What is the deal with Presbyterian Delis?
June 5, 2013 6:21 PM Subscribe
I just moved to NYC for the summer, am living in Washington Heights. It's a pretty dense commercial area with a ton of shops. Among these shops are a number of places that call themselves "Presbyterian Deli." What is this?
I'm certainly familiar with the idea of a Jewish deli (serving kosher food); but I have no idea what this is - what is a Presbyterian Deli? Does the religion play a part? Are there any dietary restrictions? Is this just a brand that has no affiliation with anything in particular. Here is a picture of one.
I'm certainly familiar with the idea of a Jewish deli (serving kosher food); but I have no idea what this is - what is a Presbyterian Deli? Does the religion play a part? Are there any dietary restrictions? Is this just a brand that has no affiliation with anything in particular. Here is a picture of one.
It's because you're right near the hospital.
posted by elizardbits at 6:26 PM on June 5, 2013
posted by elizardbits at 6:26 PM on June 5, 2013
That's too bad; I thought I was about to learn something about the reformation I never even suspected...
posted by randomkeystrike at 6:34 PM on June 5, 2013 [14 favorites]
posted by randomkeystrike at 6:34 PM on June 5, 2013 [14 favorites]
Best answer: Specifically, Washington Heights is home to the Columbia University Medical Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital, which is the named of the merged entity that includes what was known as Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital.
posted by chengjih at 6:53 PM on June 5, 2013
posted by chengjih at 6:53 PM on June 5, 2013
Response by poster: It's true, I am near that hospital, but I've lived near other hospitals in the past and never remember seeing deli's (or other business establishments that were 4+ blocks away) referencing the hospital. It's possible ya'll are spot on, but I'm going to wait and see if there are any other insights into this (terribly important) matter.
posted by el io at 7:14 PM on June 5, 2013
posted by el io at 7:14 PM on June 5, 2013
It's the hospital. There is nothing else. Welcome to NYC. Sorry.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:48 PM on June 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:48 PM on June 5, 2013 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Yeah this is a deli that wants to serve the very large market of hospital staff and visitors. I wouldn't be surprised if they offer a small discount to hospital employees as well -- many similar establishments near the Cornell campus of New York Pres give 10% off, McDonald's included. Woohoo, and welcome to New York!
posted by telegraph at 8:21 PM on June 5, 2013
posted by telegraph at 8:21 PM on June 5, 2013
I've lived near other hospitals in the past and never remember seeing deli's (or other business establishments that were 4+ blocks away) referencing the hospital
Yes, it's referencing the hospital, and caters to the huge number of staff, peripheral personnel, and visitors. I've seen other places near other hospitals that reference the hospital in some way, sometimes specifically, sometimes in a more general way. I was quite amused many years ago to see a bar near Flushing Hospital called "The Recovery Room."
posted by RRgal at 8:39 PM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yes, it's referencing the hospital, and caters to the huge number of staff, peripheral personnel, and visitors. I've seen other places near other hospitals that reference the hospital in some way, sometimes specifically, sometimes in a more general way. I was quite amused many years ago to see a bar near Flushing Hospital called "The Recovery Room."
posted by RRgal at 8:39 PM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Minor derail: Jewish Delis aren't necessarily kosher. It just means it serves traditional Jewish food, like pastrami, and matzoh ball soup, for instance.
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:54 PM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:54 PM on June 5, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks all! I'm convinced (and now hungry). I could honestly mark each and every answer as best answer, as everyone is right on the ball/in alignment with each other.
Excited to be here; overwhelmed with all the stuff to do, looking forward to exploring the city and finding the awesomeness here.
posted by el io at 9:13 PM on June 5, 2013
Excited to be here; overwhelmed with all the stuff to do, looking forward to exploring the city and finding the awesomeness here.
posted by el io at 9:13 PM on June 5, 2013
I found at least one other business using the name: Presbyterian Property. I think this clinches the case that this is a mini-neighborhood name.
posted by dhartung at 11:04 PM on June 5, 2013
posted by dhartung at 11:04 PM on June 5, 2013
As a Presbyterian myself, I can tell you that we don't have any dietary resetrictions, of the kosher/halal sort..... we require massive amounts of coffee and pastries after Sunday services, plus grape juice for communion, but that's about it. We'll eat anything.
posted by easily confused at 2:32 AM on June 6, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by easily confused at 2:32 AM on June 6, 2013 [7 favorites]
I wonder if it has to do with how creative the store owners are, in terms of naming their establishments. The area is full of immigrants (mostly Dominicans). I suppose it's possible that the owners wanted their stores associated with their neighborhood and named it after the dominant institution in the area. A different mix of people living in a neighborhood with a dominant institution may result in different naming preferences.
posted by chengjih at 6:02 AM on June 6, 2013
posted by chengjih at 6:02 AM on June 6, 2013
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posted by Borborygmus at 6:24 PM on June 5, 2013 [2 favorites]