If there’s one thing Chicago and New York can agree on, it’s this:
The pastrami-topped burger.
A star-spangled display of American indulgence, it’s the result of potentially the greatest culinary partnership either city has witnessed.
For two nights this month, NYC institution Katz’s Deli will bring its pastrami to Au Cheval.
Yes, there will be lines. And yes, they will be worth it.
Katz’s Delicatessen
Because this is Au Cheval, favorite burger of choice for many a hungry Chicagoan. And this is also Katz’s Deli: opened in 1888 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, it’s one of the few remaining strongholds of the New York Jewish delicatessen. If it’s not the first place you go while in New York, make it your second.
For more than a century, Katz’s has piled juicy slices of pastrami — cured, rubbed and smoked, with gorgeous fatty edges — between two pieces of rye bread. It’s the kind of genius simplicity we here in Chicago are rediscovering, what with the opening of artisanal deli Steingold’s in North Center, and more recently, Half Sour in Printer’s Row.
Katz’s Delicatessan
As part of Katz’s “Pass the Pastrami” series, the collaboration burger will wedge Katz’s world-famous pastrami atop a cheese-draped beef patty, slather it with dijonnaise, and then dress the whole shebang with minced red onions and kosher-style dill pickles.
You don’t have to pair it with your correspondent’s favorite Au Cheval side — the crispy fries with mornay sauce and a fried egg — but you will not be mad if you do.
It’s all going down February 15th and 16th at Au Cheval’s West Loop location.
If the long lines have you rolling your eyes, it’s worth nothing that Katz’s recently started shipping its delicious menu nationwide.
So either way, pastrami for everyone!
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