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Katz's Delicatessen
205 E. Houston St., New York, NY, 10002
at Ludlow St.
212-254-2246
| 7.4 | "Recommended" Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10 |  |
What's in a name?
mistermcgoo from 10026 | Posted on 8/4/09
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Aside from being somewhat of a tourist trap it delivers everything you'd expect, a huge dining room complete with celebrity photos covering the walls, the cutting stations at the counter where you order your sandwich, it reeks of old NY and doesn't disappoint on the authentic experience. The hot hand-carved pastrami sandwich is their signature dish and not to be missed. Served with a side of pickles its quite good, very tender and juicy and everything I expected it to be, except for the price. That's where my praise ends...I was dismayed to discover that a simple lunch sandwich+soda set me back $22 (sandwich $15, soda $2.50 tax/tip). I can't believe they get away with that kind of robbery, they seem to be living largely off their name. Considering they are not selling the best in the city nevermind best anywhere the cost is excessive. I've also lived in Montreal for years and like NY they have a long tradition of delicious Jewish delis....the difference there though, is that their hand-cut sandwiches are bigger, tastier and only cost you $5.50. Katz's needs to get over itself.
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As NY as Pastrami on Rye
mky84 from 47408 | Posted on 1/17/09
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The pastrami sandwich is pretty comparable to those at other delis, but I had a better experience at Katz compared to my experiences at other places. Even though the price of a sandwich may seem steep, they stack the sandwich with tons of meat, so it works as 2 meals for me.
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SO GOOD
Mac20 from 10021 | Posted on 11/7/08
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I love to eat at Katz's. You do whatever you damn well please. 3 second wait for a table, plus you have the option of getting your food yourself or have the food brought to you (the service is great) Although the classics, like the cheeseburgers are delicious, I highly recommend ANYTHING WITH PASTRAMI. Usually alot of people, but a mixed crowd and you can tell they have alot of regulars that come in. In two words, CHEAP and DELICIOUS.
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Mediocre at best
FrenchieFan from 11238 | Posted on 10/17/08
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I took my brother, a corned beef connoisseur, to Katz's when he came to visit me in New York. We were not impressed - the corned beef was more salty than it was tasty. We also asked for extra lean, and it was not trimmed up to our standards. I commend Katz's for slicing their meat by hand - it ALWAYS tastes better when sliced by hand. Still, I though the quality and taste of the food was mediocre at best.
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Overrated Tourist Trap
kungapa from 19104 | Posted on 9/21/08
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Having heard good things about Katz's Deli I decided to try it last night. I walked up to the slicer and ordered "a salami". He quickly slices up some salami, puts it on some rather cheap bread and serves it to me - just bread and salami. It was as if I was being rude by asking for lettuce, tomato and mustard on the sandwich. Actually, they had barely any lettuce at his station so none of that. The place might have been good in its prime, but now it is a bit of an overpriced joke. You are better off getting something to eat at any of the places nearby. Also, even the pickles were crappy.
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Too popular
girardasse from 11211 | Posted on 12/14/07
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Katzs being a landmark in NYC, it fell short of my expectations. This dirty place is always packed (tourist attraction?) and though the pastramy sandwich was good, I found it was not really worth the wait and the money (pretty expensive).
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Grew up eating at Katz !
modeezee from 31801 | Posted on 11/8/06
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Believe me I have traveled around the country and the world several times including Israel . This is the place that makes there own Pastrami and many other great Deli meats and desserts. I had a relative across the street lived to 100 years old eating at this very deli. I now have to order by mail order.If you are in NYC eat here ,you only have one life.
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the real deal
chipper | Posted on 7/19/05
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Everyone who does not live in the land of a million Jewish deli's must try Katz's. It is much more authentic and low key than the Carnegie Deli; i.e. there were actual New Yorkers in there eating things other than the pastrami or corned beef sandwiches. However, if this is your first time, you should definitely get one of those classics. Wash it done with a Brooklyn Lager, which they have on draught, and plenty of pickled green tomatoes. The carrot cake is also good. It's off the beaten path so you can even park in front of the place if you have the stomach for driving in the city.
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didn't live up to its hype.
milic13 | Posted on 4/25/05
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the sandwiches were a little pricey for the size, which was lacking. pretty disappointing. we won't be coming back.
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TO DIE FOR PASTRAMI!
jsposeep | Posted on 3/28/05
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The subject line says it all. The pastrami sandwhich is worth the $14. Get the potato pancakes with sour cream as well!!!! Wash it down with a Brown's cream soda. You will think you have gone to heaven.
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