So, if you’ve been following my blog, you know I just returned from a trip back East.
I wrote about my Virginia food experiences at Five Guys and Eamonn’s from the road. That’s all I had time for in a week-long vacation that included a family wedding in Virginia, and a quickie trip to the Big Apple. The latter travels tested my patience as my family and I were subjected to more “pat down” inspections at top tourist spots than any seen on an episode of “COPS.”
Still, it is New York, where the scenery (see above view from Statue of Liberty) is as amazing as the food. Over the next few days, I’ll highlight my best eats during the trip.
Today’s entry: The Woody Allen sandwich at Carnegie Deli .
The Woody (shown, right) is found at this Theater District deli, where the walls are plastered with hundred
s of celebrity photos. Upon entering, I definitely felt like I’d walked into a mega-tourist trap. The place is divided into two main rooms, where servers in black and white attire hustle about carrying plates of giant sandwiches.
We were immediately overwhelmed by Carnegie Deli’s voluminous menu of blintzes, cream pies and egg-stravaganza dishes. This thing puts the Cheesecake Factory booklet to shame.
We settled on deli sandwiches and a frankfurter for my daughter. My husband and my dad ordered the Woody Allen special, a $16.95 sandwich piled with loads of pastrami and corned beef. There was so much red meat on it, I couldn’t tell which slices were which.
At the end of the meal, I understood why the eatery advertises a $3 “sharing” cost on its menu. We (four adults) managed to eat half of our sandwiches — and even that was difficult.
We packed the leftovers of our $116 tip-included meal (Yikes!), and gave it to the homeless.
Later on in the week, I read a surly New York Post article (oh wait, that’s an oxymoron), declaring Carnegie’s an over-hyped Manhattan eatery.
I’d have to say, I agree. Next time, we’ll settle for Katz’s Deli — a Lower East Side eatery that offers a more down to Earth delicatessen experience.
Tuesday: A sugar high at Dean & DeLuca — a foodie shop opening soon at Fashion Island
Yep, I totally agree that Carnegie’s is a huge tourist trap. We couldn’t believe the outrageous $3 sharing fee. Luckily, we did check out Katz on our next NYC trip. Prices are still in the same $15 range, but at least you don’t have to pay for tips for any rude waiters, and you get to chat it up with the sandwich makers while they give you some free meat samples.
Sandwich lover: You bring up a good point on the waiters. Ours was not rude, but I always find it amazing when I can get mediocre service, and still get saddled with an automatic 18% tip charge.
Nancy
I agree about Carnegie Deli. We were in NY in early September and were recommended to try this place, not for the taste of the food, but for the portions. There wasn’t much to get excited about, especially since the sandwiches needed so much mustard just to get some flavor. Gratuity wasn’t automatically added, but our waiter kept making sure we knew to leave a tip for him.
[...] New York City eats: Meat galore at Carnegie Deli [...]
[...] New York City eats: Meat galore at Carnegie Deli [...]
I grew up right outside of NYC and always knew that Carnegies was like that.. The best places to go are the small family owned shops. don’t get me wrong Carnegie’s is something everyone should witness once… the sandwiches are pretty good, but yes for that type of atmosphere you should go to Katz. Best italian in Serafina the location on 61st is the best of all of them. for great Mexican go to Rosa Mexicana and the union square location is definitely the best of the three. All in all, NY is well overcrowded, overpriced, but sure is a lot of fun.
Carnegie was recommended to my wife (hi rcubed!) and I as we were preparing to visit the Big Apple. That place is definitely a tourist trap not worth your time.
Ordering the Woody Allen, I was determined to finish it (which I did) only to be visited by my friend ‘rhea’ 25 minutes later. Thank goodness we had already made our way back to the hotel by then or we could have had ourselves a major ass-tastrophe!
Not worth your time, money, or imodium.
I am a Gray Line tour guide in NYC. Aboard the bus, I tell people the portions are very large and that the waiters will bring you extra bread for free. I suggest that couples order one regular corn beef or pastrami and to pay the sharing charge. For groups of 3 or 4, I advise ordering a pastrami/corn beef combo ruben and paying 3 sharing charges.
Sharing charges always seem outrageous to people used to areas of the country where the rents are much cheaper. Here in NYC, other than take out stands and the very most expensive restaurants, the highest cost for restaurants is the rent. The $3 sharing charge at the Carnegie is cheap; the cost of rent per customer per day is well over a dollar.