When it comes to food in New York it comes down to three:
Pizza: There are pizzerias all over New York, one of the best being John's of Bleecker Street in the West Village
Pretzels: Available at hot dog stands all over the city
Pastrami: The best known places to go for pastrami are Katz's in the Lower East Side and Carnegie Deliin Midtown Manhattan, although they are quite expensive. Instead try Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop on Fifth Avenue between 22nd and 23rd streets for equally good food at almost half the price.