Katz's Delicatessen
48 people recommend, 14 warn against itvia r/AskNYC, r/FoodNYC, r/nyc30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 12 threads.
What people say, in short
People recommend Katz's for its classic pastrami sandwich, and many urge visitors to go there. Cost is the main complaint: some find it pricey for one sandwich, though several say a sandwich is big enough for two to share. Some mention long lines, especially on weekends, and one diner found it bland after eating at Frankel's in Williamsburg the same day.
Address
Katz's Delicatessen, 205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
At a glance
- Price
- Premium
- Signature dishes
- Pastrami sandwich
- Best for
- Visitors, Late night
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/Sirnando138 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026value
Urges taking visitors to Katz's and paying up; says the cheaper suggestions are not much cheaper.
- Recommendsu/lucas_214 in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025taste
Calls it pricey but the best, and says they'll accept the cost.
- Caveatu/pizzabagelwoman in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026price
Finds Katz's too expensive and seeks a cheaper pastrami alternative.
- Recommendsu/RoadConsistent9513 in r/FoodNYC · May 2026taste
Recommends Katz's pastrami sandwich when asked for post-drinking NYC food.
- Recommendsu/RyanT67 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026ambience
Calls Katz's an experience beyond the sandwich with a unique vibe; says the premium is worth it.
- Mixedu/swedishhorse in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026portion
Katz's is pricey but portions are large, so suggests splitting one sandwich between two people.
- Recommendsu/NYEDMD in r/FoodNYC · Mar 2024taste
Recommends pastrami there as a must-try.
- Recommendsu/festeziooo in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025taste
Recommends its classic pastrami sandwich and says it consistently satisfies.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Mixedu/meandtheknightsofni in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2025price
Found Katz's delicious but wouldn't want to pay that much for a sandwich again.
- Recommendsu/aznology in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026portion
Agrees with the Katz's advice; says a half sandwich was filling and portions are generous enough to split.
- Recommendsu/Tilly828282 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026portion
Agrees that one sandwich is enough to share.
- Recommendsu/spin0r in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026value
Says Katz's costs about the same as other top pastrami once you count the large portion.
- Recommendsu/mondayfig in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026value
Has been to Katz's; calls it an institution and says one sandwich covers two people.
- Recommendsu/frenchiefanatique in r/nyc · Feb 2025
Defends Katz's pastrami against criticism.
- Recommendsu/Own-Ad2203 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026taste
Argues there is no real alternative and says Katz's is the best.
- Recommendsu/eschambach in r/FoodNYC · May 2026
Lists Katz's among places to eat after a night of drinking.
- Recommendsu/billyray13 in r/FoodNYC · Apr 2026wait time
Advises skipping lines generally, but says Katz's is the one worth waiting for.
- Recommendsu/gnukidsontheblock in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026value
Tells tourists to pay up and go to Katz's, reporting a recent evening visit with little wait.
- Recommendsu/RockShrimp in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Calls Katz's a worthwhile tourist stop that meets its reputation; visitors they brought loved it.
- Recommendsu/Californiadude86 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Advises taking the visitors straight to Katz's.
- Recommendsu/nycperson54321 in r/FoodNYC · May 2026
Calls going to Katz after drinking late at night a rite of passage.
- Recommendsu/mr_orange_squirrel in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026ambience
Argues Katz's experience comes with the price; visiting when busy is part of the appeal.
- Recommendsu/Complex-Community124 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Advises simply going to Katz's and settling the question.
- Recommendsu/EggCzar in r/FoodNYC · May 2026
Says they crave this deli when hungover, versus halal when drunk.
- Recommendsu/Familiar-Range9014 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Calls Katz's the top deli and urges bringing friends there.
- Caveatu/nominal_goat in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026taste
Found Katz's bland when eaten the same day as Frankel's; once thought it was the best.
- Caveatu/VillageAdditional816 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2026wait time
Warns that weekend lines are now very long, and suggests the experience matters more than the food.
- Caveatu/rythmicbread in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2025wait time
Says locals skip recommending Katz's because the lines are long and the wait is off-putting.
- Caveatu/UnidentifiedTomato in r/nyc · Feb 2025
Still stands by its earlier view that the hype around Katz's Deli is unwarranted.
- Caveatu/RecognitionOne7597 in r/nyc · Feb 2025taste
Dismisses Katz's pastrami on rye and says they'd rather go to another deli.
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Freshness
Details last checked 4 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.