Anyone who has moved here from the northeast longs for the Italian deli serving a Vito-styled sandwich with homemade mozzarella, salami and ham, and spritzed with oil, vinegar and Italian herbs. Or a Sloppy Joe sandwich with ham, Swiss and cole slaw, and oozing with Russian dressing on rye.
So what’s popular here? Chicken sandwiches, including a Chicken Philly. And Reubens have become the most popular deli sandwiches in Charlotte. What’s on a savory Reuben? Piles of corned beef, pastrami or turkey, melted Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut.
But even if you lived in Jersey, you would still drive the distance for a Reuben done just so. Here in Charlotte, you can just drive to the Arboretum Office Park (across Providence from the Arbo) to Lee Katz’s deli Katz New York. Katz makes his own corned beef – and the term “corned” has nothing to do with corn. Those funny Brits from the Middle Ages called salt pellets “corn,” and the original corned beef was made so butchers, without benefit of refrigeration, could store meat over the weekend.
Katz is known for their Reubens. “We pile them high with meat and cheese and serve them open face. First timers see them and almost always order them,” Lee Katz reports. Also popular are his Cheesesteaks. “We use our own briskets, which we cook here and sautee with onions.”
Katz New York, 8045 Providence Road (in the Arboretum Office Park). 704-543-4666.
One of the oldest delis in town is Phil’s. Denise Levine, wife of Phil, noted that they have been open 23 years. Originally, they were located on the back side of Cotswold Village Shoppes and only had a few eat-in tables. Today, their most popular sandwiches are the Reuben – though this one is made with turkey – and a grilled Chicken Philly with provolone cheese. What’s changed in 23 years? “People used to eat a lot of red meat,” states Denise. “Now we do a lot of chicken sandwiches. I cook 20 pounds of chicken each day to make chicken salad. That has to be one of our most popular sandwiches. That and the homemade tuna.” Phil’s also cooks burgers which are ground fresh at the neighboring Fresh Market. Recently, the deli has extended its hours until 8pm Tuesday through Friday.Phil’s Deli, 4223 Providence Road, in Strawberry Hill Shopping Center. 704-366-8811.
The most popular deli items at Hartigan’s are the Chicken Philly, here made with green peppers and onions and served on a hoagie roll, and their triple decker turkey club with bacon and Swiss or American on white. Another popular sandwich is their housemade chicken salad.Hartigan’s Irish Pub, 601 South Cedar Street. 704-347-1841.
The German deli in town is The Chef’s Market in Matthews. They serve Ehmer’s meats from New York and breads from Canada and Germany. Their chicken salad is the best in town, and you have a selection of breads including a densely flavored German rye. This shop first opened as a German import store in 1980 and became a deli soon thereafter in two SouthPark locations before moving to Matthews five years ago. Wherever they move, though, the trip there is always rewarded.Chef’s Market and Chef’s Catering, 1730 Matthews Township Parkway, Matthews. 704-321-2121.
This article appears in Dec 8-14, 2004.
