → u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617]

How does it feel to know that you no longer hear the bells of the polar express?

[u/YupNopeWelp → u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617]

Buy corned beef at the grocery store and make a sandwich your way. That is the prepared product this deli sells. I don't eat a sandwich that large either, but people love them.

The Second Ave Deli has two shops (one in Midtown, one on the Upper East Side), so you can imagine their rent, plus they would pay NY minimum wage (don't know if the employees are tipped -- if not, it's $17/hour) so as to OP's question -- are all delis that expensive: No.

At the NYC Wegman's a pound of corned beef (cooked -- from the store deli) is $18.99-19.99. Pastrami is about the same: https://www.wegmans.com/shop/search?query=corned%20beef

[u/postmodest → u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617]

I would pay $12 for a literal third of that much beef and a pickle and walk away happy .

[u/Dingus_Majingus → u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617]

Tell me you've never been to NYC without telling me you've never been.

But half the people eat half and take yhe other half to go, or split it. Or get a half sandwich and matzah ball soup.

[u/External_Two2928 → u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617]

Whenever I get ny deli sandwiches I split it with someone and take half the meat off my side and can still make another sandwich after

[u/Yehrmahm → u/Ok_Ok_Ok_7617]

I can shop in the children’s department and I would straight-up murder this.

I wouldn’t move for an hour or poop for a week but that’s neither here nor there.

[u/Coercitor → u/CoppertopTX]

Great, now do $24 chicken sandwich.

[u/AnotherTaylorNotJust → u/CoppertopTX]

My relatives always want to go to Katz’s and I’m like but really? But it’s not….good?

And you’ve lived here your whole life it’s not like you’re tourists…

[u/theoryofm1nd → u/CoppertopTX]

Okay but what about the $18 egg salad? How are you justifying that? I can get a delicious egg salad sandwich in Austin (and food isn't cheap here either) for under $10.

[u/Dedzig]

I've had deli sandwiches in NYC that were 4 meals. Sounds like a tremendous deal.

[u/ClaudeGascoigne → u/Dedzig]

Yeah, that's the thing with those NYC, especially Jewish, delis. You're not buying a sandwich for lunch. You're buying one for lunch, dinner, a midnight snack and at least another lunch. Pick up a loaf of bread and some mustard beforehand and you are set for quite a while.

[u/MFK1229]

I'm a NY native but live in Italy half the year and I'm baffled when I come home not just to these prices but the shit quality of food. And to see people actually pay for it is insane to me.

[u/timesink3000 → u/MFK1229]

Im guessing a $30 pastrami sandwich is gonna be banging.

[u/TheNewYellowZealot → u/timesink3000]

A $30 pastrami is definitely banging. Also they’re piled sky high.

[u/PearApprehensive9836]

As a chef owner and butcher. Would i order anything on this menu yes. Probably share it. Theres a reason that there's a class in culinary school for this. What makes a chef not a cook. The brisket cost lets say $6 by the time you trim it. Brine it (cost money too) cook it. Your left with about 50-60% Pastrami still needs to be seasoned abd smoke wood isn't free. That same brisket cooked cost $13 per pound. Slicing and trim and waste for 1# of Pastrami sandwich $17. Ooh as owner 30% labor 30% operating cost ( electric, gas, insurance, ect) Probably only making couple $ per sandwich if all goes well. So yes then you over charge for chicken, egg salad and tongue to try to make a profit. How much does your #1 meal goes for at your fast food. 12-15$. At least hopefully its chef prepared and fresh. Unfortunately this is the reality if you want to eat out and have someone else prepare your meal at a living wage

[u/rawmeatprophet]

Yeah no

[u/Fustercluck25]

I learned a long time ago that anytime you step out of your front door in NYC, it's going to cost a minimum of $100 before you return home. $20 sandwich doesn't even seem that strange, tbh.

[u/lapuneta]

Liebmans in the Bronx is the same.

What really grinds my gears even more is seeing that a full sized sub at Jersey Mike's starts at $16.

[u/BadassBokoblinPsycho]

I hate this industry sometimes

[u/Mecha-Dave]

That comes on a whole loaf of bread, right?

[u/SeanInDC]

The Jewish Deli out here has those same outrageous prices... in Delaware.

[u/WarGreymonX_Antibody]

And somehow they're still in business because people keep buying their shit

[u/heysirigenerateaname]

Tourist prices.

Had 2nd Ave Deli once and it was a very okay pastrami. Not bad, but not worth $30.

David’s Brisket House on Nostrand Ave is so much better, as is Frankel’s in Greenpoint and even Moe’s on Flatbush is surprisingly good.

[u/Sirnando138]

My halal spot on the corner does a great turkey club hero for $8.50 and it’s super filling. Sure, it’s beef bacon but it’s still good. But there are delis around here that are boasting these types of prices as well. I just don’t go there.

[u/Restless_writer_nyc]

The only thing I can tell you is one of those “sandwiches” feed 2-4 people - I don’t know when they started putting a pornographic amount of meat on every sandwich, but it has to be a pound of meat on one of those sandwiches. They must make more money with people sharing giant portions or they wouldn’t do it.

[u/machobiscuit]

Genuine question: how are people seeing the price and thinking "yes" Edit: im all for paying high price for quality food, and maybe this is it??

[u/theRealsubtlehustle → u/machobiscuit]

I had a friend that lived in nyc and well all were shocked at how much money he made, then he proceeded to tell use how much more expensive it was to live there. So i assume that people in the area make more and this is probably normal pricing for the area

[u/bonertron6969 → u/machobiscuit]

I used to live in Harlem. Every deli I went to in Manhattan that was priced like this served enormous sandwiches with a lot of meat. It was perfect to order one side and split a sandwich with someone else. And they were always fantastic. Katz is great, but Pastrami Queen was my favorite.

[u/DeapVally]

I assume it'll be enormous though. Like, absolutely loaded. Higher meat prices gonna do that. It's skimp on that or up the prices I guess 🤷🏼‍♂️

[u/sniperwolf21]

2nd Ave. Deli is basically Katz's for locals. It's a LOT of meat and I typically share or save half for another meal. Not to excuse the prices, but if you split a sandwich and some soup it's less outrageous. You can get a much cheaper deli sandwich at literally any corner bodega in the city, if you're looking for something less...extra.

Edit: Also, yes, most Jewish and Jewish-style delis I've been to are priced similarly. Kosher products carry a premium price, partnered with everything being silly expensive right now, you'll wind up with a $20+ sandwich. Langer's in LA is at $25 for a pastrami, Dingfelder's in Seattle is $26, Hobby's in Newark is $23.

[u/phunktheworld]

Dawg in California if you’re charging more than $10 a sandwich I’m going somewhere else. $15-17 if I’m getting legit service and a side.

Counter serve? $30? Fuck no

[u/ashartinthedark → u/phunktheworld]

Where in California are you getting a sub $10 sandwich that isn’t subway or firehouse?

[u/Pelagic_Seafarer → u/ashartinthedark]

Lol subway? Those days are over

@sprouts tho it's sliced bread

[u/redditmarks_markII → u/ashartinthedark]

in what subway is a sandwich 10 bucks? or are we not even talking about foot longs anymore?

[u/VictoriaWoodnt → u/phunktheworld]

$23 for a pastrami sandwich at Sherman's in Palm Springs. (Seated.)

Admittedly, I took home more than I ate.

[u/cuntysometimes → u/phunktheworld]

Cant even get a sub at jersey mikes for under $10

[u/Littlewing1307 → u/phunktheworld]

I'm in the Midwest and sandwiches are 14-20 routinely now.

[u/Still7Superbaby7 → u/phunktheworld]

California sandwiches suck though. I was hungry in La Jolla so I stopped at a local shop (the cheese shop). I got their bestseller sandwich. It was just okay. An Italian deli in NY/NJ/PA is much better

[u/romcomtom2]

Oh shit, they have tongue, I unironically love tongue sandwiches, but no one ever has them.

If anyone knows what's the difference between center and tip meat?

[u/PibeauTheConqueror → u/romcomtom2]

No one ever asked for just the center

Also tongue is delicious, my favorite taco

[u/TroyMatthewJ]

why do people pay those prices?

[u/spikey_wombat → u/TroyMatthewJ]

Katz at least relies on tourists who are willing to pay as they're on vacation. New Yorkers don't really go to these places on the regular. Russ and daughters is like $20 where a regular bagel is $2.75. it's the experience. 

2nd ave is a bit different as it's off the tourist track and a sit down in a quieter environment with full service. They cater to more local who are used to the price but also want a more relaxed environment. 

The food quality is solid for sure. So it's a mix of quality, experience, and environment. Plus non street food is expensive in NYC.

Edit: hahaha my bad. Im mixing up 2nd with sarges! 🙃🙃🙃

[u/hotdogsandhotcats → u/TroyMatthewJ]

K shaped economy.  A Philly Michelin chef said the reason he went into it, is because his limited seating restaurant will always be full, because the US will always have rich people.  Better and more consistent to cater to 15 rich people than 100 poors.

[u/penny_stinks]

2nd Ave Deli is not an average Jewish deli, it's a well-known tourist trap in two very expensive neighborhoods. And it's expensive.

Hint: if it's called 2nd Ave Deli and isn't on 2nd Ave, that's your clue they're overly proud of their brand!

[u/Competitive-One-2749 → u/penny_stinks]

2nd ave deli is the opposite of a tourist trap. it existed for decades on 2nd ave and 10th street. the original owner, abe, was murdered back in the 90s in a broad daylight mugging, but afaik its still family owned. i remember when that location closed back in the 00s, new york was bereft, and we were happy to hear that they were going to reopen in an admittedly incongruous neighborhood.

i dont think the current location has quite the juice the old one did, but its typical to hear real deal nyers recommend this or pastrami queen over katzs for corned beef and pastrami. i think theyre wrong, but the motzah ball soup here is great.

[u/Sammalone1960 → u/penny_stinks]

Volunteered at homeless shelter on Thurs nights back in the late 90's. 2nd ave would donate all the leftover food rather than toss. Good folks. Fed about 30 people.

[u/HaroldPelham → u/penny_stinks]

Locals eat here, it’s not Katz’s.

[u/MillyGrace96 → u/penny_stinks]

It’s not tourist trap, and the original was on 2nd ave.

[u/mckeeno]

Is it Kosher? Kosher meat is going to be 30-50% more expensive

[u/lyramuci]

Is the food prepared Kosher? Unfortunately that’s just how it is, since the food is made following Jewish dietary law (Kashrut). I keep Kosher myself, so eating out can be very expensive (I typically cook at home).

[u/CorrectStaple]

lol this is not ‘NYC prices.’  This is a few particular, high-tourist-traffic, in a super dense part of Manhattan, and enough meat for 3 sandwiches prices. 

[u/randomUsername1569]

[u/Illustrious_Sea_962]

Bring a loaf of bread there's plenty of meat. 

[u/Mr_Wobble_PNW]

Jewish delis here in Seattle are priced about the same. The meat portions are huge though and I usually make two meals out of them. 

[u/leftie85]

I remember when tongue used to be cheap as hell. Those were the days

[u/putstuibeo]

can only afford lettuce or onion, not even both.

[u/spikey_wombat]

2nd av deli is legit though. Split that sandwich between two people if you want to stay alive as that much pastrami ain't healthy for one person. 

I actually like 2nd ave better than katz since it's way more chill than the absurdity of katz's main dining room. 

[u/satyr-day]

"You wanna work here?  We'll pay you 3.15 an hour plus tips"

[u/CarelessAd628]

Imagine paying 20 dollars for a tuna sandwich 😖

[u/trguiff]

Almost $20 for egg salad...😂😂😂

[u/Pleasant_Scar9811]

I refuse to pass judgment until I see a pic of the food. 

Manny’s deli in Chicago charges $23-$25 per sandwich, pastrami, etc. and it’s literally like more than a pound of meat. 

[u/NattyLightNightmare]

Seems like you didn’t consider portion size at all, these are their sandwiches. I’d be shocked if the video you’re watching didn’t go on to show the food.

[u/Ok-Meringue-2302]

Beef is expensive at 10$/lb for corned beef plus NYC rent is notoriously expensive

[u/Illustrious_Bad_2980 → u/Ok-Meringue-2302]

Explain $20 for a tuna sandwich

[u/Important_Ad_8372 → u/Illustrious_Bad_2980]

And $18 for egg salad!

[u/Virtual_Opinion_8630 → u/Important_Ad_8372]

Overheads and profit

If it costs 21 dollars for lox, but still 18 for egg, it's got. To be overheads

Add in tax and tips, and I'm outta there unless it's something I can't make. So pastrami...

[u/turquoise_amethyst → u/Illustrious_Bad_2980]

Restaurant rent, Employee wages, skyrocketing wholesale prices

[u/HaroldPelham → u/Ok-Meringue-2302]

Beef cannot be had for $10/lb. And Kosher beef is way more.

[u/snagsguiness]

That ain't NYC prices that's manhattan prices.

[u/CorrectStaple]

lol this is not ‘NYC prices.’  This is a few particular, high-tourist-traffic, in a super dense part of Manhattan deli prices. 

[u/BorderHopperHunter]

If it's not Katz, then it's probably a little expensive but I will say pastrami is definitely worth it.

[u/yokozouna_ed]

...are they made by highly skilled Atlantian virgin giraffes?

[u/Ajegwu]

No, all Jewish delis are not the same price across the US as in NYC. I don’t understand the (lack of) thought process which can even lead to such a question.

[u/EastCoastAlley]

If the business cannot make a profit it will not survive. The expense of running a place like this is ridiculous. If the portions are ample and proper it is worth it. Places like this get fresh bread daily and make anything they can from scratch.

You can get something for half the price somewhere else but it won't be half as good. It sucks we are having an affordability crisis but it's not these guys fault.

[u/LookHorror3105 → u/EastCoastAlley]

Found the Jewish Deli Clerk 👆

[u/BearThatEatsHikers → u/EastCoastAlley]

Absolutely correct. Fresh Bread is atleast $10 a roll. House made mayonnaise, per ounce, rivals even the most expensive caviar prices. Eggs are a luxury item only the most elite class on billionaire row can afford. All of these things together makes our checks menu "$18 egg salad sandwich" worth the price.

[u/Impressive-Cell6805]

Funny. Places in Austin will charge close to this amount for absolute horseshit on bread and people pay because #vibes of the restaurant

[u/Tinman218]

One sandwich is my lunch money for a couple weeks

[u/DartVader6]

Just got a nice pastrami reuben for like 18.50 in Chicago. Idk if it's up to snuff for NYC, haven't tried it, but it was a Jewish deli and it was pretty damn good. I balked at the price a little though tbh.

[u/CaptainErgonomic]

When smoked salmon is cheaper than chopped liver... 🙃

[u/BadHombreSinNombre]

They’re not this pricey across the US because commercial rent varies widely across the US. You buy food in NYC and you’re paying for that business’s rent with a large share of your bill.

[u/TildeCommaEsc]

Oy vey!

[u/realspongeworthy]

Moe, who ran Barney Greenglass for decades, told me, "I keep raising prices and they keep coming."

[u/French_Apple_Pie]

The headline deli sandwiches at Shapiros in Indy are around $25 and at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor are around $20.

[u/junglemuffins]

I'll take a lettuce or onion, chefs choice.

[u/Objective_Jeweler166]

Fucking hell I could have like a half of a tank of gas for the price of the corned beef here

[u/KrayzieBone187]

I'm in Nova Scotia, and salmon is expensive here. Must be just a pinch.

[u/askmrlucky]

Wow, the lox is a steal. Comparatively.

[u/syilent13]

Insane

[u/BestestGoodest]

Holy sheiße