Nick's Picks: Harry G's

Despite orders being yelled out, wooden floors creaking, a non-stop sizzling from a griddle in the kitchen, the murmur of dozens of other patrons, and a general chaos during lunch hour, eating at Harry G’s in the South Wedge is somehow a calming experience.

There is a tranquil aspect to the fact that no matter what happens during the rest of your day, the half-hour or hour you spend at Harry G’s will include great service, a fun atmosphere, and, if you order correctly, a sandwich that is bigger than your head.

Billed as an authentic New York Deli—which seems to be a point of contention in its Yelp reviews—Harry G’s is decorated with odes to the Big Apple both in its dining room, in the form of posters of New York City skylines and landmarks, and on their menu. Pastrami and corned beef straight from Nation’s Best, a deli meat distributor based in New York City, make up the Kosher Style, one of Harry G’s most sought-after sandwiches. Traditional options like the Reuben, French Dip, Beef Melt, and Italian Combo are also available for deli-purists.

Harry G’s doesn’t stop at New York City–style choices. It also features a long list of specialties from other regions. Western New Yorkers will be very familiar with Harry G’s shout at Buffalo’s beef on weck. They also pay homage to the famous Primanti Brothers restaurants in western Pennsylvania with the Pittsburgh—made with chopped steak, melted provolone, spicy fries, tomato, mayo, oil, and a helping of perfectly tangy and crunchy coleslaw.

Monstrous in-house creations have also become a calling card for Harry G’s since its opening in 2012. The 390, 490, and 590, are all delicious, towering variations of the steak sub. Perhaps the most sinful sandwich on Harry G’s’ menu is the Clem—a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sub with a juicy, Titanic-sized fried chicken cutlet, melted mozzarella, and a mayo-garlic spread.

With a menu also filled with gluten-free and vegetarian options, as well as burgers, wraps, soups, and panini, and even a newly-added, fully-stocked bar, this South Avenue gem truly has something for everyone.

Harry G’s is located at 678 South Avenue. Hours can be found at harrygsdeli.com.

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