Carnegie Deli

[Steve]

A Dream of Pastrami. Vegas gets New York's finest. By Thom Wise/Las Vegas Magazine “This is insane!” That’s what one, very content, customer explained when she had her Reuben sandwich set in front of her at the Carnegie Deli. Indeed, there’s a certain insanity to the joy of diving into a mountain of food. And even more so when you find out that this is a “real deal” deli—straight from New York City, as authentic as it comes. The corned beef and pastrami are flown in directly, as are the knishes, salami and the cheesecake-that-has-to-be-eaten-to-be-believed. (It must have something to do with the water back there, because nothing tastes the same as corned beef or pastrami from back east.) The restaurant look is a close approximation of the venerable, original Carnegie on Seventh Avenue and 55th Street, with black-and-white-tile floor and tables that can slammed together to quickly accommodate a party of four, six or eight. The main difference might be only that the staff in New York is renowned for their brusqueness, whereas the folks who work here in Las Vegas are way more chipper and full of western hospitality. The word delicatessen derives from the German word for delicacies—as in tasty morsels and plenty of delights. Any meal becomes a palate-pleaser at Carnegie and, for the price, there aren’t many comparables. Bear in mind that most of the entrées are somewhere between elephantine and ginormous ... easily enough for at least a snack later, if not another meal. The full menu includes breakfast (served all day), lunch and dinner options, so you really can’t go wrong any time you go. The challah French toast, for example, arrives with three Texas-toast-thick slices of delicious egg bread and a pitcher of maple syrup. Other options include fantastic cheese blintzes, hearty latkes (potato pancakes with choice of applesauce or sour cream) or a real N.Y.-style bacon-and-egg sandwich. The spotlight shines bright on the sandwich board, which includes pastrami, corned beef and brisket, along with more acquired tastes such as chopped liver and beef tongue. (Yes, Virginia, people eat tongue.) There are also “gargantuan combos”—and they mean it—such as “Nova on Sunday” (salmon and sturgeon with cream cheese) and the “Carnegie Haul,” with pastrami, tongue and salami. (Whatever you do, don’t order your pastrami with mayo. Russian dressing, OK, but no mayo, OK!?) Entrées include a roast half chicken atop a bed of homemade stuffing; chicken in a pot, which is a big bowl of chicken soup with matzo ball, noodles and vegetables; or the “Nosh Nosh Nanette,” an Everest of turkey and gravy with cranberry sauce on the side. Whatever you do: Leave room for at least one slice of cheesecake. You’ll love it ... trust me, said the Yiddish mama. (And if there’re any leftovers, box ’em up and ship ’em to me!) Carnegie Deli Where: Mirage When: Open 7 a.m. - 2 a.m. daily Info: (702) 791-7111 http://www.lvshowbiz.com/feature3.html

[misterKeno]

Really bad cheesecake here. No denying it. It's as dry as sawdust (IMHO). Otherwise, the sandwiches are giant -- the staff is pretty upbeat & friendly. mK

[Dee]

Would like to post a little warning here; these sandwiches are behemoths, no exageration, if you have dinner reservations that you are really looking forward to this is not the place to have lunch, unless it is a really early lunch and you are planning a late dinner

[arm53]

I can hardly wait to go. The sandwich sounds great! The hell with the cheesecake.

[Dee]

I did see a slab of the cheesecake go by, it was huge. I am sure whoever was getting said cheesecake did not clean their plate I got to tell you I was so stuffed after leaving there I hit 3 orange 7's on the Lucky Wheel (250.00)and couldn't even get excited about it

[King of Kurtopia]

Originally Posted by Dee I did see a slab of the cheesecake go by, it was huge. I am sure whoever was getting said cheesecake did not clean their plate I got to tell you I was so stuffed after leaving there I hit 3 orange 7's on the Lucky Wheel (250.00)and couldn't even get excited about it We learned after our first dine there. We now get one sandwich to go and share it. That way we save the extra plate charge. If you aren't staying close enough to take it to your room, then here's a tip. Get your meal to go. Then start walking all the way past the hotel check-in. You'll find a small coffee stand with seating. It's never crowded. In the summertime when the weather's fine, there's an outdoor patio area at the same coffee stand. I even asked once if it was ok to eat there since we bought somewhere else. The lady said sure, it's a public place! Kurt

[misterKeno]

Nice story - Dee. Like hearing those !!!!

[the dodger]

I never visit Vegas without making at least one visit to the carnagie deli. It has the best pastrami in the world outside of the big apple. It's the real deal instead of that reduced fat dried out crap alot of places are serving now. Pastrami is supposed to taste good. If you want low fat, order a piece of lettuce on wheat bread