First of all, you need to know what pastrami is, a delicacy with a fascinating history that has become one of the favorite snacks around the world.
Pastrami is lean beef, usually from the brisket, cured in brine to intensify the flavors and preserve the texture; It is then seasoned with spices, usually black pepper, garlic, coriander, mustard, and paprika; and finally, it is slowly smoked in a process that can take several days to reach perfection, with a distinctive flavor and irresistible aroma.
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The fact that it comes from this part of the animal’s body, which is rich in collagen and fat, helps to make the meat tender and gives it a very special flavor.
Pastrami is usually served in sandwiches, and it was the famous New York sandwich that brought it out of the anonymity of cured meats.
Let’s find out about its origins and where you can eat it in Lisbon.
Where does pastrami come from?
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It is said that pastrami has two possible origins, with the best-known version coming from Eastern Europe, Romania, and Turkey, when immigrants from these countries brought this method of curing meat to the United States, where it became very popular in the Jewish community.
On the other side of the Atlantic, it gained fame especially in New York in the 1920s, when Romanian immigrants began to open businesses where this meat was sold.
Nowadays, we know it best in its sandwich form, largely thanks to New York delis that sold these finer and more “exotic” products, which over the years have become a symbol of Jewish-American cuisine.
The best places to try it in Lisbon
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Nowadays, you can find these meat sandwiches in many places, although in Lisbon there aren’t as many spots as we would like.
You can find pastrami in its most famous sandwich, the Reuben, in which the meat is usually sliced and served on rye bread with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. It’s an explosion of flavors you won’t believe!
In Lisbon, there are three places where you can try this refined delicacy:
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Kau Pastrami House
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Kau Pastrami House is the latest sensation in Lisbon for those looking for authentic Texan barbecue elevated to the level of New York pastrami. The project is led by Rui Matias, who, after the traveling success of his “Kau Barbecue,” opened this permanent space focused exclusively on the perfect pastrami sandwich.
The big difference here is the origin and the time: the meat (beef brisket) comes directly from Colorado, United States, and is cured for 21 days before being smoked over wood for about 12 hours. The result is extremely succulent meat, which is served in a purist style at the counter: just meat, mustard, and homemade Montachique bread… with cucumber pickles on the side (for those who like them, of course).
Address: Avenida Duque de Ávila 38H (Picoas/Saldanha area)
Quimera Brewpub
@pubquimera
This bar-restaurant in Alcântara has the unique feature of being located inside a 300-year-old tunnel, which makes your visit even more exciting, especially if you try one of the two versions of New York-style pastrami sandwiches, the NY Deli Sandwich Gourmet:
- Pastrami: toasted Portuguese beef cured and stewed in beer with black pepper and Portuguese mustard sauce
- Reuben: toasted Portuguese beef cured and stewed in beer with cheese, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing (mayonnaise, pickles, and spices)
Address: Rua Prior do Crato 6 (Alcântara)
Let’s Pastrami
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This is the only shop in Lisbon specializing in this delicacy, and you can also try some of the most famous cocktails here, such as the Bloody Mary or the Caipirinha.
Among the pastrami offerings, we highlight the four sandwiches made with this meat:
- Let’s: pastrami with sour cream, horseradish, and barbecue pickles (€12)
- Ruben: pastrami with Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut, and cheese
- Kimchi Ruben: pastrami with Thousand Island dressing, kimchi, sauerkraut, and cheese
- Rachel: turkey pastrami, Thousand Island dressing, sauerkraut or cabbage, and cheese
Address: Rua Poiais de São Bento 20 (Calçada do Combro)
Bibs
@bibs.sandes
Bib’s is a must-visit in Lisbon for true cured meat sandwich aficionados, but not only. Inspired by classic New York delis, this establishment stands out for its artisanal pastrami, which undergoes a long curing and smoking process until it achieves the tender texture and intense flavor that have made it famous.
The atmosphere is relaxed and focused on product quality: rye bread or brioche, spicy mustard, crunchy pickles, and, of course, generous slices of meat that melt in your mouth.
Address: Rua de São Paulo 20 (near Cais do Sodré)
Now that you know what pastrami is, take your friends or family to try this century-old delicacy at one of these places in Lisbon. We’re sure you’ll love it!
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