Pastrami Queen Closes Times Square Location After Just Three Months

Longtime Upper East Side Jewish deli Pastrami Queen has closed its new Time Square outpost — after just three months in business.

The deli, which was originally founded as Pastrami King in 1956, expanded with the new Midtown location in March. It was the restaurant’s first expansion in over 60 years, and it set up shop inside the Pearl Hotel at 233 West 49th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues.

The new location served a similar menu to the UES one: pastrami sandwiches, brisket, corned beef, chopped liver sandwiches, and other traditional Jewish deli fare. Eater critic Robert Sietsema had nice things to say about the Times Square spot, describing the pastrami meat as “nicely fatty.”

Pastrami Queen has become known for its thick-cut, crumbly version of pastrami, and it’s long been considered one of the best Jewish delis in New York City. It was also a favorite of the late food icon Anthony Bourdain.

The deli originally opened in Williamsburg in 1956 as the Pastrami King. It moved to Queens before finally landing on the UES, when it adopted the new name Pastrami Queen. The UES restaurant at 1125 Lexington Ave. remains open.

Eater has reached out to the owners for more information.