2nd Floor Essen - Broad Channel

One of the best Jewish delis in New York City. Absolutely love this place. Some of the best comfort food in New York.

Corned beef on rye and a cup of coffee here is all you need to hike around these streets. Visited my friend for tennis and had to fuel up.

The food is first rate, great matza ball soup and corn beef/pastrami sandwiches. The service also has been great,, waitresses with a new York attitude. My only bone to pick is if I'm paying Katz's prices, then I may as well go to Katz's for the experience/atmosphere.

The food was amazing at this kosher-style deli! The broth for the matzoh ball soup was so clear, and the brisket was sliced tissue paper thin. I think these are the best potato latkes I’ve ever had, and they were served with a scrumptious homemade apple sauce. The atmosphere is casual, but the food is more refined than your typical Jewish deli. As I purchased a challah at the counter, on my way out, the guy asked us if we wanted to try a sample of the hot pastrami he was slicing. Well today I learned that I love pastrami. I’m 40+ years old and this is the first time I’ve ever had pastrami I liked. It always seems to be too salty or over seasoned elsewhere. But at 2nd avenue deli it was amazing! I’ve been dreaming of it since we ate there yesterday. If I were visiting NYC, and I only had time for one Jewish deli during my trip, this would probably be it. One thing to note though is that they do not serve dairy in the restaurant.

That pastrami was so good!! The fried Knish was heavenly!! I could eat there daily!!