NYC pastrami is undoubtedly the best. Some of the iconic delis have closed, but when I get in there again (who knows when, with the rampant street crime, what a shame), I'll search it out. I still maintain that pastrami is defined as smoked and then steamed corned beef, of course most delis don't use brisket but some kind of chuck roast for thin slicing. It's all good!