Well, there are a lot of delis in NJ and eastern PA that are almost (or as good as) some of the ones in NYC. I think a popular choice in NYC would be a hot pastrami sandwich, but I'm not overly fond of pastrami. My choice would therefore be a Corned Beef Special. Of course reubens (I prefer corned beef in them over pastrami) are also extremely good, but I don't like them as a sandwich. I prefer them open-faced and heated under a broiler, then eaten with a fork and knife. The Corned Beef Specials, however, are best in sandwich form. They are basically just rye bread (preferably seeded rye) with corned beef, coleslaw, Thousand Island or Russian dressing, and sometimes Swiss cheese. People who think sauerkraut is in Corned Beef Specials, are wrong. Sauerkraut is meant for reubens. I'm a little biased in thinking eastern PA and NJ have the best sandwiches. Who can beat a real (I mean real) hoagie or cheesesteak? However, though PA and NJ can have great bagels, NYC is still likely the Mecca for them, and many there do like the traditional toasted bagel. Often poppy or sesame seed, with cream cheese and lox (also sometimes "Nova" or smoked salmon, all of which are salmon, but lox is made a little differently and Nova is supposed to be from Nova Scotia), plus sometimes some herb (i.e dill) and/or capers. Or if the bagel is totally fresh, it need not even be toasted since it will already be hot and crispy on the outside. NJ does have one of the best breakfast sandwiches. Some people call it the NJ Breakfast Sandwich, but central New Jerseyans call it "Pork Roll Egg & Cheese Sandwich". Central New Jerseyans are the ones who have the authority to really name it. Calling pork roll "Taylor Ham", in central or southern NJ, can inspire some ire, even though the first pork roll (Taylor brand) was invented in central New Jersey (Hamilton Square/Trenton area) and the second most popular brand (Case's), my family's favorite, was created in Belle Mead, which is also in central New Jersey.

I just looked it up, and it seems that the Corned Beef Special may be more of a Philadelphia sandwich than a New York City one. Sorry. I'm a native of the Delaware Valley, which includes Philly and a bit north and south, including the western part of New Jersey, in those areas.

Is there something about your town (or state) that they are famous for? Need not be a food (or could be).