Customer Reviews

America's Great Delis: Recipes and Traditions from Coast to Coast

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Oddly, while deli food is considered one of the great American traditions, it's roots are steeped in our invaluable immigrant ancestors. Honestly what's better than a great corn beef sandwich or a steaming bowl of matzo bowl soup? America's Great Delis takes a fond look at these hallowed halls of dining pleasure in a book that is part tribute, part history, and part cookbook and all a pleasure to read.

Author Sheryll Bellman begins the book by taking a look at the history of deli food including a timeline of events that includes the first known preserving of cucumbers in 2000 BCE, to the origination of the Frankfurter in Germany in the 1400's...from the opening of the Manischewitz bakery in 1888 to the opening of the famous Carnegie Deli in 1937. Next is a brief history of various deli foods such as bagels, Challah bread, corned beef, Matzo ball soup, blintzes, and of course the Reuben Sandwhich.

Ahh...but all that is just the garnish on this heaping plate of gastronomic delights. The meat of the book is a whirlwind tour of some of the oldest, and most famous delis in the country. This includes a bit of history of each as well as some of their most famous, signature recipes. While it's heavily New York influenced, there are recipes included from delis around the country. There's the chicken soup and matzo balls from the 2nd Avenue Deli, cheesecake from Carnegie Deli, Borscht from Katz's deli and Cheese Blintzes from the Stage Deli. Moving outside New York City you'll find a recipe for the German potato salad from Shapiro's in Indianapolis, the pastrami sandwich from Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, beef brisket from Canter's in Los Angeles, and the egg custard from Rose's in Portand, Oregon.

Now you'll know why so many of these establishments were frequented by Hollywood's elite over the years. With some 75 recipes and nostalgic photographs this book is a must-have for lovers of deli or great American foods.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

This book is a combination history, travelogue, and cookbook all rolled into one.

From a history standpoint Ms. Bellman goes back to describe how many of the classic deli foods were invented. In 1610, for instance, bagels were created in Krakow, Poland and given as gifts to women after childbirth.

As a travelogue, whe has visited and describes a few dozen deli's from around the country. As you would expect, New York gets the most coverage. After all NYC has the most deli's. But also included are delis up and down the east coast, through the mid-west and on to Los Angeles.

As a cookbook, many of these deli's have givern her recipies of their most famous foods. Carnegie deli (near Carnegie Hall) is well known for its cheesecake and its Matzo Ball soup. Recipies for both of these are given here.

Ms Bellman rightfully laments the closing of many deli's, not only in New York but around the country. I suppose the traditional deli just can't compete with the fast food places.

All in all, this is kind of a nostalgia book, but one taht makes your mouth water.

This book is more than a cookbook its an encyclopedia of Deli culture!!!!
What a wonderful idea and fantastic coffee table book for the holidays- Thanks for including Rattners veggie chopped liver- always wanted that recipe :)

Why wasn't this book written before?! What a genius idea! And who doesn't love the classic Jewish deli? This book is a treasure trove of well researched history, captivating photographs and scintillating recipes. The book was so completely thorough and obviously fascinating! I particularly like the food descriptions and individual deli histories. I plan to use this book as a reference guide and cookbook. It was hard to put down, as I found myself pouring through the pages of history and food - salivating the whole time! This book will hold a very special and meaningful place on my bookshelf!

For an outstanding blend of history and recipes you won't want to miss America's Great Delis: Recipes And Traditions From Coast To Coast, deserving of ongoing mention as standing out from the crowd of recipes-only deli cookbooks to add an extra dash of history and vintage photos to the mix. Both black and white and color photos embellish discussions of the origins of classic deli foods around the world, from Matzo Ball Soup to Potato Latkes. A powerful visual treat blends with culinary history and some fine deli standard recipes.

I could not stop reading it. I read it cover to cover in one sitting. The history of the delis was so interesting and funny and sad that some no longer exist. The recipes were wonderful. I could picture people eating them in the delis.....the smells....the crowds....the waitstaff. Utterly delightful reading.

Those of us who live far from New York, often yearn for a good whitefish salad, a "real" NY cheesecake, a great Ruben sandwich, or just a shmear of chopped liver. Now we can have the authentic items. No.... you don't have to have it Fedexed. Just purchase Sheryll Bellman's new book, America's Great Delis. In addition to recipes, the book includes a history and timeline of deli food from 6,000 BCE (although the timeline gets denser starting in the 1600's) to the present; is also gives a glossary of deli food from the commonly understood kosher hot dog, to the more exotic sounding Tzimmes. Although the recipes alone are impressive, Sheryll Bellman's head notes give comprehensive introductions to the various delis and evoke a sense of place that explains the food.

I love a good deli and they're getting harder and harder to find.

My introduction was Shapiro's in Indianapolis -- and it's there.

Fun book to read.

Wonderful book with great pictures and recipes from the famous delis across the US. Now I can compare Junior's cheesecake with Lindy's cheesecake since both recipes are in the book. Great gift idea.

We received a copy of "Americas Great Delis" as a gift and kept it in a very conspicuous place in the den. Recently, in order to answer a question, we reached for the book but it was not there. We checked every where and had no results. We found the book was available from Amazon.com and ordered 2 copies, one for us and the other to give as a gift. The books were ordered from Amazon.com and were received shortly thereafter.