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Waiting on line on Christmas is a time-honored New York tradition — was it ever thus?

JL;DR SUMMARY Amidst the bustle of New York City during the holiday season, lines at iconic Jewish establishments like Russ & Daughters and Katz's Deli become a tapestry of tradition and modernity. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish TraditionsNew York CityYiddish CultureJewish ImmigrantsRuss & DaughtersKatz's DeliQueuesHoliday CustomsAppetizing StoresCommunal Rituals

Places mentioned

New York City, New York, United States
"Twas the day before Christmas and there was a line outside Katzs Deli on NYCs Lower East Side."
New Jersey, United States
"Each Christmas Eve for the past 42 years, Licata, jones this time by a family member and a friend, has made the hour-long drive from central New Jersey."
Washington, Washington DC, United States
"Down the block, most every year, Jeremy Kahn and his family make a pilgrimage from Washington, D.C. to Katzs Deli."

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Retrieved 2025-12-26 05:30:57 UTC
Curated 2025-12-26 08:30:48 UTC