Originally Posted by
dhammer53
Ben's 
It's always bothered me that people like this place. I've eaten in Bayside and Manhattan. Slightly above average, but not a place I'd run to.
Your problem is that you've eaten at the Ben's in Bayside (so-so) and Manhattan (total rubbish), but NOT the Ben's in Greenvale. As a pup growing up in Queens, we would haul all the way out to Lawnguyland because that was/is still the best restaurant of their chain. Ben's makes an incredible matzoh ball soup. The sandwiches are hit or miss at times like any other deli. Go real late and you could end up with whatever is hanging around.
Originally Posted by
ljp99
Agreed about Bens. The Bayside location replaced a much better deli in the same shopping center (near where I grew up). Bens delivers good platters for shiva (which I unfortunately know recently from personal experience.)
What deli was there before? As a pup growing up in the 80s, the only thing I remember about Bay Terrace was the awesome Chinese restaurant that they had. They served the most amazing spare ribs. They also put out shrimp chips. No one has shrimp chips today. What's that all about?
Originally Posted by
flying chef
For those who make it north of the 49th parallel:
Schwartz's in Montreal
I'll concede that Schwartz's is awesome. Also recommending Moe's in Dollard-des-Ormeaux for awesome deli.
Originally Posted by
Sweet Willie
how so?
We were just at Canter's this past weekend, best pastrami in LA is Langers (IMO) but I love Canters corned beef.
Langer's is better overall as a deli. I learned this quickly in my time in LA, but neither holds a candle to New York if you are looking for other staples like Matzoh Ball soup. Canter's serves their soup in a thimble, and both use Country Inn Chicken stock, which is a crime against Matzoh Balls everywhere.
The only good Matzoh Ball soup I've had in California was up at the Jerusalem Organic Kitchen in Berkeley. Unfortunately, it is more of a vegetarian haunt, so there isn't much in the way of deli up there.
Originally Posted by
ainternational
For those in the Bay Area, check out
Refuge in San Carlos on the peninsula. Rather amazing pastrami. It's thick cut but melts in your mouth.
And an amazing beer list to boot.
Wow! That does look awesome. I'll check it out with my cousins in a couple of weeks when I finally move the rest of my stuff to SF.
Anyway, since I have discovered this thread by accident, I will cast three votes:
New York: 2nd Avenue Deli is king. Best overall KOSHER deli. Katz, Carnegie and Stage are all too kitschy and touristy. Drives me nuts when anyone says Carnegie or Stage is their favourite.
DC: Firefly in Dupont Circle makes an amazing Matzoh Ball soup. They also have a corned beef reuben that's not to be missed.
Los Angeles-area: The Oinkster in Eagle Rock makes the best pastrami of any of the traditional haunts. It's just outside of downtown on the way to Pasadena. Worth the trip.