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2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
Delancey-Essex Sts (F, J, M, Z)
Mon-Tue. 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Wed-Thu. 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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Newbie's need to read Monica's review and take notes. God bless the arcane Katz procedure, it makes the place special.
This place does not need another review. So here is a story. I was introduced to Katz by a dear friend, Francisco Rodriguez, and on my second visit I ventured on my own and ordered a Pastrami on Rye.
At the adjacent table was a big man, well chiseled. A cop or fireman. This man was with his wife or GF, her first time obviously. He brought a pastrami sandwich on french bread, with a Becks. Her face said it all. What a sandwich. Truly a man's meal. She said something like, I thought we would share..... He gave her a look like, you're kidding right. Then he bit into his sandwich and transformed, his eyes rolled back into his head and proceeded to enjoy his meal in a religious way. I have seen this reaction to food a few times in my life. But never with something as simple as a pastrami sandwich.
I have since never had ANYTHING other than a pastrami on french bread with a Becks.
Go to Katz. Eat. Enjoy. And dont lose your ticket.
Like the legendary Katz needs another review but here is my 2 cents.
Read this if it is your first time visiting Katz--you need an instructional on how to order so you don't look like a noob.
Take your ticket from the door man, if you want something grilled (hot dog/burger, cheesesteak) go to the first counter on your right.
If you want the pastrami, find any open guy on the middle of the counter and go right up--or wait in a quasi line until you hear "Next!". Pay attention and try to make eye contact because it gets hectic--keep your eye on the prize
Order drinks at the very end. through each station, they will scribble some code on your ticket which signifies what you ordered. Now sit and eat--if you want to keep ordering, just bring your ticket back with you.
Suggestion if 2 are eating: share your awesome pastrami and share the most succulent hot dog you will ever have (who knew?). I know you feel like being gluttonous and devouring your own sandwich but please trust me. I too was forewarned, but did not heed. It's a lot of food.
When done, take your ticket and go to the front and pay. Every person must return their ticket, even if they did not use it. Or you will be hassled. I warned you!
Katz's Pastrami, Yay!
Katz's Matzo Ball Soup, Nay!
The large portion of pastrami is as good as it gets...soft, juicy and full of flavor. We had it in a roll (not a big fan of rye bread) and it was what I considered a true New York sandwich. A little mustard to top it all off at the table and, "Bada-Bing!," delicious perfection.
The matzo ball soup, however, should be called carrot flavored hot water because that's pretty much what I tasted with each spoonful. In essence, it sucked matzo balls! It barely had any depth of chicken flavor or aroma in its broth. As I said in another review, I am very picky when it comes to soups because it's my favorite food and this was a definite thumbs down.
On the other hand, we also had their split pea soup and this was pretty good. It was probably more thicker than I preferred, but the flavor was definitely on target.
I've tried pastramis at 2nd Avenue Deli, Stage Deli and some other deli around the city and Katz still takes top honor in my book.
My fiance and I took a weekend trip to New York and I had only one request. I wanted a pastrami sandwich from Katz.
After a couple of days of wandering around I finally made it to Katz. When one first walks in you get a ticket. You will not be told why or for what BUT you better not lose your ticket or you will get charged 50 bucks on the way out.
I had to jump into two different lines as there are different stations. Once again this isnt explained so beware.
After the confusion I finally got a hold of a pastrami on rye with mustard. I took one bite and couldnt believe how good it was. I will now make it a point to visit Katz everytime I come to New York.
Katz is one of those places that is a pain in the ass. They dont explain to you that they continue to use an outdated system used by delis in the past. The place is like a train station. Full of a bunch of crazed customers and employees BUT the pastrami is fabulous!
Pastrami is king and Katz is the king of pastrami!!!!!
It is definitley just OK. Tried the pastrami and brisket. Sandwhiches on rye. The pastrami was good but the brisket was dry and flavorless. I don't think the price is adequate for what you get. The only redeeming factor was the potato pancakes, these are not like latkes. It was more like a mashed potato fry, still yummy.
Glad we got a chance to try it but doubt i'd go back given the chance. Also was not diggen the ordering paying progress. Tickets and multiple carvers and someone else for drinks and someone else for anything other than sammiches, then the waitressed area vs. Counter orders. Geez. No bueno.
Holy moly macaroni. I love reubens. I love meat. Never did I think I'd like pastrami on rye...no sauce, no sauerkraut, nada! But I have been forever changed. The pastrami at this place is insane. Thick, juicy slices cut up before you, stacked in between two pieces of rye bread. Done. That's it. There's a sid of mustard you can use, and then a plate full of pickles that were so fresh and crisp that they were almost cucumbers still. It was perfection. I dream of this place.
The line system is a bit strange if you're not ready for it. You enter, and are given a ticket. Go to the deli counter, and line up behind a butcher guy, and order from him. There might be 6 different lines, so choose wisely. You order, and they mark off what you ordered on the ticket. Upon finishing your meal and leaving, you take the ticket and pay at the door. If you're sharing a meal with a friend (which I did), both of you must present a ticket at the exit! One will have a mark on it, the other will be blank. Do NOT throw away the blank ticket.
I have been eating Pastrami sandwiches (the old school way - on rye w/ mustard) all my life. The best i've ever had was at the Tenafly Kosher Deli - but they are hit or miss. When i arrived at Katz's Deli, i was very excited to chow down on some succulent pastrami, and taste the greatest sandwich in NYC.
But no! Alas, it was NOT the best sandwich in NYC. What went wrong? Well - and this is my personal opinion obviously - but i found the pastrami to be waaaay too thick. It almost had a rubbery texture that i found a little off-putting. I don't know about you, but i like my Pastrami to be of the 'melt-in-your-mouth' variety. I don't mind some fat content for flavor, but it should be thinly sliced, piled on high, and tender as all hell. THIS pastrami was not, due to the thick cut. Hey - maybe it's my fault. Maybe i should have specified to slice it thin. All i know is - $15 later - i was not a very happy camper. Sure it had flavor, but it wasn't anywhere near the best i've ever had. So.....the search continues.
They're all very nice, and fast, and I like that it's been there for over 120 years. It's pretty cool, too, that they give you a little meat sample as they fix your sandwich.
That being said, I just went for an egg cream. I was told I have to have one while in New York. It was good, but not $4 good. I didn't see any vegetarian sandwich options, but I wasn't looking *too* hard.
Katz's- you are legendary!
Been eating your yummy delicious deli food since I'm a little girl. Coming with family was the best cause we would order so much and share family style. Your franks, fries, knishes, corn beef, brisket, pastrami, pickles, Doc Brown sodas and more is some of the best deli grub around nyc. Plus, visiting you transports a person to what "Old New York" must have been like and felt like. The wall of fame, the cast of characters employed to serve all make for a delicious and fun time in my opinion.
Walk in front door. Each person must take white ticket. Read sign: "...there is a $50 fine for not returning ticket..." WHAT!? Take tickets from everyone so they don't lose them. Head to counter. Let the native NY'er order. 2 50/50 - that's half corned beef and half pastrami...mustard and sauerkraut! extra pickles in the bag please. Eat and savor sample pieces. Allow HOT MEAT to melt in mouth. Walk to counter pay for sandwiches, turn in unused tickets...leave with no fine! YAYY!
We put them in our friend's refrigerator and they ate theirs for lunch the next day. She divulged a secret to me "we thought about eating your sandwich and replacing it with a generic one! it's THAT good!" I'm glad that she left ours alone because it was some sort of AWESOMENESS! Although, I have to say we didn't eat the sandwich until we got back home to California, but it was still DELICIOUS! OMG! DELICIOUS!!
Can't wait to go back - this time one for me AND one for the BF! No more sharing! LOL!
My brisket sandwich was sooo dry! I don't understand it. On their menu, they list their brisket sandwich as "tender." Not the case at all. Dry & lean, beefy flavor noticeably absent as well. It must have been an off night. But, I'm not trying another one of their brisket sandwiches again. Not worth the traumatizing experience.
I was hungry, late for a party, desperate, and I just wasted $15 on slivers of dry brisket. I did what MacGyver would've done; I tried my best to save my meal. I called for extra mayo, and a side of tomatoes. I then proceeded to submerge my sandwich in mustard. The combination reinvigorated the meat with some juice. But, it was still a terrible sandwich.
Also, why are the sandwiches noticeably downsized?, then I heard a collective mumble from my table guests: "Recession." Fair enough.
I'll go back to try their pastrami, corned beef, and steak fries. However, I can make a better brisket, so I'll steer away from their version.
ps: the bathroom smells clean. I don't know how they manage it. Good job!
For years I avoided New York's famous delicatessens after a terrible experience at Carnegie Deli. But on Friday night we were in the LES and wondering where to grab a bite.
Ordered a combo sandwich (pastrami & corned beef) and some steak fries. It is hard to describe how good, moist, tender, juicy the meat was. It was by far the best corned beef and pastrami I have tasted.
The fries were good as well. Not exceptional but good. The Katz's ale washed down all this goodness for a reasonable price.
Why not 5 stars? Their highly confusing ticket system. Don't lose your individual ticket that you hand back anyway in the end...
I could not go to NY without trying Katz's pastrami, which most call the "best pastrami in the world". I did my homework and encountered tidbits of knowledge that would be useful during my Katz' experience. Of the things I learned during my search through the web and experiencing it first hand:
-The ticket they give you once you enter is what they use to keep track of what your ordered. GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE. It's an automatic $50 fee if you lose it.
-Tables on the left side of the wall have waiter service. Don't sit there if you don't want somebody taking your order.
-It looks like a crowded mish-mash of hungry people once you get in but each sandwich maker has a line to take your order. Try to be patient and search out for the shortest "line".
-The sandwich maker will give you a sample of their prized pastrami. Tip them a few bucks for their kind gesture.
-Request the pastrami to be "juicy". The sandwich maker will give you the fattier, juicy cuts of pastrami on your sandwich. And honestly, is there any other way to have your pastrami? I think not.
-Side orders such as fries can be ordered in the line where you get your beverages.
I got my pastrami sandwich with mustard on rye ($14.95), along with piping hot crispy fries ($4.50), a complementary side of pickles, and something I've never drank before, Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray soda ($2.50).
The pastrami was moist, tender, flavorful, and almost falling apart. It was as good as advertised and more. I should have ordered another sandwich but the masses had increased in numbers since I had ordered. The fries were steak fries fresh from the fryer that were decent. You just needed to season them yourself. The pickles I passed over to my friend and the Cel-Ray soda was very unique. That background of celery taste was unusual but not unpleasant.
Katz's Deli is checked off my to-do list but it doesn't mean I won't be back. That pastrami will motivate me to visit NY once again and very soon.
Before we did the tour of the 2nd Floor of the Tenement Museum we stopped by Katz for lunch.
The place was packed as usual.
My wife had two hot dogs with mustard and sauerkraut. She also grabbed a knish for us. I scolded her for buying the fried square type since I prefer the roundish type that isn't fried.
I waited on line for my fabulous pastrami sandwich on rye with mustard. I also grabbed a plate of mixed pickles and a bowl of incredible matzo ball soup.
We washed everything down with seltzers.
Bill came to just under $40.
A ticket for food...almost like lunch time back in high school.
However, this place is anything but crappy sandwiches wrapped in saran wrap. The moment you cross the turnstiles into this joint, you are immersed into a piece of tasty lower east side history.
It was a Saturday night, we were semi-smashed and it was pouring - perfect night to try to get into Katz seeing how we were quite unsuccessful the other 2 times around.
I have one complaint - Katz is quite cruel for making me wait in a long aromatic line inside AND having to witness people ahead of us snack on the samples while my stomach ate itself slowly. So cruel. When it came my turn, I made sure to showcase my tender slab of pastrami to the people behind me before I inhaled it.
Make sure you put some mustard in the pastrami sandwich if that's your thing. For $15 bucks the sandwich is a little pricey but well worth it...they give you so much meat and the meat tastes so freakin good.
Happy fooding!
words cannot describe how good the pastrami sandwich is here. the eternal battle has always been langers of LA vs Katz of NY. living in LA the past few years, katz is the one i dream about.
this is one of the 3 MUST eats i have when i come to NY.
potato salad isnt too bad either, and the macaroni salad is possibly slightly better.
just typing this review has made my mouth water... can someone just send me a tasting slice that they normally give you at the sandwich line please???
BEST PASTRAMI IN THE WORLD.
Almost makes me want to move to New York solely for this reason but I think I love friendly people too much.
Katz is the reason why you don't find me fiending for pastrami sandwiches in the streets of LA.
Thick piles of hand carved pastrami neatly packed between the best two pieces of rye bread don't come better than this. This is GOLDEN, I say... Oh, and did I mention the mustard?? Ask for extra. It's sinfully zesty and has the right amount of kick without the saltiness so don't be shy, SLATHER it on!
Half sour pickles complete this perfect meal!
$15 for a pastrami or corned beef sandwich?!?! For $15 and all the hype that surrounds this place, I expected it to be one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. We made a trip out here our first night in N.Y. since it was recommended by so many people and it was on Man vs Food. I just don't see it.
The sample that they give at the beginning was really juicy and tender. I was really excited since the sample was so good but eating it between two dry slices of rye just didn't do it for me. What a rip off.
Seriously overpriced. The meat was not salty enough. The ceiling was dripping and the place was pretty dirty.
I refuse to take visitor's here even when they specifically request it.
They give you a lot of pickles, which I love.
Ok so I'm not from NY. Just went to go visit to get out of the area and I was like, ok.. I need to try this place out. It's like a mandatory eatery visit coming out from clear across the country. So we get on the subway with a friend that was taking us around.
After a long ride she realizes that the address was wrong and we were in Coney Island. Yeah... not the right direction. After a good laugh and a few photos we get back on the subway and get there. By this point 2 hours have passed and we are starving.
You get your ticket and the door person just kind of points into this mass of people. At first it looks like a long winding line. We eventually discover that it is actually 6-7 different lines mashed together because each sandwich cutter has their own line. FYI, if you want to try the matzoh ball soup, it's a different line. So is the drink line.
We get the pastrami and corned beef. I have to say it was quite delicious. I tried to just objectively eat the sandwich rather than letting the hype I heard give me an overly high expectation. Definitely no place I've tried that tastes this way in NorCal. Was worth the wait to try.
Just remember to bring cash because it is cash only and go hungry because it doesn't seem like a huge sandwich but it's pretty damn big.
Overrated? perhaps... well what do I know this was my first Pastrami experience. So we got there around 1 on Saturday and this place was extremely busy. We had to take a ticket on our way in and return it, used or not, on our way out or be charged $50 per lost ticket.
My brother got in the line to get us two sandwiches with rye bread and little bit of mustard. This was served with slightly pickled cucumbers and a few extremely pickled ones.
The sandwich was delicious, the meat was moist and flavorful. I had no idea that it should taste like a good hot dog! Considering I do not like regular mustard and rye bread, it could not believe how good the sandwich as a whole worked well together. The sandwich is extremely filling,
The pickles were not too my liking. The slightly picked pieces tasted like I was eating cucumber and the extremely picked pieces stated like I was biting in vinegar. I would have liked something right down the middle.
Now this meal was not cheap, as each sandwich was $15 a pop. The seating was limited, busy and loud. I don't mind loud, I don't mind busy... but god damn it took forever finding a seat.
For first timers, the seating along the wall and the last two tables in the main eating area are for waiter service only.
It was a good meal, but a bit pricey if you ask me, hence the 4 out of 5 stars.
This place gets a big thumbs up from me! Really good meat to be had here. The corned beef was tender, juicy, and crumbly. Awesome mustard. Didn't really like the pickle, but I thought the little tomato was great. If you're thinking about going for the first time, here's how it works:
Grab a ticket, then move to any of the meat cutters and tell them what you want. Hand them your ticket, get it back then move to the left for sides and drinks (Get the fries and a Dr. Brown's soda!). Give them your ticket again. Eat. Bring your ticket and pay on your way out. Repeat.
I didn't know any of this going in so one of the meat cutters yelled "Whatsa matta, you scared?" when I didn't give him my ticket right away. Then he barked, "Grab a tray!" at me twice when I ordered fries. Kind of intimidating, but I guess it was fun to play the part of dumb tourist in New York. I think it got a few laughs from the other patrons, too.
Go here. You won't be disappointed!
Summary: 4.5/5 stars rounded down
+Superb sandwiches
+Great, big fries
+Worthwhile experience
+Plenty of seating
-$15 sandwiches?
Boy, if you haven't eaten at Katz's but you think you know what mind blowing pastrami tastes like, you've got something in store for you. I've never felt meat melt in my mouth the way it did until came here. I only needed one mouthful until I quickly added Katz's pastrami on my aphrodisiac list.. and considering how huge this whopping one pound sandwich of deliciousness was, I left a VERY satisfied woman.
If you know what I mean ;)
New York = Deli!
When you come to NYC you have to eat at a deli, I mean seriously it's a must. We wavered back and forth as to which deli it should be but with the help of Yelp my mind was made up...Katz!
We beat Monday's lunch crowd, thank god. I had no idea what to expect and that was probably good. It's not glamorous by any means but come on it's a deli! I had such a tough time deciding between the pastrami and the corn beef it all looked and smelled amazing. In the end we shared a pastrami sandwich on rye with a side of potato wedges. The pastrami was melt in your mouth good and the flavor...holy crap...it blew my mind. And lets not forget that special spicy mustard and the pickles. You've got to go!
Also tried my first black and white cookie. :)
P.S - The potato pancakes looked heavenly!
I'm not sure what I can say that hasn't really been said already. This place is pretty crowded, and the multi-line thing can be confusing for the first time visitor.
That said, the sandwich definitely had a LOT of meat on it. It was pretty pricey but you do get a lot. I ended up only having half & having the second half the next day. Not as tasty the second day, but still not bad. I think for the price, I prefer DeFonte's, which also give large portions for about the same price range. The pickles, though? Wonderful. Crispy and delicious, even the next day.
A quick note: it's supposed to be cash only, but if you do what I did, and show up without enough paper money, you can go to the end of the counter by the drinks and pay there by credit card. I also ended up bypassing the large line for the cashier because of that.
Yes, I've been to Katz's through the years, mostly unwillingly due to tourist friends of mine. Here the quick lowdown.
* A tourist staple.
* Overpriced sandwiches. Many years ago, prices were actually reasonable, but I think tv shows that made pilgrimages to this place have put it on the map and consquently, the owners put it on the menu.
* Dingy dining room, but that has always been the Katz's (old New York) way!
* Limited service
* You can do better and cheaper!
* So so egg creams
I report, so you decide...
Katz seriously has the best pastrami sandwich anywhere. Their soups are pretty good too! I had myself a nice half serving of hot pastrami sandwich with a cup of matzoh ball soup. Despite the fact that it was quite a large meal (HUGE HEAP OF MEAT crammed into two generous slices of bread), the rows of dried meals hanging from behind the deli counters were simply begging me to bring them home.
Everywhere you look in that restaurant is another piece of history from where Harry met Sally to all the celebrity photos on the walls...Eating there is like eating in a museum of cool and quirky Americana. I love this place!
Let me start by saying that I'm usually a fan of Pastrami. This place has changed my mind. This was my 2nd time here and I felt that even though there are so many reviews I feel the need to reminisce about the experience also.
We came on a Sunday around 12.30pm and the place was like a zoo.
There were a combination of tourists and locals. There were no specific lines.. it was a mess. If I hadn't been there before I would not know where to line up or how to order. I had my friend stand in one of the lines and I went searching for a seat. It was nuts! We had to share a table with 2 nice locals. It's best not to come at peak times. Because it was a nightmare waiting in the lines and getting a table. You have to elbow people to get in and out of line. This place is on almost every NYC tourist map.
Here is what we had:
1 Pastrami Sandwich on Rye with mustard - The meat was so juicy it tasted like prime rib. I lick my lips as I think about my first bite into the sandwich. My friend could not believe how good the quality of the meat was.
1 Beef Tongue Sandwich - We made the mistake and ate the Pastrami first which had a lot more flavor and fat. This tasted bland having it second. The tongue itself was tender but didn't have much flavor.
1 Motzo Ball soup- This was soup tasted soooo nice on a 40 degrees rainy NYC day. The Motzo ball had a lot more flavor and herbs than I 'm used to. It was the best Motzo ball soup I've had!
1 Barley Chicken soup- This also was quite good.. tasted like a good hearty soup your grandmother would make
The prices are quite high for just sandwiches but they do have the best tasting Pastrami I've ever had.
Sides - I tried their potato salad once and it was not that good. It was just boiled potatoes and mayo. Their Mac salad looked the same.. just mac covered with mayo.
Dessert - I had their cheese cake last time but it was nothing special. Very basic diner-like cheese cake.
Drinks - There is a separate line you have to get in for drinks. Good thing we brought our own bottle water.
Many of my friends back home tell me that Langer's in LA is better.. I have yet to try and compare the 2. This is definitely gourmet pastrami meat.
Sure the sandwiches are decent, but the staff there is nightmare. I called there, asking to speak to the general manger about helping me out with an event and he hung up on me!
I am going to another place from now on when I am planning my next event!!
Not worth it!!!
Katz is a Pass.
After I told my friends that I'm not a pastrami fan (I don't like the stuff, not even a little bit), they insisted I try Katz and that it will be the best pastrami I've ever tried. Well, that may be so... but it still didn't wow me, and I would easily pass on this $15 sandwich for the many other delicious eats in this part of Manhattan. For $14.95 you get layers of freshly sliced pastrami with a slab of dijon mustard between two slices of rye bread. Maybe I'm a pig, but honestly, the sandwich didn't look that big to me. This was the most expensive and disappointing meal during my past trip to NYC.
I can see why people seem to love this place though. There are several pros: the meat is freshly sliced and there are a ton of meat cutters to do all the slicing and dicing for you. The line moves pretty quickly because there are so many meat cutters hard at work and the place is huuuge (esp for NYC) so there's plenty of seating. Plus, there's something to be said about the ambiance here - it's cluttered, messy, crowded, friendly, and feels like home.
Here's the drill:
- Enter and they hand you a ticket (don't lose it or you pay)
- Stand in one of the many lines - each meat cutter is a line.
- Hand them the ticket and place your order, but you don't pay here.
- They hand carve the meat in front of you, then ask if you'd like some pickles. Say yes, they're good. Remember to hold onto your ticket.
- After you're done eating you walk towards the door and hand the cashier your ticket.
- Goodbye, come again.
I wish I could stuff some dried out corned beef between two pieces of soggy rye and sell it for $20, but alas, I don't have that luxury.
Since I live in the neighborhood, I've visited Katz's on occasion with my out of town guests. All I can say is, at least their consistent.
The line is consistently long.
The staff is consistently rude.
The sandwiches are consistently dry and over-priced.
The plates are consistently dirty.
But hey, it's a piece of history. I mean, how many places can you see a cardboard sign hanging over a table where Meg Ryan faked an orgasm two decades ago?
Oops, hope I didn't ruin the surprise.
Meh.
I have this friend who isn't up to date on movies. So last week he comes up to me and starts talking about how he just watched "The Godfather" and proceeds to give it a mixed review.
I'm not that kind of guy. I'm not going to come onto Yelp and pretend like I figured out what's lousy about Katz's and why it doesn't deserve to be a New York institution.
Anyway, I don't believe any of those things.
After two weeks of nothing but pasta and pizza in Italy and Croatia, Jamie W. and I had a hankering for something more Lower East Side as two roly-poly goys on a daylong layover in New York. When we checked into our budget hotel on 14th Street, I thought we should make a beeline along all the tempting eateries on 1st Avenue right to the one and only Katz's on Houston.
Yes, the place where everyone was staring at Sally faking the big g-moan to Harry. Yes, the place Anthony Bourdain says makes the definitive statement on pastrami. I have to admit I had never been before. Seriously. And it's everything you'd expect it to be on a Saturday evening at 6:30. A zoo ...a frickin' zoo (see photos). Chaos for rookies like us. We're told to take a ticket and get in line. Of course, the line is really about six different queues that look like one hungry, angry mob. We followed the smell and figured anyone with a knife was likely to be a sandwich maker ...or a gangsta, I suppose.
When it's my turn, I can't decide, so I go for the default choice, the combo Corned Beef and Pastrami on rye (see photo). You know I'm a male shiksa because I asked for lettuce, tomato, and get this, mayo. Oy, he did it without snickering and gave me the obligatory sample taste of corned beef while he was making the sandwich. I asked for the big pickles because well, they're big. Oy, it added up ...sixteen big ones. And then finding a seat was such a pain that I was getting shpilkes in my genecktageesoink.
Finally a table with a lotta dirty dishes, so we shoved them away to gnaw on our sandwiches. Good. Very good. It's the brining, I think. And the giant Kosher pickle is to die for, you should pardon the expression. So Katz's does live up its reputation, but you certainly pay for it. Next time I'll have what she's having.
FOOD - 4.5 stars...oh yeah, that's a whole lotta meat, nicely brined but "Ka-ching, Ka-ching" as Chinese Jews must say
AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a zoo with a lot of Lower East Side flava ....love it or leave it
SERVICE - 3.5 stars...well, he gave me that sample meat but snapped at me when I forgot to give him the ticket
TOTAL - 4 stars...go, you know you want to, just do it...and maybe you'll do the big g-moan, too
Omigod - I just died and went to pastrami heaven....
My brother loves Carnegie's as he lived near Central Park. But I always wanted to try Katz.. Now I know which one is better! The meat here is freshly cooked, plentiful and melts like butter. I had lunch here with my cousins and we had the following: combo pastrami/corned beef reuben, cheesesteak and chicken salad sandwich - we were all VERY happy with our sandwiches.
Be forewarned it is a zoo (especially if you go during the peak meal times). Read all signs and ask questions to the first person you see who will hand you a ticket. I recommend using the full service table if you have plenty of time and are in a large group (who want different items) but there are only a few full service tables (the ones against the wall) so you may have to wait. If you want the full "ticket" experience you will have to do the following:
1. Get in line for a cutter. Note there is NOT one line but many lines. This gets confusing when the floor is packed.
2. There are separate lines for the cheesesteak, matzo ball soup and drinks.
3. Each line you go to will ask for your ticket. This ticket will be needed when you exit to tally up the total.
My recommendations: If you can't choose between corned beef or the pastrami get the combo (hint they will also make you a combo rueben if you ask). If you don't have a preference for bread - ask for the roll. I wanted dark rye but they only had light and it wasn't dense enough for all the meat they pile on it so it got a little soggy (booo). I also noticed while I was waiting in line is how nice you were to the cutter had a direct correlation to the amount of meat you receive - so be nice to the cutter (even if he took forever ...) and tip dependent on how big your sandwich is. The lady two customers in front me was quite rude and kept adding to her order. The sandwiches were still good size but not big. But when I engaged in small talk - I couldn't believe how big my sandwiches were. I guess this also works if you want to control your portion =)
Best freaking pastrami sandwich. Some say other delis have bigger portions, who cares. This is the best tasting in NYC that I have seen so far, and I used to work here and eat out lunch every day - and for quick, cheap fast and the best pastrami, Katz just rules.
It's Friday night and I'm wasted. Where am I? I think I'm on Houston street? I stumble down the sidewalk unsure which direction I'm headed. I squint at bright pink neon lights... "Katz"... "Delicatessen"... Looks famliar. Oh yeah. Meg Ryan. SEXY. Pastrami or something, right? Yum. Funny, all this time I've never made a point to come here. I struggle with the door.. push? pull? I clumsily manage my way in. It's loud and lots of confusing things are happening. Someone thrusts a blue ticket in my hand and says, don't lose it. I almost throw it on the floor but shove it in a pocket somewhere instead after a Katz employee glares at my uncoordinated idiocy. Someone smiles at me and gives me free beer? I down a glass in one gulp. Magic Hat promotion they say. Number 9. "Help yourself to some free Magic Hat condoms too!" They make condoms?! Beer and condoms, a fitting and logical combination of goods I guess. I chuckle to myself in all my grand maturity. I think I cracked a lewd joke when a girl walks in, grabs 10 condoms, and walks out. People are all up against a long counter shouting stuff. It doesn't look like a line. What am I supposed to do here? I guess my disorientation was blatantly visible because some guy behind a counter calls me over and feeds me slices of pink meat on a plate. Man, am I that cute? People keep giving me free stuff. Tee hee. "MMMM! Sthutff izzz good mannN! Pastrami? Pastrami bread.. rye? musdard? is dat what you famous furrr? i'll have da famous thinggg..." Oh, now I see why I have a blue ticket (thank god my drunk ass kept it, it's $50 if you lose it). He marks it. I sit down with my sandwich. Before, I had a mere lean nibble of the meat, but now it was a full fledged indulgent drunken chomp.... HOLY CRAP. THAT IS GOOD. The wave of pleasure that sweeps through me is like a splash of refreshing, cold water sobering me immediately. Fatty. Juicy. Succulent. Flavorful. Tender. Every cliched adjective used to describe a good piece of meat was applicable here. This was the best drunken food discovery for me since finding 53rd and 6th in 2005. As I walked out after finishing my magical sandwich, I glanced back over at the Magic Hat condoms table. Should I grab some? Nah, maybe I would if I hadn't already blown my wad eating that pastrami... =)
Zing! Gotta love a tasteless and crass punchline. =P
P.S. - minus 1 star for price gouging: pastrami sandwich = $15... profit margin must be 1000% (NOT hyperbole)
Like seeing the Late Show, I'm glad I went there; but I'll never do it again. Overcrowded and over-priced.
The pastrami is good here, don't get me wrong. It's probably the best pastrami I've ever had, but it still is only pastrami. My first time at Katz was an interesting experience, the way the line works and the ticketing system would make any NYC tourist feel like they just experienced something new.
The food is great, but the 22 dollar tab when I left was not. 22 dollars for a sandwich, coleslaw and a coke just smacks a bit of highway robbery. This is nothing more than a delicious tourist trap.
Best pastrami sandwich in the known universe. Get a plate of pickles and a cream soda with ice to cut through the savory fattiness of it. The above is a meal for two.
Cash-only. Don't lose your ticket. Not for vegetarians.
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Category: Delis
Neighborhood: Theater District
Category: Delis
Neighborhood: Theater District
Category: Delis
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
Category: Delis
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