Katz's Deli

07/08/2008 Posted by mckinley30

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?

Pros: meat

Cons: expensive

07/03/2008 Posted by billtotman

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.

Pros: Smoked, greasy meats.

Cons: Disorganization, Unique Service System, Overpriced, Dive, Unhappy Employees

04/21/2008 Posted by vincent3000

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.

Pros: Sandwich was excellent.

Cons: Sandwich wasn't worth the price.

03/31/2008 Posted by acb723

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!

Pros: big, yummy sandwiches, famous and fun

Cons: expensive, crowded

03/21/2008 Posted by swansadam

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...

03/14/2008 Posted by kickboxgirl

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.

Pros: food, casual environment

Cons: crowded, a bit expensive for sandwiches

02/13/2008 Posted by cobraman332

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.

Pros: Best Pastrami, Great Experience, Open Late

Cons: Hectic, Not Open 24/7

01/15/2008 Posted by bellakitty

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.

Pros: only turkey I'll eat.

Cons: service is kaos. too expensive.

12/05/2007 Posted by verybecca

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!!!

Pros: Great hot dogs and knishes

Cons: multiple counters and confusion

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

11/17/2007 Posted by porkjello

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.

Pros: The pastrami and corned beef

Cons: I don't live in NYC so I can't go there as much as I'd like to