Katz's Delicatessen
Deli · Lower East Side ·
Iconic NYC deli: mile-high pastrami, Jewish staples, celeb photos
Iconic NYC deli: mile-high pastrami, Jewish staples, celeb photos
"On Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Katz’s Delicatessen—made famous by its appearance in When Harry Met Sally—has been curing, brining, and smoking its pastrami in-house since 1888. The sandwiches are a hefty amount of hot, fresh, thick-cut pastrami on seeded rye with a smear of mustard and a side of dill pickles (extra pickles recommended); the pastrami is smoky, peppery, piled so high it defies gravity, and guaranteed to leave mustard on your shirt." - Amelia Schwartz
"As a frequent patron of Jewish delis and a corned beef sandwich girl to my core, the fact that my go-to order at Katz’s is pastrami truly says something. Yes, the line is long, and yes it is filled with tourists, but there’s a reason so many people want to eat here (and it’s not just because of its presence in When Harry Met Sally). It’s where my sister and I go when we need a little taste of the Jewish delis we grew up on, and the sandwich is particularly well paired with a bowl of matzo ball soup. The pastrami itself is thick cut and perfectly seasoned—best eaten right there in the restaurant when it’s hot, but almost as delicious the next day for leftovers (just be sure to store the rye bread and meat separately if you don’t want the bread to get soggy)." - Kat Chen
"Matzo ball soup for breakfast here is a power move I highly recommend, especially before 9 a.m. when the ever-popular deli is mercifully less crowded. For $9.95, the generous bowl is textbook: an epic-sized fluffy matzo ball surrounded by hearty chunks of carrot and chicken; I paired it with a kraut-topped frankfurter ($5.95) for a satisfying start to the day. The only hassle is remembering the hectic ordering and ticketing/checkout system." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Famous for an enormous pastrami sandwich that epitomizes classic New York deli technique — brined and spiced brisket that is smoked and simmered until tender, piled high on rye and served with a smear of mustard — an iconic, unapologetically hefty example of the style." - Pamela Vachon
"One of the last-standing, old-time Eastern European spots on the Lower East Side, Katz’s is an institution—don’t be surprised to find lines extending full city blocks any day of the week. Practice the art of patience and cue for a ticket—we promise it’s worth the wait. Pick up your order at the counter and nap a spot at a first-come first-get table; or opt for a slightly less dizzying experience at a waitress-served table. Inspector notes: "Matzo ball soup, pastrami sandwiches, potato latkes—everything is what you’d expect, only better." - The MICHELIN Guide