2nd Avenue Deli Review

While visiting New York City, I had to stop in the infamous 2nd Avenue Deli to see what all the hype was about. This place was awesome. The service was outstanding (the waitress even took my baby around the restaurant to visit people while I ate). The portions were monstrous, and the flavors were incredible. The atmosphere is really fun and kid friendly, too.

The Quickie:
Service: Super friendly and on top of things.
Prices: Fair, for New York. $15-25 plate
Quality: Above expectations.
Portions: Way more than any human being could handle.
Atmosphere: Fun, loud, just great.

They start you off with a platter of all things pickled. Interesting. I didn't eat much, just a pickle.

Matzoh Ball Soup and half sandwich $15

This was my first time trying Matzoh soup and I liked it. It was like chicken noodle soup meets polenta!

This was my half sandwich, it was ginormous. Best chicken salad I ever had.

 We ordered a side of fries for my little boy. That was a mistake. The order was so big there was no way he could take on such a task and we were way to full to help. BUT! The fries were very good, 100% handcut, homemade fries.

 My husband got the Turkey and Sundried Tomato sandwich, it was to die for! But he said it was almost too much meat for him (which is nearly impossible). They really do pile on the meat.

  Great place, I would highly recommend it anyday. If I ever go back to NY I will be back!

How To Eat Cheap in NY

There is one simple answer to the question, "how can I eat cheap in NY?"  Street vendors.  In Utah, the only street vendors we have are the taco carts (which I highly recommend). But here in NY, there are all kinds of foods that you can get on the street. Giant soft pretzels, gyros, hot dogs, knish, (Yiddish snack food made from potato), roasted nuts, and ect. It's all SO GOOD!

Knish (it tastes like mashed potatos that are battered and fried--yeah, good).

$2.50

 Roasted Cashews $3

Its a couple of handfuls worth but it'll surprise you how fast you can fill up on these. 

A must try.

New York Pizza $2.50-3.50 slice

The best pizza of my life. This one has ricotta cheese on it--so creamy. Genius.

I swear people live on pizza in NY, it's the hamburger of the west.

 Hot Dogs $1.50

Be ye warned. It's not your average hot dog. They'll load it with onions, sauerkraut, and a sweet/spicy red sauce. They are good though.

India Fusion

I'm not a picky person, but hear me out...
Honest truth. I would not go here if I were you unless you would like to die a painful death of flaming diarrhea. I understand that indian food is typically spicy. No big deal, I like spicy. What I don't like is feeling my stomach lining and intestines being slowly consumed by curry that is way hotter than anyone should ever attempt to eat. This place is a bit rediculous. They have four levels of spiciness for the entrees. I chose medium (the second level), and I thought I was going to die before my meal was over. The only saving grace of this meal was the bread. We ordered this basket of indian flatbread that was delicious. I soon realized that it was actually an essential part of this meal. I would not have been able to finish my dish if it had not been for the bites of bread I had in between the bites of my curry dish. The problem with food that is too spicy is that you can't enjoy all of the flavors in the dish. I actually like to be able to taste my food. Sorry.

I would eat the bread again. But not the entrees. No way.

The Quickie:
Service: Great, very friendly waitresses.
Prices: Decent. $10-15 plate
Quality: Not so great. They need to learn what mild, medium, and hot actually mean. You don't get what you ask for.
Portions: Medium. Not huge, but enough to fill you.
Atmosphere: Relaxing, until you taste your flaming dish... 

Bread Basket

Plain, garlic, and also onion breads.

 

Chicken Curry with Rice

Sharks Underwater Grill

This place is incredible. The atmosphere is, obviously, AWESOME! You sit in a dining area with a gigantic tank of various sharks that takes up an entire wall of the restaurant. The food was definitely high quality and very flavorful. We got an order of these robust rolls with our meal that were seasoned with rosemary and thyme--robust. My husband and I ate both dishes pictured below. The Chicken Pasta Alfredo was delicious (but then again, it's pretty hard to screw up alfredo). The Sharks Trio dish was just fantastic. A plate full of succulent, juicy seafood. Hard to go wrong there. I would definitely recommend this place!

The Quickie:
Service: Slow, due to the popularity of the restaurant.
Prices: A bit pricey, but think of it as entertainment and a meal. :)
Quality: Super.
Portions: Very large.
Atmosphere: Fun! 

Rolls seasoned with Thyme and Rosemary

Sharks Trio Entree $20

herb crusted tuna, scallops and shrimp, pan-seared, seasoned with rosemary, cilantro, parsley and basil, or if you prefer, blackened with zesty cajun spices. Finished with a mango-papaya sauce.

Chicken Pasta Alfredo $20