In the Zabar’s lunchroom, an international language is spoken
For employees, Zabar’s provides a free, luscious sandwich of your choice and the lunch area is stocked with all kinds of muffins, bagels and rolls.
The 16 customers you’ll meet at the Zabar’s lox counter
Zabar’s! Crossroads of the world! For every customer, there are an infinite number of stories. Here are just a few of them.
The oldest customer at Zabar’s lox counter — the tale of the 105-year-old man
“You don’t look a day over 102,” I told him.
The sturgeon will see you now — an expert’s guide to smoked fish
Ever wondered about the difference between kippered and baked salmon? Between black cod and sable? The lox doctor answers all your questions.
‘Should he sit or should he go’ — a uniquely Zabar’s dilemma
The chair says “For Customers Only” on it, but last week the boss said it was ok. What’s a weary lox slicer to do?
Of arms and the sushi man, I sing — a poem from the Zabar’s lox counter
The author, who worked behind the lox counter at Zabar’s for 26 years, sings the praises of the sushi chef.
‘May I help you, Mr. Perlman?’ — a lesson from the maestro at the Zabar’s lox counter
Not all the customers like to kibbitz; I wondered if Itzhak Perlman liked to spar.
“The end is actually the beginning” — and other life lessons from the Zabar’s lox counter
So, I traded my suit, tie, calculator and computer for whites, a plastic apron, a sleek, slicing knife — and I loved it.
“She didn’t like it salty” — A tale from the Zabar’s lox counter
Her left arm was securely held by the health care worker who accompanied her.
The unkindest cut: Last call for a Zabar’s lox slicer
Len Berk worked for 26 years as a Zabar’s lox slicer. Now 90, it seems too risky for him to carry on.