Kimberly L.
Yelp
[Review #787]
2023-074
Food Order:
HOT PASTRAMI DELUXE SANDWICH (mustard, pickles, rye bread) with CUCUMBER SALAD, POTATO SALAD, MATZO BALL SOUP, WHITE CAKE (white cake, custard filling), DR. BROWN's CREAM SODA
The New York Deli was a Toyota staff fav but I never went when I worked there or first moved to the South Bay in the late 1990s. Even after moving & within walking distance in the early 2000s, I still never made it in. With my current job, I'm even closer (~0.25-mi.) & making my initial visit this spring.
It's a nice walk over, but I'm always worried about getting run over on the busy corner of Sepulveda & Crenshaw Blvds. Ack! Opened in 1985, the deli sits in the middle, south side of Sepulveda Crenshaw Plaza with plenty of parking; I believe they're the only restaurant in the plaza. Their menu consists of: deli sandwiches (deluxe, NY high, & combination triple decker), Reubens, open-faced bagels, burgers, grilled sandwiches, salads, sides, soups (their matzo ball is a must!), & kids meals.
Of the options, only pastrami appealed to me. It's a essentially a huge serving of protein in between 2 slices of bread with a layer of mustard with 2 dill pickle halves & your choice of side (potato, macaroni, cucumber, 3 beans, carrot, or pasta salad; or coleslaw). When I'm eating for myself, I usually get the potato or cucumber salad. I tried the macaroni salad & found it too watery, goopy. The potato salad is alright, nothing fancy, & the cucumber salad is just cucumbers topped with Italian dressing. I enjoy the sandwich but there's no "wow" factor that would have you craving/salivating for more. NY High adds a layer of swiss, coleslaw, & Russian dressing, & triple decker looks to be 2 protein combinations with the NY High layer.
Sometimes when my manager comes in during the off-office days, I would grab lunch for us, which consists of the pastrami sandwich with an added side, matzo ball soup (splitting both in half), & his fav soda: Dr. Brown's Cream Soda. Once in awhile, I'll add a slice of white cake. The soup is delish & really filling on its own; the matzo ball is h-u-g-e, taking up over 1/2 of the soup container! It has a decent amount of chicken pieces & noodles, & the soup itself is well-seasoned though it's not always "hot" in temperature (it only take 5-mins. to walk over). J & I always share so 1/2 sandwich & 1/2 soup is a satisfying lunch.
There's a large dining room as well as patio seating; it's seat yourself so I'm unsure if there's table service since I've always ordered takeout . Upon entry, their lobby consists of their menu over the open kitchen & a display loaded with deli meats; over to the right is the order/pick-up counter & register with another display case stocked with desserts & bottled waters & sodas; on the opposite side is a wall decorated with famous patrons & a rack of chips. Service is like a New Yorker? Fast & abrupt (stereotype?)... I barely finish my order & the line is dead. I have never given my name for any order. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The New York Deli is a local staple with hefty sandwiches & equally hefty price points, satisfying to the belly but not so much in taste.