Carnegie Deli set to reopen in Midtown after 10 year hiatus
MIDTOWN (WABC) -- The iconic Carnegie Deli is set to reopen Tuesday on Seventh Avenue in Midtown, 10 years after the deli closed. The owners are bringing back signature menu items including corned beef, pastrami, brisket and cheesecake.
The deli's history dates to 1937, the same year Disney's "Snow White" premiered and Franklin D. Roosevelt was in the White House.
"Everybody has a Carnegie Deli story," said Sarri Harper, the deli's CEO and third-generation owner.
Harper recalled visiting the restaurant as a child.
"I remember coming here visiting my grandfather, I loved macaroni salad and matzo ball soup," she said.
Harper's grandfather, Milton Parker, and his business partners took over Carnegie Deli in 1976. The deli became known as a gathering place for entertainers and other notable figures. Its Wall of Fame features people from politics, entertainment and beyond.
"We also used to have a lot of comedians who would come in here," Harper said.
In 2016, Harper's mother, Marian, announced the deli would close after 80 years in business. On Dec. 30 of that year, loyal customers turned out in large numbers to say what many believed was a final goodbye.
"She was kind of ready to retire and we decided to take a step back," Harper said.
Since the closure, one question persisted: When would Carnegie Deli return?
The answer comes at 11 a.m. Tuesday, when the deli opens its doors on Seventh Avenue between West 53rd and West 54th streets, a block from its former location.
Customers will once again be able to order classic menu items, including the Broadway Danny Rose sandwich, featuring corned beef and pastrami piled high on rye. New offerings will also be available, including the Not-so Kosher sandwich.
"We have fried pickle chips," Harper said.
News of the reopening spread quickly, drawing interest from visitors and longtime fans eager to stop by and experience the return of one of New York City's most recognizable delis.
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