The Pastrami Project

This review is another entry in my tour of the places in Florida Guy Fieri has eaten at with his show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I have a Yelp collection if you want to follow along with my adventures. The show first aired in 2006 and it is on its 47th season of Guy's road trips across America where he highlights some of America's most underrated and delicious local eats.Guy Fieri visited The Pastrami Project for the episode Multicultural Cooking which aired on episode 11 during season 26.The Pastrami Project is a traditional New York style deli located in a food truck behind Cafe Travastere on Magnolia Avenue near downtown Orlando Mondays through Fridays, from 10 AM until 2 PM. It is the creation of former IT tech turned chef, George Markward. It was such a pleasure to meet and chat with George who could not have been nicer. He was more than happy to entertain all of my questions about what it is like to be featured on DDD. George bakes his own loaves of rye bread which are the sturdy canvas for his sandwich masterpieces. For the pastrami he cuts down brisket and cures it for a week. He then puts on his spice rub, smokes the meat, refrigerates it to make it easier to hand-slice, and finally steams the thick slices before building the sandwiches.The Pastrami Project's menu features $12 meals with coleslaw and half sour pickles. Add $2 to make it a Reuben or Rachel and $11 for double meat. Menu choices include Pastrami with Mustard, Braised Beef Brisket, Deli Cuban, Smoked Turkey, Tuna on Rye, Tuna Melt, and a BLT. Other entrees and sides are tacos, rolls, and fries. Dessert is a Black and White cookie from Daisy's bakery. He also serves breakfast with omelets and bagels.After careful consultation of the menu I decided on the Pastrami Reuben. My sandwich was delivered loaded with a heaping portion of lovingly prepared, tender and flavorful pastrami. Even the slaw was amazing. Of course I had to wash it all down with the perfect accompanying beverage, a Dr. Brown's cream soda. Eating at the Pastrami Project was a long time wish come true. If you are in the downtown Orlando area, this a must visit destination for anyone who appreciates an outstanding sandwich.

Getting a speeding ticket would've been worth it after driving down 95 for the two hour ride to make it to the 2 PM closing of The Pastrami Project. George the chef and owner does all his magic from inside a food truck as he was quite engaging. We discussed our differences in our latke ( potato pancake) recipes. Our party of 4 ordered potato latkes, pastrami Rubens, smoked turkey sandwich, and french fries. All the sandwiches came with a side of coleslaw and a pickle. The sandwiches were absolutely delicious and ample in size. The coleslaw was a different take, and we all enjoyed it very much. The latkes came with a choice of apple sauce or sour cream ( we chose apple sauce) were excellent but not as good as mine of course lol. Next to the food truck, there is a table and chairs under an umbrella where we sat and ate our lunch.George prides himself on his take on Russian dressing which he makes with red caviar. While I prefer traditional Russian this was interesting. My friend was so full from her sandwich she couldn't even eat dinner. We will return another time for another 2 hr road trip as it was well worth it. Things to know- Get your pastrami fix Monday- Friday until 2 pm. Closed weekends. The Pastrami Project has been featured not once but twice on Diners, Drives, and Dives.

I found this gem on Yelp when attending a meeting nearby. It was a bit hard to find. Fortunately, I was walking. The venue is a permanently located food truck. According to signs, Guy Fieri has eaten here and endorsed the business. They specialize in New York style deli sandwiches. The menu features deli style sandwiches served with coleslaw and a pickle. They also have a set of sides and a few breakfast items. I had a pastrami on rye sandwich. I enjoyed it. The proprietor was friendly and helpful. I'd like to go back and try some other sandwiches.

Best Pastrami and Plentiful FREE Parking! This has pretty much ruined any other pastrami for me. I think the stuff at Katz in NYC looks similar, but everything else is like bologna compared to this stuff.George (the owner and Pastronomer) is super friendly and is proud of his craft. He prepared my sandwich for my meal and the pastrami was cut think and was so melty delicious! Wow, I just got pastrami and bread as I wanted to just eat it without any other distractions. It sits behind an Italian restaurant off Magnolia so drive slow in the right lane and turn right into the large lot. It's only open 10a-2p on weekdays so if you work, you may have to take a day off to get down here. I was off work for the holidays so I made this a stop! I may plan half days in the future to stuff myself with delicious meat.There are other items like Reubens, Reuben Egg Rolls, Reuben Tacos, beef brisket, and other stuff (Check the website for a menu). He also sells pastrami by the ounce like a drug dealer! I'm addicted!

I just had lunch at The Pastrami Project and it was absolutely amazing! I had the Pastrami on Rye with mustard combo (coleslaw and pickle) and it was the best ever. The food truck was fun and festive and nice little covered area that kept me dry in the rain! Guy Fieri highlighted this little gem on Diners Drive-ins and Dives, Season 26, Episode 11. I'll definitely be back! Owner was super nice and friendly!

#120 TripleD Stop.The Pastrami Project...George is a mad scientist with the food!The Brisket, The Smoked Turkey, Pastrami Egg Rolls...even the fries...AMAZING!! Everything is soooo good, be careful...your mouth may water looking at then pictures!Get by this awesome foodtruck as soon as you can you will not regretit!

George has the best pastrami i ever had in florida i drove 50 mins to get here it was worth every penny!The pastrami rolls are amazing!! a must try !!! Pastrami sandwhich is huge!

5 million stars! This place rocks. The food is amazing and the man that runs the show is a beast! I was not expecting this to be a food truck, but I wasn't at all disappointed! It was a little hard to find the truck but I don't care I would go through an obstacle course if I had to for one of these sandwiches! Yesssss!

The place is in an odd area. Guy was nice and helpful. Food wasn't that costly by comparison. Difficult to find a Ruben in FL. Bread - barely ok. Not a good RyeMeat - portion was proper, but the cut is thick and tastes more like corned beef than pastrami Toppings - not enough sauerkraut, needed more dressing and NO MAYOColeslaw - chunky. Looks and tastes like he mailed it in.Wish I could say I liked this more as price is ok and it would be nice to have a go to sandwich.

So we made the 1 1/2 hr drive from Lakeland Fl. Central Florida traffic isn't for the faint of heart but was it ever worth the trip. Started with the Rueben Egg rolls. Delicious as hoped! Then had the pastrami that we drove for! Wow, it didn't disappoint.We even lucked out to hang out and talk with the owner, what a great guy making people happy with his food.Must comeBack each time I'm through