A Morning Menu of Stories We Think You’ll Find Interesting

The Future of Katz’s Deli

The ever-present disquieting thought in the backs of the minds of New York deli mavens, as they wait for their Katz’s Deli slicer to build their pastrami sandwich is, how long can this good thing last? The neighborhood keeps improving, real estate prices keep rising, yet here remains Katz’s, slicing cured meats since 1888. In Jordan Weissmann’s fascinating story for Slate about Katz’s, and its owner Jake Dell, we learn that there are additional financial pressures on the deli business in general. For instance, wholesale brisket prices have tripled since just 1988. Delis pretty much sell cured meat as a loss leader, making most of their profit on everything else.

How has Katz’s remained? They own the building. They are impervious to rent increases. Not addressed in Mr. Weissmann’s story, though, is the temptation for the Dell’s to take advantage of the value of their location at some future point in time. For how long will the Dells be able to resist that call? They say it won’t happen but everyone cashes out sooner or later. We’ll keep hoping it’s much later.

Why’d Ya Go, Kickass?

Kickass Cupcakes of Somerville, MA closed a couple of months ago.

Kickass Cupcakes of Somerville, MA closed a couple of months ago.

One of the many benefits of having Chris and Amy Ayers as friends is how often they arrive accompanied by a box of Kickass Cupcakes from Somerville, MA. Kickass Cupcakes were special because, unlike the cakes at most cupcake shops, these tasted as good as they looked. And they looked fabulous. We’re using the past tense because Kickass closed its doors in August. Word is… there’s no word. Why’d ya go? Here’s a list of 13 Boston area eateries that have closed this year.

Primanti Watch

Primanti's is coming to York, PA.

Primanti’s is coming to York, PA.

The next Primanti’s opening will be in York, PA, at 2151 South Queen Street. This will be its first York County location.

A Southern Food Chat with John T. Edge

Silver Sands, along with Arnold's Country Kitchen, catered this past weekend's six vegetable meal at the Southern Foodways Symposium in Nashville.

Silver Sands, along with Arnold’s Country Kitchen, catered this past weekend’s six vegetable meal at the Southern Foodways Symposium in Nashville.

Julia Bainbridge of Yahoo! Food talks to John T. Edge, director of the Southern Foodways Alliance, about Southern food, its place in the culture, its evolution and regional variations, and its current state. Says Mr. Edge, “We’re in a moment when everyone seems to have fallen hard for Southern food. ” That’s for damn sure!