American in New York

18 places for American in New York, picked by creators — with what they said.

• Katz's Delicatessen — National Geographic, Jon Barr
  Praised the pastrami, cured for up to 30 days, for slicing like butter even stacked 20 layers high, with smoking and steaming ensuring not a single slice loses its seasoning.
• Spring Cafe — ur mom ashley
  She said the salads are the best, especially praising the crispy vegan chicken, the 'liquid gold' sauce, and the tofu skin bao buns, adding that even her non-vegan friends love it.
• Bobwhite Counter — Munchies
  The pressure-fried buffalo chicken sandwich is crispy with amazing sauce, and the mac and cheese is so good you can't skip it.
  Heads up: Mentioned the catfish on the menu isn't to their taste, and the mac and cheese may be heavy for those who are lactose intolerant.
• Maison Premiere — TOPJAW
  Praised the tableside martini — an homage to 1940s hotel bars — the huge daily-changing oyster menu, and finishing the night in the backyard garden.
  Heads up: Classic-leaning enough that a margarita only made the main menu for the first time in 13 years.
• Veselka — TOPJAW
  Loved the house-made ricotta-style cheese pierogi and fried potato pierogi and the sausage, calling it a lovable old-school spot for Ukrainian-American brunch.
  Heads up: There's always a line during the lunch rush.
• Lechonera La Piraña — National Geographic
  Raved that the lechón is so moist it practically falls apart when shaken, with skin puffed up and crackling, and the garlic-chili-vinegar sauce cuts through the richness — calling it 'incredible' and 'a meal worthy of an award.'
  Heads up: It's a street stall that gets swamped on weekends, and it's hard to reach ahead of time.
• Minetta Tavern — National Geographic
  Raved that the thick, meatball-like patty cooked medium-rare melts in your mouth, the soft bun soaks up the juices, and the ratio of caramelized onion to melted cheese is perfect. Also praised the fries as crispy with real potato flavor.
  Heads up: Unlike Chinatown, this is a calm, sit-down bistro atmosphere.
• Hamburger America — TOPJAW
  Raved that the Oklahoma-style fried onion burger, with onions mixed into the patty and cooked precisely for 6-7 minutes, is tender and distinctive.
  Heads up: It's a casual counter-order setup.
• Estela — TOPJAW
  The signature endive salad, running since opening a decade ago, along with scallops with uni and the wagyu steak, impressed with restrained flavors and excellent service.
  Heads up: One of the pricier spots in this guide, and dinner is very crowded — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday lunch are easier to get a table.
• Red Hook Tavern — TOPJAW
  Perfected over 100 attempts across eight months, the burger has an ideal fat ratio and a peppery crust, and the wedge salad and oxtail ragù cavatelli were also outstanding.
  Heads up: It's a small, cozy space with limited seating.
• Maison Pickle — Beatrice Richer
  The pull-apart bread was soft and light, making it the highlight of dinner, and her boyfriend loved the French dip.
  Heads up: The buffalo chicken mac and cheese is tasty but very heavy and filling.
• David's Brisket House — Jon Barr
  A budget-friendly pastrami option, and unusual for New York, you can choose your portion size.
• Junior's Restaurant & Bakery — National Geographic
  Praised the original cheesecake as perfectly creamy with a lively vanilla flavor, with the crust merging seamlessly into the cheesecake.
  Heads up: The cake shake is stacked so high it's prone to toppling over, and it's so massive it ends up all over your face.
• Wildair — TOPJAW
  Loved the bold, nuanced flavors and lively atmosphere, saying the trademarked savory eclair, the Pissaladiéclair, sums up the whole place.
  Heads up: Said to be a neighborhood restaurant — no need to queue or book months ahead.
• Bubby's — Beatrice Richer
  A homestyle American brunch spot famous for pancakes, biscuits, and breakfast platters; they enjoyed the famous pancakes.
  Heads up: They didn't get to try the biscuits but strongly recommend ordering them.
• Sylvia's Restaurant — National Geographic
  Praised the freshly fried chicken as juicy and well-seasoned, the ribs as smoky all the way to the bone and tender, and the mac and cheese as buttery and melt-in-your-mouth.
  Heads up: Notes that the fried chicken really shines when paired with the restaurant's own hot sauce.
• Nusr-Et Steakhouse New York — Beatrice Richer
  The 8-hour roasted asado short rib and mashed potatoes were excellent, and the herb-crusted fries were said to be perfect.
  Heads up: Even with a reservation, they waited an hour for a table, and the prices are steep enough that it's really an occasion-only spot.
• Gray's Papaya — Jon Barr
  Wildly cheap prices — one hot dog for $3.25, two plus a tropical drink for $6.95 — and it's a New York institution over 50 years old. Coffee plus a breakfast sandwich for $3 might be the cheapest breakfast in Manhattan.
  Heads up: There's no seating whatsoever and the setup is very bare-bones; while the breakfast menu is cheap, a neighborhood bodega might be better for a dollar or two more.

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