Behold A Katz Classic!
Take some time to feast your eyes on a legendary sandwich: the Pastrami on Rye from Katz’s Delicatessen in New York City!
Now that I live in New York, I love to take. a long walk to New York’s lower east side for a legendary meal here…
This place has quite a history – this is from their website:
“In 1888, a small deli by the name of Iceland Brothers was established on Ludlow Street in New York’s Lower East Side by the Iceland brothers. Upon the arrival of Willy Katz in 1903, the name of the store was officially changed to “Iceland & Katz”. Willy’s cousin Benny joined him in 1910, buying out the Iceland brothers to officially form Katz’s Delicatessen. Their landsman Harry Tarowsky bought into the partnership in April 1917. Katz’s Deli was moved across the street, to its present location, during the construction of the subway system. The vacant lot on Houston Street (pronounced “House-ton” after a Dutch emigrant of the same name) was home to barrels of meat and pickles until the present storefront facade was added between 1946-49.”
The restaurant opens mid-morning and stays open late into the night – their sign blazing bright…
I arrived once on a Saturday night, just after dark – as I expected, the place was pretty jammed, but I was able to walk right in – oh, and you take a ticket when you enter and have to show it in order to leave! My first time there I was overwhelmed with the “process” for ordering my food:
First, you are handed a ticket and warned NOT to lose it or you can’t get out! Then, you are left to gaze, which I did until I realized I needed to step up to a “Cutter”, who would take care of my order…
I got the Pastrami on Rye and a Katz’s beer – he took my ticket and marked what I ordered, then handed the ticket back to me.
Oh, you can also just order their famous salamis to go – but I sat down at a free table – while it was very crowded, I found a place easily as the deli is massive – just like the food…
I sat down and took a moment to size this sandwich up: yes, the fresh hot pastrami was piled high, and the bread was firm but had a nice softness as well…and the meat:
It was mouthwatering, succulent, juicy and full of flavor…becasue I didn’t order any side dishes, or anything else on the sandwich, I could just enjoy the flavor of the meat – which was incredible:
I was given a small plate with two different kinds of pickle wedges, and they offered a crisp counter balance to the rich meaty pastrami…
Their potato salad is also delicious, and a nice side of cole slaw is another way to go, and I do that as well…
As with all legendary establishments, Katz’s deli walls are full of pictures – celebrities, foodies, politicians – as well as articles on the place that have been published over the years…you could spend hours just reading the walls!
Katz’s has been around for more than a century, but filmgoers in the 80’s learned to love the place for a whole new reason:
“When Harry Met Sally” At Katz’s!
Director Rob Reiner filmed an iconic movie scene in the restaurant…when Billy Crystal tells Meg Ryan that women always have an orgasm with him – and never fake it…Meg then steals the scene:
Here is that legendary scene from the GREAT film:
Of course, the woman with the punch line at the end of the scene was Rob Reiner’s Mom! A classic movie moment from a classic restaurant!
There are a number of ways to eat your way through New York’s rich film history…scenes for “The Godfather” were shot in Little Italy for example, so why not make some of Clemenza’s meatballs?
In the film, the Mobster teaches Michael Corleone how to cook for a house filled with gangsters – and it’s a real recipe I made at home…check it out here:
My “Dinner And A Movie” series looks at some of the most iconic food from film and replicates the dish!
Pasta Pie, Anyone?
Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalom made this incredible “Timpano” for the film “Big Night” – so I did as well!
Yum! If you want to see how I pulled this off, just click my story here:
I also shared this terrific “Eggs In A Hole” recipe thanks to Cher:
Click here for a delicious dish from the great comedy “Moonstruck!”
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Categories: Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Books / Media, Eat This!, Food, Food Pictures, Food Travel, Movies, Recipes, Restaurants, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
Sounds like it was busy, but you were still able to get a seat. Gotta start planning a Fall NYC trip with a special trip to Katz’s. I wasn’t hungry a second ago, but looking at your pics, I am now. 😆😆😆😆
The place is massive inside and always busy, but so much fun – my first time I had to be prompted to order by the cutter – they are busy and don’t waste time waiting for you to decide what you want! Thanks for the comment!
They would take one look at me and joke to everyone in the deli, “We’ve got a deer in the headlights at the Cutter counter.”
That is some sandwich, John. I could never eat all that, but I could share.
My daughter used to live near Katz’s on Orchard. Loved that area and we loved Katz’s!
I haven’t had a hot salt beef or pastrami sandwich since I left London in 2012. Makes my mouth water to see these!
Best wishes, Pete.
My sister and her husband are coming to New York to visit in a couple of weeks and I am taking them there…one sandwich will fill all three of us! Of course, even better to take half of it home for lunch the next day – thanks for commenting!
I will look forward to seeing Susanne’s photos, John.