Aug
16
From my buddy, Joe Fruhman, now in NYC at Sloan-Kettering working his marketing magic after years at the Rothman Institute in Philly. Joe is one of the few guys I know who would venture anywhere for a good lunch…
When a place has a sandwich called The Monster that claims to be NYC’s largest sandwich, you know you found a place worth reviewing for Lunch With Larry. So it is with great excitement I present the first in a series of reviews from the Big Apple.Sarge’s Deli is a mid-town institution. Popular with local businesses’ for their catering, Sarge’s has an extensive menu and delivers 24/7. Opened in the 60’s, the deli itself is a humble spot with a takeaway counter and a few comfortable booths. Service is always excellent and quick.
Every lunch comes with your choice of a salad or soup. Can’t go wrong with the Matzo ball. A large bowl of pickles and coleslaw is given to your table as well…but pace yourself. A full sandwich will easily feed two; ½ sandwich options are a good bet for lunch, accompanied by your choice of a huge serving of fries or potato salad. Go with the potato salad.
The quality and portions are top notch. The corned beef and pastrami are tender and flavorful; not too fatty, not too lean. Reminiscent of Katz’s; better than Harold’s (sorry Larry, although Harold’s still reigns supreme when it comes to portion size). The turkey breast is also worth a try – never dry, great with the house spicy mustard.
“Healthier” options are just as filling and flavorful. The salads consist of a heaping of meat over a bowl of greens; I didn’t even touch the lettuce when I ordered the Chef Salad. If you go the salad route, split it and ask for an extra bowl or two to mix it up right.Joe’s Bottom Line: Sarge’s Satisfies… if you find yourself in mid-town east and are looking for an authentic deli at a reasonable price, Sarge’s is as good as they get.548 3rd Avenue (between 36th and 37th Streets)New York, NY 10016(212) 679-0442 or (877) SARGES-1
