Katz's Deli

User Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

I have been going to Katz's Deli since my parents took me there many years ago. It was a real cultural experience and the food was good and the prices fair. I was there recently and found something different.
Today a pastrami or corned beef sandwich runs about $15.50 plus tax , and maybe a tip if you get table service. That's a cultural experience in itself . Yes the sandwiches are big but the quality or flavor of the meats are inconsistent to be kind . My last two trips there in the last year proved to be disappointing . The corned beef was bland, tasteless, fatty , and a bit rubbery. The pastrami had some flavor if you can get thru the over densly fatty sandwich.

I thought that if you payed extra they will give you a "lean" sandwich.So the sign says on their wall. I figured I would tip the counter guy instead and get the best of both worlds . A lean sandwich with a little extra meat. The tip did not do its job. In the past once in awhile a counter guy , which is the guy who takes your sandwich order and cuts your meat would say if you give me a tip I will make you a nice sandwich. Only no one this time said anything. But I thought I would give it a try. I got a fatty sandwich , with the same amount of meat as anyone around me and the food tasted bland with no character. I raised the cost of my sandwich with no return on my investment.

I left half of my sandwich on the plate of chewed up but not swallowed fat. I was embarrassed to spit it out but I was more uncomfortable about swallowing fat that was tasteless. Besides I do not eat meats with an abundance of fat . Its bad for you. And yes I have eaten in most of the kosher delis in NY and for the price, quality and flavor , Katz's is at the bottom of my list for corned beef and pastrami.

I prefer Bens' Best on Queens Blvd in Rego Park, in Queens where the sandwiches are $5 less($10.50) and the meats were lean and tasty.Take the G, V or R train to 63 rd Drive. Get out on the South side of the street and walk with traffic (east) on Queens Blvd. Bens Best is right there. About a 20 minute subway ride from midtown, Manhattan.

I have not tried the other things on the menu at Katz's except the french fries which by the way are very good but I cant comment on the rest of the menu. If you have some money and want good Jewish deli then go to the Stage Deli in NYC , very expensive, also the Carnegie Deli is in the same category , expensive but good. Another great deli is Bens Deli in Bayside Queens , no relationship between Bens Best in Rego Park. Bens Deli in Bayside is only reachable by car or bus and train.

If you are ever in Albertson, Long Island, try "Deli on Rye" .Take the Willis Ave south. exit on the Grand Central Parkway, go south on Willis Ave to "Deli on Rye" in the Waldbaums shopping Center It is about less than a mile on the left side on Willis Avenue. Good prices and good sandwiches. The service is good too. Sandwiches are around $9 for a decent corned beef or pastrami .

I will never go back to Katz's not even if someone wants to pay for my meal there. Another thing is the place looks the same as it did many years ago. Although it is nice to preserve the historical ambiance and appearance which is very interesting , but the place looks more worn out and dirty than the appearance of the original decor and nostalgic ambiance.If it is corned beef or pastrami you want , I say pass on Katz's and try another place. If you want to see the historical Katz's then try anything else on the menu but not the pastrami and corned beef. How about a hot dog and knish.

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User Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Grew up on Long Island and I've been to numerous deli's; this was my first time at Katz's. I will not go back. It took an hour on line to get my brisket sandwich and it was predominantly fat (a little fat is ok but this was ridiculous). After waiting all that time I was told that I would have to get my soup, drinks and potato pancakes at 2 other stations. My husband's pastrami was very good, according to him, and my son's corned beef was good. The brisket is a bomb and the atmosphere is certainly not worth the $80.00 we spent. Go to the Carnegie instead.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

It is everything and more than one could ask for.The Rueben was to die for,the beer was ice cold and most of all the cutters were amazing.

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