Have I ever told you how much I love food? The best way I can help in a kitchen is by eating, and I do a magnificent job at it. Today I want to share with you two foodie experiences that have made me sigh: Katz’s Deli and Barbacoa Estilo Parral. The first one being from New York and has been pleasing taste buds for over a century, and the second is located in my home state Chihuahua, in northern Mexico and every time it's an exquisite experience.
Both places started thanks to passionate people and are family-run. While Katz's is recognized as one of the best delis in NY, if not the best. Barbacoa Parral (sometimes the name is shortened this way) remains a secret to the world, but this hidden gem I believe should be shared to everyone who travels to Chihuahua.
Katz's has its iconic establishment, very well known for the When Harry Met Sally scene, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Houston Ave (pronounced House-ton, thanks dutch peeps) and its interior is filled by pictures of all kinds of famous people visiting the kosher-style deli.
Barbacoa Parral started as a food truck that would station itself in the parking lot of an Office Depot, therefore a lot of people know this place as La Barbacoa del Office. With the years it grew and now it's an establishment just next to its old campground, it's only known by the locals and there's no website or way to really find them online, only an informal Facebook page not even run by them. But maybe some day it will also have pictures of Hollywood stars visiting the spot, or at least some from the world of Telenovelas.
The welcoming to each place is completely different. When arriving to Katz’s I was a little intimidated, completely ignorant at the process of how to order, the staff shouted at me with that East Coast accent: “C’mon what do ya want? Get a ticket! Hurry, line goes here!“ You can imagine my lost-puppy-face but I’m totally aware that’s just classic New York.
And upon my arrival to Barbacoa Estilo Parral I was greeted with a warm hello and the staff was extremely nice and courteous. I can brag that Mexico's service comes hand in hand with genuine kindness.
The pastrami at Katz’s takes about a whole month to prepare based on the old-fashioned recipe and hand cut in front of you elevating it to a piece of food artistry. A whole month! While the meat is being cut in front of you, which is part of the experience, you can see how a big chunk of meat transforms itself into delicate buttery petals. To complete this meal I had pickles as a sidekick and a knish, which is a mashed-potato wrapped in a pastry shell.
The barbacoa cooks all night long making the meat super soft and it may be served in the form of tacos or 'lonche' (that's how we call tortas and sandwiches in Chihuahua, and it's derived from the word 'lunch'). For this 'lonche' the bread is baked that same day, it's really soft and this makes the whole experience just heavenly. And like most Mexican dishes cilantro, chopped onion and salsa are mandatory.
Both delicacies melt in one's mouth and are amazing in flavor, each one with its own personality and both places are a reflection of its city's rhythm. What known or hidden culinary gems do you know? Please share and let's travel together one bite at a time.