This weekend, we wondered if Jewish delis in New York City were dying out. It appears the answer is yes, if the closing of six-year-old Upper West Side restaurant Lansky's is any indication.
West Side Rag spotted this message on the door, "After 6 Years We Want To Sincerely Thank Every Single Guest That We Had The Privilege of Serving. We Have Tried Our Best, But Due To Rising Costs, We Could No Longer Stay in Business. Thank You Again."
The restaurant, owned by David Ruggiero, offered Jewish deli staples, from matzoh ball soup to pastrami sandwiches. There was even a huge "Jackpot" sandwich with seven pounds of meat—pastrami, turkey, corned beef, salami on ten pieces of rye bread with Muenster and American cheeses, cole slaw, sweet peppers and Russian dressing. Its Ultimate New Yorker sandwich, had everything in the Jackpot plus tongue, deep-fried hot dog, beans, sauerkraut, and three potato knishes (nine and a half pounds, BTW) was spoofed by Saturday Night Live. And Jon Hamm ate there ALONE!
West Side Rag also lamented, "The breakfast foods and sandwiches were solid. Some were very solid, like the Coney Island knishwich: a potato knish cut in half and topped with corned beef, pastrami, muenster, coleslaw & Russian dressing." It was a popular brunch destination, with generous portions and cocktails. Unfortunately, last September, the restaurant had been defaced (Ruggiero estimated damages in the $200,000 range).
For locals who want a Jewish deli, at least there's Fine & Shapiro at 138 West 72nd Street... for now.
