Katz's Deli Reviews

The sandwiches is out of this world the price is out of this world it's a once-a-year treat

Big huge $19 brisket sandwich. You won't want to share. Hasn't changed since "When Harry Met Sally"! Film yourself doing the you-know-what!!

First time ever trying pastrami and Katz's was delicious! We got the pastrami club and it's truly big enough to share with someone. Kinda pricey if your not used to the NewYork prices bit so worth it. Pastrami Club with cheese and a soda about $32! But definitely a must try in NYC.

Dont lose that ticket! (Will cost you $50)

The best! Simply and easily the best you can find. Must not miss if you are in NYC!

Great staff quick service delicious food and a clean bathroom

Rueben with pastrami Russian dressing and mustard best sandwich in America

Great food, but cramped and expensive. Hard to figure out where to order and sit. Can't beat their pastrami though !

What a treat. Too much food, but it was all good. And historical.

The Pastrami Sandwich is very tasty and Katz' deli is very reminiscent of When Harry Met Sally.. and the pickles are excellent! The Staff is very friendly too!

Iconic deli in new York amazing food just make sure you are hungry when you go!

The Pastrami on rye was one of the best I have ever had. I am thinking about this sandwich right now...pretty much all the time.

I know this place is an institution but I am starting to doubt the quality of the sandwiches you get. There are better sandwiches with less people elsewhere in the city.

Greatest deli period. Whenever I'm in nyc I have to make a stop here for the pastrami sandwich.

The food was amazing. The pastrami is super juicy almost melts in your mouth! Very friendly staff, highly highly recommend this place

I got he 1042 pm and they close at 1045 pm and wouldn t let me in even though I got there in time. Then the patrons laughed at me from inside and the door guy acted like a jerk.

Good for huge meat sandwiches.. prob enough in one sandwich to feed a family of 4.

I loved the atmosphere and the variety of food but it was a bit pricey!

This iconic place was fantastic. Don't be scared away by the crowd, its well worth the wait (they do well to get you seated/served asap). If your waiting for a table they put you aside, your more then welcome to buy something from the bar! We got both the corned beef a pastrami, corned beef was great but the pastrami was on another level!

best pastrami ever, wait is long sometimes but definitely worth it,

This place is amazing, besides the food which was also great. Super LLAARRGGEE portion. Me and my daughter ordered their briskest hot sandwich, just one that we shared, was big enough for both of us, even as hungry as we were. And after that we got their New York cheesecake. Quite a marvel I d say. I can t take the taste out of my mind. The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food they serve- also being on the lower-east side. Huge store, and you can really get lost in there with all the crowd! The weird thing was that even with all the crowd the place brings a certain calm, I guess because of all the history behind it and the Hollywood appeal to this place, sort a like a museum, a passage through time. They have marked all the locations were famous movies were shot. So that also brings that certain appeal and charisma to this place. A must feel experience if you go out to visit Manhattan! Plus, you sure won't leave hungry :-)

Classic NYC dinner. Expensive but good. Fun place to eat at. Make sure to tip your Craver too

$23 for pastrami on rye with mustard. Worth every penny. Great sandwich to share BTW....This place is iconic... Nuff said....

It was everything I was told and more! Amazing melt in your mouth food!

Really delicious Reuben Pastrami sandwhich Make sure you get a lean cut or it can be quite thick. Two people can easily share one sandwich.

However, the hotdog was really underwhelming, made way yummier myself at home. If your looking for a great nyc hotdog try the veterans hotdog truck outside of the MET. They are surprisingly the best hotdog I've had - don't skip the sauerkraut.

Not a tourist trap! I liked the Pastrami more than the brisket

Love katzs, the pastrami is piled high, the rye is fresh, flavors abound in a hectic delicatessen that never fails to satisfy

Long line that moved quickly and was in in 20 minutes. Best pastrami I have ever eaten. Matzoh ball soup was delicious. Would definitely go back

While the sandwiches are nice to eat, the price of $20+ each does not justify it.

disappointed that I didn't get to meet harry or sally. but still made noises at my table eating my food.

I WAS A REGULAR CUSTOMER AT Katz's Delicatessen.BACK IN 1988- 1992.THE BEST EVER.I MISS THE SANDWICH & SIDE ORDERS.MOST OF ALL THE EXCITEMENT OF JUST GOING THERE,FROM NEW JERSEY.

Pastrami-Sandwichs is quite good, but it is expensive und the restaurant is way to crowded....would prefer the chance of a quick take away-line and a less busy restaurant, where you can sit without getting pushed over all the time

They serve an amazing Pastrami Sandwich but the Pastrami Omelette is just as good and a great substitute if you don t want the massive Sandwich.

The place is so good, it's offering good sandwiches. It's a little expensive but it deserves it. The place had a place to sit with friends, it very nice

Absolutely Wonderful. The sandwiches are delicious, prepared with care. Totally worth the money and trip.

Best Jewish deli on Earth. Some places live off the reputation of a bygone era. Not this place. Pastrami and corned beef still fresh and savory with generous portions.

The food is amazing you walk in and it send you back in time, a most go to place.

What more can you say about this great New York institution. Katz's deli is the place to go if you want a Pastrami on rye. Heaps of meat piled in between to thin slices of rye. What makes this place so special is that it is an authentic New York experience that everyone should try once in their lifetime.
When you walk through the door you are greeted with a ticket that you must guard with your life. If you lose it there is a $50 penalty. Next you are asked whether you want table service . If not you are directed to one of 7 lines to stand and wait to order your meal. Once you get to your Carver the tradition is to tip him in exchange for a taste of pastrami, or corn beef or whatever it is you order. Pickles are served with your sandwich all for the low low price of $22.45.
One sandwich is definitely enough for 2 people. Next time you are on Houston on the Lower East Side make sure to stop by Katz's Deli.
Credit card is accepted

Pretty good sandwiches. Even portions are big, prices are too high.

An NYC must, so long as you're not a vegetarian! Pastrami proof below, but they have all sorts of goodness there.

Had to visit the world famous deli and it was a great evening. Grabbed a hot dog and beer to have while I queued up and all to soon it was time to order.
Ordered a pastrami sandwich
Came with pickles and was melt in your mouth delicious.
Maybe not worth $25 when others charge $13 for the same sandwich.
A great business to own, well run, and we'll worth the visit just to say you have been there.

Absolutely the BEST ! You can never, ever go wrong with pastrami on rye from this place. I live out east on long island, and when I want a pastrami, well, I get into the city, just for this deli. The best deli in New York state! Guaranteed!

Busy place. Great sandwiches and pickles. Not to be missed.

Hands Down, Best Pastrami Sandwich in NY. I know that's a pretty obvious statement but what else is there to say.

A great choice to go for lunch or dinner. Expect a wait for a table if you are looking for table service. The food is delicious and the portions are enormous. A single sandwich could almost feed 2. This deli has been around for a long time and there is a good reason for it.

It was my wish, and even a dream, to come for pastrami to this famous place. Finally I got then chance when my uncle and aunt invited me. OmG, it met my expectations and went over those. Everything - the crowd patiently waiting in line to enter this packed big room...tons of memorabilia on the walls and in the same time so simple, old interior, almost cheap. Meals were so delicious!

These sandwiches are as thick as a cat ! They are not cheap with the meat !

Came in at 1:30am and it was still surprisingly busy. Pastrami on rye did not disappoint.

Look, there's no two ways about it, this pdace serves the best pastrami sandwiches you'll eat in your life. On top of that, the service is a touristic attraction in itself. A livic relic of classic jewish NYC, stop thinking and just go there.

Having not been here before I did find the whole ordering process to be a bit confusing and you just had to take a guess as to what do (or listen to everyone around you) but stick with it! The food is so worth it!
I got the brisket sandwich and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. The sandwich was huge and I could only eat half but wish I had been able to eat the lot
I would suggest to get here early around 11-11.30 or wait until the afternoon. We were able to get a seat but when we left at 12.30 the was around the corner.

Katz's is a rite of passage for those who enjoy the meat and the process of smoking, pickling, spicing and curing. Having first opened in 1888 Katz lives up to the expectation, hype and all the stories around their breakfast (served until 11.30AM), noshes, all day specials, hot sandwiches and cold sandwiches. Upon arrival guests are given a ticket stub which they must take to one of the 10 carving spots to place an order. Once served there is the choice of table service or first seat first eat policy. The pastrami and Swiss cheese sandwich was large and stacked with layers of meat and mustard. At a price of USD 21.44 (not including NYC sales tax and tips) it is worth every penny. At the end of the meal the ticket stub has to be taken to a cashier who will collect your money based on your order. The space feels and looks chaotic but it adds to the positive atmosphere of sheer food enjoyment.

A little expensive but well worth it. Make sure everyone gets a ticket on the way in as one of our group didn t so was some confusion on paying, but the staff were very understanding about this and was all sorted within a couple of minutes. We will be visiting again on this trip.

Katz served us the most disgusting, faked Jewish delicatessen food we ever ate, charging the highest prices for the smallest and tasteless, FULL of MSG ingredients food. Their Matzo ball soup was the bowl of hardly warm canned broth of the worst kind deluded with water in which you could find one unappetizingly looking barely warm and bad tasting matzo ball. Their Ruben Sandwich was even worse. Even the pickles were ether under pickled or over pickled but in any case uneatable. In spite of the hunger we left most of the food on the plates and left. It s a shame that they still call themselves New York s oldest and best delicatessen . Might be oldest, but I would say the worst delicatessen I ve ever been. If I could rate it 0 stars I would gladly do so.

No wonder this place is so popular, the food was really good and I loved the overall vibe.

Oh, it's difficult to describe how good the meat in the Pastrami sandwich was. Amazing!!! The place is crowded and it deserves its fame

Absolutely loved it! Been wanting to go for years! Wildly expensive if you're from the midwest...but absolutely worth it! Splurge! I love my pastrami w peppercorns but this had less peppercorns but the depth of flavor was the best ever. Awesome. Try the celery soda!

Stand in the line, only two people ahead of me and I still wait for 20 mins and more. It's ridiculous

The prices are kinda high and the sandwiches are just ok, this place is good to visit for anyone outside the city as it's been in business for a very long time (seems Frozen in time). The few times I came with friends here it felt like a museum visit. Just don't lose your ticket that you are given at the door, there is hefty fee for that.

Super fast service! Effective system and great staff makes this place unique. Delicious food!!!

Best deli sandwich ever. Locate in the lower east side. Heavy price but definitely worth it

It was packed so be prepared to wait in line. The pastrami was delicious!

Food is worth the wait. The seating is always crazy, but that is part of the experience. I mean, it is where Harry met Sally. You cannot go wrong here, but the Pastrami is likely the best on the planet. Go here, enjoy NYC at its finest.

Very nice cutter. Gave meat samples. Crowded but not a long wait

We did it! We got a place on the Harry & Sally table! Yes!!
It is just amazing! I think I have never seen such a variety and quantity of meat. WOW. You line up for the different sections and seating is mostly free, just a line of tables is with waiters. I would rather check on them before sitting down. They have a little souvenir sectional the checkout. Good for people back home. You get a little piece of paper at the beginning, stick to it, you need it at the checkout.

If you have time, worth a visit.

Its was Great, but not as good as the last time I was there, 5 years ago

Fantastic Pastrami sandwich - best we ever had. Very tender and tasty meat. Nice atmosphere. Minus point: so many people, long waiting lines. But definitly a "must-do" in NYC.

What can I say that has not been already said about the food here. The Philly stake sandwich is epic, give it a try when you visit.

Perfect!!! 2 slices of bread with mustered and meet (we took turkey and corn beef), delicious!! It cost us 21$ each.
Very recommended!!

One of the best fast foods in New York! They do great job on the meat and pastrami. The only thing is that you may wait outside for quite a while if you come around lunch or dinner time

Good meaty sandwich that you will pay for. Know what you're doing ahead of time.
EDIT: I've been back twice now and I know what to get: PASTRAMI PASTRAMI PASTRAMI! I get the 1/2 pastrami with a matzo ball soup. It's perfect. Make sure you enjoy those crispy pickles and Brown's soda. Get in the line, tip the cutter, find a place to sit. Eat and enjoy.

Stopped here before we had to catch our bus home. The guy preparing our order cut samples of the corned beef and pastrami for us to try. It was literally the best pastrami I've ever had. The enormous side of pickles was a great touch. Will certainly return someday but not soon enough.

Go early to avoid the crowds. Delicious meat. Worth the price tag. Don't lose your ticket.

If you love deli this place tops the list the food and history of this place ranks second to none

Awful food (bland, greasy and packaged taste) and rude service, but interesting history and celebrity wall.

Huge huge pastrami sandwich.
You wonder why it's $15 and then you realize that they give you over (what seems like) a pound of meat and 5-6 pickles on the side.
Everything was amazing! Pastrami meat was very tender, juicy and flavorful. There were two types of pickles - I preferred the garlic sour ones the best.

Staff was prompt, had a good sense of (New York) humor as well.
Yeah, I'm sure they get a lot of tourists, but it still would be a nice place to grab a good sandwich once in awhile.

"We arrived while it was raining so it was a welcome respite to the inclement weather. For a first-timer, the whole process is a little intimidating because they have a particular way of ordering and paying for your meal that everyone seems to know except yourself. So, trying to figure out where to go and what to eat while impatient New Yorkers are making comments behind you is somewhat unsettling. However, once you figure it out, you wont find a better place for traditional deli staples like corned beef, Reuben sandwiches, freshly made pickles, and matzo ball soup. The food was dished out at record speed and was absolutely delicious. The only qualms my wife and I had were the unclear manner in which one is supposed to order, the prices ($20+ for a sandwich is a little outrageous), and the fact they do not accept anything but cash.

But, all in all, that type of environment is to be expected and really did not impact our thoughts on the food or the history. Would 100% recommend to others and would absolutely return."

Amazing food (prepare to eat lots of meat) and vibrant atmosphere!

This is the best pastrami of my life, if you are in NY you have to go and try it.
The sandwich is amazing, and the atmosphere is friendly.

Best Pastrami you can imagine... Searching for similar one in Poland...

Favourite meat platter: corned beef, pastrami and brisket! Tongue and sausage all delicious together with sauerkraut - topped with potato latkes!

Don't lose your ticket! Enjoy a corned beef, pastrami sandwich with a potato knish.