The Lower East Side

The New York City’s lower east side is a changing place. 100 years ago it was an over crowded immigrant Jewish community. It was packed with tenements and the number of people living there was three times more than it is today. Today the lower east side is undergoing a “rapid transformation, “ according to the Bowery Boys. It is full of luxury apartments and luscious clothing stores and overpriced markets, but there is one old school Jewish cultural aspect that has persevered and remained in the ever-changing lower east side: delicatessens. The Bowery Boys did a great podcast on the history of one of the most famous delis that has survived, Katz delicatessen. Katz serves pastrami, salami, chili dogs, brisket, and so many other traditional deli foods. When Katz first opened it was one of 60 kosher delicatessens in the area. In 1942 they did something that differentiated themselves from the other kosher delis. All three of the Katz boys had been drafted and were fighting overseas so their dad, and the owner of Katz, started a program with the slogan, “Send Salami To A Boy In The army!” And the store did just that. People could come and buy salami, which was then sent to the soldiers. In 1988 when times were changing and delis were becoming only a small part of the lower east side, the Katz family sold there deli. The new owners made it more tourists friendly. It is no longer a kosher deli, but it still is in the original location and serves the same menu. Most importantly, you can still order salami to be sent to your boy or girl in the army.

Hanna Merrill