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Katz's Delicatessen
Categories: Restaurants Delis Restaurants Sandwiches Delis, Sandwiches [Edit]
205 E Houston St(between Avenue A & Essex St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
(212) 254-2246
- Nearest Transit:
-
2 Av (F)
Delancey St (F)
Essex St (J, M, Z)
- Hours:
Mon-Tue 8 am - 9:30 pm
Wed-Thu, Sun 8 am - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 8 am - 2:30 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Café Fresco has been serving the Upper East Side healthy and delicious food for years. This gourmet deli offers a variety of options whether you are in… read more »
2370 reviews for Katz's Delicatessen
Review Highlights
"And best of all, the pastrami is killer."
(in 1752 reviews)
"Flashbacks of "When Harry Met Sally" when."
(in 148 reviews)
"The matzo ball soup is fabulous too."
(in 114 reviews)
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2368 reviews in English
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Review from Charles Y.
Santa Clara, CA
2/9/2012
I love it. I love everything about it. It's not that they can do no wrong (the latkes leave something to be desired, for example), but the hot pastrami is legendary for a reason.
My mouth waters just thinking about it. -
Review from christine c.
Covina, CA
2/8/2012
Ate here last weekend, had to see what all the hype was about. This deli did not disappoint. When we came in and were handed a ticket, it was little confusing on what to do/where to go. But as soon as we figured out, its a step up to the first open guy you see to order, we were set. We shared the pastrami on rye and reuben (corned beef and sauerkraut) on rye. My favorite was the pastrami, the corned beef was a little too much meat for me.
Also tried the matzo ball soup - tasted like chicken noodle soup without any of the other veggies. The broccoli knish was the only drawback of the meal - a disappointment, it was just not very flavorful and felt kind of dry, also it was still cold even after they microwaved it for 3 minutes. I would say try the square one (potato) - it looked a lot more appetizing.
We sat right next to the When Harry Met Sally table - although they no longer have any of the booths there anymore - I'm assuming to make more space. Good picture for the album. -
Review from Michael C.
Redondo Beach, CA
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
There are only two legitimate delis that can be hailed as the Greatest Of All Time (aka The GOAT) when it comes to pastrami sandwiches, and they are Katz's in New York and Langers in LA. And while advocates of each will defend their shop to the death (at least online) one things for sure, they both churn out an AMAZING pastrami.
Now while each is entitled to their own opinion, I want to make it clear and say that on any given day either shop can claim the top spot, with variance being attributed to such factors as who's carving the pastrami, how long the wait is, how much mustard is spread on your bread, the pickles, and a slew of other minor factors, so make no mistake because its a game of inches when it comes to these two shops.
What I'd like to add to the pro Katz's camp is the fact that they give you a sample of the meat as they slice your pastrami to order, similar to the way a server gives you a sample of the wine after they uncork your bottle. Its a nice gesture and is definitely a classy move on their part, not to mention the fact that it gets you excited about the meal to come.
I also love that they give two types of pickles with your sandwich and have a self serve water area. Its kind of run cafeteria style without waiters which streamlines the process a little bit. They also have ticket stub payment system where you pay when you're all done.
Another plus is that Katz's is open late compared to Langers (closes at 4pm daily). On the weekend they close up shop at 2 am and during the week I think they shut it down around 10ish which is just fine by me. Great for late night eats, especially if you're craving a juicy cut to order pastrami after a night out on the town. Just please resist the urge to order two, unless of course you are stoned out of you mind or want to take one home for breakfast.
My only knock on the sandwich is that I wish they used better bread. I really like the rye they use at Langers, but like I said above Katz's pastrami kicks major ass!
Definitely on the MUST EAT LIST of NYC restaurants!Listed in: Best of NYC
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Review from Aurore L.
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
No, I didn't sit at THE table.
It was occupied by a quartet of old ladies, permed and dressed to the nines, cackling and taking pictures while leaving their sandwich and matzo ball soups get cold on the table.
What a shame.
On a Wednesday at 12:45 pm, there was absolutely no wait. We just pushed the door, received a green ticket and were puzzled on how to proceed for a couple of seconds. Then we found what we were looking for - the sandwich counter - and ordered (what else?) a pastrami sandwich with brown mustard on rye bread. Yes, "a" like in "one" because 1. we had already ate something; 2. it's freaking expensive at $15.65 a pop. They are not kidding around in there. You get half a pound of meat though, or so it seems (sorry I don't travel with my portable scale) and 6 pickles. Enough to get you chewing for a while. And quite tasty to boot.
Super Old School NYC, with tons of pictures on the walls and a motley crew of waiters and customers that you can only find in Manhattan. It's not fancy so you just eat your sandwich and go, and don't lose your green ticket. The cashier at the exit would charge you a nasty $50....which makes me wonder what happens if you lose your ticket and you spent more than $50 on your meal....see my drift here?
A classic.Listed in: Mankind for Ethical Animal…, N-Y-C
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Review from Barbara C.
New York, NY
2/4/2012
Compared to the other touristy delis in NYC, my experience here was far more pleasant. For one, there wasn't an order minimum. Prices were still rather expensive for deli food, but not as bad. And except for a special section, there isn't table service so you don't have waiters hovering over you, making you feel rushed.
I don't eat meat aside from occasional seafood so I got the tuna salad sandwich. It was fairly decent but quite heavy (thanks to all the mayonnaise in it). I literally could only eat half the sandwich before giving the other half to my friend. My friends seemed to REALLY like their pastrami sandwiches, though, which this place is supposedly to be known for. So I guess their expectations were met.
It was very crowded and I felt like we were lucky to have been able to snag the tables we were able to sit at. There are also rules posted all over the place about HOW to properly order, but I still wasn't sure and I was scared I was going to do something wrong and get yelled at. But I managed to order my sandwich just fine. -
Review from Sophia C.
2/1/2012
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the movie, "When Harry Met Sally," and went on my own tour of finding spots throughout the city where it was filmed. Of course, I had to go to the deli of the infamous Meg Ryan scene :)
To be honest, I am not a pastrami fan (hey, don't throw that shoe quite yet!). It's too salty for me, but this homely, bustling spot converted me...maybe.
First off, being here by myself and stepping in, it was like a mini version of Grand Central station, where it was packed and people all around with a piece of paper waiting for their orders and if they lost the paper, you're out. What?
So I get a pastrami and bit into it...and you know, it was delicious. De-le-scious! The meat was so tender and not overly salted and to wash it down with a cream soda: damn...I think my heart skipped a beat from the consumption of so much calories and cholesterol in one sitting, but it was oh so worth it. -
Review from Pegah Y.
1/30/2012
I really, really liked the pastrami sandwich at Katz's deli. Sure, it wasn't the biggest pastrami sandwich I've had (the ones at Carnegie were definitely bigger) and also there was no room to sit inside the restaurant so we had to order at the counter and get it to go, but these trivialities don't deter me from giving this place a 5.
I've been to quite a few delis and I think Katz's is now tied with Canter deli in Los Angeles for my favorite delis of all time. I like Katz's better than even the famous Carnegie deli. I feel like the meat here is sliced thicker and I felt even more satisfied than when I went to Carnegie deli, even though Carnegie has bigger sandwiches and is probably more worth it for your buck.
I would highly recommend that you order your sandwich to go at the counter, since it's so crowded inside, especially on a Sunday for lunch. We got our sandwiches to go and took them to Central Park and sat and ate there, and it was a very nice experience.
This place is an establishment and it's been around since 1888... yes, 124 years! I would definitely love to stop by at Katz's again. -
Review from Jess C.
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pastrami was amazing, better than the corned beef. But that was good too!
Don't make the same mistake as me and order the sandwiches plain, get a Reuben where you get both cuts of meat along with other toppings like sauerkraut. -
Review from Kim V.
Little Rock, AR
1/23/2012
Best pastrami I've ever had. The portions are quite large, so I would suggest splitting unless you're dying of hunger. My friend and I shared the reuben with pastrami.
The pastrami was full of flavor and is so tender that it falls apart in your mouth. I can't wait to go back to try the other items on the menu. -
Review from Neil Z.
Lake Worth, FL
2/6/2012
Do I need to say anything? Its friggen Katz's deli man! I feel bad for any out of towners who never been here before and isn't with someone who has because the way you order and pay is nuts. But whatever, that's their problem. Just go again and again till you get it right. I wish they would take that 20 year old sign down about "when harry met sally" already. Katz should be know for the food not the scene in a stupid movie.
-
Review from Ben B.
1/16/2012
Okay. So this doesn't deserve a one. If it weren't the big honkin' deal that people make out of it, I'd probably give it a three. But the fact is people come here with the mistaken impression that this is typical or particularly tasty. It ain't. It's overpriced, it's generic and it's jam-packed with tourists nodding their heads and saying "Oh, indeed, I'm getting a real New York cultural experience".
No, you're not. You're paying $20 for two slices of salty cow.
There are so many better delis. They just might not be a 10 minute ride from Penn Station. -
Review from David B.
I ate a lite brekkie so that I would be ready....
I dreamed about it the night before...
I crossed the cross walk while the light was still red... Dodging cabs, crazy buses and distracted drivers all for this...
Lean Pastrami on Rye with mustard and
pickles!!! Over two inches thick this sammich was! Lean and delicious slices of the most fantastic choice pieces of Pastrami!!
At about 16 bucks a sammich it was well worth it!! Can't wait to try their entire menu... One NYC visit at a time!!Listed in: Top Restaurants, NYC
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Review from Joey S.
1/19/2012
I am not exactly fantastic at remembering meals, but I remember Katz's as if I went yesterday. These sandwiches are amazing. They are also amazingly expensive, but well worth it. I dare anyone to complain about a $17-20 price tag after being stuffed with delicious pastrami from Katz's.
The pastrami and corned beef sandwiches are both HUGE and come out hot and fresh. The pastrami sandwich is the real star here but the corned beef holds its own. As if we needed more food, we also ordered a side of fries, which we barley touched after feeling incredibly full from half a sandwich and pickles. The only compliant I would have is that the seating sucks because it is so packed. I could only imagine what a nightmare it would be to come here with a huge group. Touristy and crowded or not Katz's is an awesome dining experience that is worth the trip.
P.S. this place blows 2nd Ave. deli out of the water -
Review from Couper L.
Seattle, WA
1/30/2012
This place is a huge tourist trap. I've been to NY many, many times, and this past year was the first time and last time I will go there again. The pastrami sandwiches are pretty gross. They are full of grizzles and after 2 bites you want to stop eating. The bread is all soggy and the best thing is that one sandwich will cost you $17.
There are MUCH better places to eat in NY. Hell, go to Shake Shack and you'll be eating a better meal.
If you really want a good old fashioned pastrami sandwich, go to Schwartz's in Montreal. That is a true pastrami sandwich. -
Review from Diane L.
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm sorry - but Katz's is overrated. It's basically a large cafeteria where you order a pastrami sandwich that in my mind, I can get at my local deli and its just as delicious.
I can't even write more because i am underwhelmed by this place. -
Review from Jean L.
1/12/2012
A NY deli is the crème de la crème of the city's finest staples, notorious for their occasional nazi service, mouthwateringly unforgettable for its unforgiving height in rye and heat in radish. If you don't find it where you're standing, it's probably on the next block. The chase for NY's best, though, has been reduced to two - Canter's and Katz's, both of which have their cult following.
During our trip this time around, there was much to be said about Katz's on our two visits. The first one was a complete fail due to the very early am hours accompanied by less than sober couples who chose to cut the line. Suffice it to say, I was less than friendly, and my usually forward bf had to hold me back.
The second time, it went much more smoothly. We got what we wanted to a tee, the pastrami on rye with mustard and an avalanche of coleslaw. Also ordered a kielbasa - my first ever, and quite the kosher dog that would have me ordering more in the future.
In fact, we were so satisfied and just knew nostalgia would set in once we were back in LA, I put in an order of pastrami and house spicy pickles to be delivered to us. It was on time - bright and early that morning, a box of dried ice above a sliced slab of pastrami and hunks of pickles, with extra spices to boot.
I never did like egg creams though. -
Review from Esther H.
Huntington Beach, CA
1/30/2012
We don't mind spending $15 for a pastrami sandwich (we gladly do so at Langer's in LA), but it better be damn good, and it definitely wasn't at Katz's. There's really is no debate; Langers totally kicks Katz's @ss.
The guy at the front passing out the tickets, the guy at the counter and the girl at the register all appeared to be agitated; perhaps they didn't want to be there. I don't know if they treat locals any different since it was all tourists in there, but if tourists are giving them that much business, wouldn't you think they would be somewhat nice to them?!
Spend your money elsewhere. There are SO many better and affordable restaurants in the city than this place. -
Review from Andy P.
San Diego, CA
AMAZING Pastrami but TOO expensive!
I am not a fan of paying too much, but this was TOO expensive (hence why I dropped a star). 17-20 bucks for a sandwich. And the Pastrami wasn't overflowing too. I swear the pigs were fed gold or something because I sure didnt get the complete cost benefit of my meal.
However, the Pastrami was nothing short of heavenly. It was SO juicy and kind of melts in your mouth. I'll come again when I can afford high-class meals.
When in doubt:
-Pastrami on Rye. Can't go wrong. SO good. Must try at least once. -
Review from Joanna K.
ASTORIA, NY
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
At $10, those were the most expensive latkes I've ever had, but they came straight from the fryer (so was toasty hot!), and came with sides of sour cream and apple sauce which I love. I'm never one to refuse latkes (they may be in the top 10 of my favorite foods)!!
I had the pastrami sandwich (which is the MUST HAVE) here! My NY visitors unfortunately didn't get the hint and ordered pancakes (he was 10, I guess he can have pancakes if he wanted, even though I was a bit horrified he ordered PANCAKES at KATZ!), brisket, and open faced turkey sandwiches. Sure, they're good, solid choices. But how could you pass up their signature sandwich here?? Anyway, I digress.
We went early (11am) on a Saturday, so we didn't have to wait for a table (it filled up VERY quickly come 11:30am, and we had folks watching our every move to see when we'd get up soon enough). Service was gruff, which was to be expected!
I thought it was worth it, and will definitely take other NY visitors here! -
Review from Shirleyanne Z.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2012
We ordered the pastrami on a French Roll instead of the regular rye bread. I like the plate of pickles they serve. They weren't too sour and were pretty crunchy. The pastrami is definitely what it's cracked up to be: a big stack of pink perfectly seasoned melt in your mouth meat (wait....that sounds like something else!). The hardest part here is finding a table. Their servings are huge. My BF couldn't finish his sandwich and felt really full (what a wuss!). I, on the other hand, am a bottomless pit, so I killed my sandwich no problem.
Would we go back? Maybe, maybe not. For about $50 we got two sandwiches and two sodas (carry cash with you). That's it. Their prices are so steep but if the craving is right...I guess we'll see. -
Review from Luka K.
Glendale, NY
1/16/2012
Almost 20 bucks for a pastrami sandwich!?!
On top of that the food is distributed on a dirty counter for you to pick up. Alright, so the food handler's gloves are clean, fine, but the place is a mess!!!!
The food chefs are friendly but the guy who told me to change seats is rude. Why? Because I wasn't a waitered customer. Me and my date (yea, bad place to go on a date) had to change seats while we were eating!
The place is crowded and not very comfortable to eat in. It takes a lot to squeeze between tiny seats, and I'm a thin guy.
They've been around for a while, since the 1880's, so it has some history. If you're on a budget, or if you're a sane human being, look for tasty sandwiches at your local grocery store or at Subway. ~20 bucks is too much for teenie sandwich on dry rye bread.
I am not coming here again. Anyone who dislikes crowds and impatient waiters and cashiers should look elsewhere.
Bottom line, this place seems to be a tourist trap. Overhyped. -
Review from Rachel T.
Manhattan, NY
2/1/2012
I came here with my dad expecting to eat some of the best deli food in the city. Having grown up in a family pretty obsessed with jewish deli's I was very much looking forward to finally going to Katz's. For the price I could not have been more underwhelmed. The latkes were overly oiled and came out cold. They were served with minimal amounts of apple sauce and sour cream. The matzo ball soup was pretty delicious- I think that was the best part of the meal. The pastrami salad was pretty cold and the bread didn't really go well with the meats. Overall I would say try another jewish deli if you are the city because this just isn't the best one.
-
Review from Stephen M.
Milwaukee, WI
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have a love/hate relationship with this place.
When I'm in the mood to spend a lot of money on a gigantic, tasty, savory pastrami sandwich that I won't finish in one sitting despite making every possible attempt to while leaving no little speck of the tasty meat on the plate, all the while feeling like I need to hurry because the most exclusive real estate in NYC are the seats we're taking up, but I couldn't care less because, hey, I'm from New York, you can just wait on me...I effing love this place.
When I'm not in charge of where we're going when I get to bring outsiders to visit this city I grew up in love with, I cannot stand the absolutely touristy nature of this place. I don't care if it's an institution, or how many famous people clogged their arteries here, or how often it's featured, written about and pops up in EVERY single conversation involving a deli in conjunction with NYC. Sometimes, I get headaches just thinking about having to stand in line...having to hunt, with tray/weapon of choice for a seat...feeling like I'm in a giant cafeteria...knowing that anywhere we go after had better not involve me travelling more than one block per ten minutes...ugh, I'm annoyed at my outsider friends now.
Regardless, this IS an institution. Coming here has nearly as much credibility as a visit to the Wall St. Bull, Central Park, Grand Central and that evil abomination that we collectively refer to as the "Yankees."
The food here has always been good. The counter help has always been...well, educated, impatient, and capable. It's worth a visit to have one of many of your NYC cherries popped. Just don't ask me to go unless I'm in the mood, k?Listed in: Version 2012, The Yelp 100, NYC 5K 1-Mile
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Review from Siu N.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
My first time at Katz was a couple of years ago and it was the day I fell in love with meat. My then-boyfriend introduced me to the Reuben sandwich, a combination of pastrami and corned beef with sauerkraut and Russian dressing on rye bread. I am a fan of tangy sauces; couple that with meat that is so tasty and melts in your mouth, and you have the perfect sandwich.
My most recent visit here was a week ago after a few hours at the bar. I ordered the same sandwich, hoping that it would taste just as awesome as the last time. Is it just me, or does Katz food taste even better post-drinking? The sandwich was pretty sizable, yet I finished the entire thing (no crumbs) and even ate the pickles on the side.
Are the prices steep? Oh yes. Is the sandwich worth it though? Bigger yes. I will be back! -
Review from Sara P.
San Francisco, CA
1/4/2012
Go with a friend.
Stand in line. (and possibly freeze)
Order from the counter. You should probably get pastrami or corned beef. Make sure to get the pickles too.
Fight for a seat.
Stuff your face.Listed in: The Big Apple
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Review from Brittany A.
Queens Village, Queens, NY
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't know what all the hype about this place is and that's probably because when I came in I was entirely too confused to even bother ordering anything.
New Years morning. I'm stumbling around starving with a bunch of my friends and we head in here thinking, "Oh yes! Finally some food!" And I have heard such great things so I was super excited.
We walked in and they handed us each some weird blue ticket. Didn't explain what the ticket was for and had these nasty attitudes. Can you say turn off!? What happened to the happy new year cheer or the smile ..or at least some decent customer service!?
Anyways, we took our tickets, stared at them confused and found some tables to sit at. They said there was waiter service only. Then said there was no waiter service.
We sat there for 10 minutes trying to figure out wtf was going on. None of us could piece any of it together and mind you we weren't drunk or anything. Just starving!
We went up to the counter. The guy behind there told us to be seated and someone would help us. We sat and waited. No one came over. The place wasn't even crowded.
It sucked.
Idk. Maybe this horrible service and confusion was due to it being New Years am (think 2 in the morning). They probably had a bunch of drunks crawl through the place and were annoyed by time we got here. Whatever though.
I could see myself returning if I'm ever in the area just to check if I just came in at a bad time or if they suck this bad all the time. Again, can't comment on the food. I'd like to see about that next time. -
Review from K C.
Queens, NY
1/6/2012
I may be Filipino, but I know my Jewish Delis inside and out. I've been to most of the well known places stretching from Montreal to DC. Katz's is good, but it's definitely not the best. Most of you guys saying it's the best are from far away and so your opinion is probably based more on perception and media than a well developed palate for the nuances of east coast pastrami. Here are my rankings for the top 3 Jewish delis in the world:
1. Hershel's (Philadelphia)
2. Carnegie (New York City)
3. Schwartz's (Montreal)
That is all. -
Review from Ron D.
Los Angeles, CA
1/26/2012
The BEST pastrami sandwich in the WORLD. Authentic old style deli atmosphere, they still use a punch ticket and have saw dust on the floor.
Sandwiches are huge but pricey but it's worth it. Very crowded during lunch. There is be a wait. All worth it... -
Review from Jason M.
1/7/2012 3 Check-ins Here
This place to me is a paradox. How in the world can and do I love so very much a place that has for years charged 100% unjustifiably high prices for the kind of food it sells? I dunno, but hey, Katz's does just that, and somehow that pleases me.
Every time I am in the place I manage to easily forget the fact that I am about to drop $30 on myself to have a sandwich and fries, but I just don't care. I love this place so much, and it becomes almost endearing to pay so much for the kind of food they sell- which really is just the kind of food you'd get in a high school cafeteria, but much better ofcourse.
Anyways, in some loony paradoxical sort of way, it is worth it to pay the Katz's prices. You never leave this place feeling unsatisfied, and that perhaps is quite possible how they are able to charge such an exorbitant premium for their food. It's not the food you are paying for, but the unquestionable and undeniable satisfaction you get every time you dine here.
I love you Katz's Deli. Never go away please! -
Review from An P.
Chicago, IL
Legendary meat.
It seems I had been waiting to eat here all of my life and I just never knew it. While in New York with a crew of Chicagoans, one friend wanted desperately to hit up Katz's Deli. It was a decision I shall never regret.
Don't get me wrong, the line to Katz's Deli is as long as lines get. Once you're inside make sure to take a ticket and keep your ticket or you will be slapped with a $50 charge for losing your ticket. Apparently, they use your ticket to figure out what you ate so don't lose your ticket. The line is as crowded as a New York City Metro station and it is less organized. You get in one big line that splits up to little lines where you can order and pick up your goods.
In line, our guy was kind enough to chuck us some hunks of pastrami and brisket to make sure we liked what we were getting. Me and a friend split a gargantuan pastrami sandwich and we headed to our seats. Pastrami at Katz's is a true gift from the gods and every bite was an experience into the netherplanes of taste nirvana.
Whatever the case, an older guy was walking around saying hi to everybody and you could see his picture on all the pictures on the wall with famous people in them. He asked us where we were from and told us the pastrami was smoked for a month, then steamed, the boiled, and I am sure I am skipping a step. He mentioned Manny's in Chicago is the closest thing to Katz's but I am sure in my lifetime there will be nothing that comes half way close to Katz's perfection of pastrami. -
Review from Will B.
New York, NY
1/6/2012
Yes. The sandwich's are good.
But (like me) you will probably convince yourself they are a lot better than they actually are, because you had to wade through a shit storm of tourists, locals and bouncers just to get one.
It's New York. There has GOT to be a better Jewish deli close by... just none that your friends back home will care about. -
Review from Alexis K.
This place is a tourist TRAP! Avoid, avoid, avoid. There are much better, cheaper, and more organized delis in NY.
First off, when you walk in, they hand you a ticket and don't tell you what it is for, they just tell you don't lose it. Turns out it is what they write the price on for when you pay, but they don't tell you that. Unnecessarily confusing.
Second, to order food you have to go stand in this huge mass of people because there are no lines and you just kind of muscle your way up to a guy at the counter. Very disorganized and chaotic. I felt like I was cutting people and people were jumping in front of me. There are also apparently stations where you order different foods. Also not communicated well! My friend wanted a sandwich and a matzo ball soup, but was told you have to order soup at the other end of the counter. Not wanting to wait in the huge line AGAIN, she declined and just took the sandwich.
Third, it is $15 for a pastrami on rye (just the sandwich, no fries or chips). The sandwich is average sized and the meat is extremely greasy. $15?? Come on.
Fourth, when you try to sit, good luck. Another thing not advertised...the left side of the restaurant is for waiter service, and everything else is first come first serve. We ended up having to ask these 2 dudes from Philly if we could share a table with them because there were so many people there. When we finishing up, there were people seriously vulturing around us for our seats. Made me uncomfortable and I felt rushed to eat because this family was staring at us to leave.
Fifth, there are only 2 extremely tiny stalls in the bathroom. You literally can't turn around in the stalls and have to contort yourself to sit down. I don't know how overweight people or disabled people would use these bathrooms.
Crowded, chaotic, disorganized, lackluster food, expensive.Listed in: New York, New York
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Review from Edgar B.
Chicago, IL
12/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
-Mediocre Sandwiches,
-extremely confusing ordering and checkout system
-25 guys behind the counter chatting you up with nonsense
- waitresses yelling for sitting on certain tables because they're server only tables (even though NOBODY or NOTHING states as such).
-EXTREMELY PRICY
only positive is the slightest bit of historic vibe you're getting, but geez "tourist trap" fits the description nicely. -
Review from Tai L.
Honolulu, HI
12/30/2011
Came here because it was on the tourist to-do list. While it was very good, I have a hard time justifying $15 for JUST a pastrami sandwich. I am sure there are many other delis in NY that can serve up a sammich that is just as good at a lower price.
That said, this is what we ordered:
Half pastrami and matzo ball soup - can't remember price
Whole pastrami sandwich - $15
My boyfriend read that you are supposed to tip before they take your order. I don't believe in this. Thousands of people come through each day and you'll give me better service because of a few extra dollars? No thank you.
All in all, I'm glad we did this and the pastrami was great, but $35 later for lunch and 2 drinks (soda and water), we probably won't come here again. -
Review from Jordan J.
12/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
http://www.youtube.com... - Screw you, Peaches. It was totally worth it. (It's not a link to THAT Peaches, don't worry)
The pinnacle of pastrami. The crux of corned beef. The tops of the turkey. The kulmination of knish. Yes, Katz's is the zenith of your zayde's childhood eating experiences, a true NY institution with a big reputation. A reputation that is well-deserved, and continues to be earned every day.
How good are Katz's sandwiches? Well, I'm still having dreams about the smell of pastrami that lingered on my hands for hours and hours after my first time here. That smell alone is practically enough to satisfy a regular meat craving, and just one sniff probably has more actual meat particles than you'd get from eating an entire Subway footlong. Hell, one huff of Katz's pastrami (and yes, after trying it you'll want to take some into a dark alley/sketchy bathroom and huff it) probably has more meat in it than THREE Subway footlongs. Which incidentally will cost you about as much as one sandwich at Katz's.
But while Katz's meat mountains may be expensive, there's one thing to remember: stop whining and take your first bite of pastrami, dammit. Because you'll stop caring immediately. The absolute perfection of its juicy, smoky savoriness is just unmatched by anyone else. And not only is the meat the best you'll find anywhere - they also craft an AMAZING reuben, giving you the perfect amount of cheese and kraut to complement the pastrami without removing the feeling that you actually might be biting directly into the side of a cow. The gamut of offerings at Katz's is all top-notch, so you're not going to go wrong regardless of what you get. But still......get the pastrami, at least the first time you're here.
Adding even more to the greatness is the fact that Katz's is open pretty damn late, too. The first time I came here was for semi-late semi-drunk food at 2 AM, and I learned that a giant plate of pastrami is (very unsurprisingly) one of the best available cures for the drunk munchies.
Now, I will say this - I don't think Katz's sandwiches are as impenetrably large as most people claim. I mean, yes, they're loaded with more meat than a normal person would want to eat. And the meat is heavy enough that you'll definitely feel it settling down in your fat kid belly. But I wouldn't consider a half sandwich to be enough for a meal, and I've been perfectly capable of knocking out a full one myself (then again, as the link above will tell you, I don't necessarily have the most normal eating habits). And you're here, anyway! So pig out, get a sandwich, get a knish, and take a nap to digest it all when you get home (or alternately - split a sandwich and knish with a friend, then cross the street afterwards and get dessert at il Laboratorio del Gelato! Or get gelato either way. Yeah, that's probably the right call).
Of course, there are other NY Jewish delis that are awesome as well. But 2nd Ave, Carnegie, Sarge's and the like, while great, just can't match up to Katz's. So pick your gluttonous ass off of the couch and go!
tl;dr - DISREGARD PRICE AND TOURISTY CROWDS. ACQUIRE PASTRAMI.Listed in: Bromantic Man-date Spots
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Review from Jess D.
Washington, DC
2/3/2012
If I had to choose a last meal as a send off from this world ...... it would be a Katz's pastrami on rye with mustard and a root beer.
And this is not fluffy, "I'll eat anything" review. I'm a New Yorker born and raised and I grew up with great food all around me. Therefore I have little tolerance for the sub par or mediocre - especially when it comes to a deli.
I can't speak on their other sandwiches (why would you ever get something else!?) , but if someone ever tells you there is better pastrami on the planet, call him a liar.
With that all said- the place is a MADHOUSE - and if you're from out of town, expect to be jostled around a bit and possibly have to deal with an abrupt comment or two from the staff (the lines are long and these guys are busy- so don't blame them).
But, once again. It's worth it. Pastrami heaven. -
Review from John B.
Little Rock, AR
2/3/2012
"Send a Salami to your boy in the army!"
Pastrami on rye with a big pickle on the side and a bowl of split pea soup must have been invented here (or at least perfected)! This is where God sends out for his lunch.
This is also where the famous "Fake big O" scene in "When Harry Met Sally" was filmed, BTW.
Another definite "Gotta go here" place when visiting the City! Bring a big appetite, and be sure to slip the guy cutting the meat for your sanwich a buck. You won't be disappointed with what happens.
YUM X10!!!! -
Review from Brian M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/29/2012
A New York "dining experience" but a culinary disappointment
We went at the behest of some visiting friends. The dining experience consisted of queuing for 45 minutes and then being admitted to the restaurant with a "meal ticket"; the experience was akin to being let into a nightclub. Once inside you go to a serving station where the cutter fulfills your order and notes on the ticket what was ordered.
The meal began with an absolutely first-rate matzo ball soup, the broth clear and flavorful and the matzo ball itself dense without a trace of mealiness and the size of a tennis ball. Unfortunately, I can't lavish the same praise on the pastrami; the fat content was higher than usual but without the concomitant flavor saturation than I've had in really good pastrami, such as at Langers in Los Angeles, where it is not nearly as fatty. The coleslaw, which one obtains from another serving station, was abysmal, the cabbage swimming in mayonnaise and totally devoid of personality.
5 stars for the stellar matzo ball soup, 3-1/2 stars for a good but not great pastrami and 0 stars for a truly awful coleslaw. Prices are a little high. Worth a visit for the great in-line conversation while waiting for entry but IMHO not worth a return visit. -
Review from Sylvia C.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2012
5-stars, because it exceeded my expectations. I took one bite of the sandwich while distracted by the tv and when the flavor hit my tongue, I stopped, looked at my friend, and said with a full mouth, "WTF?!" (I said the letters, not the full words). The pastrami was a.may.zing. I kept saying "What?!" after every bite. I couldn't believe that a sandwich could taste that good! The pickles went really well with it.
The meat is tender and falls apart in your mouth. The slow cooking and TLC treatment is evident. After a while, the salt may wear on your tongue, but I didn't mind. The meat is marbled nicely with fat, so if you don't like fat, don't eat this. -
Review from Daniel C.
JACKSON HTS, NY
2/8/2012
I've lived in NY my whole life and as much as this will be perceived as sacrilege I've never really thought that much of Katz's. Honestly, I've had better food at many other delis in the city and Katz's is overpriced. The place simply doesn't live up to the hype. Yes it's a landmark and has been in movies and TV shows but the food just doesn't live up to the reputation.
The reason for the current review is Katz's famous or infamous ticket system. I had a run in with this policy through no fault of my own one night. I went in with a friend from out of town who wanted to try the food. I didn't get anything because I wasn't up for paying 18 dollars for a corned beef sandwich. When we got to the register the cashier took my friend's ticket AND my blank ticket. As I went to leave she asked me for my ticket. I said she took it, she said she hadn't. What ensued was 20 minutes of the most mind numbing circular conversation I've ever had. They were intent on making me cough up money for a "lost ticket"...I told them there was zero chance this would ever happen and to call the police if they had a problem. I eventually left after the meathead bouncer decided he wasn't up for physically restraining me or calling the police. I really got the impression that because of the late hour they thought I was drunk and would just give them money to avoid trouble. This was not the case. I was always put off by the whole ticket policy, but after this incident I'm pretty convinced they try to take advantage of late night drinkers in for a bite to eat.
Feel free to stop by and drop 20 bucks for a sandwich but good god don't lose your ticket and watch out for shenanigans from the cashier with blank tickets!
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