Bergstein's Truck Brings the Big Apple to You!
By John DiGilio in Food on Aug 31, 2011 4:40PM
Are you crazy about corned beef? Hankerin' for some challah? Why go all the way to New York for a bite of the Big Apple when Bergstein's NY Deli Truck can bring it to you? Sure, there are several excellent New York style delis here in the Windy City. This one, however, rolls on four wheels and makes its rounds of the downtown. With a traditional menu and taste to match, you'll feel like you are on the streets of old Manhattan in no time.
Bergstein's original NY Deli has been a bit of fixture for the folks in Chicago Heights. They've been pounding back their pastrami and kicking it with their kreplach in relative secrecy for far too long. The new truck is a four-wheeled foray into the city's growing food truck scene. It carries many of the same signature sandwiches and salads that can be found back at Bergstein's homebase. For those who brunch on a budget, they even offer a special combo that gets you a sandwich, side, and soda for somewhere in the neighborhood of $10. It's New York noshing at Chicago prices!
We paid the boys from Bergstein's a visit during their Tuesday stop at Wacker and Monroe in the Loop. We got there early, as we had heard that some of the more popular sandwiches sell out fast. On this day, they were carrying everything from old standards like corned beef and chicken salad to more unique creations such as the Smokey Joe (featuring lox, white fish, tomato and cream cheese on challah) and the Bensonhurst (corned beef, pastrami and swiss on rye). The guys at the window were working the growing crowd and had little trouble selling us on a combo.
The tuna sandwich was yummy and comforting. A light tuna salad was nicely layered with lettuce, tomato, and cheddar cheese and served up between thick slices of fluffy challah. It was surprisingly filling for a basic sandwich. The macaroni salad that we chose as our side was fairly standard and could have used a little more kick in the flavor department. Yet, it was still a solid complement to our tuna and the deli pickle slice that also came with it. For the price, it was a spot on deal.
If you like a good, old-fashioned deli, then there is little not to like about one that goes mobile daily. Bergstein's NY Deli Truck has been making rounds for about three months now. We are going to be tracking their progress in hopes that we might even see some of those knishes and the kreplach for which Bergstein's stationary store is so well known.
Bergstein's NY Deli Truck hits the road Monday through Saturday. Check their site for locations and times or follow them on Twitter (@BergsteinsNY).