Meyer’s Deli Makes “Authentic” Claim
By Tom Maicon at May 19, 2010 | 11:46 am | Print
If I had it in me to open a deli in Atlanta, you couldn’t pay me to use the term “New York” anywhere near the restaurant’s name or marketing material — and, I certainly wouldn’t be bold enough to use the word “authentic.”
Pastrami on rye is serious business for most hard-edged New Yorkers.
To live up to the claim “Authentic NY deli” here in the south, one would have to pile 4 pounds of corned beef stoutly between two thin sheets of rye — to fill those whiny New Yorkers’ voice holes just enough so they can’t eek out the word “skimpy,” though they’d probably choke trying.
Meyer’s Deli (12890 Highway 9 Suite 160, Alpharetta, 770.663.0831) not only claims to be a NY deli, but they also boldly add the word “authentic” into the mix. So let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Yes, portions are just a little “skimpy” compared to delis in New York. There, I said it.
But after two visits, I’ve come to the conclusion that I like Meyer’s Deli anyway. Mainly for their corned beef and pastrami, both of which are cured and smoked on premises. The photo above is of a regular rueben ($8.95). They do offer an “extra meat” option that will set you back an extra $3.
Below is a regular corned beef on rye ($8.95), extra meat will run you $3 more.
Now the latkas arrive a solid NY-size portion. Perfectly crispy on the outside with rich creamy center, even the bitchiest New Yorker would concede.
So caught up in nostalgia, I forgot to shoot a pic of the stuffed cabbage appetizer ($4.25), a soul-soothing comfort dish my grandmother prepared for us when I was child. The version here is a little sweeter than the one I grew up eating, but every bit as good. It’s also stuffed with rice as well as ground beef.
Small house-made black and white cookies ($1), though on the small side, are cakey, dense and delicious.
If I lived or worked in the area, I’d put Meyer’s Deli in my regular lunch rotation.
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 7am – 3pm
Sat: 8am – 3pm
Cliff Hanger, 1 year ago
Hey Bubba, any word on the Indian place next door, that among other things, serves pizza?
pizza_guru, 1 year ago
The food looks ffantastic! I can’t wait to try this place.
Art, 1 year ago
reminds me of Wolfies in Miami, only better!
Big Al, 1 year ago
I wish I lived in Atlanta so I too could go to Meyers Deli (love the name) everyday.
pizza_guru, 1 year ago
Awesome! The best corned beef and pastrami in Atlanta.
Rick Solis, 1 year ago
Excellent food, great personal service from Howie and Alyse!
John Miller, 1 year ago
Meyer’s Deli rocks!!!! No one in the history of Atlanta has been able to drag the rich deli flavors from the burroughs of NYC until now. We love you guys!!!
Thanks Howie and Alyse.
Sam Herman’s friend -John
Tom Maicon, 1 year ago
I agree with John, they do some NY things really well and as good as I’ve ever tasted here in the ATL. The one thing that bothers me most is all the Boar’s Head stuff.
The things they do in-house are great, like the pastrami and corned beef.
sirfirchick, 1 year ago
ART! Wolfies in Miami… the memories… I will have to try this place. I’m bringing mom, so beware!
Tom Maicon, 1 year ago
Cliff Hanger, I did try the Indian pizza
http://www.atlantacuisine.com/2010/07/living-edibles-fiery-indian-pizza-and-vietnamese-noodle-soup/
RoB, 1 year ago
I agree with you about authenticity and portions but if you go to the Stage and Carnegie Deli websites you’ll see one sandwich is around 22.00 plus a 3 dollar sharing charge and I would be sick if I ingested that much pastrami so I think the extra meat option is more reasonable.
Yum…I love Wolfies in Miami. The place is old school with nice and cranky old beehive haired waitresses.
Tom Maicon, 1 year ago
I know Rob, I just like to pick on those bitchy NYers that will argue “skimpy” portions to no end. I personally like to taste the bread when eating a sandwich.
John, 1 year ago
The all time best NY delis are kosher delis. Kosher meats are the best. Are the meats at Meyers Deli kosher?
Steve, 1 year ago
Yes the meats at Meyer’s Deli are Kosher
Bob, 1 year ago
While visiting my daughter in Alpharetta, she took me to try Meyer’s and get my opinion. as soon as I saw they had knishes, I just had to get one. Very similar to what I have in Katz’s in Manhattan. The mustard has horseradish mixed in and is delicious.
Next were the hot dogs that were served on a steak sandwich roll rather than the traditional hot dog bun. I had these two puppies with jack cheese and caramelized onions and the rolls were lightly toasted. Once again, the mustard.
I purchased several pounds of their corned beef and pastrami to take with me along with their own potato salad and tongue. Now the tongue is not theirs. They get it from Boar’s Head which is not all that bad.
I know they could import real NY deli meats from NYC but the price would be through the roof, so. for the time being, Boar’s Head will do.
Did I mention the cheesecake?!?!? Get it, you won’t be sorry.
Now all they have to do is serve up a mile high corned beef or pastrami sandwich like the kind you can get in The Carnegie Deli, or Katz’s or Harold’s. Mmmmmmm!!!
A little bit of NYC down in Georgia…it works for me.
I’ll be back.