My Uncle May Work at Stage Deli, But I Go Here for Pastrami
Written: Jan 09 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The World's Best Deli
Cons: None, if you take it for what it is...decor and service if you don't
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| Pezdude46's Full Review: Katz's Deli |
There's not much to be said about Katz's deli. Small Menu. Your basic deli fare. Or is it? Yeah, Franks and Specials are normal, and Knishes are your standard Deli style. So why Katz's??? Well, let's take a little journey...(bad sound effect here).
In the 1890's, the Lower East Side of Manhattan was a haven for Jewish Immigrants. One of the most famous of these people was Mr. Katz, who decided to start a delicatessen, which, as FoodTV is quick to point out, was a mostly German run business. He opened Katz's, and not much has changed, except for the prices. The restaurant looks old and dirty, yet you put up with it for a slice of tradition (and for pastrami). You walk in, and a security officer gives you a ticket, which will be used by the countermen (you pay on your way out). There is sit down service, but most people elect to use the counters.
The first counter provides one with hot dogs and knishes. While well prepared, and IMHO better than Nathan's, I'd rather save room for a sandwich. And sandwiches they have, at the next counter. Chicken salad, chopped liver, and turkey are offered on club roll or rye, but people come for either aged, succulent beef salami, perfectly cured tongue, flaky, buttery corned beef, and the world's most decadent pastrami. The pastrami is cured with the right amount of spices and, like all other meats, is hand cut and placed high upon your bread. If you tip the counterman at this point, he'll probably cut a little extra meat, and the countermen tend to give you a bit to taste while they prepare your food. Pickles are doled out here too, with half sour and sour pickles available. Go for the sour, but if you're really in a pickle, or just in the mood for one, walk six blocks south and one block east afterwards (hey, you need to burn off the meal), to Jewish Food Haven, USA. (This is worthy of a quick aside)
Quick aside:
The block of Houston and Ludlow (where Katz's is located), is a great block for Jewish food. Present are Katz's and a place called Russ and Daughters that serves up the best appetizing in New York City. Over on Essex and Hester, however, you can finish up your Jewish Food experience. Present there are Gertel's Bakery (New York's top Kosher bakery and home of my favorite Rye bread and Babka), Guss' Pickles (the best in the world), Kadouri Brothers (known for Halavah and dried fruits), and up a block on Essex and Grand, Kossar's Bialy's, home of a forgotten bread product. This aside is important to any review of Katz's, because Katz's is not a deli, it is a mentality. To come to Katz's is to not only be well fed, but to return to the great Lower East Side of years past. But this can return home with you with a trip to any of the above establishments.
Back to Katz's:
At the third counter, if you have room, you can get french fries, sodas, and dessert. Amazingly, the French Fries are among the best I have ever had: large dinner fries deep fried so they are crispy on the outside, piping hot and flaky on the inside.
The last food available is on the back wall: the water fountain. This is a three tap display, with cups available cafeteria-style. Luckily, if you start to choke (heavens forbid!) from eating your pastrami too fast, you can quickly get water to consume!
While the decor is not inviting, hundreds of pictures on the wall show celebrities enjoying the food. This festive atmosphere is perfect for a deli, which feeds the soul through the stomach.
Lastly, a well known fact about Katz's is that the restaurant played home to the Orgasm Scene in When Harry Met Sally.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Pezdude46
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Location: New York
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 1 member
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