Customer Reviews

How to Feed Friends and Influence People: The Carnegie Deli...A Giant Sandwich, a Little Deli, a Huge Success

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

 

 

I love living in Asheville . . . however that said, I must admit
to the fact that I miss having any great Jewish delicatessens
in the location.

So when a friend gave me a copy of HOW TO FEED
FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE by Milton Parker and
Allyn Freeman, I was in seventh heaven because it's the story
of New York's famous Carnegie Deli . . . reading it was
almost but not quite as good as devouring a corned beef sandwich.

I got a kick out of reading how this particular Deli managed to grow
from a nondescript hole in the wall to the establishment of choice
for presidents, celebrities,at least one sultan and millions of other
hungry diners from around the world . . .it has done so by following
a set of sound business practices without spending any money
on advertising or promotions . . . instead, word-of-mouth
has always been the key to its success:

* The decision to add two extra inches to the pastrami, corned beef
and tongue sandwiches represented Parker's smart way of thinking
that when people from Pasadena, or from Jacksonville, or from wherever,
returned home after a visit to the Carnegie Deli, they would recount
the eating of the humongous sandwich. The diners would retell of their
ordering and fun dining adventure. Yesterday's Carnegie Deli diners
would advertise the restaurant to tomorrow's New York City visitors--at
no expense to the Carnegie Deli.

I particularly got a kick out of reading about the visits of such
comics as Henny Youngman:

* Youngman asked the couple, "Would you like to see a photograph
of my pride and joy?" When the Siegels nodded yes, Youngman
handed them a picture of Pride furniture polish and Joy dishwashing
liquid. Another time, Youngman said to Jane, "You're a pretty lady.
I'm going to give you a diam-ond pin." He handed her a dime on a pin!

And I enjoyed the accounts of actual customers, one of whom was
the writer Michael Kramer:

* Kramer was sent to Israel to do a story and the group decided to send
him a Carnegie Deli salami to keep his spirits up. When Kramer went
to the post office in Tel Aviv to pick up this treat, he discovered
an empty brown wrapper and no salami. An Israeli postal worker said,
"Even in Israel, we recognized the name of New York's famous Carnegie
Deli. We knew from the shape what was inside, so we ate it. Delicious."

I also liked the inclusion of several original recipes from the Deli's
kitchen, including chopped liver, Brooklyn egg cream, brisket
of beef and matzoh ball soup . . . methinks, though, I'll pass
on trying them out myself and instead visit the Carnegie Deli
the next time I'm in New York.

My only regret is that I won't be able to get the free slice of
cheesecake that the authors offered with all purchasers of
the book (there's a coupon in the back), in that my friend had
the unmitigated gall to rip that out before giving me HOW
TO FEED FRIENDS!

My father is 94 years old, in a nursing home in Honolulu Hawaii, and wanted cheese blintz's from the Carnegie Deli. A daunting task since they do not deliver to Hawaii. This book was an answer to my need to provide a taste of a memory for my father. The book is written tongue and check, a must to get the flavor of the Carnegie in NYC. My blintz turned out exactly as those served at the deli. Dry ice..over night delivery..$100 cost and my father's ultimate delight. The chef at the nursing home requested the recipe too. I have purchased the book to give to friends. It is an easy read and delights not only taste buds but the humor that we all need today in these stress filled times.

the book arrived promptly and in good condition. I am completely satisfied with everything. I will continue to use Amazon's services. Regarding the book, it is a wonderful insight into the history of one of NY's best Jewish-style deli's, and the recipes are priceless.

The perfect gift for my boss, a huge fan of the Carnegie Deli. Well packaged and speedily delivered.

Not quite a "must read" for deli lovers and lovers of New York City, but close...

Anyone who has ever eaten at the Carnegie Deli will appreciate this book which gives a good history of one of New York's most legendary delis, and explains how and why those great big--and wasteful--sandwiches came to be.

Lots of interesting information here, but, in the end, it reads as if it were written primarily to sell as a "souvenir" of eating at the Carnegie.
Would be interesting to know if the book is sold at the Deli cash register and, if so, how many have been sold there...

And one should note that there is a coupon for a free piece of the Carnegie's New York Style Cheescake in the back. With New York prices, that alone could offset the cost of the book.

Go for it--the book and the cheesecake.

I bought this book for the sole purpose of getting Carnegie Deli recipes, particularly the brisket recipe. Turns out it is a really basic recipe you can get anywhere. Nice to have on the shelf though for reference.

I purchased this product as a gift. It arrived in good time and was well received.