It’s believed that New York City is the birthplace of pastrami sandwiches. Kosher delis used to rule the streets of New York City in the early 1930s, but now there are limited options for delectable deli sandwiches. Jewish delis have suffered a slow decline over many decades. However, the love for peppery and smokey pastrami sandwiches hasn’t changed at all!
Since Sussman Volk first offered pastrami with rye bread, New York City was addicted to this delicious meat. It became so popular that by 1888, Volk had opened a delicatessen – one of the first delis in the city.
The deli served rye bread and pastrami with tasty brown mustard. The rye and pastrami combo has been a preferred choice for many deli sandwich lovers. It is also a classic Jewish deli offering of New York City. In fact, some delis in New York still serve pastrami with rye. Among them, Katz’s Delicatessen is the most famous.
What Goes on a Pastrami Sandwich?
A pastrami sandwich consists of rye bread, sliced pastrami, and spicy brown mustard. It is New York’s signature sandwich, often served with a side of Kosher dill pickle. While the three main ingredients remain the same for all pastrami sandwiches, there can be additions like Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and sliced pastrami on a plate. Pastrami slices with mustard and sliced French bread loaf also taste delicious!
The rye or French bread tastes better when toasted. It can be done in one of two ways: using a toaster or oven or coating the slices with butter and grilling them. Rye bread is the ultimate choice for a pastrami sandwich as it’s baked fresh and adds flavor to the sandwich. Local delis usually have a fresh loaf of rye available. So, if you want to make your own pastrami sandwich at home, you can pick the bread from a local deli.
Pastrami sandwiches come in various sizes. For New York City folks, a generous pile of pastrami slices in a sandwich is not shocking. They feel that a sandwich needs more slices if it does not have six slices in a small sandwich and twelve in a large sandwich.
The slices are more than enough to make a mouthwatering pastrami sandwich, but adding a bit of cheese can boost the flavor. Swiss cheese goes well with pastrami because it does not overwhelm the smokey meat flavor. It only makes the taste more flavorful and smoother.
Whether you want that smooth flavor to be served with cold or hot pastrami, that’s up to you. People often like pastrami heated in broth and served hot on rye. Still, cold slices of pastrami on bread are not bad, either.
Some people often confuse the pastrami sandwich with the Reuben sandwich due to their common meat base. However, Rueben is not always made using pastrami. Corned beef is also an option for Reuben, and it has toppings like ketchup, mayo, or relish. Pastrami sandwiches are never served with these toppings—it often has cheese, coleslaw, and other condiments to go with the pastrami slices and mustard.
A pastrami sandwich with a pile of pastrami slices is the best one. Serving it with Swiss cheese and coleslaw is the ultimate taste you’ll remember of a New York deli sandwich. Pastrami sandwiches can be served hot or cold with veggies or fries.
How Many Calories Are in a Pastrami Sandwich?
A pastrami sandwich with a serving weight of 134g has 217 calories. With 15.9g of protein and 26.3g of carbs, a pastrami sandwich is a full meal for an average person. The sandwich also contains 4.9g of fat, 2.5g of sugar, and 1.6g of fiber.
What Goes Best with a Pastrami Sandwich?
If you want a side with your pastrami sandwich, you would not be the first one. There aren’t many ingredients required to prepare a classic pastrami sandwich. Although variations of this sandwich exist, they remain simple because pastrami is the prominent flavor people want.
A nice side with the sandwich only adds to the flavor and complements the smokey taste of pastrami. Here are some sides that you may like:
- Sauerkraut:Sauerkraut is used in pastrami and Reuben sandwiches. It is finely shredded cabbage processed through Lacto-fermentation. It’s not our usual pickle cabbage salad—it has no crunch or salt. The soft texture of Sauerkraut with its acidic taste balances the rich flavor of pastrami.
- Coleslaw:Shredded cabbage with a tangy taste is the perfect light side dish for a pastrami sandwich. If you don’t add mayonnaise to your coleslaw, you can enjoy the crunchy veggie with your sandwich.
- Pickles:Want something sour and salty to refresh your palette? Try pickled with a pastrami sandwich. The soft and juicy sandwich goes well with crunchy and refreshing pickles.
- Cream Soup:If one pastrami sandwich does not curb your appetite, take it with a bowl of cream soup. Pastrami sandwich with cream soup is a meal for people with big appetites. You can add vegetables to the cream soup too.
- Potatoes:A side of potatoes with a pastrami sandwich can depend on your taste. You can have fries, potato chips, or roasted potatoes to go with the sandwich. A potato salad is also a side that compliments pastrami, not to mention a perfect healthier alternative to fries and potato chips.
- Green salad:Green salad with pastrami sandwich is filling. The flavorful taste of pastrami with the freshness of green salad is perfect for a quick meal. It also compliments Reuben pastrami sandwiches.
Best NYC Pastrami Sandwiches
Katz’s Delicatessen
Katz’s has been ruling the Lower East Side for more than a century! It’s a culinary beacon for pastramis and salamis. Katz’s does not go wrong with their pastrami sandwiches. In fact, it is the only place that’s acknowledged as the best deli for pastrami in America. Katz’s pastrami sandwiches have fatty pastrami slices smoked lightly to maintain a good balance. The slices are hand-carved and look as good as they taste.
Harry & Ida’s Meat and Supply Co.
Before you get your hands on your pastrami sandwich, the deli man will serve a slice of fatty peppercorn-rubbed meat for you to try while they assemble your ordered sandwich. Harry & Ida’s is a prominent name in the New York deli market with its soft and smoky pastrami sandwiches. The thick pastrami slices are complimented with buttermilk-fermented cucumber kraut, fresh dill, and anchovy mustard. They also use Pain d’Avignon club roll instead of the traditional rye bread.
Pastrami Queen
Pastrami Queen has been around New York City as much as its sandwiches. It was first located in Williamsburg, then moved to Queens, and finally settled on the Upper East Side in a shoebox-sized place. Another location of Pastrami Queen is on the Upper West Side. The deli serves extreme-sized pastrami sandwiches that are piled high.
Frankel’s Delicatessen & Appetizing
Frankel’s also hand-carve their pastrami slices and serve them fatty. The slices are pale pink and thick, perfect for making an appetizing pastrami sandwich.
Sarge’s
A real police sergeant founded this place in 1964, so the name does make sense! Sarge’s serves the most overstuffed pastrami sandwiches in the city, with thin slices. Regardless, the sandwich is delicious, and a hungry person will be satisfied after eating a sandwich from Sarge’s.
The Best Pastrami Sandwich in NYC | Best of the Best
INSIDER’s Herrine Ro and Alana Yzola visit four of the best places to get pastrami sandwiches in New York City. They visit Harry & Ida’s, Katz’s Deli, David’s Brisket House, and 2nd Ave Deli to see how each restaurant makes its famous pastrami sandwich. The two hosts try each one and ultimately decide which one is the best.
Summary
Pastrami is iconic meat for Americans, which is why pastrami sandwiches are one of the favorite deli servings in the country. New York City has the best places with varying flavors, but preparing a pastrami sandwich at home is not difficult either. All you need is rye bread, pastrami slices, and brown mustard. You can pick the other condiments and sides based on your preferences.
Pastrami Sandwich – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the Difference between Corned Beef and Pastrami?
Corned beef and pastrami have similar flavors, but they are carved from different meat. Corned beef comes from the cow’s lower chest, and pastrami is cut from the shoulder or navel region. Corned beef is also plain, unlike pastrami, which is smoked and spicy.
Are Pastrami Sandwiches Served Hot or Cold?
Pastrami sandwiches are mostly served hot. They are heated up, similar to a grilled cheese sandwich. You can have cold pastrami slices in your sandwich, but if you toast or warm the bread, the sandwich will not be entirely cold.
What Bread Goes Best with Pastrami?
Rye bread is the most traditional and common bread used for pastrami sandwiches. It’s also the best as it adds to the sandwich’s flavor.
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My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.
