12 Comments

People can fetishize the pizza and bagels all they want, but one of my most essential foods I miss from New York City is a deli bacon-egg-and-cheese on those big, crusty Kaiser rolls. Salt, pepper and ketchup, half-steamed in the foil by the time I get to where I'm going. Perfection.

Expand full comment
author

Goddamn, that sounds delicious. I've never lived in NYC, and I think the food ranks right up there on what I missed out on the most.

Expand full comment

http://www.tommypastraminydeli.com/menu ...in Orange County, CA

My fav is “The Skyscraper”, 3/4 pound of any 2 meats - I get pastrami and corned beef, add swiss, on freshly baked rye. Hot mustard and Russian dressing on the side. I end up eating most of it bare since the meat melts in your mouth, but dabbing the sides doesn’t hurt either. Damn, I’m hungry and it’s only 5:30am so I’ll have to wait until they open. Great post Jay!

Expand full comment
author

This sounds amazing. I must get out there. Thank you!

Expand full comment

Mayo is a far worse crime on a sandwich(or anything) than the hatred you express towards mayo....I'll fight you on this

Expand full comment
author

No need to fight with me, I'm on your side here. Mayo is gross.

Expand full comment

I meant mayo is worse than lettuce, but I am glad you understood what I meant, and even more glad you agree 🙂

Expand full comment

And 100 years ago when I was at W&M, there was a great deli across the street from my dorm that responded to our sub needs very very late at night.

Expand full comment
author

Paul's or College? They're still humming right along!

Expand full comment

College, I believe. Haven’t been back in years. I’ll bring an appetite if I do.

Expand full comment

Roast beef, swiss, green peppers, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, spicy mustard, oil and vinegar, salt and pepper on 5 grain. I don't like to order ahead (although I do for ALTA matches, or I used to pre-pandemic), because I love our sub people at the Publix at HB & Old Alabama. I don't get out much, I love to chat with them. :)

Expand full comment
author

You are very sweet! I order ahead because of humanity clogging up the aisle there. But yes, they are fine folks.

Expand full comment