After our quick bite post-Vinitaly, Beer Boor mentioned this place nearby that he described as “old school and very good” – so of course I wanted to go there. Plus I’d been standing and drinking wine for about 4 hours at this point and I REALLY wanted to sit down, and he seemed to still be hungry. Beer Boor used to visit Eisenberg’s “when [he] worked at Yahoo” – a phrase you hear a lot when you hang with Beer Boor as much as I did – since the office was only a few avenues away.
After browsing the menu, Beer Boor settled on the two-meats sandwich. Brisket and pastrami, both pretty tasty (I swiped some meat to taste, of course) – maybe neither are made in-house, but tasty enough. I was pretty jealous of his steaming hot sandwich, especially because…
I’d gotten excited when he mentioned they had Polish food of sorts here, and decided I wanted borscht. My throat was still hurting me, and I wanted soup. Beer Boor made an offhand comment about cold soup and I laughed at him; borscht totally comes hot. Sometimes. This was not one of those times, and damn I hate it when he’s right. This arrived and looked quite sad, even sadder with the sour cream – the server had asked me if I wanted sour cream and I’d said yes, of course – not realizing I would get cold soup. (I have very few issues with cold soup, though I rarely order it – but I really wanted hot soup.)
It was pretty unappetizing to look at, and I actually couldn’t finish it because it was cold and rainy outside and I was just… not interested. The flavor was good though – all beets, which I love – and there were tiny chopped up pieces of beets in the borscht – just… that day was not a good day to be surprised with cold soup. Hahaha. I’m a big silly head. 🙂
Yvo says: I loved the old school feel of the place, and that sandwich was eaten rather quickly so I’d hazard it was good as he remembered. I will definitely go back for something more in line with that than what I got… I think I just ordered poorly, combined with not being terribly hungry, my throat hurting, I just really chose poorly. I will get a pastrami sandwich next time… yummm.
recommended for sandwiches and the like
kimberly says
I’ve meant to visit this institution for awhile, but haven’t gotten around to it. I love rye bread and that’s so synonymous to diner food. Love it.
Sorry about the borscht. I felt in love with this Polish soup when I travelled in Poland awhile back. Veselka offers really good borscht though. For next time. 🙂
Feisty Foodie says
And the borscht at Veselka is served HOT!!!
http://feistyfoodie.com/2009/04/01/veselka/
😛
Hahahahhaha 🙂
TT says
Bourdain profiled this place on his “Disappearing NY” episode on No Reservations. nice to see it is still surviving. will have to try it eventually.
Feisty Foodie says
I would definitely be game to go back, but I note that while the sandwich(es) looked good, they didn’t look any better than a regular diner, and really I would put money on Ben’s Best being better – but that may be an unfair comparison. Was there a unique dish that Bourdain pointed out was here that we should try?
BeerBoor says
Eisenberg’s is in Manhattan, though, in an area not exactly overrun with good delis. Ben’s is better, meats-wise, there’s no doubt; but I think it’s a bit more expensive, too.
Also, :P.
TT says
i think the tuna melt
MugHead says
You were actually right in my neck of the woods! Personally I find Eisenberg’s to be a very steady joint. I don’t think it holds up to Katz’s or 2nd Avenue Deli but still enjoy every experience I have there. It does amaze me though how often A and B list stars are spotted there. I saw John Slattery myself there not to long ago.
Hungry says
I’ve been wanting to go here after trying their liver mousse at a food event.
Feisty Foodie says
We should definitely go!
Goats says
I’ve never understood people’s love of Eisenbergs. I’ve been several times. It’s very meh to me. It is charming old school, but not that tasty….
T.C. says
Never been before. Not eaten borscht before either.
Sandwich it is.
Goats says
borscht is punishment food! Borscht and gulash! Bad Goats! BAd goats!
Feisty Foodie says
Hahahah! I just had borscht (HOT) again today. I love it! My dad used to make it when I was a kid, without any beets. I later learned that he made “Hong Kong style borscht” – ie, the HK interpretation of borscht, which was more like a beef vegetable soup, pretty good though 🙂