Photo by: Anders Krusberg/
The Martha Stewart Show

On October 12, 2008 Ben's Best was selected by Martha Stewart as having one of the 14 best Hot Dogs in New York. Martha featured the hot dog with relish, slathered in mustard nestled in a fresh bun, on her television show. To view the entire segment on the 14 Best Hot Dogs visit the Martha Stewart website.

Pope John Paul - Presentation of the gift to His Holiness by the Pave the Way Foundation Board. This foundation initiates gestures of good will, in order to advance relations between faiths. Working behind the scenes, we have achieved historic and concrete results. Jay was with a group of people who represented a cross section of Judaism, who traveled to Rome with the blessings of millions of the faith in order say thank you to Pope John Paul II for his "acts of love of all mankind and his implacable pursuit of peace and reconciliation of all faiths." Pave the Way is dedicated to bridging the gap between religions, through cultural, technological, and intellectual exchanges. By funding specific projects, we hope to pave the way towards further cooperation and understanding, among the diverse faiths, and in turn, embrace our similarities and savor our differences. The end result...peace, understanding and mutual respect.

By Tony Pagano - Daily News
I've often wondered why most restaurants just seem to come and go, while a select few continue to thrive year after year. Is there a secret, or is it just plain luck? Well, driving to Ben's Best Kosher Delicatessen in Rego Park, Queens, about to celebrate its 62nd anniversary this coming November, I would soon find out.

Walking in with my dining companion, I liked the warm, homey feeling of the room with its walls decorated with vintage pictures of Queens Blvd., some even before it was paved. Jay, the owner, greeted us warmly and showed us to our table.

A delicious medley of appetizers consisting of stuffed cabbage, mini meat balls, chicken fricassee, Hungarian goulash, and stuffed derma gave us our first inkling as to why this restaurant is such a venerable dining institution in Queens.

Next we feasted on tender, juicy slices of roast turkey and brisket of beef, and followed tha up with plump and savory grilled hot dogs on toasted buns. But, pastrami is the proof-in-the-pudding of great delis. And a plateful was coming our way.

It smelled wonderful and looked great. I took a slice of their rye bread, which is home-made daily and has no preservatives, and coated it with spicy mustard, Then I heaped slice afer slice of tender pastrami on it, covered it with another slice of bread, cut it in two, gave half the sandwich to my companion, and took a bite out of my half. Wow! Never have I tasted pastrami this tender, this juicy and this delicious.

If there is a "secret" to the durability and popularity of this restaurant, Jay inadvertently revealed it: He told us that his father always treated his customers like family, and always used the finest products and ingredients money could buy - a tradition that Jay steadfastly adheres to this very day, and on that, I'm happy to report, results in quality, great-tasting food. excerpt from the Daily News: Restaurant Tours, April 2008 - Ben's Best Kosher Deli A Tradition in Quality and Taste ... by Tony Pagano.

By Ian Jackman - Eat This
'Quick Bite - David Kamen is an associate professor at the Culinary Institute of America in New Hyde Park, New York, one of America's oldest and most prestigious culinary schools. David says, "If you are coming to New York especially Queens, you can't miss Ben's Best Deli on Queens Boulevard and Sixty-third Drive, where you will find the best corned beef and pastrami on rye and potato knishes that ever existed."

Ben's Best sells kosher heroes, cocktail party nibbles and giant containers of spreads serving up to thirty people: 1-718-897-1700/www.bensbest.com.' Jackman, Ian, 2007, EAT THIS, New York, Harper Collins Publishers.

By Josh Ozersky and Daniel Maurer - Grub Street
"Hot dogs sizzle behind the window, and the smell of fresh corned-beef sandwiches lingers in the air like the memory of vanished relatives. Owner Jay Parker, a vigorous middle-aged man with a thick head of silver hair, watches over his chickens, his flanken in a pot, his salamis. You come in, he chats with you, he talks about the deli business, about Rego Park, about politics. And then you eat.

The sandwiches are good, of course, but it's the hamishe specials, the veal breast, the pot roast, and the roast chicken, that keep you mired in the amber of delis past. Then there is something we can never avoid ordering, if only because it might be the most Jewish menu item in New York: a "pupu platter" of derma, stuffed cabbage, potted meatballs and a "special treat" that changes daily. Only a Jewish deli in Rego Park could serve that and call it a pupu platter, and rest assured that every single customer would get the joke. excerpt from the New York Restaurants: Grub Street, December 19, 2007 - Riding the V Line: Ben's Best the Pride Of Rego Park: by Josh Ozersky and Daniel Maurer.

By Ed Levine - NY Times: Dining Out
I found incredible pastrami at Ben's Best founded Ben's 1945 on Queens Blvd. in Rego Park; the restaurant has no connection to the Ben's Deli chain of delicatessens. The Ben's Best pastrami seems to hark back to an era of darker, more aggressively spiced, small - pastrami - like the one served at the legendary deli, now closed, called Pastrami King. Ben's Best is peppery and soulful. It has a winy crimson color. It is absolutely delicious. The owner of Ben's Best, Jay Parker is a pastrami classicist. He said that when he took over the business to his father, Ben Parker, in 1980, he wanted to serve old fashioned pastrami, cured by hand and in barrels. Four years later he asked a small kosher pastrami purveyor, Eddie Weinberg of Empire National in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to do it for him. Jay Parker, the owner, is a throw back; a man who believes that pastrami is all about taste and texture. His sandwiches provide both, and are fabulous
- excerpt from the NY Times: Dining Out, April 30, 2003 - Got Mustard? Putting An Ageless Pleasure Between The Rye: By Ed Levine

By Sunny Lee - Daily News Jay Parker doesn't believe that his sandwich should be judged on height alone, though his stacks up with the best. Rather, he explains, the integrity of the sandwich is how you handle the meat, "If the pastrami isn't treated properly, nothing else matters, " he says. excerpt from the Daily News, August 5 2003 : Where to taste the high life - Tall Order: By Sunny Lee

In celebration of Jerusalem "3000" (anniversary of Israel), held at Gracie Mansion, Ben's Best was one of the catering teams that fed 2,500 guests. In attendance were Former Mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert, Former NYC Mayors Ed Koch and Rudy Guiliani, and Former First Lady of NYC, Donna Hanover.

Jay- I'll trade a cold front for a hot pastrami! Dave Price weatherman and featured reporter: CBS News The Early Show,2003

Jay - Thanks for once again doing our deli event in D.C. The town for people who cut the mustard.- Gary Ackerman: Queens Congressman


By Clem Richardson - Daily News
Parker will crack you up if you can pry him away from the computer or cash register or kitchen in his Ben’s Best kosher deli restaurant on Queens Blvd. in Rego Park. “You can tell me my wife is ugly, my kids are stupid, but don't tell me my corned beef is bad", he said. But protests aside, the former stock broker and his deli staff do know food, and have the reputation to back it up. For instance, when the Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association Championship last year, Governor Pataki turned to Parker to pay off his bet with Texas Gov. Bush. Parker and his crew flew to Austin with, among other things, platters of chopped liver, shaped like the Empire State Building and pastrami molded like the Empire State, (not to mention the knishes, cole slaw and pickles.) About 500 people packed into the reserve officers club in Washington last week to stuff themselves with food, Ben's Best supplied for Queens' Congressman Gary Ackerman's annual fund-raiser. The men, numerous members of their staff, transplanted New Yorkers looking for a taste of home and "people from other parts of the country who never saw this kind of food before, "said Jason Goldes, Ackerman's press secretary. Asked why they used Ben's Best - which has catered the event for the last 17 years - Goldes said, "Because the food is great!" excerpt from the Daily News: Spotlight on Great People, April 17, 2000: By Clem Richardson



Plaque
Presented to Ben's Best with our sincere appreciation for your dedication and support to our community and the children of the Forest Hills Basket Ball League: 1999/2000

Plaque
In recognition of your commitment to the betterment of the community and your many contributions to that end. Community Counsel, 112th Pct: August, 1996

Plaque
In appreciation for your support to the NYC Police Department and the citizens of the city of New York (donation of horse): New York's Finest: June, 1989

Plaque
Presented to Jay Parker "businessman of the year" with our sincere appreciation for your untiring and devoted efforts on behalf on behalf the Rego Park Community and for your on-going commitment to the goals of our organization. Central Queens Regular Democratic Club: May, 1987

Plaque
In tribute to Jay Parker with deep affection and esteem. Your generosity, resourcefulness and untiring efforts are greatly appreciated. Our membership unites in presenting this most deserved testimonial to you: Rego Park Jewish Center: May, 1987

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