When Carnegie Deli closed in 2016, it truly marked the end of an era in New York City. Now it’s back as a pop-up until 8 December with a retro twist; every inch of the decor is perfect, 1950’s kitsch. And even the prices are authentic.
A sandwich for 99 cents? Could be worth the wait. Photo by Don Emmert via Getty
The pop-up is to celebrate the second season of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, a series about a 1950s New York housewife who embarks on a career in stand-up comedy. Gone are the sandwiches named after celebrities like Woody Allen and instead they’re replaced by the Maisel Sandwich and the Susie Sandwich, named for her manager. They’ll set you back 99 cents and you can finish off with a cheesecake or cookie for 50 cents.
Inside the decor aims to transport you back 60 years, with everything from a jukebox and antique photo booth free to use and there are classic cars parked on the sidewalk to admire on your way in. All the staff are also actors who perfect the efficient but curt service that you might expect in a deli in the Big Apple of the 1950s. There’s even a sign warning indecisive diners: ‘Can’t decide? Step aside’.
The Soho location on Lafayette Street is a few miles from its original location opposite Carnegie Hall. If you do decide to go though, prepare to wait. All the sit-in reservations are long gone and there’s a waitlist of approximately 6000 nostalgic diners. Takeout service is available (for the same price) but the lines are reported to take up to three hours at the weekend.
Even the Wall of Fame is back. Photo by Don Emmert/AFP/Getty
Still, some people are prepared to wait to get a decent pastrami sandwich and all proceeds from the week-long pop-up restaurant go directly to the Lower Eastside Girls Club who run programs for underprivileged girls in STEM, the arts, leadership and more.
And if you’re not in New York? The original Carnegie Deli still has outposts in Las Vegas and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
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