The Dish: Corned Beef on Rye at Deli King

The Dish: Corned beef and pastrami -- two cornerstones of the Jewish deli experience. At , Eric Newman, who is part of the family that has owned the restaurant for 23 years, says they are equally popular. So which to have?

I always thought corned beef and pastrami were the same piece of meat with pastrami fancied up with some spices. Not so. Newman explained the difference: corned beef is the same cut of meat as brisket but corned beef is pickled first then boiled. Brisket is not pickled and it is roasted in oven. Pastrami is a navel cut.

Since I’m a fan of corned beef, that’s what I chose.

What’s Inside: This is a very hearty sandwich. The rye bread is layered with thinly sliced beef; it is so high that they give you a steak knife to cut it. I asked for an extra slice of bread so I could have three “halves”—two to eat there and one to take home for tomorrow’s lunch. Mustard is the standard condiment.

How’s It Taste: The meat is lean with just enough fat to make it exactly what a corned beef sandwich in a good kosher deli should taste like.

Sides: At Deli King, the sandwich comes with house-made potato chips, crisp cole slaw and two pickles – one sour and one half sour. Soda is the standard beverage for traditionalists, Dr. Brown’s cream soda, cel-ray or black cherry. I went with Diet Coke.

Deli King Kosher Restaurant and Catering

1570 Union Turnpike

(Lake Success Shopping Center)

New Hyde Park

516-437-8420

www.deliking.us