Will Jewish Delis Survive?

Proof

America's Test Kitchen

Society & Culture, Food, Arts

4.4 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 11 November 2021

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jewish delis are a staple of many American cities and neighborhoods. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the restaurant industry, Jewish delis were already on the decline. In 1931, there were an estimated 2,000 delis in the Big Apple. Today--almost a century later--there’s fewer than a few dozen. So what accounts of this deli decline? Reporter Rebecca Rosman samples delis across the United States in search for answers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Today on Proof, we are talking about delis.
0:06.8	Mott's of all soup, kosher dill pickles, pastrami on rye, we all know and love the American
0:12.7	Jewish deli classics.
0:15.1	Every week, cats' deli on the lower east side of Manhattan sells more than 15,000 pounds
0:20.9	of pastrami.
0:21.9	Yes, that's seven and a half tons of pastrami.
0:27.1	But despite cats' continued success, the fact is Jewish delis are a dying breed in America.
0:34.0	Take New York City.
0:35.5	In 1931, there were an estimated 2,000 delis in the Big Apple.
0:40.4	Today, almost a century later, there's less than a few dozen.
0:45.2	Even the big guys, including Carnegie deli in Times Square and Sammy's Romanian steakhouse,
0:50.4	have closed in the last few years.
0:53.5	For reporter Rebecca Rospin, the death of the deli is especially personal and she joins
0:58.6	us right now.
0:59.6	Hey, Rebecca.
1:00.6	Hello.
1:01.6	So, this is really a personal issue for you.
1:05.2	Yes.
1:06.2	So, I know New York City is the deli capital and maybe LA is a close second, but I'm from
1:11.1	Chicago and I know you are two, Kevin.
1:13.2	Yep, I live right by Coffman's in Skokie, I go there once a week.
1:17.1	So I wanted to take this episode to our hometown, to the delis I grew up eating at, along
	...

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