Katz's Delicatessen

If you're in hard times like the rest of the country don't go here. – One sandwich cost 15 bucks... definately not worth it. Long lines, and military rules in a deli. If thats what you want have fun

overpriced and pushy – after seeing the famous deli online and on tv i had to go. wslking in, i was immediately informed that i would be charged fifty bucks if i did not return my ticket. then i was hearded to the counter to witness fifteen and twenty dollar sandwiches that do not live up to their collosal reputation. the people were rude and i will never step foot in this "landmark" again.

Dirty, Gross, and NOT WORTH THE PRICE! – HORRIBLE! I saw this place on a recent taping of Man vs Food on the travel channel. Now, Im a BIG fan of the Carnegie deli...but i must admit that the pastrami sandwich looked great on TV, so i decided to give Katz Deli a try.

Upon entering the place, you're handed 2 tickets...the (rude) guy tells you to hold onto them & pay when you leave. Then, you are bombarded with "cutter" lines and have to stand in line to get your order. Now, i get that this is a cafeteria type of atmosphere...but i was beginning to feel like a cow waiting in line for the slaughterhouse! Seeing that there were very few tables available, i left my boyfriend in line and decided to grab a table and wait. WELL, from what i saw...i wasnt happy. The floors were disgusting...the staff was rude, and the area where you could be served by a waitress had people waiting like vultures for the next available table! 25 minutes later...my BF brings over 1 Matzo ball soup THAT WAS COLD, 1 SOGGY pastrami sandwich...a beer and a sprite. I was not impressed at all. It felt really gross eating there and i couldnt wait to get out! Being that we had 2 tickets, we thought we could keep one as a memento...we're corny like that. $30 later (YES, THAT MUCH!!!!) we go to pay the bill and ask if we could keep the other ticket. The guy says NO. NO SOUVENIRS. IT's a $50 fine if you lose the ticket!" I giggle and say "You're joking!?" Ughhhh NO! THE NERVE!!!! these little carnival raffle tickets value at $50?! WHO do they think they are?! Do yourself a Favor, if you want good Classic eats...go to Carnegie.I'll NEVER go back to Katz!

Katz's Deli - Worst Service in NYC – I took my family here for the real deli experience, and I'll never go back, the service is deplorable, the staff is rude, and the prices are ridiculous. The owner should really get a grip and run this place right. ATMOSPHERE has nothing to do with poor quality and filth. This was really a disappointment. I've been in the service industry for years and this place stinks.

Good enough for a President. – Be sure to check out the Presidential letters of gratitude in the front window. If it is good enough for them, then certainly all others will enjoy!!!

Not The Best – Terribly overrated. Table service against the wall. If you want to be ignored, go there. Food is good, but I've had better. Dirty bathrooms.

The UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT KING of DELI FOOD – Well my title should say it all, but just in case it didnt get through your melon here it is. At one time the 2nd Ave deli was a great runner-up, I thought they had better chopped-liver, but I have never eaten anywhere as good as Katz. i must admit Ive been going there since I was a little kid, so I may be a bit biased. But even so the pastrami is to-die for! But here I go again Ive eaten so many things there the only thing left to eat is the menu! I cant get enough of this place.

It's a – GREAT Deli!! Meats are top quality hands down! I have only eaten here once since I live in L.A., but I will come here anytime I find myself in New York. Beware though: They do NOT always tell you to retain your carnival ticket when you enter, it's a flat $50 if you lose it!

Simple shop, tables are lined up very, very tightly. Must shimmy into your seat with no room to move it back.

Service is quick & efficient, great for busier times. You get a sample of the meat you are requesting before they pile it onto the bread. Great portions on the sandwiches. Don't bother with ANY of the side dishes. No flavor.

Sandwich & a cold beer and you're all set! Bonus: If the owner is there, he meanders around chatting with the peeps which is cool.

MUST try!

Pros: Excellent sandwiches!

Cons: Tables jammed together which can be unpleasant during peak times. Don't lose your puunch ticket!! Yikes

Classic NY – This is my first review so don't take more from it than what it is:

Please ignore all reviews that say this place is terrible and mark it with one star, it is not meant to be a 5 star restaurant with crisp white linens and impeccable waiter service. This place is a true to life NYC landmark. The format is disorganized and the tables are not the cleanest but people manage to get their food and seem to wolf it down without issue, imagine a slightly run down food court in an old school Jewish deli. I indulged in the traditional Pastrami sandwich with a side of Potato Latkes and a Chocolate Egg Cream (suggested to me as being the must have's). The Pastrami was juicy and delicious with enough meat to feed 2. The latkes I have to say might be the best I have ever had, thin and crisp with the perfect potato flavor. And the egg cream, well I'm not a big egg cream guy nor have I had many to compare against but it was pretty tasty. This is a must see/go for all New Yorkers and true travelers visiting this great city (I kindly ask TOURISTS to stick to the Times Square area).

quite a scene – Wow. Quite an experience. And for someone who doesn't eat a lot of meat, absolutely delicious. You know it's good and natural (in its way) when eating half a pastrami sandwich (and several bites of my friend's reuben) doesn't negatively affect my delicate stomach. The dill pickle, however, was almost too much pucker-up vinegar. I preferred the non-dill pickle. The pickled tomatos didn't taste like much of anything. Wish they would grace their meat with some better bread, but the plain Jane rye provided a nice blank canvas, in a sense. The atmosphere is not for the faint of heart (the lines, the crowded, the bus-your-own-everything, the sawdust on the floor, the nasty bathroom, the don't-lose-your-ticket-or-else)... but hey, this is why we live in NYC, right?

Welcome to the mismanaged dive. – I cannot believe someone wrote a review that said "The pickles are good, too." It's just not true. They are bland; both types. What types? It doesn't matter, they BOTH are worthless. They're not even tangy.----------

But, that's not the most awful part. Before I lay into them I will say that the meat (on the reuben) is 'good' but no better than what you can find at a good BBQ joint where the meat is tender and juicy and about three times less expensive. I say BBQ because their meat has a smoky taste to it. Nothing BBQ-ist haven't already been doing for a very long time.----------

Now, the lay in:----------

First, the dope at the door doesn't explain that returning your ticket is 'mandatory'. What 'ticket' you say? Their ticket to keep track of people going in and ordering or not ordering food. You see, they are completely mismanaged. If they were actually well managed they would have a happier staff, the place wouldn't look like a dive, which it is, it wouldn't be a riddle to find out how to get service, it wouldn't be a surprise that there is 'waiter' service, there wouldn't be tables in the back stacked with dirty plates, and they wouldn't need tickets to keep track of who ordered and payed for food or not.----------

Second, the 'rye' bread is about as rye as Wonder Bread and just as strong. Just another indication of how mismanaged they are; that they do not have it together.----------

Thirdly, I just cannot recommend this place because the chaos the ordering system is, the reliance on tickets that can be lost (it also bespeaks of how much they trust the customer - or are hoping they lose their ticket), the bleh non-meat food, the misery of the staff, and how WAY, WAY, WAY overpriced they are (which is actually the third point).----------

P.S - If you do not turn in your ticket they may threaten to call the cops on you for not turning it in despite the sign at the entrance that says 'Please' return the tickets. The sign is misleading.

WAY too expensive! – I had a similar experience to many of the other reviewers here: $19.25 for a sandwich and a soda. There was no table service, you go through a cafeteria-style lineup, and I had to wait in a line for over 5 minutes to get a drink once I had my hot sandwich sitting on a tray in front of me.

Now, the sandwich was extremely good -- but it should have been for $14.95. You'd better get that soda to go along with it though... the meat was quite salty. Pickles were just average. Also, make sure you know exactly where your little orange ticket stub is or it's a $50 dollar charge.

Katz's....that's all! – I had a corned beef sandwich on rye here, and I can honestly say that it's one of the most satifsying sandwiches I've ever had. The pickles are good, too. I do, however, recommend getting something to drink with your sandwich- while delicious, it will be salty and dry. I learned the hard way. Also do keep in mind that it's probably also going to be one of the most expensive sandwiches you'll ever eat.

If you're lucky like I was, you'll also get to sit at the table where Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan sat for the famous "I'll have what she's having!" scene from When Harry Met Sally. It's pretty cool!

Go with the Pastrami – As a big meat eater I must recommend the hot Pastrami... quick and to the point.

I would not trade this sandwich with anything else they serve there...

Best pastrami I have ever had – I have been to Katz several times. I LOVE their pastrami sandwich on rye. It's thick cut and juicy, but not greasy at all. I have been to other restaurants where the pastrami would definitely give you a heart burn afterwards. But Katz's is just flavorful and juicy with just the right amount of fat. I have been to carnigie deli as well, and they are definitely not as good as Katz's.

Best Pastrami I Have Ever Had, Great Experience – I've been to Katz's Deli many times since I've lived in NYC... most of the time it is late on Friday/Saturday nights after I get tired of the bar/lounge scene down in the LES. Katz's doesn't need another positive review -- it's legendary -- but I still feel compelled to give this place my blessing on Citysearch. If you're hesitant that it's the best kosher deli, just stop in and try a pastrami sandwich. They'll usually give you a sample piece while they make your sandwich, and it's that first bite that always puts a smile on my face and makes me remember why Katz's is so good. I always keep my order simple: pastrami on rye with mustard. Sometimes I'll go with potato salad or a knish on the side, because you can't go wrong with either of those, and occasionally I'll have one of their delicious hot dogs as a prelude to my pastrami. Eat in or take out... you just can't go wrong at Katz's.

Good but expensive – I mostly go for a hot dog or turkey sandwich, but it is really too expensive. Avoid getting an eggcream. I made someone get eggcream that never had one before and was embarrassed. There was more chocolate syrup in it than there was seltzer...gross.

I come for the hot dogs and knishes! – I'm not a pastrami/corned beef fan so when I got to Katz's, it's for the best hot dogs (mustard, saurkraut) in the city, snappy and fresh, and knishes, kasha-filled and hot and crispy, amazingly comforting with brown mustard. The no-frills matzo ball soup is also very good, and never forget to order a side of half-sour pickles!!! They also have diet cream soda, which is very important. And whatever you do, DON'T LOSE YOUR TICKET!!!

I'll have what she's having – That famous line from the film "When Harry Met Sally" was said at Katz's Deli. I was able to finally visit this legendary deli earlier this year and ordered their famous pastrami sandwich. I'll be honest, the sandwich was greasy, heavy, and one of the best pastrami sandwiches I've ever had! There are a lot of deli's in NYC to try but if you only have a few days in the city, make sure you visit Katz's.

Last night me and my partner REALLY wanted a GOOD pastrami and corned beff sandwich.

We have been a few times to Carnegie Deli and absolutely LOVED it.

So for a change we went to Katz's with grfeat expectations, as this is supposedly "the best" in town.

How disappointing!!

Dry, salty and flavourless meat, half the size of Carnegie's sandwiches and definitely not even close to a hundredth of Carnegie's juicy taste!

I am really surprised to see here those great reviews and all those pictures of famous people hanging in the big hall of the restaurant...

Where is the good tooth of Newyorkers???

Never again.

Best Pastrami Sandwich ever! – Arrived at around 11, just before the lunchtime rush. Katz's does have an unusual way of payment tho (bit like having dim sum when its busy in China Town). They give you a ticket on entry and the counter staff will mark the ticket with what you order and then you pay at a booth by the door when you leave.

Alot of ppl complain about the decor and the ambience but I loved it, everything from the sawdust in the bathroom to the slightly rundown feeling of the place and the neighbourhood around it. Alot of cops and locals there which is always a good sign.

The guys at the counter cut the pastrami infront of you, even tho we didnt tip he gave us the juiciest and leanest pastrami I've ever had (I don't like fat on my meat). I've been having dreams about the Ruben Sandwich, its that good!!! It was big so I shared the sandwich and a bowl of Matzoh Ball Soup between two. The soup was nice but wasn't too convinced by the Matzoh ball.

I can't wait to go back NYC cus I'll definitely be coming to Katz's Deli again

insanely expensive – I went there today for lunch and had a pastrami sandwich and a can of pepsi. The price: almost $20 even! Are you kidding me? It was good but not even close to worth that much.

So not worth it – Expensive, dirty, rude. Can get better food elsewhere. They pretty much kick you out when they feel like it. Cops coming in all the time. High pile of meat on top of rye bread...not what I expected. The only thing they are known for at this point is that stupid scene from When Harry Met Sally.

classic. – I go there every time I visit a friend who lives a few blocks away. The pastrami sandwich overflows with juicy goodness, and I can't get enough of the fresh pickles. Love the kasha knish. Sells out quickly, so try to get a fresh one. A friend who was visiting from AZ loved it so much, I ordered some on-line. Very pleasant process. People who work there are good people. Not a cheap gift, but it was worth it to hear the excitement over the phone. Matzo ball is HUGE and take you right back to a happy, comforting place. This is a classic, must go!

100 years to average – Tough, off tasting, fatty corned beef on rye with a funny looking pickle side. If you like history go to a museum and save yourself the indigestion. Better yet go to Zabar's and get yourself something special.

Haven't been to a deli until you've experienced Katz's. – My father took me there when I was a child and introduced me to "Knoblewurst." I'm 51 now and took my daughter also. Sat at the same table Bill Clinton ate at. My daughter is part of the 5th generation of our family to experience Katz's. Haven't had a bad word to say about it in over 100 years. Now that's customer loyalty ! Love the sawdust floors, the old ticket machine and the pickled tomatoes. Truly a New York landmark.

A name and fixture only – Not the best of anything.

Running on its old name and fact that the neighborhood is in transition.

Go there for Nostalgia and then say this is the last time.

Go to Kennsington Deli in Great Neck for a good tasting Kosher sandwich.

pastrami & corned beef heaven! – this place is hands down the best pastrami sandwich you'll ever have in your life... there's nothing i can say that can describe and do this taste of heaven justice... if you ever go to NY this is a MUST! also, remember, there's a line for EACH guy behind the counter... a lot of people line up in single file line but there's a line in fron t of each guy... also, tip the guy who's making your sandwich before or as they make it and they'll do you right... at least a dollar a sandwich is what i usually tip... and if you want, ask for russian dressing on the side and use it accordingly with the brown mustard. OMG!!!

This classic New York deli serves up enough pastrami to feed an army. – Katz's Deli is frequented by regulars who've been coming for decades, as well as tourists and neighborhood newbies; occasionally, you might catch a glimpse of a celebrity. Since its establishment in the 1880s, the deli has changed very little in appearance, retaining a grungy sheen. Grab a ticket on the way in for counter service, or seat yourself at a table to be waited on. Katz's still makes about 5,000 pounds of corned beef, 2,000 pounds of salami and 12,000 hot dogs a week--the old-fashioned way, on the premises--and it shows in the massive portions the deli serves. Excellent pastrami is a big draw, as is the deli's Reuben sandwich.

all-time favorite – my dad used to bring home pastrami from Katz's when i was little, and my brother and i always devoured it. the prices have obviously gone up since then and now i don't go often, but i know it's the place to go for a nice family meal that we'll all like.

best pastrami... – is at Katz! I'd go here every now and then, and I always get the pastrami sandwich.

It's just so good, and consistent. The taste never changes. However u had it the first time, u' always have it that way. I see alot of people come and go and they are very pleased!

Yummm... – This was one of the first places I visited while here in NY. I live here now and I always reccommend this place to my friends. A suggestion would be to SPLIT a pastrami sandwich because there is no way a single person can finish one by themselves unless if they had been fasting. Cool nostalgic vibe to it and I LOVE the sample they give you while you're waiting for your sandwich to be made. Check it out if you haven't already.

Pastrami too expensive... – I've gone 2x and I can't believe how much they charge for a pastrami on rye now. It tastes great but $14 for a sandwich?! That's just too much for me...

Katz Is the Greatest! – Katz's deli is a great NY experience. Is just the way it was in days gone by. Fabulous old decor & the best food we had on our recent trip to NYC.

Kids are welcome--the hotdogs are great!

The sandwhiches are out-of-this world!

The waitresses are nice--also you can just get counter service & sit.

There is a real gallery of stars that have visited.

A wonderful place!

Pastrami or Die – My grandfather first took us here 40 years ago. Back then the only thing that mattered was corned beef on club. Today all that matters is fatty pastrami reuben and new dill pickles. Yes it's pricey for counter service, sawdust floors and deafening chatter but the pastrami makes it all worth it. The tender juicy meat dances in your mouth with every bite (the person who said it was tough must've asked for extra lean, serves you right!). I've had equally large portions at Carnegie and Stage delis which were painfully dry. The meat cutters are not as surly as some reviewers say - gee whiz, this is New York, get over it! FYI, Katz' reuben sandwiches are traditional, which means they are NOT grilled. Corned beef is also excellent but by nature it is not as flavorful or moist. The hotdogs look great but I don't get here often enough to try different things. Only drawback is that the once freshly steamed club rolls seem to have been replaced by mediocre french rolls. In San Francisco it's Molinari's, in New York it's Katz'!

I enjoyed it! – I thought I posted a review here, anyway I was there nov. 05. got there at around 3 pm day before t-giving.......

I got my ticket and handed counter guy 3.oo and ticket...he was very nice, gave some samples, asked what I wanted, it I would like mustard, pickles. etc. I move over to the counter to order fries and a drink. Place was not busy and I found a table easy.

The sandwich was decadent! the pastrami melts in your mouth! I couldn't finish it! ( a first for me) I wll be back in Nov. and it is one my lists of stops. The place isn't for scenery and atmopshere, it's for great pastami!

Send a salami... – You have to be from NYC to properly say their slogan, "Send a salami to your boy in the army!" My grandfather lived across Houston in the city projects, and took me there when I was a little girl. Then, and now, you go up to the counter and getting a taste before ordering your sandwich. Formic table tops then & now. Katz's is a time-warp. The delicious pastrami, corned beef, salami, tongue, etc. also remain the same. Nicely piled sandwichs on rye with spicy mustard. Chased down with Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray, or Cream soda. Heaven on a plate. While down town, hit Russ & Daughters for some noshes to bring home. Yonah Shimmel's for knishes. This is what NYC is meant to be! Don't gentrify it out of existence!

Pastrami Nirvana – I have found pastrami heaven! The sandwich is huge, the pastrami is tender, hand cut, juicy. The juices of the pastrami have a catcher in the rye bread, although you will probably give up trying to stuff the whole thing in your mouth and use a fork to spear pieces into your mouth. The pickles as a side are a great counterpoint to the pastrami, not too sour, not too crunchy.

I also had the steak fries, crisp on the outside, soft like a baked potato inside.

Update: March 2006... Since I wrote this review, I have been back several times, each time feeling more at home, and each time plotting how I will be able to come back again. The food is marvelous and the atmosphere is pure New York! I had the egg cream and it was great!

Old School – While there are plenty of places to go for a good corned beef sandwich, Katz's has a charm about it. It can be a little confusing as to where one goes to order, but once the food is ordered, you are in for a treat. If you are a vegetarian, this really isn't a good place to go. The corned beef was tender and melted in my mouth. The pickles were great addition. I would have gotten some cole slaw and a knish if my stomach had more space.

THE BEST DELI IN THE USA – Katz's has been a NYC original for over 100 years. If you are in search of the most authentic NYC deli experience look no further than the famous and historic Katz's Deli down on the Lower East Side. Pastrami or corned beef are juicy and piled high (ask for extra rye bread). The servers give you some sample slices of your order while you wait (shortly I might add). Kosher dills are the perfect compliment for your unforgetable sandwich and they give you plenty of them. Try the hot dogs too, they're snappy and delicious. If you are a carnivore, come hungry and you will leave more satisfied than you have ever been.

A must go... – Being from the south, there aren't any good delis in my area and while watching "Foods across America" on PBS I found out about Katz's Deli. I knew upon visiting NYC that I wanted to try an "orginal deli". I was glad I did. The Pastrami sandwich was like "buttah" and with pickles and an icy cold beer to wash it down, it was a pleasurable experience. Look foward to trying the Ruben upon returning. It will be on my "to do" list the next visit to NYC.

way overrated – My friends and I ordered several different things, and all the food was a huge disappointment: the corned beef and pastrami were tough and rubbery and way too salty; the turkey, we saw only later, came out of a bag -- never a good sign; and the tongue was disgustingly gelatinous. To boot, the service was surly, and the prices were extremely high. If I'm going to pay $13 bucks for a sandwich, I expect it to be first-rate, and this stuff didn't come close. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

a huge disappointment – As a native New Yorker, I've been going to delis, including Katz's, my whole life, so I know a thing or two about good corned beef and pastrami. Sadly, Katz's no longer offers it. This place has declined precipitously over the past ten years. I return there every few months, hoping things have picked up, but they haven't -- they've only gotten worse -- and now I've reached the end of my patience. My latest (and last) experience at Katz's was the other night. The corned beef was greasy and tough as shoe leather. The pastrami tasted like a tire. Yearning for a glimpse of the place's glory days, I tried hard to enjoy myself. But the food was terrible -- and expensive!! My friend and I spent about $50 for a couple of sandwiches, a hot dog, and two beers. A huge rip-off.

Do and Don't Deli – We have eaten at Jewish Deli's of equal or better quality. However, if in the area, then by all means go to Katz's--but be selective of what you order. The pastrami sandwich was outstanding!! The corned beef Rueben was terrible --the meat was dry and the sandwich was greasy. We could not order the tongue, because they were out of it. Two members of our party ordered the chicken matzoh ball soup and half a pastrami sandwich. The matzoh ball was the size of a golf ball and pronouned outstanding--a floater-not a sinker! French Fries, Cole Slaw and pickles were all good.

The slices of bread were too small and too thin to cover the sandwiches.

The "Harry Met Sally" sign was not there.

Overall--overated!

THE BEST! – My husband and I came to New York for a great deli experience. We were told to go to 2nd avenue deli, which we did, and it was good, but not a patch on Katz's. The atmosphere, food and service were quintessentially 'New York'. The matzoh ball soup is the best i've ever eaten and this includes homemade recipes from my jewish relatives. A big, big thumbs up!!

OLD PEOPLE FOOD!Not to everyone's taste – The service was excellent. The only thing is the food was just awful. It was the first time I ever had a knish - what is everyone raving about? Its basically a bland potato hot pocket fried in oil. Even salting it didn't help at all. I must have used 1/2 the salt in the shaker and the oil just neutralized it so that you couldn't taste it at all. It was sooo hopelessly bland so I couldn't finish it. Hot dogs - I took one bite and couldn't swallow it. It was pure grease! I was only able to eat the saurkraut on top of it. terrible pastrami and corned beef. Meat was old and tasted funny, was stringy. There was just really nothing for a picky eater to eat here. If you consider yourself a savory person, this is not the place for you.

The Best!!! – I have been going to Katz's for over 40 years now..My father first took me when i was around fuve or so..Used to go befor going to Met or Yankee games..and of course always got a sandwich for the game...The taste hasn't changed in all that time either..I now live in Arizona and still find my way back to The city..even for Katz's only...Please don't ever change...for those who don't like the food....good....more for me and my family...NOw my Kids always ask..daddy?...when are we going to go to Katz's again....that says it all.....Thanks Dad....

The Best – The food is wonderful it is the best deli..... They need one in the Rockville, Maryland area... They do not know what a great deli is... They cannot compete to the food up in New York City. Love the triple decker sandwiches -corn beef/tongue/pastrami

from a doubtful traveller – Having Katz's Deli listed as a must-try in NY really got my interest piqued. I was expecting too much hype over a so-so foodfare. I was surprised!!! I had the time of my life eating my first pastrami sandwich... it was DEeelicious! I would definitely visit again and bring friends from the Philippines over, hopefully to try the famous corned beef and salami next time.

Some comments though- my split pea soup was too thick it looked and tasted almost like mud, and i felt the practice of shoving bill stubs onto customer's hands without an explanation didn't jive with the historic feel and look of the place. It was too commercial.

A Classic! – Just a classic New York Deli - from the food to the folks that work there! While not 100% consistent, it is the best pastrami in New York!