For many people to eat deli food is not just a nostalgic thing it’s an obsession. The fact that deli food is done incredibly well and tastes divine is just fine with me. Delis typically put the food first and put as much love and care into the food as humanly possible. And, the fact, that when you make food that’s delicious and you are using the best knowledge, tools, ideas, etc. then that’s what makes it work and taste so good! Besides, being a comfort food as great foods of the world are doesn’t hurt.
I guess to a die-hard deli or sandwich afficioando they will search out their favorite restaurants or best sandwich claim to fame, so to speak! Historically, the Ashkenazi Jewish cultures of Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Russian empires developed kosher versions of local meat specialties.
When centuries of dispersed living met America’s bountiful beef supply in New York in the late 1800’s, the deli basics of pastrami, corned beef and tongue were born.
Now don’t turn your nose up if you have never eaten tongue as the saying goes, “Try it, you might like it” even Mikey likes it just may apply, right! In the very early days of delicatessens each one was special and unique in one way or another. For instance, some may have been more Romanian in influence, while others were more Russian. And, the dishes that these delis served were most certainly based on family recipes that had been handed down through generations and across the seas.
We need to help preserve these cultural and culinary institutions by patronizing them and to enjoy the food! At Gandolfo’s New York Delicatessen they are an authentic New York Delicatessen that serves over 70 gourmet sandwiches, specialty items, soups and freshly made deli salads, gourmet hamburgers that are “made to order”, and handcrafted desserts and gelatos.
So what are you sitting there for? Get up and go, go now! I’ll meet you there.
Gandolfo’s New York Delicatessen is located at 28060 Hasley Canyon Road in Castaic. For more information please call 661-257-8844 or visit www.gandolfosdeli.com