Pastrami on Rye at the Last Jewish Deli in the Bronx | Sandwich City | NYT Cooking

This episode of Sandwich City visits Liebman's Deli in Riverdale, the last remaining Jewish delicatessen in the Bronx. Owner Yuval Dekel walks through the deli's history since 1953, the neighborhood's once-large Jewish community, and what makes the shop's pastrami sandwich so legendary.

We go behind the counter to see how the pastrami is made, from seven days of brining to a closely guarded spice rub and hours of slow roasting with wood chips for smoke flavor. Customers and staff share why the sandwich, and the deli itself, feels like a true New York institution.

The episode also traces Liebman's family legacy, as Yuval took over from his father in 2002 after balancing life as a metal band drummer with running the family business. Longtime regulars and staff reflect on how the deli has survived while so many others have closed, and why preserving tradition matters more than chasing trends.

Key takeaways

• Liebman's Deli in Riverdale, Bronx, has operated since 1953 and is now the last Jewish deli left in the borough.
• The pastrami sandwich is the deli's signature item, made with just rye bread and freshly sliced pastrami.
• The pastrami is brined for seven days, coated in a secret house-made rub, and slow-roasted with wood chips for smoke flavor.
• Owner Yuval Dekel took over the business in 2002 after his father passed away, balancing it with his life as a metal band drummer.
• The deli's old-school, 'less is more' approach has helped it endure even as the Jewish deli business across New York has declined.
• Longtime customers and staff describe Liebman's as a 'time capsule' preserving classic Jewish deli tradition.

Highlights

• 0:12 — "There are many Jewish delicatessens, but this is by far the best."
• 1:57 — Why the pastrami sandwich is kept simple: just rye bread and pastrami
• 2:42 — The secretly guarded pastrami spice rub
• 3:41 — Customers describe the richness and tenderness of the pastrami
• 7:00 — Yuval Dekel on going from metal band drummer to deli owner
• 8:12 — Continuing the legacy of the New York Jewish deli

00:00:00 Meet Liebman's, the Last Bronx Deli
00:00:57 Yuval Dekel Introduces the Deli's History
00:01:33 Classic Jewish Deli Menu and Steam Table
00:02:03 Anatomy of the Pastrami Sandwich
00:02:22 Brining and Seasoning the Pastrami
00:02:54 Slow Roasting With Wood Chip Smoke
00:03:41 Customers Rave About the Pastrami
00:05:01 Press Clippings and Deli Decline
00:05:38 The Bronx's Jewish Deli History
00:06:16 Longtime Regulars Share Memories
00:06:33 Taking Over From His Father
00:07:04 From Metal Drummer to Deli Owner
00:08:12 Continuing the Deli's Legacy

WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.610
[UPBEAT<00:00:00.279> MUSIC]<00:00:00.559> “They<00:00:00.838> like<00:00:01.117> the<00:00:01.397> pastrami<00:00:01.676> because<00:00:01.955> nobody<00:00:02.235> makes<00:00:02.514> fresh<00:00:02.793> like<00:00:03.073> we<00:00:03.352> make<00:00:03.631> it<00:00:03.911> over<00:00:04.190> here.

00:00:05.610 --> 00:00:08.195
We<00:00:05.611> have<00:00:05.612> the<00:00:05.613> last<00:00:05.614> deli<00:00:05.615> left<00:00:05.616> in<00:00:05.617> the<00:00:05.618> Bronx.”

00:00:08.195 --> 00:00:12.815
“There<00:00:08.366> are<00:00:08.538> many<00:00:08.709> Jewish<00:00:08.880> delicatessens,<00:00:09.052> but<00:00:09.223> this<00:00:09.395> is<00:00:09.566> by<00:00:09.737> far<00:00:09.909> the<00:00:10.080> best.”

00:00:12.815 --> 00:00:45.400
“I’m<00:00:12.924> Yuval<00:00:13.032> Dekel.<00:00:13.141> This<00:00:13.250> is<00:00:13.358> Liebman’s<00:00:13.467> Deli,<00:00:13.575> home<00:00:13.684> of<00:00:13.793> the<00:00:13.901> pastrami<00:00:14.010> sandwich.”

00:00:45.400 --> 00:00:50.010
“You<00:00:45.523> ordered<00:00:45.645> here?”<00:00:45.768> “No,<00:00:45.890> I’d<00:00:46.012> like<00:00:46.135> to<00:00:46.258> order.<00:00:46.380> I’d<00:00:46.503> like<00:00:46.625> to<00:00:46.748> have<00:00:46.870> a<00:00:46.993> turkey,<00:00:47.115> all<00:00:47.238> white<00:00:47.360> meat,

00:00:50.010 --> 00:00:57.815
turkey<00:00:50.011> sandwich<00:00:50.012> on<00:00:50.013> a<00:00:50.014> roll.”

00:00:57.815 --> 00:01:02.770
“My<00:00:58.019> name<00:00:58.224> is<00:00:58.428> Yuval<00:00:58.632> Dekel.<00:00:58.837> I’m<00:00:59.041> the<00:00:59.245> owner<00:00:59.450> of<00:00:59.654> Liebman’s<00:00:59.858> Deli.<00:01:00.063> We’ve<00:01:00.267> been<00:01:00.471> here<00:01:00.676> since<00:01:00.880> 1953.

00:01:02.770 --> 00:01:06.220
Liebman’s<00:01:02.771> is<00:01:02.772> located<00:01:02.773> in<00:01:02.774> the<00:01:02.775> Northwest<00:01:02.776> corner<00:01:02.777> of<00:01:02.778> the<00:01:02.779> Bronx,

00:01:06.220 --> 00:01:11.320
in<00:01:06.369> a<00:01:06.519> neighborhood<00:01:06.668> called<00:01:06.817> Riverdale.<00:01:06.966> It’s<00:01:07.116> not<00:01:07.265> as<00:01:07.414> well<00:01:07.564> known<00:01:07.713> as<00:01:07.862> the<00:01:08.011> Lower<00:01:08.161> East<00:01:08.310> Side,

00:01:11.320 --> 00:01:15.525
but<00:01:11.321> there’s<00:01:11.322> always<00:01:11.323> been<00:01:11.324> quite<00:01:11.325> a<00:01:11.326> large<00:01:11.327> Jewish<00:01:11.328> presence<00:01:11.329> here.”

00:01:15.525 --> 00:01:20.550
“Nice<00:01:15.698> to<00:01:15.870> see<00:01:16.043> you<00:01:16.215> today.”<00:01:16.388> “We’re<00:01:16.560> basically<00:01:16.733> serving<00:01:16.905> up<00:01:17.078> all<00:01:17.250> the<00:01:17.423> Jewish<00:01:17.595> deli

00:01:20.550 --> 00:01:23.250
necessities<00:01:20.551> and<00:01:20.552> everything<00:01:20.553> that<00:01:20.554> you<00:01:20.555> would<00:01:20.556> expect<00:01:20.557> to<00:01:20.558> have

00:01:23.250 --> 00:01:26.490
when<00:01:23.251> you<00:01:23.252> go<00:01:23.253> to<00:01:23.254> a<00:01:23.255> proper<00:01:23.256> Jewish<00:01:23.257> deli.

00:01:26.490 --> 00:01:30.240
It’s<00:01:26.839> her<00:01:27.189> first<00:01:27.538> time<00:01:27.887> here.”<00:01:28.236> “A<00:01:28.586> Jewish<00:01:28.935> deli?

00:01:30.240 --> 00:01:33.840
Liebman’s?<00:01:30.307> With<00:01:30.373> a<00:01:30.440> name<00:01:30.507> like<00:01:30.573> Liebman’s,<00:01:30.640> you<00:01:30.707> can’t<00:01:30.773> go<00:01:30.840> wrong.”

00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:38.140
“We’ve<00:01:33.841> got<00:01:33.842> great<00:01:33.843> sour<00:01:33.844> pickles<00:01:33.845> and<00:01:33.846> coleslaw,<00:01:33.847> frankfurters,

00:01:38.140 --> 00:01:46.510
pastrami<00:01:38.285> sandwiches,<00:01:38.429> and<00:01:38.574> corned<00:01:38.719> beef<00:01:38.864> sandwiches.<00:01:39.008> Our<00:01:39.153> steam<00:01:39.298> table,<00:01:39.442> where<00:01:39.587> we<00:01:39.732> have<00:01:39.876> our<00:01:40.021> deli<00:01:40.166> meats<00:01:40.311> that<00:01:40.455> we<00:01:40.600> steam.

00:01:46.510 --> 00:01:49.590
This<00:01:46.511> is<00:01:46.512> pretty<00:01:46.513> much<00:01:46.514> the<00:01:46.515> last<00:01:46.516> step<00:01:46.517> before<00:01:46.518> they’re<00:01:46.519> taken<00:01:46.520> out

00:01:49.590 --> 00:02:00.600
and<00:01:49.591> sliced.

00:02:00.600 --> 00:02:03.400
Best<00:02:00.601> selling<00:02:00.602> item<00:02:00.603> is<00:02:00.604> by<00:02:00.605> far<00:02:00.606> the<00:02:00.607> pastrami<00:02:00.608> sandwich.

00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:06.390
Pastrami<00:02:03.401> sandwich<00:02:03.402> is<00:02:03.403> basically<00:02:03.404> two<00:02:03.405> or<00:02:03.406> three<00:02:03.407> things,

00:02:06.390 --> 00:02:11.980
at<00:02:06.517> the<00:02:06.644> most<00:02:06.771> --<00:02:06.898> great<00:02:07.025> rye<00:02:07.152> bread,<00:02:07.280> and<00:02:07.407> then<00:02:07.534> pile<00:02:07.661> sliced<00:02:07.788> pastrami<00:02:07.915> on<00:02:08.042> real<00:02:08.169> high.

00:02:11.980 --> 00:02:14.548
Slap<00:02:12.166> that<00:02:12.352> rye<00:02:12.538> bread<00:02:12.724> right<00:02:12.910> on<00:02:13.096> top.<00:02:13.282> Slice<00:02:13.468> it<00:02:13.654> in<00:02:13.840> half.

00:02:14.548 --> 00:02:22.080
Boom.<00:02:14.673> You’re<00:02:14.798> good<00:02:14.923> to<00:02:15.048> go.

00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:24.850
Pastrami<00:02:22.330> sandwiches<00:02:22.580> are<00:02:22.830> simple.<00:02:23.080> It’s<00:02:23.330> meat<00:02:23.580> and<00:02:23.830> bread.

00:02:24.850 --> 00:02:28.200
The<00:02:24.851> part<00:02:24.852> that<00:02:24.853> goes<00:02:24.854> into<00:02:24.855> it<00:02:24.856> is<00:02:24.857> this.

00:02:28.200 --> 00:02:32.560
Here<00:02:28.201> are<00:02:28.202> our<00:02:28.203> cuts<00:02:28.204> of<00:02:28.205> beef<00:02:28.206> that<00:02:28.207> we<00:02:28.208> make<00:02:28.209> pastrami<00:02:28.210> out<00:02:28.211> of.

00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:36.030
These<00:02:32.561> have<00:02:32.562> been<00:02:32.563> brining<00:02:32.564> for<00:02:32.565> seven<00:02:32.566> days,<00:02:32.567> and<00:02:32.568> at<00:02:32.569> this<00:02:32.570> point,

00:02:36.030 --> 00:02:39.540
we’re<00:02:36.031> going<00:02:36.032> to<00:02:36.033> pull<00:02:36.034> them<00:02:36.035> out<00:02:36.036> and<00:02:36.037> then<00:02:36.038> rinse<00:02:36.039> off<00:02:36.040> some

00:02:39.540 --> 00:02:42.180
of<00:02:39.541> this<00:02:39.542> brine.

00:02:42.180 --> 00:02:45.790
So<00:02:42.181> this<00:02:42.182> pastrami<00:02:42.183> rub<00:02:42.184> right<00:02:42.185> here,<00:02:42.186> nobody<00:02:42.187> makes<00:02:42.188> this.

00:02:45.790 --> 00:02:54.330
I<00:02:45.961> just<00:02:46.133> guard<00:02:46.304> it.<00:02:46.475> I<00:02:46.647> mean,<00:02:46.818> it’s<00:02:46.990> something<00:02:47.161> that<00:02:47.332> I<00:02:47.504> took<00:02:47.675> time<00:02:47.846> to<00:02:48.018> develop.<00:02:48.189> It’s<00:02:48.360> mine,<00:02:48.532> and<00:02:48.703> I’m<00:02:48.875> not<00:02:49.046> just<00:02:49.217> giving<00:02:49.389> it<00:02:49.560> away.

00:02:54.330 --> 00:02:57.130
So<00:02:54.331> we’re<00:02:54.332> basically<00:02:54.333> roasting<00:02:54.334> our<00:02:54.335> pastrami<00:02:54.336> --

00:02:57.130 --> 00:03:00.040
a<00:02:57.131> little<00:02:57.132> bit<00:02:57.133> of<00:02:57.134> wood<00:02:57.135> chips<00:02:57.136> in<00:02:57.137> there<00:02:57.138> for<00:02:57.139> some<00:02:57.140> smoke<00:02:57.141> flavor

00:03:00.040 --> 00:03:04.730
as<00:03:00.041> well,<00:03:00.042> about<00:03:00.043> 250<00:03:00.044> degrees<00:03:00.045> for<00:03:00.046> three,<00:03:00.047> four<00:03:00.048> hours.

00:03:04.730 --> 00:03:08.830
I<00:03:04.731> mean,<00:03:04.732> you<00:03:04.733> could<00:03:04.734> tell<00:03:04.735> that<00:03:04.736> it’s<00:03:04.737> made<00:03:04.738> in<00:03:04.739> small<00:03:04.740> batches,

00:03:08.830 --> 00:03:13.180
made<00:03:08.831> by<00:03:08.832> hand,<00:03:08.833> and<00:03:08.834> that<00:03:08.835> it’s<00:03:08.836> fresh.

00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:41.665
There<00:03:13.181> you<00:03:13.182> go.”

00:03:41.665 --> 00:03:44.990
“The<00:03:41.666> first<00:03:41.667> thing<00:03:41.668> that<00:03:41.669> hits<00:03:41.670> you<00:03:41.671> is<00:03:41.672> just<00:03:41.673> the<00:03:41.674> richness<00:03:41.675> of<00:03:41.676> it.

00:03:44.990 --> 00:03:49.765
It’s<00:03:45.170> tender,<00:03:45.350> and<00:03:45.530> it’s<00:03:45.710> luscious.<00:03:45.890> It<00:03:46.070> is<00:03:46.250> quintessentially<00:03:46.430> New<00:03:46.610> York<00:03:46.790> deli.”

00:03:49.765 --> 00:03:54.350
“This<00:03:49.930> is<00:03:50.094> one<00:03:50.259> of<00:03:50.424> the<00:03:50.588> last,<00:03:50.753> the<00:03:50.918> real<00:03:51.082> classics,<00:03:51.247> superb<00:03:51.411> Jewish<00:03:51.576> delicatessens<00:03:51.741> in<00:03:51.905> New<00:03:52.070> York.

00:03:54.350 --> 00:03:57.800
The<00:03:54.513> pastrami<00:03:54.675> is<00:03:54.838> like<00:03:55.000> the<00:03:55.163> bellwether<00:03:55.325> of<00:03:55.488> whether<00:03:55.650> something<00:03:55.813> is<00:03:55.975> good<00:03:56.138> or<00:03:56.300> not.

00:03:57.800 --> 00:04:05.290
The<00:03:57.986> pastrami<00:03:58.171> here<00:03:58.357> is<00:03:58.543> superb.”<00:03:58.729> “When<00:03:58.914> I<00:03:59.100> order<00:03:59.286> out<00:03:59.471> for<00:03:59.657> people,<00:03:59.843> I<00:04:00.029> always<00:04:00.214> --<00:04:00.400> they<00:04:00.586> always<00:04:00.771> ask<00:04:00.957> me<00:04:01.143> to<00:04:01.329> bring<00:04:01.514> brisket<00:04:01.700> sandwiches

00:04:05.290 --> 00:04:13.850
and<00:04:05.555> pastrami.”<00:04:05.820> “If<00:04:06.086> you<00:04:06.351> love<00:04:06.616> pastrami<00:04:06.881> sandwich,<00:04:07.146> this<00:04:07.412> is<00:04:07.677> the<00:04:07.942> place<00:04:08.207> to<00:04:08.472> come.”<00:04:08.738> “Is<00:04:09.003> your<00:04:09.268> first<00:04:09.533> time<00:04:09.798> coming<00:04:10.064> here?”<00:04:10.329> “Yeah.”<00:04:10.594> “He<00:04:10.859> loves<00:04:11.124> a<00:04:11.390> good<00:04:11.655> Jewish<00:04:11.920> deli.

00:04:13.850 --> 00:04:19.410
I<00:04:13.982> said,<00:04:14.113> this<00:04:14.245> is<00:04:14.376> the<00:04:14.508> best.”<00:04:14.640> “Oh,<00:04:14.771> my<00:04:14.903> gosh.<00:04:15.035> It<00:04:15.166> was<00:04:15.298> scrumptious.”<00:04:15.429> “People<00:04:15.561> tell<00:04:15.693> me<00:04:15.824> all<00:04:15.956> the<00:04:16.088> time,<00:04:16.219> it’s<00:04:16.351> a<00:04:16.482> great<00:04:16.614> pastrami

00:04:19.410 --> 00:04:22.820
sandwich.<00:04:19.642> It’s<00:04:19.874> the<00:04:20.107> best<00:04:20.339> pastrami<00:04:20.571> sandwich.<00:04:20.803> It’s<00:04:21.036> the<00:04:21.268> real<00:04:21.500> deal.

00:04:22.820 --> 00:04:25.390
I<00:04:22.821> think<00:04:22.822> that<00:04:22.823> they’re<00:04:22.824> appreciating<00:04:22.825> the<00:04:22.826> fact<00:04:22.827> that

00:04:25.390 --> 00:04:29.200
we’re<00:04:25.391> still<00:04:25.392> here,<00:04:25.393> and<00:04:25.394> that<00:04:25.395> you<00:04:25.396> can<00:04:25.397> actually<00:04:25.398> still<00:04:25.399> get

00:04:29.200 --> 00:04:32.590
something<00:04:29.201> that<00:04:29.202> is<00:04:29.203> exactly<00:04:29.204> the<00:04:29.205> same<00:04:29.206> way<00:04:29.207> we’ve<00:04:29.208> been<00:04:29.209> serving<00:04:29.210> it

00:04:32.590 --> 00:04:38.150
for<00:04:32.738> 70<00:04:32.886> years.<00:04:33.033> We<00:04:33.181> maintain<00:04:33.329> this<00:04:33.477> less<00:04:33.624> is<00:04:33.772> more<00:04:33.920> mentality,

00:04:38.150 --> 00:04:41.140
and<00:04:38.151> it’s<00:04:38.152> not<00:04:38.153> always<00:04:38.154> going<00:04:38.155> to<00:04:38.156> get<00:04:38.157> you<00:04:38.158> the<00:04:38.159> most<00:04:38.160> hits

00:04:41.140 --> 00:04:44.270
on<00:04:41.141> social<00:04:41.142> media,<00:04:41.143> but<00:04:41.144> deep<00:04:41.145> down<00:04:41.146> inside,

00:04:44.270 --> 00:04:51.670
we’re<00:04:44.401> proud<00:04:44.532> of<00:04:44.664> what<00:04:44.795> we<00:04:44.926> do.<00:04:45.058> We’re<00:04:45.189> kind<00:04:45.320> of<00:04:45.451> stubborn<00:04:45.583> in<00:04:45.714> that<00:04:45.845> way,<00:04:45.976> and<00:04:46.108> it<00:04:46.239> really<00:04:46.370> wouldn’t<00:04:46.501> be<00:04:46.633> a<00:04:46.764> proper<00:04:46.895> New<00:04:47.026> York<00:04:47.158> deli<00:04:47.289> if<00:04:47.420> we

00:04:51.670 --> 00:05:01.425
didn’t<00:04:51.671> do<00:04:51.672> that.”

00:05:01.425 --> 00:05:08.750
“These<00:05:01.538> articles<00:05:01.651> right<00:05:01.764> here,<00:05:01.877> what’s<00:05:01.990> this<00:05:02.104> one<00:05:02.217> on<00:05:02.330> the<00:05:02.443> left?”<00:05:02.556> “So<00:05:02.669> this<00:05:02.782> guy<00:05:02.895> right<00:05:03.008> here<00:05:03.121> is<00:05:03.235> our<00:05:03.348> very<00:05:03.461> first<00:05:03.574> ‘New<00:05:03.687> York<00:05:03.800> Times’

00:05:08.750 --> 00:05:13.490
appearance.<00:05:08.941> And,<00:05:09.133> I<00:05:09.324> mean,<00:05:09.516> it<00:05:09.707> happened<00:05:09.899> quite<00:05:10.090> some<00:05:10.281> time<00:05:10.473> ago.<00:05:10.664> I<00:05:10.856> believe<00:05:11.047> this<00:05:11.239> is<00:05:11.430> 2005.

00:05:13.490 --> 00:05:16.530
There<00:05:13.491> were<00:05:13.492> a<00:05:13.493> lot<00:05:13.494> of<00:05:13.495> delis<00:05:13.496> throughout<00:05:13.497> the<00:05:13.498> decades.

00:05:16.530 --> 00:05:20.100
And<00:05:16.531> as<00:05:16.532> the<00:05:16.533> deli<00:05:16.534> business<00:05:16.535> went<00:05:16.536> through<00:05:16.537> a<00:05:16.538> bit<00:05:16.539> of<00:05:16.540> a<00:05:16.541> demise,

00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:23.000
people<00:05:20.101> started<00:05:20.102> appreciating<00:05:20.103> the<00:05:20.104> fact<00:05:20.105> that<00:05:20.106> we<00:05:20.107> are<00:05:20.108> still

00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:28.920
here.”<00:05:23.198> “My<00:05:23.396> name<00:05:23.594> is<00:05:23.791> Hakan<00:05:23.989> Baracu.<00:05:24.187> I’m<00:05:24.385> a<00:05:24.583> waiter<00:05:24.781> over<00:05:24.979> here<00:05:25.176> in<00:05:25.374> a<00:05:25.572> little<00:05:25.770> while.

00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:35.670
First<00:05:29.099> time<00:05:29.278> I<00:05:29.456> came<00:05:29.635> in<00:05:29.814> here,<00:05:29.993> we<00:05:30.171> used<00:05:30.350> to<00:05:30.529> have<00:05:30.708> a<00:05:30.886> lot<00:05:31.065> of<00:05:31.244> old<00:05:31.423> people<00:05:31.601> here<00:05:31.780> coming<00:05:31.959> in,<00:05:32.138> and<00:05:32.316> all<00:05:32.495> those<00:05:32.674> people<00:05:32.852> are<00:05:33.031> gone<00:05:33.210> already.

00:05:35.670 --> 00:05:38.735
It<00:05:35.671> was<00:05:35.672> a<00:05:35.673> packed<00:05:35.674> full,<00:05:35.675> lined<00:05:35.676> up<00:05:35.677> here.”

00:05:38.735 --> 00:05:45.660
“O.K.<00:05:38.916> My<00:05:39.097> name<00:05:39.277> is<00:05:39.458> Hakan.”<00:05:39.639> “Nice<00:05:39.820> to<00:05:40.001> meet<00:05:40.181> you.”<00:05:40.362> “Nice<00:05:40.543> to<00:05:40.724> meet<00:05:40.904> you.”<00:05:41.085> “In<00:05:41.266> the<00:05:41.447> Bronx,<00:05:41.628> in<00:05:41.808> the<00:05:41.989> early<00:05:42.170> 1900s,

00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:49.470
there<00:05:45.661> were<00:05:45.662> a<00:05:45.663> lot<00:05:45.664> of<00:05:45.665> Jewish<00:05:45.666> people<00:05:45.667> living<00:05:45.668> here.

00:05:49.470 --> 00:05:58.520
And<00:05:49.471> there<00:05:49.472> were<00:05:49.473> delis<00:05:49.474> almost<00:05:49.475> on<00:05:49.476> every<00:05:49.477> other<00:05:49.478> corner.

00:05:58.520 --> 00:06:05.660
Liebman’s<00:05:58.702> is<00:05:58.884> like<00:05:59.066> a<00:05:59.248> time<00:05:59.430> capsule.<00:05:59.611> I<00:05:59.793> know<00:05:59.975> that<00:06:00.157> term<00:06:00.339> is<00:06:00.521> used<00:06:00.703> a<00:06:00.885> lot,<00:06:01.067> but<00:06:01.249> Jewish<00:06:01.430> deli<00:06:01.612> as<00:06:01.794> a<00:06:01.976> whole<00:06:02.158> is<00:06:02.340> based

00:06:05.660 --> 00:06:08.850
on<00:06:05.661> old<00:06:05.662> school<00:06:05.663> style<00:06:05.664> of<00:06:05.665> food.

00:06:08.850 --> 00:06:13.430
And<00:06:08.851> so,<00:06:08.852> I<00:06:08.853> think<00:06:08.854> the<00:06:08.855> best<00:06:08.856> delis<00:06:08.857> are<00:06:08.858> known<00:06:08.859> for<00:06:08.860> how<00:06:08.861> they

00:06:13.430 --> 00:06:16.475
preserve<00:06:13.431> that.”

00:06:16.475 --> 00:06:19.885
“I’ve<00:06:16.476> been<00:06:16.477> coming<00:06:16.478> to<00:06:16.479> Liebman’s<00:06:16.480> Deli<00:06:16.481> forever.”

00:06:19.885 --> 00:06:23.700
“I’ve<00:06:19.886> been<00:06:19.887> coming<00:06:19.888> to<00:06:19.889> Liebman’s<00:06:19.890> since<00:06:19.891> the<00:06:19.892> day<00:06:19.893> it<00:06:19.894> opened.

00:06:23.700 --> 00:06:29.240
I<00:06:23.826> remember<00:06:23.951> the<00:06:24.077> original<00:06:24.203> owners.<00:06:24.328> Now,<00:06:24.454> I<00:06:24.579> believe,<00:06:24.705> it’s<00:06:24.831> his<00:06:24.956> son<00:06:25.082> or<00:06:25.208> daughter<00:06:25.333> that<00:06:25.459> is<00:06:25.584> the<00:06:25.710> owners

00:06:29.240 --> 00:06:33.350
of<00:06:29.241> the<00:06:29.242> place<00:06:29.243> now.”

00:06:33.350 --> 00:06:36.480
“I’ve<00:06:33.351> been<00:06:33.352> running<00:06:33.353> Liebman<00:06:33.354> since<00:06:33.355> 2002.

00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:41.450
My<00:06:36.481> dad<00:06:36.482> owned<00:06:36.483> it<00:06:36.484> for<00:06:36.485> 20<00:06:36.486> years<00:06:36.487> about,<00:06:36.488> prior<00:06:36.489> to<00:06:36.490> me<00:06:36.491> owning<00:06:36.492> it.

00:06:41.450 --> 00:06:47.120
In<00:06:41.451> 2002,<00:06:41.452> he<00:06:41.453> passed<00:06:41.454> away.

00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:51.320
It<00:06:47.121> was<00:06:47.122> always<00:06:47.123> part<00:06:47.124> of<00:06:47.125> our<00:06:47.126> lives.

00:06:51.320 --> 00:06:54.590
We’d<00:06:51.321> run<00:06:51.322> around<00:06:51.323> here<00:06:51.324> as<00:06:51.325> kids,<00:06:51.326> my<00:06:51.327> brother<00:06:51.328> and<00:06:51.329> I.<00:06:51.330> Yeah,

00:06:54.590 --> 00:06:57.490
this<00:06:54.591> was<00:06:54.592> like<00:06:54.593> second<00:06:54.594> home,<00:06:54.595> even<00:06:54.596> my<00:06:54.597> first<00:06:54.598> home,<00:06:54.599> right?

00:06:57.490 --> 00:07:00.420
Because<00:06:57.491> we’d<00:06:57.492> spend<00:06:57.493> more<00:06:57.494> time<00:06:57.495> here<00:06:57.496> than<00:06:57.497> at<00:06:57.498> home.

00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:04.230
So<00:07:00.421> when<00:07:00.422> I<00:07:00.423> started<00:07:00.424> running<00:07:00.425> Liebman’s,<00:07:00.426> I<00:07:00.427> was<00:07:00.428> 24<00:07:00.429> years<00:07:00.430> old.

00:07:04.230 --> 00:07:09.720
Before,<00:07:04.368> I<00:07:04.507> was<00:07:04.645> in<00:07:04.783> a<00:07:04.922> band.<00:07:05.060> I’m<00:07:05.198> a<00:07:05.337> drummer<00:07:05.475> in<00:07:05.613> a<00:07:05.752> metal<00:07:05.890> band.

00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:13.020
We’ve<00:07:09.721> accumulated<00:07:09.722> a<00:07:09.723> bit<00:07:09.724> of<00:07:09.725> merch<00:07:09.726> over<00:07:09.727> the<00:07:09.728> years.

00:07:13.020 --> 00:07:16.350
So<00:07:13.021> I’m<00:07:13.022> a<00:07:13.023> big<00:07:13.024> metal<00:07:13.025> head,<00:07:13.026> love<00:07:13.027> of<00:07:13.028> heavy<00:07:13.029> music,

00:07:16.350 --> 00:07:21.590
love<00:07:16.534> all<00:07:16.718> kinds<00:07:16.902> of<00:07:17.086> music.<00:07:17.269> But<00:07:17.453> metal<00:07:17.637> was<00:07:17.821> my<00:07:18.005> first<00:07:18.189> love.<00:07:18.373> Those<00:07:18.557> worlds<00:07:18.741> were<00:07:18.924> separate<00:07:19.108> for<00:07:19.292> a<00:07:19.476> long<00:07:19.660> time.

00:07:21.590 --> 00:07:27.160
So<00:07:21.739> I<00:07:21.889> said,<00:07:22.038> hey,<00:07:22.188> you<00:07:22.337> know<00:07:22.487> what?<00:07:22.636> I’m<00:07:22.786> putting<00:07:22.935> them<00:07:23.084> together.<00:07:23.234> It<00:07:23.383> wasn’t<00:07:23.533> something<00:07:23.682> I<00:07:23.832> was<00:07:23.981> planning<00:07:24.131> on<00:07:24.280> doing,

00:07:27.160 --> 00:07:30.840
but<00:07:27.161> we<00:07:27.162> wanted<00:07:27.163> to<00:07:27.164> run<00:07:27.165> the<00:07:27.166> deli<00:07:27.167> simply<00:07:27.168> because<00:07:27.169> we<00:07:27.170> were

00:07:30.840 --> 00:07:36.780
so<00:07:30.841> motivated<00:07:30.842> by<00:07:30.843> continuing<00:07:30.844> what<00:07:30.845> he<00:07:30.846> had<00:07:30.847> been<00:07:30.848> doing<00:07:30.849> for<00:07:30.850> all

00:07:36.780 --> 00:07:41.400
these<00:07:36.963> years.<00:07:37.147> I<00:07:37.330> thought<00:07:37.513> about<00:07:37.697> this<00:07:37.880> a<00:07:38.063> lot.<00:07:38.247> Dad<00:07:38.430> would<00:07:38.613> be<00:07:38.797> really<00:07:38.980> proud.

00:07:41.400 --> 00:07:46.980
I<00:07:41.524> think<00:07:41.647> he’d<00:07:41.771> be<00:07:41.895> blown<00:07:42.018> away<00:07:42.142> just<00:07:42.266> because,<00:07:42.389> well,<00:07:42.513> first<00:07:42.637> of<00:07:42.761> all,<00:07:42.884> I’ve<00:07:43.008> been<00:07:43.132> doing<00:07:43.255> it<00:07:43.379> for<00:07:43.503> about<00:07:43.626> 22<00:07:43.750> years,

00:07:46.980 --> 00:07:50.500
surviving<00:07:46.981> a<00:07:46.982> pandemic,<00:07:46.983> getting<00:07:46.984> all<00:07:46.985> this<00:07:46.986> notoriety.

00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:53.860
But<00:07:50.691> yeah,<00:07:50.882> he’s<00:07:51.073> always<00:07:51.264> going<00:07:51.455> to<00:07:51.645> be<00:07:51.836> remembered.<00:07:52.027> His<00:07:52.218> picture<00:07:52.409> is<00:07:52.600> upstairs.

00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:56.880
And<00:07:53.861> so,<00:07:53.862> we’ll<00:07:53.863> always<00:07:53.864> remember<00:07:53.865> Dad<00:07:53.866> here.”

00:07:56.880 --> 00:08:06.750
[CONVERSING]<00:07:57.366> “I<00:07:57.852> can<00:07:58.338> clean<00:07:58.824> the<00:07:59.310> table,<00:07:59.797> yes?”<00:08:00.283> “Yeah.”<00:08:00.769> “Liebman’s<00:08:01.255> is<00:08:01.741> a<00:08:02.227> gem.

00:08:06.750 --> 00:08:09.420
I’d<00:08:06.751> hate<00:08:06.752> to<00:08:06.753> see<00:08:06.754> it<00:08:06.755> ever<00:08:06.756> leave<00:08:06.757> Riverdale<00:08:06.758> because<00:08:06.759> you<00:08:06.760> can

00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:12.366
never<00:08:09.421> find<00:08:09.422> a<00:08:09.423> delicatessen<00:08:09.424> as<00:08:09.425> good<00:08:09.426> as<00:08:09.427> this<00:08:09.428> one.”

00:08:12.366 --> 00:08:18.030
“For<00:08:12.367> us<00:08:12.368> to<00:08:12.369> succeed<00:08:12.370> is<00:08:12.371> to<00:08:12.372> continue<00:08:12.373> what<00:08:12.374> we’re<00:08:12.375> already

00:08:18.030 --> 00:08:22.870
doing,<00:08:18.031> continue<00:08:18.032> the<00:08:18.033> legacy<00:08:18.034> of<00:08:18.035> the<00:08:18.036> New<00:08:18.037> York<00:08:18.038> Jewish<00:08:18.039> deli.

00:08:22.870 --> 00:08:26.520
I<00:08:22.871> mean,<00:08:22.872> it’s<00:08:22.873> something<00:08:22.874> that<00:08:22.875> we’re<00:08:22.876> really<00:08:22.877> proud<00:08:22.878> of<00:08:22.879> and<00:08:22.880> we

00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:30.790
feel<00:08:26.521> is<00:08:26.522> a<00:08:26.523> great<00:08:26.524> experience<00:08:26.525> for<00:08:26.526> people<00:08:26.527> to<00:08:26.528> enjoy.

00:08:30.790 --> 00:08:34.179
So<00:08:30.791> we’ve<00:08:30.792> quietly<00:08:30.793> been<00:08:30.794> doing<00:08:30.795> our<00:08:30.796> thing,

00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:39.480
and<00:08:34.180> we’ve<00:08:34.181> managed<00:08:34.182> to<00:08:34.183> maintain<00:08:34.184> something<00:08:34.185> that<00:08:34.186> is<00:08:34.187> very<00:08:34.188> unique

00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:41.480
to<00:08:39.481> us<00:08:39.482> because<00:08:39.483> we<00:08:39.484> just<00:08:39.485> love<00:08:39.486> what<00:08:39.487> we<00:08:39.488> do.”