Stage Deli   (Photo: Shanna Ravindra)

Artie's Delicatessen
2290 Broadway, at 82nd St.; 212-579-5959.
Thoughtful takes on staples—like carefully cured pastrami—served by waitresses who seem like they’ve been working the counter for decades, even though it’s only been open since 1999.

Carnegie Deli
854 Seventh Ave., at 55th St.; 800-334-5606.
This Old World deli charges $21.95 for a Reuben—albeit one with about a pound of corned beef and Swiss cheese.

Katz’s
205 E. Houston St., at Ludlow St.; 212-254-2246.
The legendary orgasmic deli (see Meg Ryan’s performance in When Harry Met Sally) is also the only place in town that still carves all its pastrami and corned beef by hand.

Second Ave Deli
E. 33rd St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-677-0606.
It's not on Second Avenue anymore, but everything else is the same at this kosher deli, once ranked as the best in the Lower East Side. (Now it’s the best in Murray Hill.)

Stage Deli
834 Seventh Ave., nr. 53rd St.; 212-245-7850.
Across the street from The Late Show studio, this landmark plies midtown with behemoth sandwiches named after celebrities like Conan O’Brien (brisket) and James Gandolfini (roast beef).