Katz's Deli Reviews

You can never go wrong here... You get what you pay for... Forget Arbys Katz got the meats

ya, life changing serving it up for 121 years...kudos

Everything I've read is true: the beef pastrami is well worthy of a visit. Great place!

Delicious and great service service .loved this place

This place is a great spot to bring friends and family from out of town as it is very "New York" and is known for their pastrami sandwich. As you enter, you will be handed a ticket, which you must not lose (or you'll be charged a hefty fee), as you'll also need to show the ticket on the way out. It's a pretty spacious deli and the staff is pretty friendly. The pastrami on rye with pickled tomatoes is super tasty. It's got a diner-esque atmosphere with walls covered with pictures of famous people at the deli.

An iconic sandwich shop serving great pastrami and corned beef.

Great food, very very busy so get there early, staff were excellent. System worked well.

Eh, it's good but not worth going twice, I don't think. Not for 25 bucks for a sandwich and a 10 dollar beer. I get that it's NYC and an institution, but for me there's no reason to go twice. There are other Reubens in the world and NYC.

The bread was not so good and the meat was kinda cold. This time it failed for a 25 dollars sandwich

Excellent service and excellent food. I highly recommend it to customers. Two thumbs up!!!

definitely my favorite deli. Generous amounts of meat on their sandwiches. I had the half pastrami sandwich. The best I've had.

First time there. Best pastrami Ruben in my life. Believe the hipe!

The Pastrami with sour & dill pickles!
Best since The Stage Deli closed...!

Massive amounts of tasty pastrami put between two slices of slightly dry bread. We had to stand in line at least for 40 minutes to get served. The ticket system is lame and they yelled with everyone to give all of their tickets back at the exit. I would recommend the place only for pastrami enthusiasts.

Best pastrami sandwich in NYC...probably the best in America! If you're hungry this is the place to go. Jake, the owner, very friendly and always taking care his customers. Deliciousness to the max!

The absolute best Deli in the United States.
Pastrami Ruben is my favorite as well as split pea soup. It gets very crowded here but you can usually always get a spot.

When in NYC, you gotta do Katz's Deli! Great atmosphere and great food!

A New York City classic, and overall its a good experience. The food is quite good and the portions are large but manageable. The place is a bit rundown looking, but if you go in expecting that it won't be a problem.

Kat's Deli never disappoints! The meat here is heavenly. To avoid crowd, I recommend coming here early in the morning (before 10) for a hearty and best breakfast!

As soon as you enter the building, the security guard handed a ticket to us. Don't loose it because you will have to pay $50 to leave the building. You can either wait for waitstaff service or you can find your own seat.

If you opt to order on your own and not wait for waitstaff seating, give the ticket to the guy at the counter who makes your sandwich. He'll write the amount you need to pay on the back of the ticket. There is a free self-service water dispenser in the back of the restaurant. You can leave your tray on the table, and the staff will pick it up for you. .

Pay with credit card in the back, cash only at the front door. If you didn't eat, you still need your blank tickets to leave.

It's a classic place to visit if you're new to NYC and has some rich history in the city, much larger than you'd expect and is run very smoothly. You get a ticket per person and that's your tab for the visit, you need it to get out as well. You submit it to the server that makes your food to get marked and pay when you exit. Tables can be hard to get, I suggest you just share with another group (like two pairs at a 4-person table).

The food was tasty, the bread is your regular whole wheat bread, the mustard went really well with the pastrami, and the meat itself was very good quality with a gorgeous outer. I got the typical pastrami sandwich and split it with my girlfriend.

Personally, I found the sandwich too salty for myself, plus I found there was too much meat for the bread, but I don't think that detracts from its quality and the worthiness of someone's visit. It was large enough to split for two 62kg individuals.

I'd recommend a friend to visit the place, for at least the experience, and if they're a major meat lover than all the more reason to go. I don't think I will be returning though as the novelty has worn out for me and I honestly don't think my body can handle that kind of food again haha.

This place was sooooooo goooooood. if you don't like it , you have problems

Really good pastrami! Nice people and good service! Love it!

Good sandwiches but then.... there are plenty of other places that make good food in New York. Worth a visit.

Katz Deli. This is the kind of sandwich you must respect. You don.t just eat it. You battle it. Dominate it. Make love to it and when you force it down. 3 inches thick of ruben pastrami goodness.

It's the real deal in deli food. But, so crowded and hard to deal with. Try 2nd Ave deli for equivalent food in a nicer, less crazy setting.

Best pastrami sandwich and the best thing I ate in one week New York! The shop has history and it's just good to eat in this atmosphair ... The pastrami was so juicy omg!

Food was very good, along with old time new york atmosphere. It was a bit expensive.

Knishes are great, pastrami is great, free water in the back is great.
Sadly, long lines of tourists.
Do not lose your ticket. They tell everyone that enters and some moron still does.

My Fiance wanted me to experience Katz and I LOVE IT The Pastrami Sandwich was Delicious. Will be coming back again to try the chicken sandwich. (PS.Make sure u have money to spend $$$)

You read the reviews... huge sandwiches that are expensive but worth it. Crowded and lines are a mess but worth it

Great food, server was horrible. Had a bad attitude and was incredibly slow. We waited 10 minutes to be seated and 10 minutes to be greeted. We sat down for 15 mimutes before we even got our drinks. Great food though!

A lot of delicious meat between two slices of bread - simple yet among the best I have had.

Good food but in large portions small plates and tables

Good pastrami but pricey. There are various other sandwiches and food.

Fresh carved meat sandwiches craved right on front of you. The lines are long and do not move that quickly but it is worth the wait. This place is a NY legend. Go to the YouTube channel so you can learn how to order. Do not loose your ticket! They will send you to jail. They accept credit cards and debit cards.

I rarely give 5 stars, but this place lived up to the hype. Iconic NY deli. Combo pastrami and corn beef on rye, I could barely eat half of it, while my partner downed his entire sandwich without breathing. You know who you are!!

What can I say that hasn't already been said? It's everything you've heard. Just do it.

Simply the best. Authentic new york. Can t recommend it high enough. Expect typical New Yorkers and typical new york treatment. Fantastic

Went out to stretch my legs and get some food. Never been, so decided to check out Katz's. Ordering food was a bit confusing but the sandwich I had was great, I had a hot pastrami. Will visit again

I guess you have to try it at least once. Not worth the price!

First time I can barely finish half of a sandwich. The store is really generous when it comes on putting meat in a sandwich.

Iconic and delicious in their own right. Come early and be welcomed by lots of seating options.

Pastrami on rye was incredible. Couldn't have asked for a more amazing sandwich. I got it with a Katz's Ale which was fantastic as well.

The reputation of this place is well earned. Even when it might feel too much to pay 25 USD for a sandwich, the pastrami totally worth it.

Recommended restaurant for tourist upon travelling to New York.
Its delicious huge sandwich and potatoes will satisfy you, especially its pastrami sandwich for $ 23.

Lived up to the hype and then some. Got the half pestrami sandwich and matza ball soup. Amazing.

Still the best Pastrami on Rye I have ever eaten (I have been coming here since 1985, when the sandwich was $12... it is now $21.45). I don't know how they do it, but tender, moist, succulent, properly spiced, pastrami nirvana, every time, every sandwich. The sandwich is so good that I have never tried anything else. This is what I want for my last meal.

It's a place that has been in NY since the dawn of time and should be closed down.
Slow service and overpriced sandwich that's all.
How does a place like that gets 5 star ratings in NYC...

The pastrami on rye with a side of french fries, heaven! I love the guys that carve your meat too, they give you a slice while you are waiting and chit chat with you about everything and anything! You're not a New Yorker until you've been here!

It s a fantastic sandwich but it is insanely overpriced. It s also a very odd place to walk into. Basically two bar bouncers make sure you don t steal their precious numbered deli counter tickets.

They also don t bother to explain the procedure for anything or even that credit card is only at the back of the restaurant and cash-only at the front cashier

For the authentic New York experience, enjoy the homeless people outside asking for money and sandwiches

This was definitely one of my gastronomic highlights of New York. Katz Deli was listed as an iconic place while in New York and I can honestly say it did not disappoint. The experience starts with getting a ticket upon entering that you hand to one of a series of pastrami cutters. The cutter happily gives you a try of the pastrami - so don't forget to tip him/ her. The iconic pastrami on rye with a gherkin was to die for - the place is historic, gastronomic and euphoric - if you're visiting NYC always put Katz's deli on your dining list!

BEST pastrami. Wish I still lived 2 blocks away. Well, maybe that was dangerous.

Food was down right amazing, but they need to modernize. For example they give guests a ticket and that how they track your order, but you must keep track of this piece of paper. If you loose it you owe them $50 at minimum! Plus they only hand tickets to you if they think your capable of paying (18+), this is stupid since everyone judges age differently. As well as I look 16 but I'm 23 so I get different age guesses all over the place. Next when it came time to pay they wouldn't give us an itemized bill, instead it said here's your total and by the way we added tip in for you. Screw you, if you add a tip that's all I'm paying you and not a dime more! If you let me tip you what I want, I'll tip you more. Then I tried to pay with card, well turns out you can't do that at the front register but at the back register. All of this really sucked since then I had to split it out with averages for my party since we needed 4 checks for 6 people.

So even though the food is amazing I won't be returning without them modernizing a little and getting into the 21st century. People split checks all the time and card is incredibly common, who actually carries cash now day?

The pastrami is delicious, brisket was ok. Everything else was pretty average. We had an awesome waiter as we chose to be served instead of ordering on our own. It is pretty expensive and it was just ok. I also didn't like the bread they use for sandwiches. Hot dot was good.

Its a gastronomic institution, the pastrami sandwich its out of this world and the brisket sandwich its a must!!, the only downside and biggg fownside its the price 25 dollars for a sandwich its a little too much

Pricey, but totally worth the wait and cost. Amazing pastrami

Always a pleasure when visiting my old stomping grounds

Best pastrami sandwich! It s mostly nostalgic because of its popular scene of Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally; but the pastrami here is pretty great! It s deli style dining experience has its unique and memorable buzz. It s busy so be prepared for a crowd. Perhaps not suitable for all diets

The chopped liver is so creamy and delicious it's like eating meat butter.

Great local spot. Be prepared to wait it u want lunch

All I can say it meh. The pastrami did not wow me. It was on the dry side. Had ok flavour with subtle smoke. Hot dog was good. Ordering is organized and simple. While this place may be an iconic deli I'd say skip it if you don't feel like spending $25 on an ok sandwich.

Such an incredible experience dining here. It might not be the way most places run their business but we found that added to the charm. The food was divine and we've both been dreaming about our meal - matzo ball soup for me and the biggest pastrami sandwich you've ever seen for my husband. Be patient and kind and you will be well rewarded.

Fantastic atmosphere...as New York as you can get. Long queues and whole place is buzzing. Have to ecperience it while in the city.

Love Katz. Definitely get the pastarami sandwich! Pretty delicious. A lot of the times they're pretty busy. If you wanna avoid waiting go there super late on Saturday. We went there at 4am they open 24 hours on Saturday.

I wouldn't suggest getting the fries they were not that great and not that you need any more food. The pastarami sandwich is insanely filling.

You can ask to taste the meat before you commit they're happy to give you big pieces of meat.

The main guy there is extremely nice and he's happy to chat with you if they're not busy and ask you how did you like your sandwich and tell you how they smoke the meat.

If you are like me and couldn't finish your food just being it to the counter and they'll paper wrap it for you.

Iconic, must go at least once in your life. Fun place, gets crowded even during the week. Can't buy just half sandwich, have to buy soup with half sandwich. On the expensive side for a sandwich, even by NYC standards; then they want you to add tip to that.

What can I say? This place is iconic for a reason. You'll probably not find better pastrami anywhere, and the full sour pickles are incredible. Ordering at the counter may be a bit intimidating, but it is worth it for the experience and the sandwich samples while you watch them work. Pictures can't do it justice, especially at the counter. I got my sandwich to go this time or I'd have included a pic, but trust me: you'll be impressed.

I grew up eating Kate's food with my grandfather. The prices are higher, that I don't mind, but for last meat on the sandwich, that I mind.

The pastrami on rye with mustard is the best. They prefer cash but you can pay with a card in the back.

If your looking for genuine NYC it doesn't get any better. The best sandwhiches I've ever had. We have been going for 20 years! The are priced high but worth every penny to my wife and I.

Flying out of Newark(sadness I know), the best way home is a Sandwich and Pickles from Kat'z Delicatessen! This time, traveling with another, we grabbed some potato latkes as well. Always a Pleasure...

You go once a year if you live in NYC. Great for people watching. Not cheap, but one sandwich is enough for two. The neighborhood sure is changing. The new building next door has a huge Marshall's.

Love the pastrami sandwich, fantastic flavors, not too lean, not too far. The cole slaw was also delicious, perfectly complimented the sandwich. The soup was average. Most customers self served which had long lines. Or, you could choose to wait for table service. Very crowded and hectic. But, great food!

Amazing place. Delish food. Come hungry. OK this place is a little disorienting.

1. As u enter, they give u a yellow ticket. That s used to run a tab. Don t lose it !

2. There is no waiter service. U must go to the wall where there are sign that say Order here . There s about 6 spots.

3 The guy makes the sandwich for it. There s a menu on the wall but u don t know what s the difference between corned beef vs pastrami. Talk to the guy. He ll give u a sample.

4 My sandwich guy suggested a #1. These are large sandwiches. - enough for 2 people.

5. Pick any table that s available

6 for drinks, go to the ONE who does that. The real wait is usually here.

7 at each station give them your yellow ticket. They just add and give u new totak.

8. When u leave - exit eight and pay. BTW it s cash here. But the back can take credit card.

Busy, pricey.... But always reliable good sandwich...

Would definitely recommend...Rueben with Pastrami Sandwich was a delight..a must visit if you get the chance

Unforgettable Jewish food at a huge, immensely crowded establishment. You'll hate the lines, you might not enjoy the service and confusion, and you may not approve of the table manners of your next table neighbor, but you'll love the food at Katz's. The prices are high, but the portions are huge. I had the reuben with pastrami and that was the only meal I needed for the next 24 hours (plus two scoops of gelato I had a few hours later) in which I walked, danced and slept.

Great pastrami sandwiches, fast and good service, good prices

I had some friends visiting town and had never been to Katz even though I live in Lower East Side so I figured it would be a good time to try it out. I didn't realize how large this place would be, as I was just expecting a typical deli. When my friends and I saw the prices for the pastrami sandwich we decided to just order one and split it and then grab food elsewhere afterwards. This was definitely a good idea, because even though the sandwich was delicious, it was probably a lot more fat and oil than we're used to.

I've been coming here for years and the food is always excellent!! The guys behind the counter are artists!! Love the pastrami sandwich and kinishes.

Probably the best Pastrami sandwiches I have ever eaten in my life. Not to be bias, but the service was great and quick. The atmosphere is great and the price might seem high, but that is what you get for the quality of meat you are eating. I would definitely come again