Carnegie Deli Reopens After 10 Years; The Wait Was Worth It!
Famed eatery opens in former rival’s location on Seventh Ave.
| 17 Sep 2026 | 12:31
Here, Regen, from far-off New Zealand contemplates his Reuben sandwich ($31) before digging in. Alas the visitor from 9,000 miles away ate the top half, and dispatched the bottom away from the table. (
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The Carnegie Deli reopened on Seventh Avenue on September 15, 2026, 10 years after it had closed. The Wall of Fame indoors is the same, but the location isn’t; it’s new address, 834 Seventh Avenue, was the former home of rival competitor Stage Deli, now gone. (
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This is just one of the pages of the new Carnegie Deli Menu, looking similar to the old one. The Gargantuan Combos will feed at least three people, and that’s not a joke. There’s lots more to order on the other pages, from omelettes to cheese cake. (
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Visitor Barbara, visiting with her husband on a two day visit from Connecticut displays her slice of strawberry shortcake, which is $16 a slice. After the taking of a small bite of one later, one could say it is just simply Deli Nirvana. (
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Here it is, the prize of the old pastrami war between the former Stage Deli, and the reopened Carnegie Deli in that old space. Either share this with another companion, or be prepared to take half home. The firm bread is tasty and doesn’t break from the weight of the hot meat. (
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It was the Midtown West convention of smiles on September 15 when the Carnegie Deli reopened after a 10-year hiatus. The move was one block down Seventh Avenue to what had been the home of the rival Stage Deli from 1937 to 2012, a constant rival in the so-called “Pastrami Wars.” Carnegie’s reopening at the new location makes them the apparent winner of that battle.
Those who arrived for the grand opening at the new location were an enthusiastic lot, who stood in line to get in for lunch, smiling, and anticipating what would come next. At the new location, as a remembrance of things past, celebrity pictures from the old location were there for all to see, and for those old enough to remember. Many old menu favorites are available, along with the named sandwiches, i.e. a huge mix of pastrami and corned beef, inspired by the 1984 Woody Allen film of the same name. Sandwiches, appetizing, omelettes and so much more will boggle the mind — fortunately, the waitstaff is patient.
Straus News Manhattan Sat down with Meir and Barbara from Connecticut. They split a regular pastrami sandwich ($29) and couldn’t even finish it. Long term patrons of the old Carnegie location on their journeys to NYC, Barbara noted the Wall of Fame of celebrity pictures made it seem like the old days and said the sandwiches now seemed larger, the chicken soup really good, and service had been great. The couple was on a whirlwind two day to NYC, seeing two plays, contemplating an afternoon visit to the Frick Museum and happy to be at the deli on opening day.
This reporter sat down and sampled the pastrami on rye, with a side of cole slaw. Both were tasty, the firm rye bread didn’t crumple immediately, and the cole slaw was more firm cabbage and less mayonnaise, refreshing in these times of the massed-produced version in most places. The pastrami was cut nicely, seasoned well, and certainly a good amount on the delicious rye.
The line for hungry customer’s admission to the 110-seat restaurant started at 11 a.m. and by the time 1:40 p.m. came, the lunch rush was over, but customer expectations were still being exceeded. There was delight on each face as each sandwich plate on white dishes bearing Carnegie Deli on the top and since 1937 on the bottom was brought to each table.
Carnegie Deli CEO Sarri Parker, granddaughter of Milton Parker, the former owner at the old location, had her birthday at the new Carnegie opening on September 15, with a large, tiered strawberry shortcake as she fielded inquiries from the media; her exuberance exceeded most customers. Straus News asked about her choices for the perfect lunch at the deli.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she replied “ Pastrami, matzoh ball soup and strawberry cheese cake!”
Also asked about the layout of the former Stage Deli, now Carnegie Deli, boxy shaped, versus the old Carnegie Deli up the avenue, which was more of long rectangle, Parker noted that the new shape made for a better flow for patrons, staff and the delivery of food.
Customers didn’t come from only the city and surrounding areas. Another couple, Regen and Chrystal, were on holiday from New Zealand, devoid of their four children. They were spending a few days in New York City after a visit to Boston. Regen immediately ordered a Dr. Brown’s like a local, noting their New York smarts.
I asked them both why they were having lunch at Carnegie. Husband Regen answered; “We saw about the opening in the news, and decided to come.” He ordered the open-faced Rueben sandwich, and his wife ordered a chicken salad sandwich. Neither could finish their meal, the waiter took the sandwich remains away, as they did for many other patrons. People just weren’t prepared for the sizes of their portions, with a few taking the uneaten portions home with them.
As this reporter was about to head home after the two and half hour visit, one patron described the experience best: “Everything old is new again!”
The Carnegie Deli is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, located at 834 Seventh Avenue, near 54th Street. There is traditional waiter service, closely set tables and a deli counter, filled with deliciousness. The bustle and clatter brings back a New York before coffee bars. Of course, beer, wine and soda (Cel-Ray tonic anyone? It’s available there) are offered. At this point, Carnegie to go is just by in person visit, with no phone orders or apps yet. Reservations? No, this is New York, people wait in line, although it should move quickly.
“We want the people who grew up with Carnegie Deli to walk in and immediately recognize it, while giving a whole new generation the chance to make those same memories of their own,” noted CEO Harper in a statement.
Gen Z has brought back vinyl, maybe they can up the count of delicatessens, a former staple of many diets in the city.
For further information, please consult https://carnegiedeli.com/pages/nyc-flagship