2nd Ave Deli

This old-school Manhattan institution pairs a nostalgic interior of wooden booths and a hammered tin ceiling with a bustling, no-nonsense counter service. Diners can expect enormous pastrami sandwiches alongside traditional Jewish fare like blintzes, knishes, corned beef, and matzah ball soup. While the atmosphere is homey and unpretentious, seating can be tight and service moves at a characteristically brisk pace.