Next.js logo

KATZ'S DELICATESSEN

Updated

Phone: (212) 254-2246

Address: 205 EAST HOUSTON STREET 10002

TLDR

Legendary NYC deli destination famous for its towering pastrami sandwiches and rich immigrant history. A must-visit bucket list experience for iconic Jewish comfort food.

Reddit Sentiment for KATZ'S DELICATESSEN(based on 951 Reddit opinions)

48% Positive40% Neutral10% Negative

Reddit Sentiment Over Time

Unique Posts Over Time

Achievements and Accolades

Achievement logo
Achievement logo

Tags

deli 368jewish 349american 134pastrami 230pastrami sandwich 161deli 143View All

Neighborhoods

Lower East Side

Instagram Posts References

The video captures the bustling interior of Katz's Deli, a renowned spot for classic sandwiches. A close-up shot presents a generously filled Reuben sandwich with corned beef, sauerkraut, and cheese. The person eating it expresses great satisfaction, and the dish receives a high rating of 9/10.

Katz's Delicatessen has reopened its historic Ludlow Room, which had been closed to the public since 1949. The space was formerly used as a massive refrigerator for the deli's pastrami business. It has now been restored to feature original architectural details, vintage-inspired design, and dedicated tableside meat slicing. This reopening allows patrons to experience a forgotten chapter of the iconic NYC institution.

The segment opens with the iconic exterior and bustling interior of the deli, then shows a chef meticulously slicing fresh pastrami and assembling a massive pastrami sandwich layered with cheese and sauce between slices of rye bread, emphasizing its generous portions and traditional preparation.

Katz's Delicatessen is an iconic New York City institution renowned for its Pastrami on Rye sandwich, which is described as a pivotal NYC deli creation rooted in rich immigrant traditions.

The post provides a historical snapshot of Katz's Delicatessen, an iconic New York City establishment, as it appeared in the summer of 1970. The image captures the exterior of the deli along with the surrounding street, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere and period details of the era. It emphasizes the enduring legacy and historical significance of the restaurant within the city's culinary landscape.

This Lower East Side deli is famous for the iconic scene in "When Harry Met Sally..." where Sally fakes an orgasm. The film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, and the booth used in the scene is now a recognized New York City landmark.

The post features Katz's Delicatessen, hailing its pastrami sandwich as the most famous in New York and a city legend. It highlights the restaurant's popularity, evidenced by consistently long queues, and its iconic status due to its appearance in 'When Harry Met Sally,' with memorabilia from the film visible throughout. The sandwiches are noted for their enormous size, so much so that the reviewer felt 'about to burst' after eating. Customers receive a ticket upon entry that is essential for payment and incurs a $50 fine if lost. The atmosphere is described as bustling and full of history, with photographs of famous patrons adorning the walls. Despite the price, it is highly recommended as a must-visit New York experience.

Katz's Delicatessen is celebrated for its iconic pastrami sandwich, marked as a top culinary experience in NYC that is definitely 'worth the hype'.

This establishment is recommended as part of the GoCity New York Mini Guide for its iconic deli sandwiches.

Katz's Delicatessen is a classic New York City establishment that has been operating since 1888. It is renowned for serving the most delicious pastrami sandwich, a quintessential deli experience. The original Lower East Side location is popular, but a Brooklyn branch is suggested for those wishing to avoid long queues.

Featured Articles

Dedicated reviews and comprehensive features focusing directly on this restaurant.

Katz's Deli
very positive

Hannah Albertine reviews Katz's Deli, an iconic Jewish establishment on the Lower East Side, praising its enduring quality and classic dishes like the pastrami on rye and matzoh ball soup.

Hannah AlbertineMar 4, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is mentioned alongside others.

Mentioned In
Where to Eat in Herald Square
positive

A review of Katz's Delicatessen, a legendary Jewish deli known for its iconic pastrami sandwich.

Jun 5, 2026
Mentioned In
The 31 Best Restaurants On The Lower East Side
very positive

Katz's, the legendary Jewish deli, is a must-visit tourist spot offering a classic experience with matzo ball soup and a three-meat platter featuring pastrami, brisket, and corned beef.

Bryan KimApr 21, 2026
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
Bar Bianchi

Katz's Delicatessen is mentioned in passing as a nearby establishment whose pastrami aroma drifts over to Bar Bianchi.

Molly FitzpatrickMay 14, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
A New Green Era: Navigating NYC's Evolving Cannabis Culture and Pairing It With Perfect Comfort Food

Date unknown
Mentioned In
What Are You Looking For?

New York MagazineDate unknown
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
The Best Sandwich Shops in NYC
positive

Will Hartman reviews Katz's, the legendary Jewish deli on the Lower East Side, famous for its pastrami sandwich. Despite the high price and potential for a gruff experience, the sandwich is described as elating.

Will HartmanDate unknown
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
NYC’s Essential Bites: A Time Capsule of Dishes to Eat Before You Die
positive

Bryan Kim reviews Katz's Delicatessen, a famous Jewish deli known for its pastrami sandwiches, highlighting it as a must-visit for both tourists and New Yorkers.

Bryan KimDate unknown
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
The Best Sandwiches in New York City to Eat in a Park
positive

Will Hartman emphasizes that the pastrami sandwich is a must-try at this old-school Jewish deli, perfect for a picnic in Central Park.

Willa Moore, Staff Writer, NYCDate unknown
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
NYC Restaurant News
positive

The article identifies Katz's Delicatessen as a top spot for bagels in New York City, indicating its renown for more than just its iconic pastrami.

Melissa McCart, Tierney Plumb, Bettina MakalintalDate unknown

Details

A quintessential New York City landmark, this historic Lower East Side institution is world-renowned for its gargantuan pastrami sandwiches, which have been a staple for over 130 years [1]. While some visitors find the bustling environment and lines intimidating, many argue that the tender, flavorful meat makes it a must-visit, iconic experience [2]. The deli is also celebrated for its classic Jewish comfort foods, such as matzoh ball soup and frankfurters, which provide a nostalgic dining experience [3].

Food Overview

The menu is headlined by the legendary pastrami on rye, often praised for its tender, smoky, and salty flavor profile [6, 7]. Customers also highly recommend the matzoh ball soup, frankfurters, and in-house made half-sour pickles [3]. While the pastrami is widely adored, some diners find the Reuben sandwich's un-griddled bread to be a drawback, and certain sides like the knishes have received criticism for being factory-style [8, 9].

Highlights / Recommended

"The pastrami on rye is the signature must-try item, often recommended to be shared due to its massive portion size [1, 3]. Customers also frequently suggest adding matzoh ball soup and a classic Cel-Ray soda for the complete experience [3, 12]."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • pastrami sandwich(61)
  • pastrami(50)
  • pastrami on rye(31)
  • mustard(20)
  • hot dog(18)
  • fries(13)
  • dr. brown's cel-ray(11)
  • matzo ball soup(10)
  • sandwich(10)
  • pastrami reuben(9)
  • reuben sandwich(8)
  • corned beef(7)
  • russian dressing(6)
  • knish(6)
  • pickles(6)
  • sauerkraut(6)
  • latkes(5)
  • pastrami on club bread(4)
  • brisket sandwich(4)
  • hot dogs(4)
  • dr. brown's black cherry(4)
  • matzoh ball soup(4)
  • pastrami omelet(4)
  • brisket(3)
  • cole slaw(3)
  • dr brown's soda(3)
  • cheesesteak(3)
  • dr. brown's cream(3)
  • manhattan special(3)
  • pastrami tacos(3)
  • club bread(2)
  • latke(2)
  • cel-ray(2)
  • reuben(2)
  • cream soda(2)
  • full sour pickles(2)
  • cheese(2)
  • soups(2)
  • egg cream(2)
  • chopped liver(2)
  • matzah ball soup(2)
  • dr. brown's cream soda(2)
  • dr. brown's black cherry soda(2)
  • thick cut pastrami(2)
  • pastrami on rye with mustard(2)
  • cel-ray soda(2)
  • tongue(2)
  • daikon radish cakes with smoked salmon and roe(2)

Customer Sentiment

Visitor feedback is largely positive, with many citing it as an essential, high-quality NYC experience that lives up to its hype [1, 4]. However, some diners feel it has become an overpriced tourist trap, noting significant crowds and mixed opinions on service and value [3, 5].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About KATZ'S DELICATESSEN

This post highlights the deli as a 'Pastrami Temple' and an essential stop for anyone wanting an authentic local experience, despite its tourist popularity.
A deep dive into the classic pastrami sandwich, with users debating the necessity of adding cheese and sauerkraut versus eating the meat plain.
A thread discussing whether the famous lines are worth it, with many locals sharing tips on how to order efficiently or avoid peak tourist hours.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"Even though the user doesn't typically like pastrami, they enjoy Katz's when visiting with others."

Positive
Jun 28, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"This user also mentions eating a whole Katz's sandwich solo, along with fries and drinks."

Positive
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"This user admits to eating an entire Katz's sandwich solo on multiple occasions."

Positive
Jun 25, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"The user affirms that 'Yes' was the correct answer regarding their third visit."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"User confirms it was their third visit."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"The user confirms their third visit to Katz's was as satisfying as previous ones."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"The user states they visited Katz's for the third time and were still impressed."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"The user and their wife always share a sandwich at Katz's."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"The user states Katz's is delicious and high-quality, worth the price, and can serve as a meal for two, especially if visited during off-peak hours."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"The user acknowledges that Katz's is expensive but finds it very satisfying."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"This user recalls smelling delicious food from Katz's while waiting for a bus and recognizing it as a satisfying experience."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"The user states that Katz's consistently exceeds expectations, even when they are already excited to visit."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Distinguishing Places As Local Is No Longer Useful

"The user prefers going to 2nd Ave Deli over Katz's, citing the atmosphere and clientele, despite acknowledging Katz's pastrami might be better."

Negative
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Distinguishing Places As Local Is No Longer Useful

"The user comments that the quality of Katz's seems the same as it was five years ago."

Neutral
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Distinguishing Places As Local Is No Longer Useful

"Responding to a query about Katz's pastrami quality, this user states that pricing is the usual complaint, not the meat itself. They assert that Katz's pastrami is significantly better than mediocre alternatives and justifies the cost, though bread and toppings could improve."

Positive
Jun 23, 2026View Comment →

From post: Distinguishing Places As Local Is No Longer Useful

"The user inquires if Katz's pastrami quality has declined recently, noting a trend of comments suggesting it has become tougher and drier."

Neutral
Jun 23, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Great Nosh A Great Waste Of Money Would Not

"The author repeatedly visited the Katz's line due to disbelief at the small portion size of pastrami in the tacos, noting it covered only a quarter of the taco, which was significantly less than what influencers appeared to receive."

Negative
Jun 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Great Nosh A Great Waste Of Money Would Not

"The commenter observed that the pastrami portions in the tacos from Katz's x Santa Taco appeared significantly larger for influencers compared to regular attendees, leading to suspicions of preferential treatment and misrepresented portions."

Negative
Jun 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Great Nosh A Great Waste Of Money Would Not

"The commenter agreed that Hani's x Jake Cohen seemed to be the only vendors who understood the context of the event, praising their dish."

Positive
Jun 22, 2026View Comment →

From post: The Great Nosh A Great Waste Of Money Would Not

"This attendee highlighted Hani's x Jake Cohen as a shining star at the event, praising their daikon radish cakes with smoked salmon and roe as a culinary delight."

Positive
Jun 22, 2026View Comment →