Katz's Delicatessen
The iconic, the one and only Katz’s Deli is the place everyone must go to when visiting New York City.
It’s been around since 1888 and serves the juiciest and most tasty pastrami. We ordered a reuben sandwich which comes with hefty layers of succulent pastrami, sauerkraut and Russian dressing between rye bread. There are guys carving brisket after brisket all by hand and they’ll give you a wee sampler of what’s to come while you wait for your sandwich to be made. We also got a side of pickles which came with a lightly pickled pickle and a more pickled pickle, both delish but I prefer the picklier of the two. Matzo ball soup is also a must, a soothing clear chicken broth with a nice big dumpling made of Matzo, a type of cracker, that is light and spongey and has soaked up all that good flavour from the soup.
We finished dinner with a slice of NY cheesecake, the fluffy baked kind. Different to what you’ll find in NZ, Katz’s had more of a pastry rather than biscuit-base which made it less rich overall.
I enjoyed gazing at the walls covered in photos of celebrities who have visited over the years. This is that place in ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and there is a sign dangling over the seat where Meg Ryan faked an O. There will be lines, but the wait will be worth every bite of pastrami.
Katz’s Delicatessen
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002, United States
