The Shanghai Pastrami Sandwich Challenge is a two part series – with New York City Deli being first. I recently had a craving for a traditional New York deli style pastrami sandwich. I missed having the overly savory pastrami with the offsetting mustard. My mouth just waters thinking about it.
I really do miss my favorite Los Angeles deli, Langers, which features great sandwiches. And I will always remember Katz, in New York with the defining Pastrami as well. Yes, I know that I probably mentioned Langers being better than Katz. But I realize now that Katz is the finest around.
I had found New York City Deli, after scouring different sites, in hopes of a consensus sandwich specialist. The other shop that consistently came up, was City Deli (with a review to come later).
So, after figuring out a good time to go – I made my way to the Pudong location. Walking in, you realize that the owners clearly had in mind the local expat market with the bar, pool tables, and diner style seating. Looks like I found the right place.
I ordered a Pastrami Reuben – Monsta version with 225g of meat. With about a 1/2 pound of pastrami with rye, I was set. I don’t think anything less than 225g is enough. The juicy sandwich opens up with meat piled up high in the middle with some sauerkraut and thousand island dressing to mildly add a little flavor. I would have been fine with a simple Pastrami with some mustard. But the Reuben is just fine. The thinly sliced meat piles nicely. But I would have preferred a more thicker cut of pastrami – like they do in the US. The thinly sliced pastrami – acceptably in LA, presents a different texture. I tend to believe it allows, not that it does, a possibly lower quality of meat. While the thicker pastrami can’t hide it. The best pastrami I have ever had was at Katz, where they would give you a small plate of the meats, while you wait – just to wet your appetite. The meat would just break apart naturally and tenderly. New York City Deli may have excellent quality meat, but I just prefer mine to be sliced more thick.
I’m not saying that New York City Deli is bad in any way. In fact, I do like it. I would return again – and probably order the same thing. But when in Rome, or in this case Shanghai, you do what Romans do, or make the best of what you got.
I had also ordered a hot Roast Beef and Swiss on Roll. I didn’t like the brea roll all that much. I thought it was overkill. Perhaps, simple white bread would have been enough. I didn’t care much for the lettuce and tomatoes on this sandwich as well.
What to Order: Pastrami Reuben Sandwich
What not to Order: Roast Beef and Swiss on Roll (maybe better on regular white)
Rating
1 Pigs
Price Range 1 $/¥/NT
Links
City Weekend
Smart Shanghai
Eating in Shanghai
Shanghaiist
Dianping Puxi listing
Dianping Pudong listing
纽约三明治(福建南路店)
New York City Deli
黄浦区福建南路103号(近金陵东路)
103 Fu Jian Nan Road, near Jinling East Road, Huangpu, Shanghai, China, 200002
+86 21 6326 2835
纽约三明治(苗圃路店)
New York City Deli
浦东新区苗圃路614号(近灵山路)
614 Miao Pu Road, near Lingshan Road, Pudong Xinqu, Shanghai, China, 200135
+86 21 5018 5012
www.delinyc.com
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