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2nd Ave Deli Reopens - Where’s a Mohel When You Need One?

December 17, 2007

2nd-ave-deli1.jpgThere’s a new piece of kosher real estate on 33rd street and Third Avenue in Manhattan - the reincarnated 2nd Avenue Deli. Jeremy Lebewohl, nephew of the slain founder Abe Lebewohl, and family officially brought back the famous and beloved east village landmark at 6am this morning. Diners enjoyed Matzoh Ball soup and hearty servings of pastrami. At 11am the ceremonial cutting of the “nickel shtikel” salami delighted the hoards of mainstream media that were on hand. Virtually everyone got a piece of shtikel. Mazal Tov!

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After Jeremy cut a section of the 30 foot salami with a huge pair of scissors, a women yelled out a comment that you would expect to hear on an episode of Seinfeld - “Where’s a Mohel when you need one?” Classic.

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According to Jack Lebewohl, the menu remains the basically the same other than some additions that Jeremy suggested like an appetizing section including herring and pastrami lox. Showing their love and loyalty to the 2nd Ave Deli, many of the staff have returned. One Chinese staff member has been with them since 1969 and said he has become Jewish now. The restaurant closed it’s doors in January 2006 after being in business for 51 years. At that time, the landlord raised the rent so much the family could not afford to keep the business open. Rather than appreciating he had a landmark business in his building, the landlord chose to entertain deeper pockets - Chase Manhattan Bank to be exact. Like Manhattan needed any more banks. Bah, humbug!

yummy.jpgWhen I was in college, we used visit all the hot clubs and bars and party hard into the late night hours. All that dancing and drinking really gave us the munchies. There was no better place to get food at 2am than the 2nd Ave Deli. A nice hot bowl of split pea soup and a juicy brisket really hit the spot. Being a little older now, I think I’ll visit during normal business hours. My daughter will love the Matzoh Ball soup for sure. Local family businesses such as Lebewohl’s really become a part of our lives. It’s the memories and stories that we share and remember in these places that really touch our heart. I’m sure many of you can relate. I’m glad to see them back. Prime real estate is scarce, support your local family businesses.

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Bris tool

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Behind the counter at the 2nd Ave Deli

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Posted by Rudolph D. Bachraty III | Filed Under 2nd Ave Deli 

Comments

6 Responses to “2nd Ave Deli Reopens - Where’s a Mohel When You Need One?”

  1. Mitchell Hall on December 18th, 2007 1:36 pm

    Hey Rudy, I rather have the second Avenue Deli re-open on Third Avenue than another Duane Reed, drug chain or bank on any street in Manhattan. After 15 years on my block, I recently lost my Korean Grocer, Malaysia Grill, Chicken take-out and bagel place to make way for a Walgreens ugh.

  3. Rudolph D. Bachraty III on December 18th, 2007 3:09 pm

    hi mitchell!

    bring on the mom and pop shops. we are losing too many of them. i agree, between the banks and the chain drug stores, local neighborhood businesses are being swallowed up. high rents are killer. there’s just something special about knowing the owners and workers of these local establishments. it’s like they become our extended family.

  5. Maureen M. on December 18th, 2007 8:25 pm

    I had to come and read it… I couldn’t remember what a “Moil” is. Now I do. thanks for the laugh. Great word.

    I want pastrami NOW.

  7. David Podgursky on December 19th, 2007 3:47 pm

    I remember being at 2nd Ave. Deli a few years back… it was funny because our waitress was R-U-D-E… and we watched her head swell up and pop when a tourist ordered Potato Pancakes (not latkes) with Maple Syrup… Come on! She was obviously by her appearance a Latke first-timer and didn’t even know what they were!!

    Btw.. do you know that a Mohel (prounoucned Moyel in Yiddish) has a set of tools for the ritual he performs?? It is a Bris-kit… makes you want a sandwich, eh?

  9. Rudolph D. Bachraty III on December 19th, 2007 5:18 pm

    hi maureen!

    yeah, a great word even though i originally misspelled it.

    hi david!

    i love me some potato pancakes and brisket :) thanks for the tip on the typo.

  11. Maureen M. on December 19th, 2007 6:02 pm

    That’s the way I would have spelled it…

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