Time: Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 6pm
Location: Manny’s Deli, 1141 S. Jefferson Street

As a journalist and life-long deli obsessive, David Sax was understandably alarmed by the state of Jewish delicatessen - a cuisine that once sat at the very center of Jewish life had become endangered by assimilation, homogenization, and health food trends. He watched one beloved deli after another shut down, one institution after another shutter only to be reopened as some bland chain-restaurant laying claim to the very culture it just paved over.

And so David set out on a journey across the United States and around the world in search of authentic delicatessen. Was it still possible to Save the Deli?

He tells us about the food itself - how it’s made, who makes it best, and where to go for particular dishes. Ultimately, he discovers that there is hope - David finds delis newly and lovingly made in places like Boulder, traditions maintained in Montreal, and iconic institutions like the 2nd Avenue Deli resurrected in New York. So grab a pastrami on rye and sit down for a great read - because Save the Deli is an energetic cultural history of Jewish food, a vibrant travelogue, and a rallying cry for a new generation of food lovers.

We are excited to co-sponsor this event with a Chicago landmark, Manny’s Deli. Books will be available for sale at the event, alongside Manny’s numerous delicious selections.