Katz's Deli Reviews

The pastrami is worth the line and the price. Amazing sandwich.

i would say i had my huge best delicious sandwich in my life:)

Food and staff were amazing! It's a NYC staple, therefore a must. Sandwiches are big enough to share, but give yourself a few minutes for wait time. Its always packed. I've always found luck moving to the far deli- ticians rather than just jumping in the first line. Also, DON'T LOSE YOUR TICKET! They stress this as you walk in; it's how you pay after eating. Usually 1 if not both are the owners are always in there. Look on the walls then play Where's Waldo. You're guaranteed to spot one of them.

Its a great gimmick, but i wouldnt go out my way to go again and wouldnt recommend it to anyone. It was over priced and bland.

good as they say, however don't expect to be cheap. 2 soda and 2 pastrami with pickles costs about 55$, but absolutely worth it. Save yourself from queuing and go down for late breakfast / early lunch around 11AM

We visited here recently... it was my second or third time, but first time in several years. My husband, who lived in NYC in the 80s, says it's a landmark. In its heyday, I'm sure it was amazing. Right now, it's the pits. We went on a Saturday lunch, which was a terrible idea. The line was out the door and the bouncer (a really big dude) told us it was "15 minutes at most" and we trusted him. For the record, it was 1 hour 5 minutes until we all managed to eat. The people running the front door were allowing more people in than would actually fit in the tables inside. We chose "Table service" which was another 30 minute wait. The waiter was a portly fellow who approached our table, NO JOKE, by saying, "Hurry up, what do you want?" Meanwhile, up at the counter, all these people were given huge plates of food without any place to take them -- there were no empty tables. So we are sitting at a table with no food, surrounded by people with food who had no place to sit and eat. The noise and ruckus were intolerable. It was a complete and utter madhouse and the sandwiches were mediocre. The grilled cheese was wonderbread with Velveeta cheese product. It was embarrassing. Also, their $50 for a lost ticket policy has to be illegal... I mean, seriously? I call tourist trap on Katz Deli at this point. It ain't what it used to be.

It was good but crowded and expensive, still worth a visit, also if you want to pay by card you need to go to the back where the shop is and show your receipt

This sandwich melts in your mouth! The process is a bit hectic when its busy. Kind of expensive for a sandwich but the pastrami is basically a steak sandwich.

Amazing pastrami! A little bit expansive for a sandwich, but I repeat is amazing

Don't even.bother going. Waste of money and time. Everyone was raving about the place and found out it was in a movie. The food is overpriced at $22 for 2 slices of bread filled with pastrami and gherkins on the side, had to queue up to get the food and was told to get in line and the waitress at the till was rude when I simply wanted to pay. Also to rub it in you get a nice $50 fine if you lose your ticket. Your money is better spent going to a expensive restaurant in new York where they treat you with respect.

Katz's still has the best sandwiches in NY, but the seating is limited. I rate them with what I like and enjoyed the food.

Ordered Pastrami, but quite unconventionally went with a hoagie instead of rye. The meat was perfection. Great deli as advertised.

Pastrami sandwich is the best. This place is in establishment since 1886 or 1888. Also had their beef sausage. Also you don't have to worry about pork in the sausage or Salami as they have pork free products. Make sure to keep the ticket they give you, once you come in, becuse you won't be able to leave if you lose the ticket without paying $50 per person. Make sure to keep the ticket...

Whilst on holiday in Manhattan I put Katz on my to do list and glad I did.

It's in downtown New York and there's subway routes close by.

We got there Tuesday late afternoon and although it was busy we managed to get a waiter service table straight away. It's pretty mad when you go in you go in a line and get a ticket then asked whether to order your own stuff or have a table with a waiter. The ticket is used later to write your bill on and then you pay it on the way out in cash. If you lose your ticket you get billed $50.

The place is great I wanted a proper American experience without the tourism bit and this was it. I loved it, had loads of celebs on the wall to that had eaten there.

Now the food... I got the pastrami and it was by far the best tasting pastrami sandwich you could imagine! It was huge, cooked to perfection and melted in your mouth.

I'd highly recommend this place. There's only 1 reason why I've not given this place a 5 star and that's the price. My sandwich I think was about $24 although it was mega that's a lot of money for a sandwich especially when you come from Manchester.

Goes without saying you won't find better pastrami anywhere else on Earth. For more than 100 years, Katz's has been a Lower East Side fixture. Snarky servers, food as good as your bubbe's and a dining room frozen in time all add up to a meal you won't forget.

Would not recommend it. Tourist trap. Although I wasn't scammed, the service was just regular and the pastrami sandwich was only ok.

Classic NY Jewish deli ( though not kosher). The best deli comfort food you will find. Hasn't changed since the WW II days, when they shipped salami to our boys overseas. Staff is the same helpful crew, always ready with a joke or kind word. If you're in MY, well worth a visit.

Fabulous food. Quick service. Pretty hard to beat if you like New York deli! One restaurant not to miss if you're just visiting the Big Apple, especially if you've never been there before.

After many trips to NY, I finally did the thing every says you have to -- Katz's. There is a lot of hype, but the food speaks for itself. The service at the counter is fun and fast, and you're likely to be handed samples. If you're going to try a reuben, here is a great place to do it. As a Vancouverite, an egg cream is a novel option, and for something without eggs or cream, it really is deliciously sweet.

An authentic American place! We ordered the pastrami and philly steak sandwich, they were good, but definitely the pastrami was way better.

Very tasty and delicious pastrami sandwich. Great Matzoh ball soup. Loved the Latkes. Great experience!

No words can describe this place! Definitely get the pastrami, brisket was okay but only recommend if you want a leaner cut to throw in the mix. Next time I'll try the reuben but possibly that'd be overkill, plenty of flavor already in the pastrami

Delicious! Try the lox bagel and the chocolate cake is divine!

Quite expensive but very good pastrami. My suggest is to buy one pastrami Sandwich every two people. One is too much for one person.

After the original 2nd Ave deli went away (now it's back in a new form), Katz's and Carnegie became the two remaining super traditional Jewish delis in Manhattan. Katz's sandwiches are consistently good and the quality of their meat is great. The only downside is the traditional "cafeteria ticket" format, where you have to take a ticket when you come in, you wait in what are usually extremely long and rowdy lines to get your sandwich, you wait in another line to get any sides or drinks you want, then you have to find a table, and finally you pay when you go out. This can be super chaotic and overwhelming for people, especially given how many tourists are usually there and how many of them don't understand the ticket system, but it is a "true city deli experience" that will get you an amazing sandwich in the end. They do have a small number of waiter service tables on the left side of the room where you don't have to deal with the tickets and the crazy crowds but those are usually full and require a wait. If you are scared off by the big crowds and the counter/ticket experience then go to Carnegie.

A busy New York favorite for locals and visitors alike. Portions so large you'll need a doggie bag per entree. Well worth the wait.

I've been going to Katz's for many many years...And to be honest even though the place has raised their prices the food is as awesome as ever..
Over $20 for a pastrami sandwich at most places would make me think about going in there,However Katz's over stuffs these sandwiches and when ever I ate a pastrami sandwich there it was yes stuffed and juicy.
Added to that the home made fries and a couple of cans of Dr.Browns cel ray soda..
I'm always around that area ans the place is never empty,especially on a thurs-sat night when people are going to the nearby bars and clubs there is a line outside for people to enter..
One of the best deli's for their food,atmosphere and amazing staff!!!!

Old run down place. Ok food. High prices but I guess everyone wants to eat there because it is so well known.

Not like when I a kid, now it's a tourist attraction, crowded at all hours. However, the food and decor have not changed (except the yogurt cups with mustard), which nearly made me cry when I visited recently for the first time in 20+ years.

A unique experience. Don't lose your ticket. Staff are very friendly. The portions are big, but it's also on the pricier side. You yet what you pay for. Tender pieces of beef brisket. Can't comment about anything else since I only order the same thing all the time.

The flavour of the sandwich almost justifies the wild price. It s great. Really. But more of a checklist than anything else.

Yes it is iconic and a must for all NYC visitors. But it is also expensive and with same money you get better food elsewhere. Coffee still comes in take away card board even you are in service table. Maybe as alien I cannot value huge bile of meet between two slice of old bread as gastronomic ecstasy.

This place is definitely a bit of a touristy trap, so actually getting in and funding a seat is an adventure. That said, the pastrami is probably the best I've ever eaten. Totally worth it.

AMAZING. I had the rueben with pastrami on rye and I have never eaten something quite like this. It is very tender, juicy, flavorfull and delicious. They serve the sandwich with pickles and fresh cucembers. One sandwich were good for two people because it was huge! Definetely recommend! The place is very crowded generally. So, I recommend checking the crowdness before you go. There are self-service and waiter tables.

As advertised pastrami plentiful tender delicious not overly salty.
Worth the walk.

The pastrami is to die for!!! The deli is almost an historical place. Definitely a true NYC landmark.

The Corned beef is disgustingly fatty and hard to chew. Can get a much better corned beef sandwich in detroit for half the price!

Such a tasty Extra-extra lean Pastrami sandwich. I got the fries too. Alot to eat. Great place. Extra pickles please

Came all the way from DC & I was looking forward to a nice pastrami sandwich and they did not have any, go figure. I settled for a cornbeef instead which was pretty good but I much rather would of had my pastrami.

Food is not they say it is . Its dreadful will not recommend this place.

The best pastrami sandwich in the world. If i come to new york katz's is always a must. Call it a tourist place if you like but the food is legit. My only problem with the place is its all the way in New york

It is exactly what you think it is. Great food, a bit hectic and crowded, but that's part of the charm. Keep your ticket, since you pay on your way out with the cashier. Fantastic food. Very nostalgic.

I really love this place. The food is beyond good. I m obsessed with Pastrami Rueben. The staff is great. At the counter they ll give same, but make sure you tip them. My only complaint is the prices, but it s Katz s.

The pastrami bacon and egg breakfast sandwich made my trip all the better.

There's a reason the line is always out the door. This place is fantastic.

Typical American restaurant. Good sandwiches, but the soft and juicy pastrami deserved better bread.

This place is popular. Inside wall is surrounded by celebrity photos dining here. The downside, weird ticket ordering and payment. Place is very disorganized. No sign where to get drinks and when you find it, it's usually a very long wait. The meat serving is plenty enough and its the food is good. Parking maybe challenging. At times maybe a longer lines due to its popularity.

Delicatessen you should not miss in NYC !
An iconic place, yes it is crowded, they are good reasons for that ;) amazing pastrami perfect latkes...

Best Pastrami sandwich ever.
Worth the detour.
I am coming back for this sandwich.

This is a busy place for good reason. It attracts both tourists and locals all looking for that great Deli experience. The pastrami is cut thick and the seedless rye is excellent. Their half sour pickles are the real deal and they serve one of the best Egg Creams I have ever had. It is busy and noisy but we look at it as part of the deal. Our service was excellent and the counter guys had a great sense of humor. Do not miss this iconic deli!

The pastrami is good, but not worth $23 for a sandwich. It has definitely become a tourist trap.

Interesting place. Food was mediocre. Not amazing, but not terrible. I had the pastrami sandwich, good portion of meat. Wife had the brisket sandwich, again good portion but quality was just ok. Expected more for the price.

How I could ever rate Katz's anything other than 5 stars is beyond me. A cultural icon of NYC, this historical institution is pumping out quality food every day. While expensive, it is well worth it to enjoy some of the best sausage, corn beef, salami, hot dogs, and other deli fare you'll ever have. Don't lose your ticket and you'll leave happy and full and eager to come back. Go to Katz, you won't regret it

Like the first time I went to Katz's Deli to now. The staff are the most amazing and kind people you will find. Food is delicious and the pastrami always hitting. Pero the salami brought back memories.

So we really wanted to try New York's Corned Beef Sandwich and we read the reviews about this place and made a trip to see what it is all about.
The restaurant was PACKED and finding seats wasn't easy which was a good sign! The sandwiches are HUGE to the point that I think 1 would be more than enough for 2 people to share!! my personal opinion is that the sandwich was lacking in taste, as if it needed to be paired w/ something else like a special sauce or garnish or sth. I found the rye too dry but the beef itself was of great quality. The pickles are sooooo good so as the fries. Also the waiting time for food is very long so head out there before you are too hungry to wait!

The food was great but the whole ticketing, paying and ordering at multiple places seemed disorganized. Still think it is a 5-star place!

Probably the best salt beef sandwich you will ever taste!!!!! If you're in New York you MUST try this or you will regret it. $21.75 for this bad boy but you won't regret it.... with mustard of course. You can also had melted cheese which I regret not doing.

Loved the place. Very authentic ambiance, despite the high number of tourists coming to the place. The pastrami sandwich is excellent. They serve good beer too. Worth the visit.

I come here every time I'm in NYC for the pastrami on Rye.

Must say it was quite a disappointment here. I'd read the reviews online and thought that while in New York I'd grab a Rueben from the most famous place around. First attempt I was greeted by queues out the door and was on the way somewhere else (tenement museum, well worth the visit) so gave it a miss. I was fortunate enough to be walking past on my last day at about 1030 in the morning and there were no queues this time so in I went.

$24 for a sandwich?? You're kidding right?? Turns out they weren't but I got my sandwich, then discovered there was a good couple of pounds of meat on it, all I could taste was meat. Seriously a sandwich that has good rye bread, pastrami or corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese should at least taste of each of these things but instead there's just this overwhelming taste of meat. This was gross, I'm lucky at 6'5" and 240lbs it wasn't too much for me but an average sized person would've thrown half of it out.

Historic deli, amazing flavor, worth the price! Don't miss it!

Katz's is indeed the best in hot pastrami and corned beef and stuff but it seems as if the amount of meat is getting less.

My favorite deli in the world. You really cannot go wrong here

The food was excellent & the server Mirian was professional, attentive & friendly! We also met the 4th generation owner & took a picture with Alan Katz....wonderful experience! The ticket situation was a little confusion & I believe unnecessary!

There's a reason this place is legendary. The Pastrami on rye with their homemade Dijon mustard is out of this world! Sure, its $20 for one sandwich, but its big enough to feed two people easily. I just wish they didn't charge for extra pickles. Definitely try it if you're in the area, or visiting NY.

It's iconic, it's $28 after tax for a sandwich. But it's ok. The bread flavour doesn't hold, the corned beef is dryer than the pastrami, both are tasty but neither are worth $28. I would say do it once, but I won't be going back. I had the Reuben, half pastrami half corned beef.

Katz's is good, but has never been my favorite deli. For value, I'd go to Ben's. For quality, 2nd Avenue (or the extinct Carnegie) is definately superior. If Katz's just feels a little overpriced and low-value. Perhaps its relying too much on it's reputation.

I ve never had a sandwich this big! The pastrami was sensational!!

Stopped at Katz's last nite for sandwiches with my daughters. It was crowded, busy and noisy. We had the pastrami, corned beef and Ruben sandwiches. They were all great.
However, this place is way over-rated and way over priced. The meat on sandwiches is not piled up like you heard about or seen in news reports or cooking channels. They think they are the only deli in NYC and seem to get away with it due to all the hype.

Food was really good. Took us 15 minutes to order due to the place being popular. If you are with friends, i would suggest looking for seating while someone stands in line to order for everyone. You ll spend a good 30 minutes waiting during peak times

Typical example of the emperor clothes ! Long lines to eat an outrageously expensive sandwich! This is not New York. Tons of other amazing places in NYC to enjoy food.

The pastrami is ridiculous and lives up to hype, reuben was decent but overpriced, service was stupid fast and environment was fun.

This place has been here FOREVER! I usually go after the club because it's the only thing open but even in the wee hours of the morning the food is still so fresh. The pastrami is to die for and they give so much it's enough to feed 3 adults.

Meat a little fatty, service slow, waitress was good