Barry Kucker has been selling meats at the Rochester Public Market for almost 25 years. For the past decade or so, he's been serving hot pastrami sandwiches only on Saturdays.
"The idea was to have one great sandwich which people would come to my stand for and see some other things I sell," he said.
It didn't go as planned. His pastrami sandwiches developed a loyal following, but few of those customers bite on the (uncooked) duck, Wagyu beef, kurobuta pork, boar, elk and rabbit he also sells.
"I was trying to chase them into my net but it didn’t happen like that," he said.
In a twist of fate, his pastrami sandwich is getting even more attention.
A new list published Sept. 25 by USA TODAY named Fare Game's pastrami sandwich one of the best sandwiches
in the country.
These sandwiches are not fancy. The pastrami comes from a deli meat company in Detroit. He steams the meat in a steamer pot that can hold only so much; his stand is limited in terms of space and power outlets. Some of his customers will buy the cooked pastrami by the pound to take home.
“I cook as much as I can every week," he said. "Sometimes I run out. Sometimes I don’t.”
He carves the pastrami by hand to order. "I’ve never weighed a sandwich," he said. "I look at a person, I make the sandwich. I probably make them way too big.”
He neatly places the slices on soft rye bread and adds a smear of Golden's deli mustard. He serves it alongside a couple of dill pickle chips. At this time of year, he makes the pickles, but the rest of the year he tries to get "something good."
"You do a couple thousand of them and you get the knack," he said.
Find the sandwiches in the B shed (indoor shed) at the Rochester Public Market, 80 N. Union St. Kucker sells the sandwiches beginning at 9 a.m. Saturdays. He sells them until 1 p.m. unless he runs out sooner. Call (585) 752-2309.
Parking tip: I usually park in the large lot across Union Street. Avoid congestion by entering the lot via Scio Street.
More: Where to get 10 of Rochester's best sandwiches | Exclusive
Tracy Schuhmacher has been food and drink reporter for the past 11 years. Notice a food establishment open or close near you? Email her at tracys@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: USA TODAY names a Rochester pastrami sandwich one of the country's best
