Katz's Deli
Deli · Downtown ·
New York-style deli revival: Reubens, pastrami, breakfast, 24/7
New York-style deli revival: Reubens, pastrami, breakfast, 24/7
"'I can’t believe it's opening in Austin' — a brief note of surprise and excitement about a major out-of-town deli concept coming to the city." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Originally opened in 1979 at 618 West Sixth Street, this famed downtown Austin deli is being revived by the founder’s son Barry and his wife Lisa after they bought back the original building at a 2024 bankruptcy auction. The reopening aims to reproduce the original New York–style deli experience—offering Reubens, daylong breakfasts like waffle‑egg sandwiches and blintzes, entrees such as pot roast and meatloaf, fried pickles, matzo ball soup, black‑and‑white cookies, cheesecakes, and milkshake variations—and will return to 24/7 service under its longtime “Never Kloses” slogan. The family ran Austin operations through 2000 before expanding into Houston (where several locations still operate), and Barry, who grew up working there in roles from dishwasher to server and manager, calls the purchase beyond his wildest dream and describes restaurateurship as his passion. The site—previously a nightclub called Rio and sold as part of a parcel tied to WC 6th & Rio LLC and controversial developer Nate Paul—will be redesigned by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to blend the original deli aesthetics with a fresher look. A new Houston Memorial City location is scheduled to open first in late 2025 or early 2026; the Austin storefront will follow and occupy the building’s ground floor while the owners plan to lease the second and third floors." - Nadia Chaudhury
"At Katz's Deli, the comedy show that took over the deli last year is returning this fall: Overground Underground will perform on November 15. Last year the show sold out in under a minute and people waited in a line around the block. Tickets go on sale October 25 at 7:30 p.m., with a second sale on November 5 at 7:30 p.m.; they cost $162 per person and include french fries, drinks, and a pastrami sandwich." - Luke Fortney
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