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10 Iconic NYC Restaurants To Visit When Social Distancing Is Over | Legendary Eats Marathon

Insider Food・49 minutes read

Katz's Delicatessen, Ray's Candy Store, Dominique Ansel Bakery, Mahmood's Falafel, Keens Steakhouse, Hawaiian Tropical Drinks/Papaya King, Sylvia's Restaurant, Mark's pizza/Lucali, and Nathan's Famous hot dogs are iconic eateries in New York City with unique histories and signature dishes that have contributed to their enduring popularity over the years.

Insights

  • Katz's Delicatessen, a 132-year-old historic Jewish deli, is famous for its pastrami on rye, lauded for its quality and hand-sliced approach, ensuring each sandwich is tender and juicy.
  • Mahmood's falafel, founded by Syrian immigrants in 1969, popularized falafel in NYC, with a traditional recipe that remains unchanged, made with parsley, onions, garlic, chickpeas, and spices, showcasing a rich history and authentic taste.

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  • What is a Cronut?

    A donut-croissant hybrid pastry.

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Summary

00:00

Iconic NYC Eateries: Katz's, Ray's, Cronut

  • Katz's Delicatessen is a 132-year-old deli on the Lower East Side known for its iconic pastrami on rye, a quintessential New York dish.
  • Katz's Delicatessen, established in 1888, is a historic Jewish deli that has preserved its traditional recipes and ambiance over the years.
  • The deli's success is attributed to its nostalgic setting, exposure in movies and TV shows, and most importantly, the exceptional quality of its pastrami and corned beef.
  • Katz's hand-sliced approach to their pastrami ensures each sandwich is tender and juicy, requiring expert carving by hand.
  • Customers at Katz's receive a ticket upon entry and must be prepared to order promptly to keep the lines moving efficiently.
  • Ray's Candy Store, a 24-hour joint in the East Village, has been serving late-night munchies for over 45 years, offering a variety of sweet treats like deep-fried Oreos and soft serve ice cream.
  • Ray, the owner of the candy store, faced challenges with rising rent prices but was saved by the local community through a crowdfunding campaign.
  • Dominique Ansel Bakery in SoHo is famous for creating the Cronut, a donut-croissant hybrid that became a viral sensation in 2013.
  • The Cronut's popularity is due to its limited quantity, with all 500-600 pastries selling out daily by noon, and the meticulous three-day process involved in making each one.
  • Despite imitations worldwide, the original Cronut can only be found at Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City, where the flavor changes monthly, preserving the quality and creativity of the creation.

19:22

"Mahmood's: NYC's Falafel Pioneer"

  • Mahmood's was the first spot in New York to offer falafel 50 years ago, known for its authentic taste and rich history.
  • Mahmood's falafel, located in Greenwich Village, has been serving falafel sandwiches since 1971, using a traditional recipe that remains unchanged.
  • Mahmood and Maria Chathar, Syrian immigrants, started Mahmood's falafel in New York in 1969, popularizing falafel in the city.
  • Mahmood's falafel became a franchise with 10 locations, starting from a small kitchen in their apartment.
  • The falafel batter at Mahmood's is made with parsley, onions, garlic, chickpeas, and a blend of spices like cumin and turmeric.
  • The falafel batter is prepared at a New Jersey facility and then fried fresh at each restaurant location.
  • Mahmood's falafel sandwiches, a vegetarian option, consist of pita bread, hummus, falafel, lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce.
  • Keens Steakhouse, established in 1885, is renowned for its mutton chop, made from sheep's loins, tenderloins, and belly flap.
  • Keens serves about 70-80 mutton chops daily and hundreds weekly, appealing to lamb lovers for its unique flavor.
  • Keens Steakhouse also boasts one of the largest collections of clay pipes in the world, attracting tourists and regulars alike for its historic ambiance.

34:08

"Papaya King: America's First Juice Bar"

  • Gus Pulos, a Greek immigrant, opened Hawaiian Tropical Drinks, inspired by the papaya melon he found in Cuba.
  • Hawaiian Tropical Drinks was the first juice bar in America, preceding others by 65 years.
  • A customer in 1934 requested a lunch option, leading to the introduction of hot dogs at the store.
  • In 1963, the store was renamed Papaya King, focusing on a mix of salty, sweet, and fresh fruit.
  • Papaya King receives daily deliveries of hot dogs from a local factory, going through 250-300 pounds on weekdays and 4,000-4,700 on weekends.
  • The most popular order at Papaya King is the original combo of two hot dogs with relish, sauerkraut, or New York onion sauce, and a papaya drink.
  • Papaya King's signature juices are as popular as their hot dogs, offering a unique combination of salty and sweet flavors.
  • Papaya King has been a staple for 87 years, attracting a diverse clientele, including politicians, celebrities, and generations of families.
  • Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem, known for soul food, has been a favorite for 57 years, serving dishes like fried chicken and waffles.
  • Sylvia's success is attributed to Sylvia Woods, who opened the restaurant in 1962, passing on her tradition of hospitality and love to her family.

50:26

Mark's Legendary Lucali Pizza and Nathan's Hot Dogs

  • Mark's pizza is legendary due to his lack of culinary experience, figuring out the process as he went along.
  • The pizzeria, Lucali, was originally an old candy store that Mark transformed into a pizza place.
  • Lucali has gained a strong fan base over the years, with people praising its pizza as the best in Brooklyn.
  • Mark uses a wine bottle instead of a rolling pin to stretch out the dough, resulting in crispier pies.
  • The pizza is topped with parmigiano reggiano and fresh basil before being baked in the oven.
  • Customers often prefer the calzone over the pizza at Lucali, enjoying the garlic and hot pepper sauce toppings.
  • Nathan's Famous hot dogs have been a staple in Coney Island since 1916, with a rich history and iconic status.
  • Nathan's hot dogs are known for their all-beef quality, served with deli mustard and sauerkraut, alongside crinkle cut fries.
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