More than just “Jewish Penicillin”…
Last week, I was lucky enough to team up with food writer extraordinaire Joe DiStefano of Edible Queens to bring you this intimate story about the beauty of tradition in food…classic Jewish delicatessen food. He hand-picked this deli for me because it has quite a reputation – and not just in Queens. Some say, they produce the best pastrami sandwich around…better than Katz (my fave)! So, I agreed to dig a little deeper with my video camera and see for myself what greatness not only looks like, but tastes like.
Meet Jay Parker, owner of Ben’s Best Delicatessen, a 3rd generation deli owner in Rego Park, Queens – and one of the last remaining Kosher delis in New York City. Jay took over the family business from his father, Ben, over 30 years ago knowing that the key to success and longevity was leaving his 100+ year old family recipes unchanged.
Enjoy this feel-good peek into the life of a passionate deli operator. The food looks so good, you can almost taste the hot pastrami and corned beef being shaved off the meat slicer… And for a taste of Jay’s family recipes, you can visit: http://www.bensbest.com. He airships across the country, but believe me, his cured “overstuffed” sandwich meats and homemade dishes are best eaten right in the deli.
Take Jay’s advice and don’t leave without trying some traditional, non-sandwich faves too: The Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls, Chopped Liver, Kosher Hot Dog w/Sauerkraut, Chicken Fricassee, Beef Borscht and Stuffed Cabbage.
Thanks for watching food. curated. Happy eating!
Loved Jay’s first day on the job story!!
Glad to know I wasn’t the only one with nightmares after his first day
Loved Jay’s first day on the job story!!
Glad to know I wasn’t the only one with nightmares after his first day
Incredible video! I used to work out there in Rego Park. I used to go to Ben’s once a week. Great to see that goulash again. Yum!
Just got an email from Jay’s wife! She said… ” Just wanted to thank you for a job well done.The video is perfect!” I was so happy to hear it!
Incredible video! I used to work out there in Rego Park. I used to go to Ben’s once a week. Great to see that goulash again. Yum!
Just got an email from Jay’s wife! She said… ” Just wanted to thank you for a job well done.The video is perfect!” I was so happy to hear it!
I love this stuff. Nice.
Thanks Tom!!
I love this stuff. Nice.
Thanks Tom!!
Ugh, I must hate myself because I always watch your videos during lunch time. I want a giant pile of pastrami right now.
Ugh, I must hate myself because I always watch your videos during lunch time. I want a giant pile of pastrami right now.
Great video! Now we’re hungry. I love it when you really know the people that make your food. Plus that is an incredible looking sandwich!
Great job!
I think when I edit these videos I personally do try to make YOU hungry Glad to see it worked! Thanks for watching Adam & Wendy
Great video! Now we’re hungry. I love it when you really know the people that make your food. Plus that is an incredible looking sandwich!
Great job!
I think when I edit these videos I personally do try to make YOU hungry Glad to see it worked! Thanks for watching Adam & Wendy
OH LIZA, MY OLD TIME FAVORITE SANDWICH! MISS IT! SURE CANNOT GET ANYTHING LIKE THAT HERE! ANOTHER GREAT ONE LIZA!
I will take you there when you come to NYC
OH LIZA, MY OLD TIME FAVORITE SANDWICH! MISS IT! SURE CANNOT GET ANYTHING LIKE THAT HERE! ANOTHER GREAT ONE LIZA!
I will take you there when you come to NYC
I have been going to Ben’s ever since I was a kid. My grandmother loved the place and so do I. I can remember Jay and his father there. When I feel like a corned beef or pistrami on rye, I know I am going to get the best sandwich around. Keep up the good work Jay. From one of your customers for almost 40 years………
So lovely to hear honest words from a long time customer. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be sure to make sure Jay reads this!
I have been going to Ben’s ever since I was a kid. My grandmother loved the place and so do I. I can remember Jay and his father there. When I feel like a corned beef or pistrami on rye, I know I am going to get the best sandwich around. Keep up the good work Jay. From one of your customers for almost 40 years………
So lovely to hear honest words from a long time customer. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be sure to make sure Jay reads this!
Hi Liza – It was nice meeting you at Techmunch last week. Your blog is wonderful. What a talented videographer (is that the right word?) you are. Beautifully crafted films. brava.
Yes! A real pleasure to meet you at TECHmunch too! Thanks for actually stopping by and checking out my stories. I hope to take you into more worlds and fun places. Hope to hang out soon. Give me a shout anytime!
Hi Liza – It was nice meeting you at Techmunch last week. Your blog is wonderful. What a talented videographer (is that the right word?) you are. Beautifully crafted films. brava.
Yes! A real pleasure to meet you at TECHmunch too! Thanks for actually stopping by and checking out my stories. I hope to take you into more worlds and fun places. Hope to hang out soon. Give me a shout anytime!
Hi Liza! I am not sure that I’ve ever commented on your site, but I have tweeted you a couple of times (@ksiddiqi92)- I have to say- every video that I have seen of your’s is absolutely spectacular! I especially love when they are of places that I go to regularly, like Ben’s, for example. There are only two kosher delicatessens that I go to in NY- Katz’ and Ben’s and I absolutely love them both. Just wanted to say that I’m a big fan of your work.
Hello Kamran! So nice to hear from a fan. Thanks so much for supporting my work and my stories. I really love hearing what people like seeing or want to see more of. And, yes, Ben was such a great character to profile. I felt honored to tell his story. Do you work in food?
Hi Liza! I am not sure that I’ve ever commented on your site, but I have tweeted you a couple of times (@ksiddiqi92)- I have to say- every video that I have seen of your’s is absolutely spectacular! I especially love when they are of places that I go to regularly, like Ben’s, for example. There are only two kosher delicatessens that I go to in NY- Katz’ and Ben’s and I absolutely love them both. Just wanted to say that I’m a big fan of your work.
Hello Kamran! So nice to hear from a fan. Thanks so much for supporting my work and my stories. I really love hearing what people like seeing or want to see more of. And, yes, Ben was such a great character to profile. I felt honored to tell his story. Do you work in food?
WOW! I discovered this website via the brooklyngrangefarm.com link.
I enjoyed the Pastrami video and hope one day to visit Ben’s Best.
I am 54 years old; thin built (all my life) so I will have No Problem devouring all the Colorful mouth-watering foods I saw – – without fear of weight gain. YUM!
Thanks for presenting.
RG
Never live in fear of gaining weight Rubin. That is the secret to life Glad you stopped by!
WOW! I discovered this website via the brooklyngrangefarm.com link.
I enjoyed the Pastrami video and hope one day to visit Ben’s Best.
I am 54 years old; thin built (all my life) so I will have No Problem devouring all the Colorful mouth-watering foods I saw – – without fear of weight gain. YUM!
Thanks for presenting.
RG
Never live in fear of gaining weight Rubin. That is the secret to life Glad you stopped by!
I have been eating there since the mid fifties with my dad and the food like Jay said has not changed one bit. The other Delis around are kid stuff compared to this. “THE REAL DEAL” If it ever closed it would be like closing a landmark. Keep up the great work Jay.
Hi Marty! It really felt like a landmark/local treasure being in there. So glad to spend time with Ben and hear about how good recipes get passed down for generations. What do you eat when you go there? I want to know if I’m missing out on anything I haven’t tried yet!
I have been eating there since the mid fifties with my dad and the food like Jay said has not changed one bit. The other Delis around are kid stuff compared to this. “THE REAL DEAL” If it ever closed it would be like closing a landmark. Keep up the great work Jay.
Hi Marty! It really felt like a landmark/local treasure being in there. So glad to spend time with Ben and hear about how good recipes get passed down for generations. What do you eat when you go there? I want to know if I’m missing out on anything I haven’t tried yet!
Hi there liza,
In answer to what to try at Bens first off I have been raised on Jewish Deli way back starting the early fifties when a Jewish Deli was a common place and I have tried them all form the original Pastrami King on south second street in Williamsburg to the latest so called Jewish delis in Manhattan and if you want the best Corned Beef that melts in your mouth like cotton candy and has the flavor like no other Bens cant be beat. Also make note Bens on queens blvd in Rego Park is the original and one and only and no other Bens even comes close. The cole slaw which I am sure you tasted speaks for it self and besides the home made french fries you have to try the sweet potatoe fries. I can go on and on but if I do I will stir up my appetite and i am on a slight diet so that would not be a good thing. As I sign off it would be a sin not to mention the Kreplach soup which can be a meal in it self. Ans as you can see I am haveing a problem signing off dont forget the hot open brisket sandwich which will speak for it self.
Hi there liza,
In answer to what to try at Bens first off I have been raised on Jewish Deli way back starting the early fifties when a Jewish Deli was a common place and I have tried them all form the original Pastrami King on south second street in Williamsburg to the latest so called Jewish delis in Manhattan and if you want the best Corned Beef that melts in your mouth like cotton candy and has the flavor like no other Bens cant be beat. Also make note Bens on queens blvd in Rego Park is the original and one and only and no other Bens even comes close. The cole slaw which I am sure you tasted speaks for it self and besides the home made french fries you have to try the sweet potatoe fries. I can go on and on but if I do I will stir up my appetite and i am on a slight diet so that would not be a good thing. As I sign off it would be a sin not to mention the Kreplach soup which can be a meal in it self. Ans as you can see I am haveing a problem signing off dont forget the hot open brisket sandwich which will speak for it self.
Thank you, very interesting. I was born in Russia in 1974 but my parents fled and came here in the UK. Truthfully, I didnt really care much about my russian heritage until my mother died last month, now I’ve been trying to find out as much as I can. Seemed like food was as good a place as any to start ! You dont generally hear much about russian cuisine do you? Anyway, I found a a good russian recipe site here that your readers might be interested in too.
Thank you, very interesting. I was born in Russia in 1974 but my parents fled and came here in the UK. Truthfully, I didnt really care much about my russian heritage until my mother died last month, now I’ve been trying to find out as much as I can. Seemed like food was as good a place as any to start ! You dont generally hear much about russian cuisine do you? Anyway, I found a a good russian recipe site here that your readers might be interested in too.