NYCReview
Katz's Deli
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We probably don’t need to tell you much about Katz’s Deli. Even if you haven’t actually eaten at this famous Jewish establishment on the Lower East Side, you’ve almost surely heard of it. (Maybe you’ve even lied about the fact that you’ve been here.) Thanks to Meg Ryan and her exemplary orgasm in When Harry Met Sally, even people in Arkansas want to go to Katz’s to have what she’s having.
What we do need to tell you is that Katz’s is still good after 130+ years on Houston Street. It remains one of the few NYC tourist spots worth anyone’s energy, partly because of the sheer spectacle of how rapidly things move in here and partly because Katz’s Jewish staples still melt us into nostalgic puddles. Order pastrami on rye and a matzoh ball soup with one big ball, and don’t lose your ticket. We repeat: Do not lose the paper ticket they hand you when you order. We can’t confirm what happens if you do lose this ticket, but we imagine it involves being yelled at by someone who is powered by pastrami and impatience.
An important note: Katz’s isn’t cash-only anymore. You can pay with a credit card if you walk to the far counter where they sell side dishes and drinks.