You know that you're a foodie of a certain stripe when...

[lagilman]

the following article actually makes you weep tears of joy.

A Counter History
By ALEX WITCHEL
Published: October 21, 2007
It’s a classic Abe story — there are so many classic Abe stories — set at one of those panel discussions that crop up periodically about the death of delis, which seem to have been dying as long as the theater. Abe is Abe Lebewohl, who started the Second Avenue Deli on the Lower East Side in 1954 with 14 seats, bought out his partners and turned it into a beloved New York institution.....

(details of Abe's amazing life and sad death)

After a dispute with the landlord, the deli closed its doors on Jan. 1, 2006.... But when borscht is in your blood, a little real estate spat can’t get in your way. Early next month, the Second Avenue Deli is scheduled to reopen in a building the Lebewohls bought at 162 East 33rd Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, a nondescript patch of Midtown near New York University Medical Center. 'The doctors there are so excited,' Jack said. 'Mostly the cardiologists.'"
(the full story)


My 2nd Avenue deli is coming back! I'm all verklempt. nycdeb, this is where I used to get my heart-attack sandwich I described a few days ago. I can't wait to go back....

(and yes, kradical and quarkwiz, I AM taking this as A Sign...)

Comments

[girasole.livejournal.com]

It is definitely A Sign.

[smoemeth.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool.

Sad to say I never got to the 2nd Ave. Deli back in the day ... but it's nice to see the new one is opening a mere 5-minute walk from the MPress Records office, so I can stop by when I'm down there and needing lunch sometime. :)

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

yeah! it's coming back! sandwiches for all!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lagilman]

Heartburn for everyone!

[desperance.livejournal.com]

I'm really pleased for you (all); not just its own customers, the world misses places like that when they go.

So what's in a heart-attack sandwich?

[lagilman]

So what's in a heart-attack sandwich?

dark bread (rye, pumpernickel, or black bread), with layers of lettuce, chopped chicken liver, roast beef, crisp (vinegar based) cole slaw, more chicken liver, more lettuce, etc. If you don't get heartburn they didn't make it right.

It's an evil sandwich and every one takes a year off my life. But it's worth it.

[lagilman]

(my dad insists that it should be pastrami, not roast beef. it's a religious schism thing)

[desperance.livejournal.com]

It's an evil sandwich and every one takes a year off my life.

Hee. Are you into negative years yet, living backwards like Merlin?

But actually, I think you've miscalculated. It's got lettuce! It's healthy!

[lagilman]

and hey, the cole slaw needs to be made properly with vinegar, not mayo, so it's not QUITE as 'orrible for you...

(like having a diet coke with a hot fudge sundae, you have to take your savings where you can find 'em)