Brooklyn in Dubai: The Evolution of the New York Deli

It seems that hot pastrami sandwiches and coleslaw aren’t just for New Yorkers needing a quick grease fix. Brooklyn diners have become the new hip trend, and not just here in the USA, but around the world. According to a recent Slashfood article, the Brooklyn based "The Finer Diner" chain has recently opened a brand new location at the Intercontinental Hotel in the ever-expanding, bustling metropolitan city of Dubai. From noodle kugel to hotdogs, New York style deli food has become the latest in international cuisine. And really, who wouldn’t want a piping hot chicken pot pie in 100 degree weather?

It’s worth mentioning that many of the names of standard Jewish menu items have been adjusted for political reasons (challah is now egg bread) in this predominantly Muslim city.

Nevertheless, it’s exciting to see this invigorated culinary interest in one of New York’s most traditional and celebrated cuisine types on a global scale. Jewish deli food is not only important in Jewish American immigrant history; it has impacted the food culture of the Big Apple as a whole.

Take a gander at these five fun and informative historical facts surrounding the birth of the New York Jewish deli so that next time you order a bagel with schmear or matzo ball soup, you can feel good knowing how history had a hand in putting that delicious lunch on your plate.

1. Delicatessen (or Delikatessen) is a German word that combines “delicious” or “delicacies” and eating. Makes sense since the majority of the first Jewish immigrants to New York in the 1800’s were German.

2. Seltzer, adopted quickly as a classic deli drink because it complimented the rich food, was once known as Jewish champagne.

3. Jews in New York really did create pastrami—by flavoring and smoking corned beef. The basic recipe came from parts of Southeastern Europe (Romania, Bessarabia, Moldavia) that had been ruled by the Turks.

4. Although it’s hard to pin the down the first ever Jewish Deli, Katz’s Delicatessen established in 1888 on the lower east side, wears the crown as the pastrami king and rightfully so given their extensive history in the business producing mouthwateringly good authentic deli food.

5. Bagels originated in Krakow, Poland circa 1610. They were called beygls, and were originally given as gifts to women after childbirth.

Hot Pastrami Sandwich

Photos by flickr users sjwilliams82, ricepinky, and hanmireddy

Sources: Pastrami Land, entitled the Jewish Deli in New York City by Harry G. Levine,  America’s Great Delis: Recipes and Traditions from Coast to Coast by Sheryll Bellman