The story
At Katz's Delicatessen, the pastrami sandwich remains the undisputed star. Jack's Dining Room calls it a "must-order" and "world-class," while Giovanni Fois deems the Pastrami on Rye "iconic" for its flavor and generous portion. Riccardo Dose found nearly everything excellent except the macaroni salad, and Insider Food highlights the fast, friendly service and bustling atmosphere that define the experience.
Not every visitor is fully converted. Franchino Er Criminale acknowledges the pastrami is "excellent" but warns that "terrible bread ruins the sandwich," deeming Katz's "worth trying once but not worth the high price." This tension between legendary hype and real-world execution is part of the deli's lore. The takeaway: go for the world-class pastrami, but perhaps reconsider the bread when ordering the Reuben.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
What diners say
Synthesized from 34 Google reviews · tap an aspect for the detail
Katz's Delicatessen is a beloved New York institution, celebrated for its legendary pastrami sandwiches that are generously piled with tender, flavorful meat. Diners consistently praise the iconic pastrami on rye and the Reuben, noting that portions are large enough to share. While the bustling, chaotic atmosphere is part of the charm, some visitors find the experience overwhelming and the prices steep, but most agree the quality justifies the visit.
Pastrami Sandwich
The pastrami on rye is the star, described as juicy, tender, and flavorful. Many declare it the best sandwich they've ever had, and it's widely recommended over the corned beef. The Reuben also earns high marks, though the pastrami is the clear favorite.
Portion Size
Sandwiches are extremely generous, often enough for two people. Diners appreciate the value and suggest sharing unless you have a big appetite. The abundance of meat is a consistent highlight.
Atmosphere & Wait
The venue is famously chaotic, loud, and crowded, especially during peak hours. Lines can be long, but they move reasonably fast. Many recommend visiting early or late to avoid the worst crowds, and note that the lively energy is part of the experience.
Service
Service is a mixed bag: some find the staff efficient and entertaining, while others describe them as brusque or rude. The counter-service system can be confusing for first-timers, but the meat cutters are often praised for their skill and showmanship.
Price
Many reviewers note that Katz's is expensive, with some calling the prices exorbitant. However, most feel the quality and portion size justify the cost, and it's considered a worthwhile splurge for a classic New York experience.
Pickles & Sides
The pickles, especially the half-sour and hot sour varieties, are frequently mentioned as a perfect accompaniment to the rich sandwiches. The matzo ball soup is also noted as a comforting side, though less commonly ordered.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 20 dish mentions say about the food
The pastrami on rye is the undisputed star, a towering, peppery, and impossibly tender masterpiece. The overall vibe is a timeless, no-frills temple of deli excess that delivers pure, unapologetic satisfaction.
“I try the legendary pastrami sandwich. It's a whopping 12 ounces of hand-carved, tender meat on rye bread. The meat is cured for up to 30 days and smoked, which makes it incredibly flavorful and tender. Because they hand-carve it, the slices are thicker, giving it a great texture. I ask for it juicy, and it's absolutely delicious — the best pastrami I've ever had.”
“Oh my god, that meat is ridiculous. It melts like butter. It's peppery, meaty, beautifully charred, and buttery. I'm in love with this place.”
“This is the best seller. The meat is incredible, it melts in your mouth. It's a crazy product. The only thing maybe is that the bread could be toasted a bit, but maybe leaving it soft is the point. The meat is just too good. I understand why it's the best seller. If you come here, you get this and go home happy.”
What creators say
8 creators have covered Katz's Delicatessen. Most active: Giovanni Fois, Only Scrans, Jack's Dining Room
Katz's Delicatessen is the most reviewed restaurant in New York, famous for its iconic Pastrami on Rye sandwich, which is highly praised for its flavor and generous portion.
Dishes mentioned
- Pastrami on Rye
- Giovanni FoisLoved
CIBI DA MANGIARE PRIMA DI MORIRE EP.1 - NEW YORK · @ 15:04
Katz's Delicatessen is a legendary New York institution, famous for its massive and delicious Pastrami on Rye sandwich, offering a quintessential New York culinary experience.
Dishes mentioned
- Pastrami Sandwich
Katz's Deli is a legendary New York institution that absolutely delivers on the hype — the pastrami is world-class, the experience is unforgettable, and it's a must-visit for anyone in the city.
Dishes mentioned
Pastrami Sandwich with Swiss and Yellow Mustard
This pastrami sandwich is iconic — a mountain of meat, Swiss cheese, and rye bread soaked in pastrami fat. The meat is so tender it practically melts in your mouth, with a smoky, barbecue-like bark on some slices. The only weak spot? The rye bread could be better. I've always hated mustard, but Jake convinced me to try it, and to my surprise, the mustard actually works! Its acidity cuts through the richness of the pastrami and complements the coriander seasoning. This isn't your typical yellow mustard — it's a Katz's secret recipe.
Pastrami and Swiss Sandwich without Mustard
I ordered this one without mustard because I've always hated it, but after trying the mustard on the other sandwich, I think I'd prefer it with mustard next time. The pastrami and Swiss are still fantastic together.
Reuben with Pastrami and Corned Beef
The Reuben with both pastrami and corned beef is a great combination — the two meats together give you a mix of textures and flavors that really works.
Beef Tongue Sandwich
I was skeptical about the beef tongue sandwich, but it's incredibly tender and flavorful, with a texture slightly softer than pastrami. If you didn't know it was tongue, you'd think it was just another great sandwich.
Katz's Delicatessen is a legendary New York institution. The pastrami sandwich is the star, made with hand-carved, cured, and smoked meat on rye bread. The service is fast and friendly, and the bustling atmosphere makes it a true New York experience.
Dishes mentioned
Pastrami Sandwich
I try the legendary pastrami sandwich. It's a whopping 12 ounces of hand-carved, tender meat on rye bread. The meat is cured for up to 30 days and smoked, which makes it incredibly flavorful and tender. Because they hand-carve it, the slices are thicker, giving it a great texture. I ask for it juicy, and it's absolutely delicious — the best pastrami I've ever had.
The creator had a phenomenal pastrami sandwich at Katz's Delicatessen, declaring it legendary and the best thing that ruined Australia for him.
Dishes mentioned
Pastrami Sandwich
Oh my god, that meat is ridiculous. It melts like butter. It's peppery, meaty, beautifully charred, and buttery. I'm in love with this place.
- Only ScransLoved
48 Hours Eating New York's Most FAMOUS Food! · @ 0:49
An iconic New York deli that lives up to the hype with its legendary pastrami sandwich and warm family story.
Dishes mentioned
Pastrami on Rye
Oh my god. That meat is ridiculous. Melts like butter. Like peppery, meaty, beautifully charred butter. I'm in love with Katz's Delicatessen, along with the entire population of New York. Genuinely, what an honor it was to sit down with him and chat all things Katz's. He was so sound. The meat is beef navel, not brisket. It's slightly fattier, which keeps it moist after the intense process. It's dry-cured for weeks, hand-rubbed with black pepper, smoked low and slow, then steamed to order. That steam melts the fat, relaxes the muscle fibers, and turns what would be tough into something that almost doesn't need a knife to cut or teeth to chew. The sandwich was $28.95, pretty steep price, but you've got half a cow in there, and it's an institution. So, I'm calling it reasonable. As for it being overrated, Katz's stands on business, the same business it's been excelling at since 1888.
Latkes
Sarah's just looking at me telling me to eat one of these potato cakes. Latkes are potato pancakes. That's so good.
Katz's Delicatessen is an iconic New York deli with excellent pastrami but terrible bread that ruins the sandwich — worth trying once but not worth the high price.
Dishes mentioned
Reuben Sandwich
The meat is very good, the pastrami is excellent. But the bread is shit — it falls apart, it's not even toasted, your fingers go right through it, it's inedible. I'd give it an 8.5, a 9 minus. I wouldn't pay $30 for it. It's a one-time thing.
- Riccardo DoseLoved
PROVIAMO IL RISTORANTE PIÙ FAMOSO DI TUTTA NEW YORK - IL PANINO CON IL PASTRAMI PIÙ BUONO DI SEMPRE! · @ 0:22
An iconic New York deli with over 130 years of history, famous for its pastrami sandwich. Everything we tried was good except the macaroni salad. A must-visit if you're in New York.
Dishes mentioned
Pastrami Sandwich
This is the best seller. The meat is incredible, it melts in your mouth. It's a crazy product. The only thing maybe is that the bread could be toasted a bit, but maybe leaving it soft is the point. The meat is just too good. I understand why it's the best seller. If you come here, you get this and go home happy.
- Hamburger
French Fries
They're good, but they lack a bit of salt. I think they don't over-salt on purpose so everyone can add their own. They give you sauces at the table too.
Macaroni Salad
It's sticky. The macaroni is cooked. I can say I would never order it again, but it's not something that really disgusts me. No, it disgusted me. It tastes like watercolors, like airplane food. It's weird, but not evil.
Space Burger
It looked dry but it's not at all. The cheese is good too, but the meat is very juicy. Maybe the bread crumbles too much, but against all expectations it's good. I told you, really good.
