Whether it’s a pastrami on rye or a bagel with a schmear, America’s Great Delis, by Sheryll Bellman, explores the history and recipes of the country’s most beloved delis. From New York’s Lower East Side to Detroit and all points west, the delicatessen remains a quintessential part of the American landscape. In New York, as in much of America, lunch is synonymous with deli. Perfected in the early twentieth century by Eastern European Jewish immigrants, the deli, short for delicatessen, quickly won our hearts — and stomachs! From Barney Greengrass "The Sturgeon King" to Katz’s Deli, with their beloved slogan "Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army," and the renowned Carnegie Deli, celebrity hotspot for generations, America’s Great Delis is the authoritative answer to all your noshing needs. Vintage photographs, menus, and signs complement the mouth-watering recipes made famous in delis across the country. Matzo ball soup, classic coleslaw, and cheesecake are just a few of the classic made-to-order tastes included for deli aficionados everywhere. Features: •More than one hundred nostalgic deli photographs, historical food and deli details, and a guide to "deli speak." •Recipes including Ben’s Kosher Noodle Kugel, Zingerman’s Hamentaschen, Ratner’s Potato Pancakes, Nate ‘n Al’s Corned Beef Hash, and many more. •Famous delis such as 2nd Avenue Deli, Ratner’s, and The Stage Deli in New York, and Canter’s and Langers in Los Angeles, among others across the country. More than 75 recipes from America ’s most famous delis and 100 nostalgic photographs. Beloved recipes found in the glass cases and on the menus of delis nationwide. Historical information on the popularity and origins of the deli. Deli food is simple food from Eastern Europe, Lithuania, Russia, and Hungary. Many items on menus today were developed out of necessity and evolved over time as Jews migrated from country to country. Today, a turkey and Swiss on sourdough with mayo is pretty standard fare, but at a traditional kosher deli you ll find dark ryes, plenty pastrami, beef brisket, frankfurters, and mustard in the glass case. The origins and evolution of many favorites like challah, corned beef, matzo, cheesecake, and bagels, which were created in Poland in 1610 and given as gifts to women after child birth, are included. The illustrated timeline chronicles a brief history of Jewish migration, as well the emergence of staples like cream cheese, Crisco, matzo, and bialys. The true American deli is an endangered species with many older establishments closing their doors. As more delis take on characteristics of diners, the traditional menu offerings are becoming more homogenized and less individual. The stories, recipes, and images offered in America s Great Delis preserve the great deli tradition and keep the doors open for future generations to nosh to their heart s content. Piping hot pastrami on rye, noodle kugel, a kosher pickle, and rugelach coming up! Order at the counter, savor the towering sandwich, and top if off with an egg creme and conversation in the bustling din of the deli. Welcome to America s Great Delis, a gathering place for great food, history, and the celebration of Jewish cuisine and culture. A New York institution, delis have made their mark in communities across the country, serving up the traditional kosher and non-kosher specialty dishes that have made them famous. Sheryll Bellman highlights classic American delis with their colorful characters and rich histories by way of recipes that have been passed down by family-owned establishments for generations. Go behind the counter of well-loved delis, learn how to speak "deli," and find out the secret to perfect potato pancakes. It s all in day s work or lunch hour rush at the deli. SHERYLL BELLMAN is the author of Through the Shopping Glass: A Century of Christmas Windows in New York City. She attributes her interest in deli culture to growing up in corned-beef-deprived Arizona. Her writings have been featured in USA Today and on NPR. With a degree in microbiology, Ms. Bellman found that writing about cultural history and pop culture sparked her interest more than science. From designing rooms to designing foods, she appreciates and enjoys all things ephemera and nostalgic. Ms. Bellman has three children and two grandsons and lives in New York City with her husband. Used Book in Good Condition