It was by sheer chance that I discovered this place you understand. I was hungry and walking down 5th Avenue, a little lost and out of my depth. But then there it was. The epitome of what I thought New York is, was, and should be. Eisenberg's is an old fashioned, long established sandwich shop in New York's throbbing heart. Its charm comes from its understated, unrefurbished interior, and similarly low key exterior.
A classic Jewish deli and diner, its been serving up sandwiches, soups, breakfasts, meatloafs, brisket, ice cream sodas (the menu is extensive, I could go on) for over 80 years. And although it was bought by a new owner in 2005, it's still the same as it always was and it's still 'raising cholesterol since 1929' (a quirky little tag line they use on their menus and t-shirts).
As you walk in you're struck by how narrow the front of the shop is. A huge countertop dominates the left side, behind which are old signs and pictures of celebrities that have visited. It's cosy, to put it nicely, and I can imagine that during the lunchtime rush it would be a nightmare. However when I went it was a little quieter, still bustling though. The tables were adorned with every kind of condiment, including pickles, a good start.
I sat in the back and had a Matzo Ball Soup ($4) which was effectively a light broth with one huge ball floating in the middle. Perfectly nice if not a little on the bland side. As Eisenberg's is famous for its Hot Pastrami on Rye ($10) I went ahead and had that next. It consisted of soft, fluffy rye bread with a mountain of tender flaky pastrami in between the slices. The ratio of meat to bread was extreme, but that's how they've been doing it for years so bring it on, but waitress I'll need some more mustard please. It was made even better by the addition of a vinegary/salty pickle on the side.
I think the reason I loved this place so much was that it embodied New York to me. I had no knowledge of it before walking in but I was struck by its authentic feel. I felt lucky to have stumbled on this institution, a place that felt like it had remained true to its roots, a place that hadn't changed since the first time it opened its doors. A slice of history in between two slices of rye.
Eisenberg's
174 5th Ave
New York 10010
(Btwn 22nd & 23rd St)
Phone: (212) 675-5096
Fax:(212) 675-0276
http://www.eisenbergsnyc.com/
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