If you're hungry for a taste of the East Coast look no further than the New York Deli.

This McAllen restaurant transports you directly to the Big Apple . It feels like a restaurant nestled in a bustling business center rather than the relatively posh strip mall it's stationed in. The place has character - decked out in Beatles memorabilia, the Fab Four's music plays in the background, and the place itself is a little dark, which reminds me of many of the delis I visited in New York City.

I ordered a chef's salad and was surprised by the size of the dish. It was huge - a big enough for lunch for my entire family. And although the squirt bottle of blue cheese dressing wasn't very elegant, it got the job done. The meal filled me up and I had enough leftovers for two other meals. A friend ordered the club sandwich, which he said was really good. The meal came with a pickle and potato salad, both of which were tasty.

The New York Deli takes a diner out of the Valley and transports them to a very different atmosphere. It's ideal for people from the East Coast looking for a bit of home.

New York Deli

• 829 Dove Avenue, McAllen
• 956- 631-8787

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Paige Lauren Deiner covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425.