#96 – BRISKET SANDWICH at DAVID’S BRISKET HOUSE

The blurb in Time Out about the Brisket Sandwich at David’s Brisket House ends with a warning: “Don’t forget the gravy.” Guess what? I forgot the f-ing gravy!!!

I knew the sandwich tasted a little dry. I got up at one point to ask for more mustard. I don’t know why one of the friendly deli guys didn’t offer the gravy with my brisket sandwich. It would have made it that much better, I can only imagine.

Well, gravy or not, the sandwich was pretty good. David’s is an anomaly in the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant which does not seem to have a big Jewish community. But once inside the doors of this very small deli and you’re tasting these sandwiches, you’re transported back to the Lower East Side.

This is one of those true hidden gems that’s been there forever that never seems to get any press. Truth is, the deli is now owned by Muslims (they close every Friday afternoon to pray at a local mosque) who uphold the kosher style preparations for corned beef, pastrami, brisket, and the like.

Since I never made it here on my official corned beef/pastrami search, I wrote a separate review on their combo sandwich. But I also tackled my list item, the titular brisket sandwich. It comes in three different sizes priced at $5, $8, or $13. Either way, you’re getting a deal.

Besides being a bit dry (I know, I know, the gravy!), the brisket was very flavorful, warm, and tasted like leftovers from Passover dinner. The rye bread was also fresh and gave way to some tender, fatty brown meat. I haven’t had a brisket sandwich in many years and this is exactly how I happily remember them. Too bad I couldn’t remember to ask for the gravy!!

Would David’s Brisket House’s Brisket Sandwich make my Top 100 of the year? Sure, I forgot the gravy, but the guys behind the counter should know what to offer to make their sandwich perfect. Besides the slight dryness (not to be confused with toughness), this sandwich is close to perfection so it gets an 8 out of 10.