Katz's Deli Reviews

Really good place with tasty sandwiches. Really cool but in my opinion to expensive

Great pastrami, knish, egg cream and fries. More food than you can eat I recommend sharing. It's an experience. Queue up and order from counter is tbe best part of the experience. It will set you back a few bucks but you won't be disappointed

We made the huge (pun intended) mistake of ordering a sandwich for each person. While the meat was just so good, it got a little overwhelming at the end. Definitely share it with a friend and don t forget to ask for gravy on the side, it complements the sandwich really well.

The best pastrami sandwich you will ever buy and eat . The place has a great feel to it. Going to be crowded all the time so now what you want an pick a table. The sandwich was pricey but it was humongous and the best thing you ll ever eat. Will go back 100%.

No need to read my review. You should just go for it.

We got there in the middle of the afternoon and the place was still packed. I loved how there were so many people taking orders to make sure that service was fast.

We got the pastrami on rye and man, was it amazing. Sooo good!!!

I d love to be able to try everything.

Food was delicious. Prices are a little high, but it was worth it.

The ordering process in this place is overwhelming. Each different food is ordered at different stations. The place is packed with people because it's iconic and if it's your 1st time you are somewhat confused yet caught up in the hussle. Now don't get me wrong it was a fun experience....but it is an EXPERIENCE. That being said $20 for 1 sandwich is to much. Yes I paid for several, and took leftovers back to florida. It would be nice if at the door they would say do you want table service. I guess there is a sign saying that but there is so much going on that if you miss that sign you are just going up to the many counters and ordering on your own and have to find your own seat. Again not that this is bad its just that I missed that sign. Everyone was extremely nice at the counters and held my food while we found tables. If we waited for table service we of course would have had a longer wait than doing it ourselves.

Ok the food was tasty. Pea soup was thick and flavorful. Chicken noodle soup had chunks of delicious chicken and thin noodles. Potato latkes were crispy and moist and i liked them with applesauce and also sugar. Corned beef was thick cut. Not my preference. I like thin sliced and still piled high. But ya get what ya get. Chocolate phosphate had no carbonation or ice so it got warmer and was really not worth the $4. Noodle kugel was good but needed to be sweeter. All in all a very expensive NY experience. Will I go out of my way for this again....eh.. But ya never say never.

The ambiance is amazing, but the food was disappointing. It was bland and lacked depth. Great happy hour special, $5 margs can't be beat!

Waited 30 years to smash a sammy here. I am still in awe. Praise

This was my second time going to Katz's and much different experience. The first time I went was in 2012 and it was semi-busy, but not too crazy. Today was very different. We went at lunch time and when we arrived there was a line out the door. Not a long one and we were inside within five minutes. Once inside you are given a ticket and told not to lose it or you will be charged a fine. There are seats where you can be helped by a waiter and there was a wait, so we did counter service. Counter service consisted of choosing one of several lines and waiting. Once you get to the front you order and the service is quick and efficient. I ordered a Reuben sandwich with pastrami and a matzo ball soup, both of which were excellent. the biggest problem during this visit was finding a place to sit. after walking around for about 5 minutes we were able to squeeze in where a family had left. Despite the crowds I would go back to Katz's many times.

Coming from Europe, the service / organization is very tough to follow and can be considered rude. But this is part of the charm. This place is somehow authentic and it was in the end a really enjoyable experience. I keep the best for the end: their meat is amazing, the pastrami sandwich didn't disappoint. Loved it ! The star missing is due to the service. I was a bit lost with my girlfriend, but once you are seated, it is only good experience. If I have to give an advice to the owners: explain how it works when people get in ;)

Katz's knows how to create magical flavors out of simple ingredients. I had the pastrami Reuben on Rye. I've had a lot of Reubens, and thus one was the best by far. Several ex-New Yorker friends of mine recommended Katz's, and they were entirely right. And the family atmosphere is inviting.

You just have to treat yourself. Don't worry about the experience for one night

Get a classic Reuben or go with the Pastrami. While expensive, the food is outstanding and well worth the price.

The pastrami sandwich is the best. It's tempting to scarf down the whole thing, but with some slight self control a sandwich is easily two meals.

Rediculously good. Can not imagine a better sandwich.

Great food. Very pricy. Ended up walking out of the door with a big corned beef sandwich and pickles for $28 total.

Nice sandwich. Overpriced, yes! But still a nice sandwich!

The best sandwiches I have had in a long time. Very juicy.

This is the place for pastrami. Old fashion charm deli with excellent sandwiches.
Maybe not the most effective paying system, but it seems to work well.

Service was great until one of my friends lost he ticket. They accosted her and then embarrassed her in front of our 12 friends. We spent $300 on $100 worth of sandwich and the wildly aggressive group of managers accosted my friend until we we paid her ticket.

I m not saying that my friend shouldn t have lost her ticket. But, the people there shouldn t have been so rude - embarrassing my friend - and holding her hostage in the store. Get a better POS system or better policy if you lose a ticket.

(PS - gonna come order 10 sandwiches and lose a ticket and pay $50. Save $200.)

Outstandingly delicious. When coming in for the first time consider a half and half sandwich

Love this place. But I do agree with the comment that corned beef a little salty. Soup was purrfect! Pastrami - AMAAAZING! Always a great date venue for the hubby and I.

This was our first time at Katz's; had to go for the experience.The service was good, the sandwich was very good, but there's no way a sandwich should cost 25 bucks, no matter how good . Spent 70 bucks for 2 sandwiches and fries including tip.

The best (and largest) corned beef and pastrami sandwiches around. Everything that a good Jewish deli should be. However, the tables are crowded beyond compare and the atmosphere is anything but serene.

Very good pastrami sandwich. A little on the expensive side but the quality is there

Dragged my boyfriend from Brooklyn to get a pastrami sandwich while visiting NYC. There was a line out the door and he balked about waiting...but once we bit into the sandwiches we knew it was worth the wait. Everything sings in perfect harmony and the pickles are to die for. I raved so much about it to my friends and now we're planning another trip to the city - and this will be our first destination.

A legendary place. I now know why. The pastrami sandwich on rye was to die for. The pickles were amazing. The potato knish was tasty. But back to the pastrami sandwich The pastrami was tender and juicy. It's almost as if you don't have to use teeth to bite into it. It was done just right. I made my cutter know it was my 1st time and he was very friendly and explained everything. There were hundreds of pictures of celebrities that have been to Katz, that make up the decor. I walked around and admired some of them. Great place. This place is a MUST VISIT during your lifetime.

Legendary pastrami! I was a little confused by the counter ordering process, but glad I figured it out so I could come back. But you do not pay at counter like Hannibal Burress, Samsung Pay or not.

huge portions with price tag to mstch. an icon of NYC dining, you sort of have to go.

tips: table service at certain tables.
dont lose your ticket.
check your ticket snd order (we were charged for what we ordered, but we didnt actually get our full order.
take the sample offered while waiting

Good food. No frills. a location for some old movies, also a New York landmark.
My uncle used to send us packages from Katz s deli to Israel in the early 1950 s. There is still a sign up that says. Send a salami to your boy in the Army . It s up since WWI.

The pastrami is great, staff is friendly, nothing more i can say.

The guy running the door was great! The food was better and worth the price. That much meat doesn't come cheap! But make sure you come hungry though.

Not the Katz sandwiches of years gone by. .

same legendary Katz Deli atmosphere, same pickles and coleslaw, same sandwiches just half the size of years ago and now $24.50. Just ridiculous for any sandwich on two slices of rye bread from anywhere especially when it's half of what Katz used to be known for.
I have enjoyed eating at Katz Deli for over 40 years, but today I believe will mark my last trip to Katz Deli. It's just not the same .i was very disappointed at the size sandwiches we were served today especially at $24.50 each.
I'll leave this place to The Tourists .
For The Memories the original owners have provided

I need a sixth star. The pastrami sandwich is unbelievable. The wait can be a bit long but it's worth it.

The best place for Pastrami Sandwiches! The people here are very friendly.. Upon walking in the host was very welcoming and recommended a few items and whilst waiting for my order you get to try the Pastrami! Must try!

The line is crazy long and cramped. Finding a table is tough. Frankly for someone who doesn't know much about this place, it's confusing. Yet the food is incredible. The quality of the pastrami was insane! Absolutely worth a visit at least once.

This place is an institution and well worth the visit, go during the week if you can to avoid the lines on the weekend!

Great atmosphere, fast service, and amazing food!!! For sure recommend!!!

Worth going for the experience but don't expect gourmet dining.

Go late at night after some drinks, soak up the atmosphere it's great.

Service was fine, food was great, atmosphere was fab. Worth going once.

It's a must do for anyone with a NYC bucket list. I recommend waiting for a table since it's a little easier to sit and order vs. wait in the lines to order if you haven't been before.

This place lacks basic sandwich makings and is too complicated to order in one place. Ditch this place. Staff made me feel rushed and came off as rude. Food is just OK. Not worth the money.

The place is a total tourist rip-off. Sandwich was greasy and disgusting. I wasn't able to eat more than one bite out of it until the grease started to drip between my fingers. My husband managed to eat a little more(half of it). After you order you can go and eat and only after you finish eating you can go and pay. They will give you a ticket at the entry where the person that served you will write what you've got. After eating you need to go in the back and pay. When you leave you will find at the door some guys that are screaming at you to give them your ticket to make sure that you aren't leaving without paying. Sometimes even if you show the ticket to one of the guards when you actually want to get out through the door somebody else will come screaming after you to see if you've paid. From our perspective the place doesn't deserve the fame that it has.

Beats my expectations everytime. One of my favorites!

There is a reason this place get away with charging so much, they are amazing!!!! Everything is so good!!!

A must for everyone and there for you at all hours when you need it the most

A must visit. It s a tourist trap so expect high prices, but extremely well worth it

I went there this evening because a friend took me and my daughter we were visiting NYC. This place was overall horrible, not just because of the overpriced mediocre food but because the service was so terrible. I could spend a lot less and get treated a whole lot better almost anywhere. They have a ticket system that is overly complicated and it has to do with everything not just ordering the food but also the drinks and seating. None of this is explained upon entry they just tell you to keep the ticket. I will never return. I ordered a cheese steak it was bland. While this was being made my ticket was collected. Well I thought for the sake of time I could just go and pay for a drink. Oh no they wouldnt even let me get a drink. I should have left then. If I was by myself I would have. I also tried to sit you know in a seat I thought I wanted to sit in, oh no can't do that unless you are being taken care of by a waiter. This place is overly complicated because they cant keep up with patrons. It's ridiculous and at each of these points of their failure I was made to feel like I was messing up. Not because instructions were any where but because they have some system of disorder. Also there is saw dust on the floor. Why. Who knows just like the tickets. Two sandwiches were 45.00. if that tells you anything just to be treated like dirt. Never again.

The brusque service here might put some people off, but for me it just added to the charm. You need to keep your wits about you and whatever you do, make sure you keep hold of your ticket...

It s busy, it s noisy but that s what makes it Katz s. The Reuben that I had there was the best that I have tasted and I am looking forward to me next visit.

Best Pastrami you've ever eaten in your whole life, if you want a taste of paradise, just go there. But be careful because the restaurant is always full A.F.

Some girl kept looking over at me but I think it s because I ate the whole sandwich in like 3 minutes.

First destination every time I visit NYC. LOVE the pastrami.

Always the best better and biggest sandwiches that taste the best. Even the Frank's and the knishes are worth the trip

Best Pastrami Reuben I've ever had, hands down. There was a line out the door for this place, and it was well worth the wait.

An absolute MUST whenever I'm in Manhattan. The aroma travels up and down Houston Street. Love the Pastrami on Rye, Fries, Cole Slaw and definitely a Hot Dog on the side.....

Food was great and the reastaurant looked and felt like a dinner. Staff was friendly and helpful.

Pastrami Sandwich.. i would give 6 stars, if i could

Not as great as I remembered. Plus Neg Ryan wasn't there. Try Second Avenue Deli as an alternative.

The food is top notch and it's a fun experience, too. The pastrami sandwich is the best that exists, great fries, soups - I'm sure everything is good. My only complaint is that the prices are too high - $22-$23 for the pastrami sandwich for example. Nevertheless, great place to go.

went here after watch the youtube video. and it was amazing. the authentic atmosphere was very rewarding.

The atmosphere of this deli is unlike anything I've ever seen. The amount of people in line told me this food was going to be well worth the wait. The corned beef on rye was exquisite and the pickles were perfect. If you are coming to NYC you must make this a stop. You will be glad you did.

Good stuff! A little pricey for what you get but, hey it's NYC. What do you expect?

My other reviews can be joking around but legit the best cold cut sandwich of my life. Russian dressing on it mustard to the side, gold.

One of the best places to end up after a night out. A bit pricey, but there is no arguing the size of the offering. Also, super delicious.

I'll give 4 stars because of location, it is always busy and famous as I heard

Food is too messy for my taste. But the main problem, somehow, it constantly insanely busy. That isnt technically the restaurants fault, but they still should do a better job of making a line in hopes u can maybe get in at some point.

Great food! Best to eat there! Once you buy the cuts home, they dried out and not the same. If you want the food , eat it with the right atmosphere. Katz's

Any self-proclaimed "foodie" must visit Katz's any people who enjoy classic deli style foods need to stop past too. The atmosphere is buzzing and the When Harry Met Sally references are a plenty. Grab a sandwich filled with the finest cuts of meat and enjoy the cutter's discussions and preparation of the food.

The BEST pastrami sandwich in the world! A little expensive but 100% worth it. When I come back to NYC I'd definitely get one again.

One of the last of the endangered delicatessens. Come here to experience a real sandwich before its too late and we're stuck with subway.

Saw this place on food channel ten years ago, and wanted to come ever since. Well worth the wait! Best pastrami sandwich I've ever had.

Nothing in the world like their pastrami sandwiches and sour pickles. Always a treat when I make it downtown!

Card payments and drinks in the back. Last counter on the right. Dont stand in cash line at the door if you've already paid.

Get the pastrami. Its 6 stars! Crowd is a mess, but worth it!

Katz's is one of my favorite places to go when i am in NYC. The quality and the flavor of the meat is unmatched! Be prepared to pay about $20 per sandwich but its well worth it. My husband also loves the pickles.

Delicious food. Authentic Atmosphere. If you re going to NYC it s a must go.

Didn't have time to take pic of actual sandwich because it was calling my name!! DELICIOUS

The pastrami is amazing! Better than the corned beef (in my opinion) because it's incredibly tender and flavorful. Remember, I'll have what she's having.

slamming pastrami Ruben,expensive but worth the money and the wait

Went to check out the world famous Katz deli and I got the beef brisket sandwich, was very dry and I couldn't finish it. My partner got Pastrami which was delish!! However I think For 23 USD I didn't get what the fuss was all about. I feel like in a place like NYC who are well know for their deli sandwiches you can try amazing deli sandwiches for half the price and taste amazing.

Everyone should try once!
The pastrami sandwich is huge in size and flavor. Best days to go are Monday and Tuesday afternoon. This restaurant attracts a lot of tourists and also locals. I would avoid visiting during the weekend.

I recently looked at a copy of New York on $5 a day copyright 1964 and there was the phone number for Katz's Deli. I called the number and sure enough they answered "Katz's Deli." In 53 years same phone number, same decor, same brusque countermen, and of course same great pastrami. Not to be overlooked are their excellent turkey sandwiches combined with coleslaw and Russian dressing for a real New York treat. Salami, hot dogs, and knishes also garner an honorable mention. To visit Katz's is to travel to back in time. This should be on every tourist's A-list and every native should be a regular. A word of caution: they have an unusual method of payment which requires you to hold on to a paper ticket while navigating their cafeteria-style stations balancing a tray of food. This is part of the experience. Go, fress, kvell.

A quick update on what my daughters call "a foodie's paradise". They added quite a few menu items and of course we need it to try . I went for the Grille Burger which was fantastic! Juicy but not undone and sooo delicious. Once again a sublime experience. We also got the Grilly Philly which has and nice slightly crispy bread with a very tender serving of that philly steak meat. Last but no least Porky's Revenge, an excellent pulled pork sandwich with a twist. As I was told, this is a great place for a double date as there is a very nice movie theater across the 15. Please try and support this gem. It is worth the trip every time.

I grew up in the LES so I never really thought of this place as a landmark until I got to HS. It's when the lines started happening outside of this establishment. I didn't get an opportunity to try this place until I moved out of the neighborhood but many of my friends worked there and raved about it. The food here is amazing, make sure to get a meat product. It has an old school diner feel to it, with references to the movie when Harry Met Sally (they have that table). Great food in an amazing location. Must check it out.