rpalmer1
Ellen, I understand sharing is expected. Is the pickle bar included with the entree? If you split a sandwich does each person have to pay for the pickle bar? What is the process for getting condiments/bread for take home?
Yes, sharing is expected, and I'm proud to report that there is no extra charge for sharing at Harold's, either.
There is no extra charge for the pickle bar. I doubted there was a charge for the "sharer" to conquer the pickle bar. I just called Harold's right now to confirm.
The answer is "there is NO charge for the "sharer" to get the pickle bar".
The hostess reminded me , though, that the pickle bar is NOT available on "to go" orders. (they give you at least 5 pieces of rye bread, 2 pickles, mustard, and cole slaw with "to go" orders)
So it's MUCH better to eat IN, as one can also get the excellent HEALTH SALAD, hot cherry tomatoes, sauerkraut, etc..
(even if you only take a bite or two of your sandwich, and then proceed to ask for a take out container.......cause at least you'll be entitled to that great Health Salad!
When I just ordered my beef rib "app." to start with, the waiter said "Help youself to the salad bar"...
I asked the hostess just now on the phone if the pickle bar was included on appetizers. (did'nt know if the waiter was just being nice). She said YES.
Harold EXPECTS one to take home some extra rye bread slices from the pickle bar, to go along with all that leftover pastrami. I usually take home about 5 or so extra slices.
(I enjoy a slice with whipped butter on it, too!)
ORDERING TIPS: One regular sized pastrami (13 ounces) is really enough for 2 people. They can always say "We'll start off with one pastrami sandwich", and see how it goes. However, if they want the joy of leftover pastrami for the next day or so, they should each get their OWN sandwich! Personally, since I live almost 2 hours from a Harold's, I want to get the FULL effect (which means a full sandwich, so I can have leftovers) If one lives 20 minutes away, they can go almost anytime, so splitting makes more sense...
Or perhaps, one person should get the pastrami, and the other , the brisket..
And then divide it up amongst yourselves. (I was very impressed by the brisket.)
Hope this answers all your PASTRAMI questions for now, Rusty.
It was fun hanging out with you in CT last year...hope to "meat up" with you again soon. Perhaps you can join us for the WESTERN MASS tour on May 17th?
My sis just had an experience the other day at the Carnegie Deli, whereby my niece just wanted some hot chocolate. (she does'nt even eat read meat, and thus had absolutely NO interest in my sisters pastrami.
The waitress wanted to charge her a $3.00 sharing charge, (on top of the hot choc. price), even though she was'nt sharing! (just sitting and "sipping"...)
Finally, the waitress said "Okay, but if she even takes one bite of the sandwich, we'll have to charge you that fee".
My sis always had always loved the Carnegie.....this time a few things turned her off.
(she finally had her first bad experience) She felt like she got the "scraps" hidden in her pastrami reuben, and not even GOOD scraps, either..
fatty, hard to chew scraps. In retrospect, she said she should "start sending those kind of sandwiches back".. even if those food servers are like military officers..
Then the bill came, and the waitress barked a familiar spiel that my sis heard once before while with me there.......she said "You pay the cashier, and leave the TIP on the table". Only after hearing that voice give the SPIEL, did sis realized it was the same gal we once had; she said she would've switched sections if she knew ahead of time.. and that these "extra seasoned" food servers are not pleasant.
It's one thing when a food servers got a little "shtick", but it's another when it feels like one is getting a scolding...
I understand that there are a lot of International travelers that do not understand the art of tipping, and may think tips are included.
But my sister does'nt even give the aura of an international traveler.
and felt that the treatment was condenscending...
All this would'nt be so bad if she got a decent sandwich...
POOR sis, as she continued to FIERCELY defend the Carnegie, after I had told her about my less than stellar sandwich there last year.(I've since had the same great sandwiches I'm used to having).And now SHE has expererienced "offness"
All you roadfooders out there, just be GLAD if you have'nt hit the Carnegie on an off day yet! (or got an "off the mark" sandwich)
<message edited by ellen4641 on Sun, 01/11/09 9:42 PM>
