After much investigation, I have found that none of the Deli's in
the Shadyside/Squirrel Hill area offer a completely satisfying selection
of Deli fare. The following list outlines some of the better selections
at each Deli:
It should be stated outright that decent Deli is ALWAYS
expensive. If you want a cheap sandwich go to Subway and watch while
they make your order !!
1.) Katz 'n Kids : By far the best sandwiches. The Roast
Turkey is excellant and the corned beef is not stringy. They also know
the proper way to cut the meat so that you don't pull out hunks of
dripping flesh from your sandwich and onto your shirt. Condiments are
added at your request and are not implied with the order ( this is good,
by the way ). White bread and mayonaise are special orders. Good
selection of Deli comfort foods such as Knish, Kasha and Bowtie's and
other such yummies.
Katz 'n Kids also has good Deli breakfast. The corned beef
hash is the real thing. The meat is from case, not a can, and the
potatos are fresh and pan fried, not frozen.
Katz'n Kids Weakness's: Pickles are not so good - a little
soggy. Potato Knish is ok but a bit to much flour. The staff is short on
love and affection. Actually the tall, dark haired waitress is excellant
- even remembers your orders from previous vists.
2.) That new Deli in Shadyside: Nueva Deli - funny names even!!
Actually the sandwiches are fair but no match for Katz n' Kids. I had
the bagel and lox and the bagel was not a bagel!! It was some kind of
bagel looking roll thing and it was horrible!! Even stale maybe!! WHAT
IS WRONG WITH REAL BAGELS. And the lox/salmon was that yucky, packaged,
no taste, dyed a strange color, Vita brand. All in all a bad sandwich.
My friend had the Reuben and they cut the meat wrong and the whole thing
deconstructed onto his plate. Could we have a fork please? The worst sin
is that they don't offer chicken liver and turkey with coleslaw and
russian dressing on rye as a featured sandwich. This sandwich is a
common classic that should have a home in all Deli's.
There are four things about this Deli that completely make
up for their sandwich shortcomings: 1.) They have the most incredible,
delectable and perfect pickels. These are better than the real thing.
They are plump and crisp and have just the right amount of garlic. You
could make a meal of these pickles. In fact, after a few bites of my
bagel/lox disaster, I did. I really can't enthuse enough over these
pickled wonders. I hope they don't change the pickels!! 2.) The potato
Knish is excellant. Flakey and yummy and a good size ( as opposed to the
leaden loaf at Katz 'n' Kids) 3.) The beer - the selection of beer made
by american small brewers is decent. This beer selection is really
reason alone to visit this place if you live in the area. Why there is
no beer distributor more central to Shadyside/Squirell Hill is a mystery
to me. And those that are on the periphery are just so boring - do you
want your Bud in can or bottle? As an aside, one of the best beer menu's
in the city(better than Choido's) is at the Sharp Edge in East Liberty.
4.) The wait staff is like the cast from Up With People!! They are so
friendly that it is almost embarassing. I think that if you asked them
to sing while they worked, they would.
3.) Rhoda's: They are the only Deli I have found that offers Kishka.
Deli fare here is decent and somewhat authentic. A notch or two below
Katz 'n' Kids but ok. Actually, the dining room has a decent sized menu
and you can go there on a sad, rainy day and order Kiska and gravy and
some roast chicken and have a nice, quiet time of it.Pittsburgh, PA