Curtis Sliwa knows New York. He also knows a good deli order when he sees one.
The Guardian Angels founder and longtime NYC personality recently shared his favorite meal from Carnage Deli, giving his followers another reason to put this neighborhood-style food stop on their radar. And if there is one thing Sliwa’s food recommendations are unlikely to be, it’s boring.
The post offers a fun glimpse into the kind of classic New York meal that doesn’t need a celebrity chef, a tasting menu or a reservation made before the restaurant was even built. It is the sort of food meant to be eaten with enthusiasm—and probably without counting the calories.
For Sliwa, that makes perfect sense. His relationship with New York food culture goes way back. He has competed in some of the city’s legendary eating contests, including Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, and even won the Carnegie Deli sour pickle-eating contest in 1994.
In other words, this isn’t exactly a man who approaches lunch timidly.
The Carnage Deli post also taps into something distinctly New York: the neighborhood deli as a cultural institution. These are the places where an enormous sandwich can double as breakfast, lunch and dinner, where portions are serious and where ordering confidently is practically a civic responsibility.
And Sliwa’s enthusiasm makes the meal feel less like a formal restaurant recommendation and more like a friend saying, “Trust me, get this.”
That is exactly the kind of endorsement that can send hungry New Yorkers on a mission.
Whether you’re a longtime Sliwa follower, a deli obsessive or simply looking for your next New York City food destination, Carnage Deli is worth putting on the list.
Because in NYC, everyone has a favorite deli order.
Apparently, Curtis Sliwa is happy to share his.
