Katz's Deli: A Historic New York Eatery~I'll Have What She's Having! Lean & Mean W/O
Written: Dec 12 '04 (Updated Dec 12 '04)
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Pros: a classic New York Deli experience
Cons: crowded and noisy
The Bottom Line: Go for the food and the people watching, the men serving the food behind the counter are a trip to watch..you may even see a celebrity!
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| ifif1938's Full Review: Katz's Deli |
It seemed to take us forever to get to our eating destination that Sunday afternoon. We decided to try Katz's Deli, a New York institution, for lunch that day since we were in the mood for a tasty deli experience. So we hopped on the subway to go downtown. We had wanted to walk through Greenwich Village anyway and did not realize how far we were from our ultimate eating destination. Needless to say, by the time we found Katz's near the Bowery, we were tired, hungry and a bit cranky. Well, I was the one that was cranky and tired.
A surprise awaited us..When we walked in, the place was jam packed with people waiting in line nearly out the door..What I didn't realize at first was that these people were waiting for take out or for self-service. Upon entering you are given a ticket that you better not lose, or else!! This ticket is the way the establishment knows how many enter each day and you have to show it when you leave along with your paid receipt. Without it you have to pay a flat amount to leave.
The decor is very simple with formica tables and a fifties kind of look. Nothing spiffy to write home about.
A little Tidbit: Katz's is noted for more than the food, not only is it one of the oldest delis in New York, founded in 1888 in the Lower East Side when the area was teeming with immigrants who wanted a nice Kosher meal, but, more infamous for the fact that it is the restaurant where one of filmdoms most notorious scenes was shot. Who doesn't remember Meg Ryan's famous scene as she simulates the sounds of faking an orgasm in the movie "When Harry Met Sally". Commercials for shampoos (HerbalEssence), shamelessly took that idea for years after to promote their products and it has been shown over and over again when that movie is mentioned or Meg for that matter.
Oh oh, I wondered, did we have to stand in that line? It was with great relief when we found out we could sit immediately at a table that had waitress service.. Whew, was I ever happy! And, there was a table available.
We sat at a long table, near a long wall, shared with others who immediately starting talking to us about the food. Along that wall are photographs of many of the celebrities that have eaten at Katz's over the years. Everyone from George Burns to Woody Allen. These pictures alone are worthy of a visit to see those autographed photos of the celebrities who loved this place thoughout it's historic past.
When our waitress arrived she had the pickles and pickled tomatoes we were craving. But, what to order?? She handed us a menu with so many choices it was almost impossible to decide but hubby and I decided to share two of our favorite sandwiches, Chopped Liver on Rye with tomato & onion and a lean Pastrami on a roll..That, along with one of their world famous Potato Knish @$2.75, sounded like it would fit the bill. We both decided on Egg Creams to drink, a frothy mixture made with chocolate syrup, milk and seltzer. We were very happy with our choices, the meat was lean and the liver perfect, though I didn't get the tomato I wanted.
Side note. You don't even need a menu since the entire thing is written above the long counter where everyone stands in line waiting to place or pick up their orders..The prices are bit high, with sandwiches costing in the price range of $10 to 12 for their most popular, Pastrami, Corned beef, Roast beef etc.. Our Egg creams were in the 3 dollar range. They do have a good deal for one of the best hotdogs in town at about $5 a pop. The menu is huge and they do not give them away so I am estimating the cost from memory.
All in all, we enjoyed our Katz's experience. It truly is a one of kind place and one you should not miss when in the big Apple, and don't forget, "Send A Salami to Your boy In the Army" A slogan of Katz's since WWII
Located in the lower East side at 205 East Houston Street
Bon Appitit
This is part of Sleeper54 Lean and mean write/off part 3... To find all the other entry's go here: http://www.epinions.com/content_4149256324
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations lunch was about $40 with a tip for the two of us
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