A Little East Coast in Vegas via Soda
My first legal job on the books was at the Lydig Deli in the Bronx. There were a few kosher delis in the Bronx but this was the most legit kosher deli relatively close to where I lived. The pay was minimum wage plus lunch or dinner, depending on the shift. I had the same meal every shift. Two Hebrew National hot dogs, a knish, and Dr. Brown’s Root Beer or Black Cherry soda.
It was many years after leaving that job before I’d see Dr. Brown’s soda again. I didn’t live near the deli and I didn’t see the soda in my neighborhood. Much like knishes and other kosher foods, Dr. Brown’s soda was a rare and a delicacy in some ways. The soda was available in a few restaurants and stores in the area but wasn’t widely distributed.
Before leaving the east coast I worked and lived just outside of New York City in wonderful Weehawken, NJ. The gas station next to my office was always stocked with Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry and Root Beer. They didn’t have the infamous (and nasty) Cel-Ray soda which was fine with me. Seriously, who drinks celery flavored soda?! (Editor note : Cel-Ray is truly baccarat_guy’s favorite soda.)
When I moved to Las Vegas, I didn’t know much about the Jewish community. I didn’t expect to find Dr. Brown’s soda very often since it’s from the east coast. There doesn’t seem to be a huge Jewish community here but there is Dr. Brown’s soda!
There aren’t kosher delis like the one I used to work at. However, there are “Jewish” and “New York Style” delis and restaurants. Jewish deli’s and restaurants in Las Vegas tend not have kosher kitchens (learn about kosher here). In fact, I’ve ordered bacon from the few Jewish restaurants I’ve been to. That’s not kosher.
Update April 2017 : Rampart Buffet at Rampart Casino | Thursday Deli Night offers iconic East Coast favorites such as matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, lox and bagels, noodle kugel, potato latkes, sliced corned beef and pastrami, carved brisket of beef, potato knish, Dr. Brown sodas, black and white cookies, and rugalach for $16.99 with Rampart Rewards, $18.99 without card, $15.99 Senior (50+ with card).
[Hat Tip : @Vegas724 ]
HUZZAH! I was back on the east coast again!
Actually, this was better than being back in the Bronx. I was drinking my beloved Dr. Browns Black Cherry soda in a casino at the sports book watching baseball. Dr. Brown’s soda is available in some other New York/Jewish style restaurant’s and deli’s around Las Vegas. On the Vegas Strip, you can probably find it at New York-New York casino. Dr. Brown’s is available in some other fake kosher deli’s around town too, like Bagel Cafe.
The other day I was a bit under the weather and cranky about it. There was only one thing that could lift my spirits. I hopped into my car, drove over to the Suncoast, grabbed a Dr. Brown’s Root Beer and watched baseball in the sports book. Ahhhhh.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make Las Vegas perfect.
Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. He learned about gambling at a young age working down the street from a bookie who took action on anything from the mainstream sports to the last three digits of the purse for certain horse races. Yeah, that's a thing. Today Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant which allows him to work anywhere there's a wifi signal. This allows him to work from the sportsbook at Red Rock Resort or the food court at The Venetian where you’ll find fast and free wifi. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.
