Pastrami Queen — Restaurant in New York

This review has 2 parts.

Part 1 - The Food It’s great. No....it’s really good. I walked through the door and was straight forward - “I was told to try this place because apparently it’s good”, I said. They cut a few slices of pastrami for me to taste, and that was the end of that. I was in! I ordered what they are famous for - pastrami! The slices were cooked and seasoned perfectly. It melts in your mouth. Was it worth $18 - yes! Would I go back - yes (after I get back in a caloric deficit from the first sandwich). You will not be disappointed - with the food. So why not 5 stars? That leads to part 2 - the management.

Part 2 - Management There is a well known idiom of HBR elites - “When companies don’t choose their transformation battles wisely, their efforts have a negative effect on performance.” Apparently, Pastrami Queen is under new management and employee processes are still in flux. In full view - and without the need to eavesdrop (because the conversation was well beyond the audible tolerances required to hear a jack hammer), perhaps they didn’t care that a customer was present - the manager or new owner, proceeded to berate, ridicule, and belittle an employee for not “assigning the cash register to their login” thereby messing up the accounting process. Now, no one is imbued with the skill of effective managing - it’s something you have to continually work at - and evolve. It was patently clear - from the conversation - that repeatedly saying the same thing multiple times to the employee didn’t help the situation in the past - and still wasn’t working after what seemed like an eternal 15 minute beat down. I don’t know who the manager was - but I’ll give you free value - forget repeating yourself. Develop a laminated bound morning processes manual (of sorts). Complete with pictures, arrows, login numbers (etc) for employees who have difficulty with information retention for quick referral. Especially for intricate/detailed IT-based information - this helps guide and avoid common repetitive errors. My faith in humanity was somewhat restored when a fellow employee jumped in and attempted to redirect the manager to treat them with a little more dignity and respect. It goes a long way. And lastly, Management, don’t discipline employees in full view of customers. While the food won’t leave a bad taste in our mouths, the treatment of your staff/business family...

At Pastrami Queen, renowned for its classic deli offerings, we had the pleasure of trying their signature pastrami sandwiches, accompanied by homemade fries and a refreshing soda. With impeccable freshness and delectable ingredients, there is no doubt about the quality of their offerings. We are awarding Pastrami Queen four stars for its outstanding culinary experience.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the pastrami, expertly crafted and packed with flavor. Each bite was a delightful combination of tender, succulent meat and robust spices, perfectly complemented by the soft yet hearty bread. The homemade fries provided a satisfying crunch, and the soda acted as a refreshing palate cleanser, rounding out the meal nicely.

While the food left us thoroughly impressed, we feel compelled to mention one aspect that could be improved. Given Pastrami Queen's well-deserved reputation and popularity, we believe they could enhance the dining experience by offering a more comfortable seating arrangement. Unfortunately, during our visit, we were seated in a cramped corner near the restrooms and their storage area. However, despite this minor setback, the exceptional taste and quality of the sandwiches made the wait well worth it.

Pastrami Queen holds a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers, known for its long-standing presence and commitment to serving traditional deli fare. With over six decades of history, this iconic deli has garnered a loyal following, attracting locals and visitors alike in search of authentic and mouthwatering pastrami creations.

In conclusion, Pastrami Queen delivers on its promise of delicious, classic deli sandwiches. While the seating arrangement may leave something to be desired, the exceptional flavors and quality ingredients make up for it. Whether you're a pastrami aficionado or simply looking for an authentic New York deli experience, Pastrami Queen is a must-visit...

After my previous experience, I'd been raving about Pastrami Queen to my parents who are transplants from the city who now live in Toronto. I was so excited to take them to the place where I'd had the best pastrami sandwich; a delicacy that they've been craving for years.

We walked in 30 minutes before closing and had been made to understand that we were the kitchen's last order. Knowing that we'd likely scarf down our sandwiches, we agreed and ordered pastrami and tongue, fried (square) potato knishes, garlic fries, pickles, coleslaw, Dr. Brown's Cream and Black Cherry Soda.

The food was delicious. However, with 10 minutes to spare before the 9pm closing time, and in mid-bite of our half-eaten order, we were asked to leave, so that the store could shut down for the night. Shocked at this abrupt and, for us, unprecedented interruption of a $115 check (before tip), we laughed in surprise and were met with attitude from the server with a comment, "don't look at me this way. I told you this would happen and that the dining room would close at 9pm." But it was 8:50pm.

Either way, we packed up after having been forced and shamed, and cabbed all the way back down to Union Square from where we traveled to warm up our food and finish eating our cold, half-eaten, and soggy meal in my apartment. What a lovely ending to my parents' trip – all on a Saturday night in the city that never sleeps!

(Needless to say, my father says that, at best, the pastrami was a four...