Artie's Delicatessen in NYC

Has anyone ever eaten here? Heard anything about it? We will be taking the children to the Children's Museum which is really close to this place and would be a convenient place for us to have early lunch if we hear any good reports.

I've eaten there many times and would describe it as good, not great. Their claim to fame is that they have the old pastrami recipe from the departed Bernstein on Essex. The pastrami didn't seem to me to be in the league of 2nd Avenue or Katz's, but it was quite adequate. The menu is extensive, the sides are good and there are lots of kids around, so it might be a good choice. Sometimes you even get the nice version of real deli-waiter attitude -- "You don't want the rolled beef!" Unless you're specifically looking for deli, I would also commend to your attention EJ's Luncheonette (445 Amsterdam Ave. between 81st and 82nd). They do good lunch plus breakfast all day and also have a very kid-friendly, if noisy and crowded, vibe.

quote:

Originally posted by chezkatie

Has anyone ever eaten here? Heard anything about it? We will be taking the children to the Children's Museum which is really close to this place and would be a convenient place for us to have early lunch if we hear any good reports.

Sorry, chezkatie, but I've never been there or heard of it!

Went to Artie's twice in a weekend last September. Great pastrami and matzo brei. Can't wait to go back when I'm in NY in the spring.

I've never been there or heard of it, but here's what Zagat has to say:

"Much needed" on the Upper West Side, this "ersatz old-time" deli "pushes all the nostalgia buttons" with "hearty" faves like sandwiches piled high with "mounds of pastrami"; less authentic are the "cheerful" "actor-waiters" and "Disney-esque" vibe ("lots of kids and strollers"), but at least the "price is right."

The food rating is a lukewarm 17 (on a scale of 1-30).

I have been to Artie's. I found it to be a cartoonish version of what someone from outside NY would think a NY deli should be like. The food was OK (just OK, mind you), but I had a hard time getting past the faux deli-ness of it all. If you took this place and plunked it down in Boca Raton, all the retired NYers would rave about how wonderful it is and how much it reminds them of home. In NY, it looks way out of place.

On the other hand, I would say that it seemed more kid-friendly than say, Katz's, which has way more of an adult ambience.

Steve

btw -- Barney Greengrass IS right around the corner from there. You might try that, instead!