harold's new york deli

sometimes it's important to go back to your roots, to where it all began...even if it's on steroids and turned up to 12. my first exposure to food as culture was as a child, growing up in a jewish family in new york. all we did was eat. birth, death, life cycle events, wednesday night all included eating a bevy of foods. harold's is a new york deli (in new jersey) that brings me right back to childhood.  they have the world's only known pickle bar, and dr. brown's sodas are featured prominently. the stars of the show are most definitely the sandwiches. before i go on, there's something you must know about harold's. the portions are ludicrous. a regular sizesandwichis really meant to feed two or three people depending on appetites. if you're a little crazy, asandwichcan be finished by a single person. the best option is the pure jewish original, the pastrami on rye. mustard, never mayo. the pastrami is right between fatty and lean, and smoked post brine to perfection. an egg cream (

3 meat sandwich. enought to feed 6. this is corned beef & pastrami & chopped liver hiding in the back. this is 1/2 of thesandwich- $57, includes the pickle bar


-----18 sep, 2010-----

eat long and prosper. too many good things to name one. everything is too big, and i'm glad. bring a group, share, and eat the rest the next day, and the next after that. if you don't like it, who cares! go get your head examined. i try to go off-peak hours as it just gets too crowded sometimes and i hate waiting, but then again, since there's no other place within a reasonable drive that serves the same type of food with the same great taste, sometimes i do wait, because it's just that good!

great deli, but be prepared to share. harold (yes, there is an actual harold) is noted for his extremely generous portions of everything. sandwiches, burgers, potato pancakes, cakes and pastries are huge. if you can, be prepared to share yoursandwichwith 2 or even 3 friends. otherwise, take the leftovers home. with sandwiches, there is always extra bread to wrap up and take with you.

harold's features some of the best deli meats you will find anywhere. the roast turkey is real turkey, not loaf. roast beef and corned beef are lean, and if you order the pastrami, you'll be asked if you want it regular or lean. and the lean pastrami is really lean.

harold's also offers family dinners. but, you need to have a really large family, or be prepared to eat it again.

the restaurant is exceptionally clean. the kitchen is behind a glass wall, so you can see everything going on, including your meal preparation. the dining room is typlically deli, with blue formica-topped tables and straight backed chairs. the walls are covered with photos of new york city scenes.

it seems pricey on the surface, but remember that you'll get 2 or 3 more sandwiches out of that pastrami on pumpernickel that you ordered.

go big or go home. seriously the biggest portions you will ever see.

order asandwichfor the table, and you are still taking some home for leftovers. excellent! this is what deli is supposed to be.

the eclairs are as big as a loaf of bread but smothered with with chocolalely goodness and filled with tasty cream.

i just gained a pound thinking about this place.

~cd~. ridiculous sandwiches. just like carnegie deli in the city. went there on the way up to saratoga in '08 with summer and her family. 1sandwichfeeds like 8 people

the best sandwiches anywhere!. harold's is an institution. spot the first-timers at the tables, there the ones who order a wholesandwichjust for themselves! the pickes here (especially the garlic dill) are the best you can find. best of all is harold himslef, he makes you feel like family each and every time you come.