Calling all Mad Men fans and sandwich lovers, you won’t want to miss this Brooklyn Avenue Sandwich! Pastrami on rye bread with cole slaw on the sandwich and Russian Dressing. Lunchtime really doesn’t get much better than this.
About 3 or 4 years ago when my son was still in elementary school, I was working on a project with a few teachers.
After meeting one-on-one with the only male teacher in our school, a young, hip, highly coveted teacher by the students, he asked me if I watched Mad Men.
I didn’t. He said I really reminded him of one of the characters in the show. Not watching it I did not think to ask which one.
Fast forward to today. I’ve just spent the last two weeks immersed in the 1960’s, binge watching all 7 seasons of Mad Men.
I tend to watch series, usually online, and love well-developed characters, sophisticated plots and scenarios that so draw you in that you feel as if you’ve traveled to the location or era.
A few friends strongly encouraged that Mad Men had to be my next watch, and I’m so glad they did.
Candidly it took a little while to engage with the show for me. For those who have not watched, it is an AMC series about an ad agency in New York City spanning the entire decade of the 1960’s. There is a quorum of key characters, Don Draper being the main focus (played by Jon Hamm), and the audience rides side car as they navigate the trends and perils of the time usually smoking and drinking a lot.
Watching from 2015 many things struck me in addition to the complexity of the characters.
They would generally roll into work not so early, ask their ‘girl’ for coffee as she hangs up their coats and then drink straight booze from the stylish bar carts in their office at any happening, good or bad, all through the day.
Don Draper frequently ‘lays down’, having all his calls held, as he naps during the day before unfurling a genius ad slogan which really is his sole worth.
It took me about half of the first season to not feel I was going to hurl just watching all the smoking, everywhere from restaurants to meeting rooms and airplanes.
I was initially captivated by the characters and their roller coaster plot lines.
The secretary who becomes a copywriter, really facing what I’m sure women did in a man’s work force in that era.
A voluptuous red head office manager becoming a partner and savvy business woman battling for men to take her seriously in the board room rather than wanting to spend time in the bedroom.
The men’s indiscretions in their personal lives and work, coming within an inch of their lives of being caught.
But usually like a cat, living out more than nine lives before things crashed down on them.
The housewives dedicated to a clean house, impeccable make up and dress, the entire priority of their day being a dazzling dinner on the table when their ad men husbands arrive home (which is usually much later than they promise; and of course there were no cell phones to communicate in a timely way).
My attention broadened to notice the series impeccable attention to detail.
Every article of clothing, furniture, turn of phrase in perfect place.
I almost had a heart attack when in one episode near Halloween, there was a ‘vintage’ decoration of a black cat on an orange accordion stand in Joan’s office that I purchased myself from eBay a few years ago.
I love the fashion. Have searched eBay for some particular bar glasses they use in the latter season and spied many items I recall from my Grandmother’s kitchen.
I also loved the discovery of big brands we know today in their nubile form just starting out needing a catchy ad campaign.
Brooklyn Avenue Sandwich
Somewhere in the midst of season 6 when Pete Campbell is working in Southern California with his distinct tan and receding hairline, he takes visiting Don Draper to a deli where they have a Brooklyn Avenue sandwich.
Pete is raving about how it’s like New York on the west coast (though the bagels are terrible per his opinion) with pastrami on rye with cole slaw directly on the sandwich. Insert the sound of cartoon brakes screeching to a halt now.
Origins of the Sandwich
I paused the show right then, wrote down the name of the sandwich, began to text all my friends from the New York area and spent two hours researching.
I had thought the sandwich was originally from New York and served at this Los Angeles deli but that was not correct. The sandwich was conceived at Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles, a Jewish-style deli opened in 1931 originally on what was Brooklyn Avenue (and is now Cesar Chavez Ave) in Boyle Heights.
The only thing about the sandwich I could find online was from their menu.
Pastrami, cole slaw and Russian Dressing on rye with a side of potato salad.
Turns out the Mad Men Episode was filmed at Canter’s and not one thing in the restaurant had to be changed to be 1960’s authentic; it is still exactly the same as it was in the ‘60s.
Though I’m not a big sandwich gal, this sandwich had my name all over it.
Pastrami is not a common lunch meat any more and I was immediately hungry for it.
It took me several calls locally before I could find traditional beef pastrami (thank you Whole Foods) rather than turkey or bison pastrami. The crunchy sweetness of cole slaw ON the sandwich? Where do I sign up?
And Russian Dressing.
Though it takes a bit of time to whip up fresh cole slaw and the Russian Dressing (which should be made before hand to chill for a few hours and thicken), it is completely worth it. I even augmented one of our favorite gluten-free bread mixes to create a ‘safe’ version of rye bread.
The flavors of this sandwich are fantastic; sweet, salty, spicy. The texture and mouth-feel is out of this world between the thin pastrami and the crunch of the cole slaw. My family gobbled it up and quickly went out to buy more pastrami! Served with a side of traditional potato salad and you are set. Check out the Mad Men series and definitely the sandwich!
I never have figured out which character the teacher felt I reminded him of. But I’m glad his comment piqued my interest to watch. For this sandwich alone!
Inspired by an episode of Mad Men featuring this sandwich from Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles, the Brooklyn Avenue may become your favorite sandwich ever! Spicy Russian dressing slathered on rye bread, with pastrami topped with cole slaw! What’s not to love? Included is a recipe for ample Russian dressing and cole slaw. Planning for 4 ounces pastrami (or to your preference) per sandwich, there will be ample ingredients to make several sandwiches. Each the Russian dressing and cole slaw recipes may be made independently for different uses and increased by keeping the proportions the same. I personally amended our favorite gluten-free breadmaker mix to make a mock rye bread that is gluten-free! Those details are shared in the Notes section below.
Recipe

Brooklyn Avenue Sandwich {Pastrami, Cole Slaw, Russian Dressing & Rye}
Ingredients
Ingredients for Cole Slaw:
- 1/3 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Celery Seed
- 4 Scallions , white and light green portions thinly sliced
- 3 cups Cole Slaw mix
Remaining Sandwich Ingredients:
- Thinly sliced pastrami (4 ounces or more per sandwich)
- Rye Bread
- Russian Dressing
Instructions
Instructions for Cole Slaw:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, dijon mustard and celery seed; whisk to combine.
- Add the scallions and cole slaw mix; use a mixing spoon to toss the greens into the sauce until it is fully combined. Refrigerate in a sealed container until use.
Instructions to make Sandwich(es):
- Spread some Russian dressing on two slices of rye bread. Add 4 ounces pastrami, top with a helping of cole slaw. Sandwiches may be held together with toothpicks if desired. Serve with a side of traditional potato salad.
Anne says
Umm this sandwich was wonderful!
So good! I was feeling lazy today about the
the Russian dressing so I tried to find it at the grocery store. There was not a single bottle at Schnucks or any other Schnucks. Not carried anymore. So I googled Russian dressing at the store.
And something popped up that the store had it!
I grabbed it. ottโs original famous dressing. And prayed for the best outcome. I so very lightly put it on the two slices of rye bread. It rocked my husband loved it as much as I did! Finally a sandwich that you donโt have to go to a deli for! Thank you so much for the recipe
Toni Dash says
So glad you liked it Anne! I agree it’s a fantastic sandwich. Next time do try the homemade Russian dressing to see what you think. It’s very easy to make and has great flavor (I’m glad you found some at the store; it’s very difficult to find now).
Karla says
Hello,
I came about this sandwich on an episode of โ30 Rockโ, exactly the same except they added potato chips in the sandwich. It was called โthe Liz Lemonโ after Tina Feys character, I am sure it is a twist on the original as Jon Hamm was a regular on 30 rock and often made references to his mad men character, we love the sandwiches, both versions and both shows!
Toni Dash says
How fun! I love knowing this.
Stormin'Norm says
Heeey Toni:
I grew up in Los Angeles and my first experience with Deli’s was at the original Canter’s on Brooklyn Ave. Years later I would go to Canter’s on Fairfax…the current location…..HOWEVER….If you ask ANY Foodie and Deli Lover in/from L.A. they will tell you the Greatest Pastrami in the world is at Langer’s Deli NOT Canter’s which doesn’t even compare! THey even did a TV show about it on NETFLIX which I’m going to try to leave here…the sandwich part is on YouTube:
The #19 is hand cut Pastrami, Double baked Rye Bread, Cole Slaw & Swiss…ummmmmmmmmmm!
ALSO…RE: MAd Men…I got my first job in a large Ad Agency back in 1967 it was very similar to your description…everyone drank & smoked…at work…It was definitely a boys club…no women in power…..
Toni Dash says
I can’t tell you how much I LOVE reading your comment!! Love the scoop on the deli situation and the link. Also knowing your ‘ad man’ experience. Funny to look back through the Mad Men filter to the ’60’s isn’t it? Thanks for your time leaving all of this.
Stormin'Norm says
This is really funny…I just came across the above story by accident and wanted to reply to”The Brooklyn Ave. Sandwich” AGAIN….then I saw I had last year??? Since then I have streamed & “Binged” the Mad Men Series…loved it!
Erin says
I know I’m late to the party, but what kind of chile sauce? It looks fantastic! I can’t wait to make it.
Toni Dash says
Any brand is fine. I think I used Heinz Chili Sauce which youโd find in the condiment area of the store with the ketchup.
pastrami pete says
sure took you long time to get to the sandwich, but it was worth it – might just have to get the deli to make me one…
Toni Dash says
I didn’t want to shortchange the sandwich history Pete! I love this sandwich too. I think we need to head to the original deli in LA and get the real thing!
Susan says
HELP!! 1 teaspoon pimentos in the Russian dressing? Pimentos in the flesh, dried, or what? If it’s actual peppers rather than dried and ground, why only a teaspoon? I’m sorry, but this just doesn’t make any sense to me at all.
Toni Dash says
Jarred or canned, Susan.
Susan says
Thanks, Toni!
Chef Dennis says
I loved Mad Men and didn’t know that the sandwich was actually created in Los Angeles! Thanks for sharing such a delicious sandwich and a brilliant recap of the series!
Toni Dash says
So glad you liked it. Before making something potentially with regional or ethnic roots I always research. I respect tradition and don’t want to rub anyone the wrong way making their prized recipe wrong. It was fun to learn all I did in the process of making this sandwich!