KATZ'S DELI, Sally faked it, you won't have to.
Written: Feb 09 '04 (Updated Mar 17 '06)
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Pros: The best pastrami sandwiches anywhere!!
Cons: Katz's is not on the beaten path.
The Bottom Line: This is the ultimate in a New York Deli experience.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Katz's Deli |
New York City is famous for its deli's. One of the best known is Katz's Deli. First, it is known for its sandwiches, they are the best. This deli has also been the set for a few scenes in movies like Woody Allens, Broadway Danny Rose, and the movies Donny Brosco and Offbeat. Of course this is the place where the famous "fake" orgasm scene by Meg Ryan in the movie, Where Harry Met Sally, takes place.
This scene also has an older woman, who just witnessed the "orgasm", stating to a waiter, while nodding toward Meg Ryan, "I'll have what she's having". This woman was the movie's director Rob Reiner's mom. Now, if she had orderer a pastrami sandwich, she may not have gone over the top, however, she would have been in her very own state of bliss.
SOME FACTS
This deli opened in 1888 in what was a very poor section of lower Manhattan. This neighborhood has gone through many changes over the years, good and bad. In the midst of all this the customers just kept on coming from New York and truly, from around the world.
Katz's cannot be missed where it is on the corner of Houston and Ludlow at 205 Houston Street. This is pronounced as "Housetan". The huge horizontal and vertical florescent signs attract people like moths to a street corner light.
There is an Edison parking garage right across the street and some street parking in the area. Late at night parking may be hard to find because of the clubs in the area. One of them is the Mercury Lounge. This popular place, where my son's band has played a few times, is just a few steps away. The whole neighborhood, after having a terrible decline in the 60's and 70's has come back to life. Studio apartments now get $1400 per month. Though the neighborhood gets big dollars it is still, what some may consider, a bit run down looking. Hey, not all NY is Times Square! You have to walk some of the neighborhoods to really experience my Noo Yawk. It's also a few block walk to the subway stations. Some of that area is not pretty.
EVERYBODY COMES TO KATZ'S
Celebrities frequent this place and many have their pictures in the gallery of photos along the long wall of the deli. Among those listed on the Katz's Deli web site, as being there, are Babara Streisand, Kathlene Turner, Bruno Kirby, Bruce Willis, and Dan Aykroyd. I noticed people walking along the wall studying the pictures.
When I was there over the weekend I didn't closely check out the wall, however, I did see a picture with Jackie Mason and one of Danny Devito. All the mayors of New York have frequented Katz's and so have many presidents. A few years ago Vice President Gore brought the Prime Minister of Russia to lunch there.
George Burns was quoted as saying, "If I could take one deli with me, It would be Katz's"
WALKING IN THE DOOR
As you walk in the corner entrance you encounter one of the security guards. What is this a bank? No, these guys seem to do two things. They are there to be sure everyone pays their tab as they leave, and more importantly, to keep the lines in order.
As you enter one of these guards will give you a ticket. Everyone gets one and everyone must present theirs upon leaving. That's when you pay.
The deli is a non-descript, simple place with florescent lighting and three rows of about sixteen tables of four extending from front to back across a fairly clean floor. The long counter is on the right also extending to the back of the room. The rooms decor looks like it never left the 1950's.
The seating, against the wall where the photos are, is also where you can get table service. If the place is crowded and there are tables available, you will get faster service. At the same time, you will not experience the true feeling of going up to the counter yourself and tasting the meat that is about to go between the slices of mustard coated rye.
Our guy, though pretty much into his business of prepping sandwiches, was friendly. He asked what we wanted, went to the steamer and took out a huge hunk of pastrami and another of corned beef.
He sliced off a couple of slices, put it on a plate, and waited for us to taste it. They only use a sharp knife to cut this meat. No machines are used. Upon approval, he made the sandwiches. When finished he added another plate with a couple of pickles for the two of us.
There is a cup at each station where tips can be added. Some do add to it, many more do not. It is said that the more you add the more meat they add. Let me tell you, in either case, you get a ton of meat.
It's a private show at the counter. I just like the feel of it.
You then take your selection, find an empty table and sit down and eat community style. On crowded days you may be sharing a table with others. There are salt& pepper and paper napkin containers at each table. Condiments are along the front wall.
A bus boy with a cart makes his way up and down the rows constantly clearing and cleaning tables.
Upon leaving you will see a selection of many cigars at the pay window. Nope, no smoking in the deli.
WHAT'S ON THE MENU
Think NY deli and you have a good idea as to what is offered. I love knishes and of course they have them. Most people have them cut in half and mustard added. I prefer a small bowl or plate with the mustard and dip into it. Hey, it's my knish and my bowl of mustard, I can double dip if I like!
Knishes are offered in regular potato, kasha, spinach and sweet potato too.
Salami is a big hit at Katz's. Much of it is sent over seas. During WWII three of the owners son's were serving their country so it was a sure thing that "care packages", with Katz's salami, made it to them. Salami is now sent to service people in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is part of Katz's , "Send a salami, to the boys in the army" slogan of WWII that, as a tradition, continues today. More information can be found on their web site.
www.katzdeli.com
Turkey, bologna, tongue, and cheeses like American, Swiss, and Muenster are all excellent.
A variety of salads are also available. Made fresh several times a day are a cole slaw, macaroni and potato salad that are said to be the best. I have to go back and try their chopped liver. I love the stuff and I would like to try theirs. The usual tuna, chicken, and egg salads are offered too.
Many items like potato pancakes, and stuffed cabbage, through to their desserts of cookies, danish and very own cheesecake, are freshly made.
Knoblewurst and Knockwurst can be sliced for sandwiches or purchased by the ring or pound.
Also made on the premises are the hot dogs that are said to be the best around. I didn't get to try one. Right now I'm still partial to Nathans brand though I will give Katz's a try some time.
Also offered on the boards above the counter are Philly cheese steak sandwiches and Rueben's. I love both of them!! Too bad they don't have a sampler dish with all these wonders.
Though all the above may be excellent, the reason I go to Katz's Deli is for the pastrami on rye. Equally good is the corned beef.
I'll note here that Katz's does not use a quick cure process. They don't inject chemicals, water or anything else that may hasten the process. I read that commercially cured corned beef can be done in thirty six hours. Katz's process takes thirty days and they state that this is why, though more costly, the flavors so much better.
Katz's uses several steps to bring out the flavor of their pastrami too.
Now having said this, I'll now mention the price of a sandwich. It's $11.95 with the pickles!! Yes that is a high price for one sandwich, but I have to tell you, the way they pile that meat sky high and the great taste of it makes every bite taken well worth the money paid.
ORDERING YOUR FOOD
To get the different offerings, and you will see many of them listed on cards above the counters, you have to go to different stations. This is time consuming.
The first line is for Hot Dogs and Knishes and other listed items. The next area takes care of cold cut sandwiches and salads. The following stations, there were three on Saturday night, made corned beef and pastrami sandwiches. These are the longest lines and once you have tasted one you will know why people wait on these lines. We waited about ten minutes.
There isn't a lot of space in that the lines are almost parallel to the counter. Guards came by from time to time to try and keep good order and a sense of who is next and in what lines.
Going further down the line is where you order your drinks. A full assortment of soft drinks are shown on a shelf and many beers, bottled and tap are available too.
This happens to be the same station where you order fries. These are golden crispy on the outside and hot yet soft inside.
OUR SANDWICHES LAST SATURDAY NIGHT
I was with my daughter working an affair in the neighborhood that evening. We stopped into Katz's Deli, placed our orders and then took them to our table.
We never should have ordered two. We had one pastrami and one corned beef. We couldn't finish them! Hey, I'm a big guy, I barely finished my pastrami. My daughter got through half of hers. I couldn't help her out with the other half. Even this big guy has limits.
My sandwich was delicious. The meat was moist and flavorful. It was tender and tasty and lean. I was in heaven. Ha, while I was eating it I noticed an arrow pointing to the table where Sally had her......... All I can say is, "I can't wait to return and do it again!"
IN CLOSING
Katz's is really in an out of the way area of Manhattan. You really have to make it as a special trip. Many, many people do. It is worth trying. It is a real New York experience. The prices may be high but the pastrami is piled higher still.
Meg Ryan as Sally may have faked her experience, you won't have to fake yours.
More NYC eats
The Carnegie Deli
Stage Deli
Ben's Deli
Tavern on the Green A romantic restaurant in Central Park
Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here.
The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show.
ESPN Zone A sports bar, arcade, and MORE!
TGI Friday's Times Square Location.
Pig'n'Whistle, a great Times Square Pub
Ollies, Broadway
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem
Fraunce's Tavern Lower Manhattan. GW ate here.
New York City Things to do and see.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations If you are going to order a few items, it may be better to sit down in the service area.
Best Suited For: Trendy Crowd
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