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Katz's Deli, New York City
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Katz's Deli, New York City

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Dining reviews and photos of Katz's Deli posted by real travelers and New York City locals.
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Katz's Deli: Pastrami on Rye!
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  • Katz's Deli is a fabulous New York institution that dates back to 1888.

    While it is not glamorous, it is one of those must go places in New York for lunch - but make sure you are hungry. Their pastrami on rye is HUGE!

    Katz is also famous as being the location for "that" scene from 'When Harry Met Sally', and has also been used as a location for numerous other films.

    The walls are lined with photos of the owner with the various celebrities that have dined here.

    Drop by for a pastrami on rye - I like it with mustard - YUM - you won't be disappointed!!

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  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: less expensive than average
  • Address: 205 East Houston, NYC 10002
  • Phone: 212-254-2246
  • Directions: On the corner of Houston & Ludlow Sts.
  • Website: http://www.katzdeli.com/
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful

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    Katz's Deli: yes, ... Yes, .... YEESSS!!!!
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  • My fave deli for BIG pastrami or corned beef sandwiches.
    Two can get by on one sandwich they are so huge.Per the waitstaff (I agree): you shouldn't take it with you ... in other words, your sandwich is not nearly as good when reheated later, try & eat it all before you leave.Everyone has their fave NY Deli: Carnegie, 2nd Ave, etc.
    Katz is my favorite for both taste and location,
    and they stay open late (after 2am on weekends, see website). The sign out front says: - "Katz's, that's all"
    per Alan Dell the owner:
    “ This sign originated when Benny Katz hired the signmaker to make the sign,” Mr. Dell said. “The signmaker asked, ‘Well, what exactly do you want to have it say?’ and Benny said to the signmaker, ‘Katz’s, that’s all.’
    Sure enough he painted that on the sign! ”Here's a good descriptive & current NYTimes piece on the Katz experience.

    NOTE: TICKET ALERT - when you enter they give you a "theater ticket" that you must redeem when you exit ( they do this to minimize theft ). Hang on to your little yellow 'theater' admission ticket,
    or you will have some esplanin' to do w/ the security guard on the way out.

    Hot Pastrami w mustard & horseradish.
    If I shoot the moon, I start with chopped liver, a pastrami & egg salad sandwich, then cheesecake with either cherry or strawberry topping.

    About $19 bucks for a sandwich & rootbeer (that's "tableservice" - it's a couple bucks cheaper if you get it yourself at the counter and sit at a middle table)

    Probably $30+ for all the above, but it's enough for 2 and imo some of the best you'll ever eat.
    Ess gesunt!

    Here's the menu

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  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: US$21-30    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 205 E. Houston, NYC 10002
  • Phone: 212-254-2246
  • Directions: Lower East side. On the corner of Houston & Ludlow Sts. Subway F or V: get off at Houston and 2nd Ave.
  • Website: http://www.katzdeli.com/
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Katz's Deli: Send a salami …
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  • In relatively recent years Katz has become famous as the place “where Harry met Sally” in the film, but its original claim to fame came during the Second World War when this Lower East Side deli established a mail-order business for its traditional meat products with the slogan “Send a salami to your boy in the army”. The slogan still appears on all their merchandise, staff uniforms etc, and has unfortunately acquired a new relevance in recent years, with a steady stream of salamis finding their way to Iraq and Afghanistan.

    In fact Katz’s can truly claim to be that often over-used entity, a “New York institution”, dating back as it does to 1888. Whether its other claim, to be the best deli in the city, is quite so justifiable I’m less sure, but a meal here is certainly an experience and should certainly be on your New York itinerary.

    We came for lunch and shared a Reuben sandwich (portions are very large), which with a couple of sodas cost us $11. To be honest it wasn’t the best Reuben either of us has ever had, by some way (and Chris considers himself to be a bit of a connoisseur of Reubens!) and the accompanying pickle was also a disappointment, but that’s not really the point. Coming to Katz’s is much more about the experience and the setting than it is about the food, and there’s no denying the setting is worth seeing. It’s also arguable that this is deli food as it was traditionally intended to be, and we’ve got too used to the more refined offerings at trendier joints!

    Do check out the website, by the way. There’s an interesting history of Katz’s and a gallery of famous stars who have eaten here (a much more comprehensive gallery lines the walls of the restaurant). Look at the photo under the heading “… worth a 1,000 words” to see just how big a Katz’s sandwich can be!

  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 205 East Houston Street, New York 10002
  • Phone: 212 254-2246
  • Directions: We took the subway to Lower East Side / 2nd Avenue (lines F & V)
  • Website: http://www.katzdeli.com/
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Katz's Deli: I'll Have What She's Having - Katz's Deli
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  • On New York City's Lower East Side, where Jewish pushcart peddlers once hawked their wares, is the deli to end all delis.
    You don't go to Katz's Delicatessen for elegant décor. You don't go for the service. You definitely don't go if you're on a diet.

    But if you're seeking authentic Jewish deli food that is truly New York, look no farther -- corned beef, pastrami, salami, and Nova Scotia Lox.

    Katz's operates on an unusual system. To enter the restaurant, you pass through a turnstile and take what looks like a raffle ticket from the cashier. The food is served cafeteria-style; you stand in line and give your ticket to the cooks when you order. They'll punch the ticket and hand over your food. When you're finished, just hand your ticket to the cashier and he'll ring up the bill.
    The atmosphere at Katz's Delicatessen is bright, bustling and no-nonsense.

    The décor is old fashioned without being quaint: salamis hanging from the ceiling, promotional food signs (circa 1960, judging from the color scheme) and autographed pictures of celebrities. There are letters of appreciation from several U.S. Presidents who stopped by for a nosh when they were in the neighborhood. And John Glenn requested Katz's Pastrami before his ride on the Space Shuttle. A bit of trivia for movie buffs: Katz's Delicatessen is where they filmed the famous deli scene in When Harry Met Sally ("I'll have what she's having!)

    Corned Beef Sandwich, Saurkraut, and Potato Knish

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  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: less than US$10    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 205 E Houston St New York NY
  • Phone: (212) 254-2246
  • Directions: F, V at 2nd Ave Corner of Ludlow and Houston Street
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Katz's Deli: KATZ'S DELI - A Must Experience In New York
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  • Katz's Deli -
    Katz's Deli - "my proof
    of meal"
    by opalzebra3
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Founded in 1888, Katz's Deli is an institution and you have not really seen New York until you have tried it. Would you believe many New York residents have never even tried Katz's? We were in New York last November 2008 and we said we had to try this famous deli, made even famous by the film "When Harry Met Sally". The East Village is not exactly the most pleasant place to walk around in, especially at night, but the trip to Katz's is worth it. We came by 6 Train from the Bleecker St. station and walked a bit west on Houston St.. When we got in, the fellow at the door gave us one ticket each and we proceeded to the food counter. We ended up with one of the more "senior cutters" and I ordered a salami to-go. He gave us a choice of bread, pickles etc. and even made us try the salami before he made the sandwich. When he was done, boy was the sandwich big! The VT tip was right, it is made for 2 persons. While we were there, we decided to wander around the deli, looking at the photos. On the way out, we presented our ticket and the paid the cashier. Since everyone else took photos of the place, I decided to post the bag of my salami sandwich for a change.

    Since we were on the go, we ordered to-go so it had to be a cold sandwich. Otherwise I would have tried maybe the hot pastrami. Thus we settled for the salami sandwich and it's meat was twice as thick as the bread it was on. It was huge too, we split the sandwich and it was just right. But there is always another trip - next time it will be hot pastrami or hot dogs.

  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 205 E. Houston, NYC 10002
  • Phone: 212-254-2246
  • Directions: On the corner of Houston & Ludlow Sts., take 6 Train to Bleecker St. then walk east on Houston. Or take Bus 15 that runs along 1st/2nd Avenue.
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful

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    Katz's Deli: Great Sandwiches
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  • Love the food and the atomosphere, Katz's is worth going back to time and time again
    The size of the sandwiches can feed two - they are huge .
    Katz Deli is a good NYC experience.
    Also you can sit in the seat where Meg Ryan faked her orgasm in When Harry met Sally

    The pastrami sandwiches are superb.

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  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: US$21-30    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 205 E. Houston, NYC 10002
  • Phone: 212-254-2246
  • Directions: On the corner of Houston & Ludlow Sts.
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Katz's Deli: Dont Miss it
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  • It was a sunny day in New York. Having sometime to spare. An idea crossed my mind since I am in New York why not try some of the locals eats . No not the pricey Nobu restaurant , AOC Bedford or a Peter Luger Steak house (this one I had to try another time). I simply wanted a sandwich. So I headed to Lower East side Manhattan using the subway. I came in about late afternoon the crowd was not bad sometimes lines form for a 30 minute wait just to get in. I was issued my ticket (Don’t lose your ticket) before heading the ordering counter. The place was old since 1888 but it was clean and still has that spark in the air. So I lined up at the self service counter. I order the classic corned beef on rye. Their corned beef is supposed to have been cured for a month before serving. They cut a small portion for you to taste while they go about making your order. When I tasted my sample. The beef was tender and full of flavor. It was as of now the best corned beef I ever tasted. I eagerly awaited my sandwich. My Sandwich was humongous about 5 to 6 inches thick along with it came a small plate of home made pickles and Dr. Brown’s Cherry Soda. The sandwich was good enough for 2 people luckily I can eat for 2 people hahahahahah.

    Meg I saw the pictures of famous people who ate at Katz from Harry Houdini to Meg Ryan. To those movie buffs yes this is where they filmed the movie “When Harry met Sally’. The spot where Meg Ryan faked an orgasm I sat beside it. Sorry no Meg Ryan that day. The sandwich was a lot but it simply so good you really want to finish it with the Cherry soda washing it down. But Alas I simply had to take home half of it. Burp. Anyways if you have the chance to be in New York I suggest you drop by Katz’s Deli trust me it’s worth the trip.

    Corned Beef on Rye ...simply perfect

  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: about average
  • Address: 205 E. Houston, NYC 10002
  • Phone: 212-254-2246
  • Directions: On the corner of Houston & Ludlow Sts.
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Katz's Deli: Open til 3AM!
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  • The size of the sandwiches can feed two persons. Ambience is not exactly the word for Katz Deli. An experience is more like it. It can get very busy sometime, but once you're seated with your food it will all be a great NY moment.

    Word of warning. The prices are high for a sandwich. You'd think you were in the theater district. But they are large. So share a plate.

    I don't eat meat, but I'm told the Cornbeef is excellent. Plus no trip to NY would be complete without a Rueben corned beef, swiss cheese, and sauerkraut.

    I usually go for a Knishes after a night on the town. Potato, Broccoli or Sweet Potato. Or if I'm really hungry a bagel, with Lox and cream cheese. Rather pricey, but it location. You can get one much cheaper at any bagel shop in the city!

    You won't fine these in the UK. New York Egg Cream. Choice of chocolate or vanilla with milk and a ?spritz? of seltzer.

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  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 205 E. Houston, NYC 10002
  • Phone: 212-254-2246
  • Directions: On the corner of Houston & Ludlow Sts.
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Katz's Deli: When Harry Met Sally
  • Tip Rating:
  • If you saw the movie "When Harry Met Sally", you might remember that scene in the diner. This is the diner! They have a strange system of ordering based on tickets which completly confused me. The food is reasonable though a bit over-priced. There are better and cheaper delis.

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  • Theme: Deli
  • Price: US$11-20    » Currency Converter
  • Comparison: more expensive than average
  • Address: 205 East Houston Street
  • Directions: Lower East Side
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Katz's Deli: Katz's
  • Tip Rating:
  • A very popular huge bar-restaurant specialized in Pastrami Sandwiches (Huge sandwiches, by the way).

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  • Theme: Local
  • Address: 205 East Houston St. (Corner of Ludlow St.).
  • Phone: (212) 254-2246-7
  • Rate   Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
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