Second Avenue Deli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Second Avenue Deli |
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1954 |
| Current owner(s) | Jeremy Lebewohl |
| Food type | Kosher Jewish delicatessen |
| Street address | 162 East 33rd Street (between Lexington and Third Avenues), in Murray Hill, Manhattan |
| City | New York, NY |
| County | New York County |
| Postal/ZIP code | 10016 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 40°43′46″N 73°59′12″W / 40.72954°N 73.98674°W |
| Other locations | 1442 First Avenue (at East 75th Street), in Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY 10021 |
| Other information |
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| Website | 2ndavedeli.com |
The Second Avenue Deli, also known as 2nd Ave Deli, is a famous kosher Jewish delicatessen in Manhattan, New York City. It serves traditional Jewish foods. The deli first opened in 1954.
In 1998, the deli won a special award. It received the America’s Classic Award from the James Beard Foundation. This award celebrates beloved local restaurants.
Deli History: From East Village to New Locations
The Second Avenue Deli first opened in 1954. It was located on Second Avenue and East 10th Street. This area was part of the Yiddish Theater District in the East Village.
Back then, many Yiddish theaters had closed. But the deli kept the spirit alive. The sidewalk near the original deli has special plaques. These plaques honor about fifty stars of the old Yiddish theater. It's like a Hollywood Walk of Fame for Yiddish actors. It is called the Yiddish Walk of Fame.
Some famous stars honored there include Molly Picon and Fyvush Finkel. Also, actor Menasha Skulnik and singer Boris Thomashevsky are remembered.
The deli faced a sad time when its founder, Abe Lebewohl, passed away in 1996. The deli closed for a short period.
In 2006, the original East Village location closed for good. This was due to a rent increase. Later, in 2007, the deli reopened in a new spot. It moved to 162 East 33rd Street in Murray Hill. Jeremy Lebewohl, the founder's nephew, became the new owner.
In 2011, a second deli opened. This new branch is at 1442 First Avenue on the Upper East Side. In 2017, a cocktail lounge called 2nd Floor opened above the Upper East Side deli.
Delicious Foods at the Deli
The Second Avenue Deli is famous for its tasty dishes. Some popular items include:
- Matzoh-ball soup
- Corned beef sandwiches
- Pastrami sandwiches
- Knishes
- Gefilte fish
- Cholent
These are all classic Jewish cuisine dishes. The deli is certified kosher. This means it follows Jewish dietary laws. However, it is open on Shabbat, which is the Jewish day of rest. Because of this, some very strict Orthodox Jews do not eat there.
The original deli had a special room. It was filled with items from Yiddish theatre actress Molly Picon. The new deli also has pictures of her on its walls. The deli's original bright neon sign is now a museum piece. You can see it at The City Reliquary in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The deli also serves a rare dish called p'tcha. This is a jellied calves' feet dish. Not many Jewish restaurants still make it. They usually make it only when someone asks for it.
Deli Rankings and Awards
The Second Avenue Deli is highly rated. In 2013, Zagat gave it a food rating of 23. This placed it as the 9th-best deli in New York City. It was also ranked 3rd in the top 5 delis in New York.
In 2021, the Financial Times newspaper gave it a big honor. They listed it as one of the “50 greatest food stores in the world.”
