Restaurant Spotlight of the Week

New York Deli

8150 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA • (703) 761-2266

Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Sat-Sun: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

As the sun comes up over Northern Virginia and the traffic begins to crawl towards D.C., the red brake lights adding to the pinks and blues of the brightening sky, the staff at the New York Deli in Tyson’s Corner is already up and preparing for the day.

With morning commuters passing by at 6:30, they are mixing together ingredients; flour, water and yeast in dough, then letting it rise before it is baked into small loaves, in time for when the doors open at 8:00 a.m.
For nine years, this has been the story as the New York Deli has imbedded itself into the community and become the place to grab lunch or a quick bite after work. During any weekday lunch hour the place is packed as people line up for the homemade bread and fresh fixin’s, ordering from a long list of choices, encompassing the classic New York sandwiches as well as a host of other options.

Of course the theme of the shop is New York, the requisite poster of the Empire State Building hangs over the small indoor dining area, and there are plenty of New York memorabilia that proclaim the big apple bias. But there are more than the popular tchochkes indicating the City of Gotham. Throughout the restaurant are photos of the Shawn, the owner, and a variety of New York and local celebrities, all of whom have taken the time to catch a bite to eat at the small sandwich shop.

It is hardly surprising that the shop would draw crowds. The first impression of the restaurant is of comfortable clutter. It successfully walks a fine line, polished enough to be appealing, yet still homely with a genuine sense of heart.

Maybe the one part of the restaurant that doesn’t scream New York is the staff. Working behind the counter, making sandwiches to order, the employees are friendly and even willing to give advice on sandwich assembly, hardly the image of the surly New Yorker.

But even if they shouted at the customers, the sandwiches would still draw people in. The bread is the biggest part. Rather than baked in big loaves and sliced, each sandwich is made of an entire miniature loaf, either white or whole wheat. Light, fluffy, and fresh, the bread is good enough to be served without any toppings. With the addition of the quality fillings, it’s one of the best sandwiches available.

With traditional favorites, like the Reuben or Ham and Cheese, as well as a variety of ways to design your own, there are any number of choices.

Some suggestions include the Roast beef with swiss cheese, tomato and lettuce on wheat bread. The meat is tender, juicy and full of flavor. The bread, rather than masking the meat, complements it, and is light enough, that condiments aren’t even necessary.

The turkey lettuce and tomato is another good choice. The smoked turkey is rich but with a little zing.
Overall, though, unlike people, the quality of the sandwich comes down to what’s on the outside. No matter what your order inside, it’s the bread that really does it.