Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen

by David Sax
Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen
book data
16 ratings, 3.62 average rating, 8 reviews (more data...)
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published
October 19th 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

details
Hardcover, 336 pages

isbn
0151013845    (isbn13: 9780151013845)

description
Part culinary travelogue, part cultural history, Save the Deli is a must-read for anyone whose idea of perfect happiness is tucking into a pastrami on…more


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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 69)

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Samira
Dec 21, 2009
Samira rated it: 3 of 5 stars

bookshelves: judaism, non-fiction
Read in December, 2009
I could also see giving this 4 stars, but I am feeling cheap.

This was an interesting book to read as a vegetarian--I generally have little use for delis, especially kosher ones, and I kept reading descriptions of food, aware that they were supposed to be appetizing, but instead basically being grossed out. But it also was a fascinating look into a culinary institution. The author loves deli the way that I love New Haven pizza and I can respect that, a lot. And it took me back to t...more
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Judy
Jan 20, 2010
Judy rated it: 4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: food-cookbooks, non-fiction
Read in January, 2010
I really enjoyed the book, which is a history/travelogue of "real" delis past and present, in this country and elsewhere. (A real deli is family-owned and -run, with countermen who fresh-slice pastrami, etc. to order, and that draws on Jewish culinary traditions.) The author is more than a little obsessed, and at times the writing is a little rough - but his heart, and his passion, are 100 percent behind the Jewish delis of this world, which he sees as a repository and a map of the cu...more
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Susan
Mar 14, 2010
Susan rated it: 4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: nonfiction
Read in March, 2010
Canadian Sax puts together a lot of information and a lot of love, as he gives the history of the Jewish-American delicatessen, whether Kosher or not, and combines it with a tour of selected United States and Canadian locations and a foray into Europe for their take on delis. He also discusses the forces that are combining to destroy delis all over the country.
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Kim
Jan 12, 2010
Kim rated it: 4 of 5 stars

Read in January, 2010
Fun, passionate read. I'll forgive him for ignoring my section of the country (and regretting not going to the wrong place when he does - there is MUCH better brisket and corned beef and pastrami and knishes down the street) for what he says about elsewhere. Um, don't read this one while hungry or in a state where hungry is a possibility.
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Leslie
Jan 26, 2010
Leslie rated it: 4 of 5 stars

Read in January, 2010
This is a great book about the history of Jewish delis in America, with some side trips across the globe. David Sax is witty, passionate and dedicated to deli, which makes for an engrossing and educational read. The book is also a small guide to Jewish culture and is filled with yiddish!
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Kristina
Jan 31, 2010
Kristina rated it: 3 of 5 stars

Read in March, 2010
I don't live in a deli town and I am not Jewish so I don't have a deep personal history in New York Deli. Even so, Sax really makes you salivate for the traditional flavors of "Jewish" deli across NYC, the US, and the World. I could almost give this book 4 stars, but I found that occasionally the book felt a bit repetitive (there are only so many ways can you describe a kreplach or matzo ball soup). Very well researched and an interesting read- especially if you love pastrami!
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Ian
Oct 31, 2009
Ian rated it: 4 of 5 stars

Read in October, 2009
This was great!
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Erik
Jan 02, 2010
fbuser594668856 is currently reading it

bookshelves: currently-reading
I'm slowly making my way through this one...problem is after every chapter, I want either a pastrami on rye or chopped liver or smoked meat. Mmm, mmm, good.
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Kristin
Mar 14, 2010
Kristin marked it as to-read

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Kim
Mar 12, 2010
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Rose
Mar 06, 2010
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Mar 04, 2010
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Mar 04, 2010
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Feb 28, 2010
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Lynne
Feb 20, 2010
Lynne marked it as wishlist-food

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Feb 20, 2010
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Feb 19, 2010
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Feb 17, 2010
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