Iconic NYC deli known for massive, juicy pastrami sandwiches & a bustling atmosphere. Worth the wait for a classic Jewish deli experience.
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.
Katz's Delicatessen is an iconic New York City institution, renowned for its legendary pastrami on rye sandwiches and its classic Jewish deli experience. With over 130 years of history, it offers a bustling, efficient, and nostalgic atmosphere. While known for its generous portions and delicious, hand-sliced meats, the restaurant also comes with a notable price tag and can have long wait times, especially during peak hours. Despite these factors, Katz's is considered a quintessential New York culinary landmark that consistently lives up to its hype.
Katz's Delicatessen is celebrated for its classic Jewish deli fare, with the pastrami on rye sandwich being its undisputed star. Patrons rave about the tender, juicy, and flavorful hand-sliced pastrami, noting the generous portions that often suffice for two. Other popular items include hot dogs, corned beef, matzoh ball soup, and half-sour pickles. While the food is generally highly rated, some recent comments mention the pastrami being dry or the sandwich construction being less than perfect, and the brisket receives mixed reviews. The restaurant is considered expensive, with sandwiches often costing upwards of $30.
"The pastrami on rye sandwich is the undisputed star, often recommended with mustard. Other popular choices include the Reuben sandwich, hot dogs, frankfurters, matzoh ball soup, and half-sour pickles. The sandwiches are famously large and often suggested for sharing."
Customers overwhelmingly praise Katz's for its iconic status and exceptional pastrami sandwiches, often describing the experience as a must-do in NYC. While some find it pricey and crowded, the quality and generous portions generally win out.
Important Note
Be prepared for potential long lines, especially during peak hours. The restaurant is not kosher, although it serves Jewish-style deli food. Some patrons find the prices high for the portion size, and opinions on the brisket and sandwich construction can be mixed.
"This user describes visiting Katz's Delicatessen on a weekday morning around 11 AM with no line, noting it was the first time in a while they could easily get a sandwich."
Positive"This commenter notes that there are lines at Katz's Delicatessen even at 12 AM."
Neutral"This commenter confirms that the sandwich at the Brooklyn location of Katz's Delicatessen tastes the same as the original and recommends it to avoid the line, unless one specifically wants the 'full experience'."
Positive"This commenter states that the 'full experience' of waiting in line at Katz's Delicatessen is primarily for tourists, as locals who have had the sandwich before likely wouldn't wait for hours."
Neutral"This user wonders if the sandwich tastes different at the Brooklyn location compared to the original Katz's Delicatessen, suggesting it might be psychological if reviews claim it's not as good."
Neutral"A location of Katz's Delicatessen is available in a food hall in Brooklyn, which this commenter suggests as an option to avoid the wait at the original location."
Neutral"This user found weekday afternoons usually have no lines at Katz's Delicatessen, with the worst lines occurring late on weekends. They also recommend Frankel's in Greenpoint as a great alternative for pastrami and corned beef sandwiches."
Neutral"Replying to a comment about the Brooklyn location, this user states that part of the experience of going to Katz's Delicatessen is the original location itself."
Neutral"This commenter, a local, found that 2:45-3 PM was an ideal time to grab takeout from Katz's Delicatessen without encountering a line."
Neutral"This user agrees that the Brooklyn location of Katz's Delicatessen offers the same food without the wait, suggesting it's ideal unless someone desires the 'full experience' of the line and ticketing process."
Positive"This commenter recommends trying Frankel's in Greenpoint for pastrami as an alternative to Katz's Delicatessen, especially if visiting Brooklyn."
Negative"This commenter suggests that visiting Katz's Delicatessen when it's raining can result in a significantly shorter line."
Neutral"This user found the Brooklyn location of Katz's Delicatessen, which had no line, to be surprising at first glance but confirmed it's the exact same sandwich."
Positive"This user suggests that weeknights after 10 PM are a good time to visit Katz's Delicatessen, as it should be less crowded and suitable for eating a large amount of pastrami."
Neutral"This user suggests that visiting Katz's Delicatessen at unusual hours is part of the experience, and eating lunch between 2-4 PM is not considered unusual."
Neutral"Despite long lines, this commenter found the wait to be about 30 minutes and felt the great sandwich and fun atmosphere were worth it."
Positive"This commenter suggests visiting the Katz's Delicatessen location in Dekalb Market, Brooklyn, as there is typically no line there."
Neutral"This commenter observes that the crowd at Katz's Delicatessen seems unpredictable, with no clear pattern to when it's extremely busy or relatively calm."
Neutral"A local suggests that 2:45 PM is a good time to go to avoid the busiest crowds, as it's their preferred time for a quick lunch."
Neutral"If visiting during spring break, this commenter warns that tourist numbers will be higher, leading to even longer lines in the mid-afternoon at Katz's Delicatessen."
Negative
