Ben's Kosher Delicatessen Restaurants & Caterers

209 W 38th St
New York, NY 10018
(212) 398-2367

I've passed by this place so many times when I'm fabric shopping that it was high time that I checked them out. They also participate in the AAdvantage Dining Program and that was also a motivation (plus that fact that I was starving since breakfast was just a cup of coffee). Was intimidated at first upon entering as it appears a large place but I didn't have time to sit down for a long drawn out lunch and opted to grab something to go from the take out/ sandwich counter on the left.

Place is more cozier than Katz's Delicatessen downtown and the counter guy was very nice and patient (and cute!). I opted to try their kasha knish with a Dr. Brown's Cherry Soda. The knish is as big as a baby's head and seemed to weigh as much! VERY filling and the yellow deli mustard that was packed with it added the right zing. Everything in a traditional Jewish Deli seems big. The sandwiches are large enough to qualify as lunch AND dinner! Going back next time for hot pastrami on rye.
There's a $10 minimum for credit cards.

Old Jewish Delis are a part of New York's history and definitely worth checking out as they are slowly vanishing due to rising rent and the muscling in of chain franchises and luxury condominiums.

Update 4/24/13:

The Hot Pastrami on Rye wasn't bad but it wasn't the mile high abundance that you would get at Katz's Delicatessen or Stage. The sandwich was of average size but for the price of $12.95, you'd expect double the amount of meat. Had the sandwich to go and here's what you get with it: a container of deli mustard, a container of thousand island dressing, and two pickles: one kosher dill and one sour.

Avi & David's

1046 Third Ave

New York, NY 10021
(212) 486-6004

A Kosher Deli with Goiim help housed in the Trump Plaza apartment complex in the Upper East Side...need I say more?
The food looks okay and the lox spread (on a bagel for $4.99) was not bad. The bagel on the other hand was pretty tough and seemed old.

Service could be better and you might have some communication problems with the staff. The woman next to me was asking for a sesame bagel and the counter man started cutting a cinnamon raisin! She and the counter person were having an endless exchange of words and I just wanted to get my lunch and get out of there fast!
They were having problems with their credit card reader and were too quick to say that there was a problem with my card. After I told them to check their machine thoroughly and they checked all the wires for connections, my card finally went through. I was almost going to ask to see a Manager (they have a Mashgichim or Rabbi on the premise) but I figured that after seeing many other people walk in, gawk at the offerings and then leave for somewhere else, I decided to just take my lunch and leave. The place is a store front and seating is few.
The prices are pretty steep but I suppose if your landlord is The Donald, you have to raise your prices to make the rent!

They are toted as the only 24 hour Kosher Bagel Shop in New York and close on Fridays.
Personally I would check out the other 24 hour bagel shops that cover most of Manhattan's Upper East Side for better value and fresher offerings.