DISH OF THE WEEK: Pop’s Pastrami at HARRY & IDA’S MEAT AND SUPPLY CO.

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

SADLY, HARRY & IDA’S MEAT AND SUPPLY CO. IS NOW CLOSED.

Every once in a while a food purveyor comes along that I get so excited about that I end up dedicated multiple posts on this blog to them. It happened with Mile End a few years ago, it happens all the time with Chikalicious Dessert Bar, and it’s about to happen with Harry & Ida’s Meat and Supply Co.

I came to this brand new general store because I had heard raves about the meat sandwiches. The chef, Will Horowitz, is also the owner of nearby Ducks Eatery and meat seems to be a specialty of his. While the menu is loaded with some exciting sounding sandwiches (like smoked eel and blue fish salad), I was specifically here to try the pastrami. In fact, look for a more in depth review of the pastrami coming soon.

It’s crazy because I’m going to write about it on this page too, but the pastrami sandwich, which strays a bit from a traditional Jewish deli iteration, is so good that I have to devote two blog posts to it.

The meat itself is a work of art, as thick and tender as anything from the like of Katz’s. Each bite contains smoke, pepper, and meaty goodness. The brilliant combination of pickled cucumbers, tangy mustard, and fresh dill separates the sandwich from its competitors. And the fact that it’s all served on a soft, pillowy French roll, makes you forget there ever was a thing such as rye.

I don’t work for Harry & Ida’s, of course, I just immediately fell for their incredible sandwich. And that’s the reason why you’ll be hearing about them again and again from me. Brace yourselves…