Katz's Deli - New York, NY

Man, I miss those Jewish delis. I was a stickler for Second Avenue, and I never did make it down for Katz. 

I sure did miss out, but thanks to mail-order, I regret no more. I got my hands on some Corned Beef and pounds of Pastrami. 

All that smoky, melt-in-your-mouth fat, gristle-galore glows pink. Pretty sandwiches on their fluffy rye bread (not pictured here), incomplete without puckering pickles and sauerkraut. Spread on some mustard and spring for the Russian dressing as well. 

Now THIS is a Hot Dog. Their kit includes those fluffy buns and an all-beef frank that extends past the bread so you get some with every bite.

Hot and almost fresh, here's hubby's first Knish. The square ones have a crispy coating, a layer of frying with mashed potato underlying. Dip in yellow mustard, pair with pickles. 

Salami both hard and soft, both made with beef with a big flavor, much more gamey and robust than those delicate deli slices. I prefer the soft for its smoothness as I'm put off by the strangely rubbery texture of the hard. 

Less-known is the Knoblewurst, a big-beef sausage, seasoned much like a kielbasa with a little less salt and big bite of garlic. You can taste the quality of the meat, and it's best when cut in half and seared. Throw it into a bun or build it on a bagel for breakfast. 

Kugel makes a fantastic side, and you can just pop the whole tray into the oven like that. Theirs is more sweet with sugar and cinnamon, and it finishes fruity with visible vittles of orange. 

I've always loved Jewish delis, and Katz is the ultimate OG. I've had some pretty close contenders, but it's hard to compete with the original. 

Grand Central Market - Los Angeles

My bachelorette party has to start somewhere, and noon is a bit early for a bar. There won't be booze until later, but food is hardly the next best thing. And what better way to start the day than to stand in a fancy court surrounded by food?

Wexler's Deli

We might be surrounded by food, but I ignored it all. There's only one path for me, and all roads lead to Wexler's. I've read so many features, so many breathtaking pieces highlighting this legendary deli; magnum opuses written with an eloquence I will never possess. 

The way these articles describe the Lox and Cream Cheese Bagel induce instant salivation to the point that you will want to grab your keys and find the nearest package of salmon for a taste of pink velvet. And those descriptions are right on. 

The Pastrami, however, I could have done without. It was as bland as it was dry. And not just dry or just a little overheated, it was parched. It crumbled like a sad, droopy jerky. 

Valerie

We needed a pick-me-up after a lackluster pastrami, and Valerie, with its sweet smells and warm feels, was irresistible.

I got the Rose Petal Petit Four. It tastes like a delicate floral breeze, petals floating in the wind. The layers of cake are dense and moist, and the sleek chocolate coating is creamy and sweet. There's so much satisfaction packed into this tiny petit four, I better be back for more.

At Grand Central Market, there are a lot of choices all around. One day I'll work up the patience to stand in the Eggslut line, and maybe next time I'll slurp an up oyster or bite into a dripping brat at Currywurst. Whatever I do, I probably won't go back to Wexler's, but Valerie deserves revisits.

Got Kosher? - Los Angeles

Its name conjures the image of a Manischewitz mustache and a vat of gelfilte fish...which is really tasty, BTW. I wasn't dying to go in, but passing it by would have been my judgmental loss because once you get past the cheesy name...and the lack of cheese on your burger, the food is worth a stop for those who keep Kosher, and even more so for those who don't.

The Tajine, for example, is a great stew, full of thick, gamey gravy, flavored with chunks of lamb, stewed silky. Plushy prunes add earthy sweetness, and savory roasted almonds break up the gooey texture with a little crunch. It's not about being Kosher, it's about being a really good stew.

Dietary restrictions are supposed to be...well...restrictive. No gluten means no delectable carbs, vegan means no anything-that-tastes-good, and no nuts screws over every other snacker on the airplane. 

Kosher is a different story. Instead of being a restriction, Got Kosher opens a whole new world of not-so-different dishes that taste good within an imperceptible guideline. Even the Royal GK Burger, topped with long cuts of crispy pastrami, aka beef-bacon, and a soft avocado with mushrooms and onions that swim in chipotle mayo, is a blend of savory flavors and serious skill. You don't notice the no-milk-and-meat rule because the mayo brings the whole meaty mix together, and the chewy-skin, soft-center, house-made pretzel bun is enough to make hater-me stop hating pretzel buns.

The name is cheesy but cute, the location actually has street parking, and the food is undeniably delicious for both Jews and gentiles alike. Great bread, juicy meat, simmering stew. Got Kosher has got my blessing.