Sarge's Deli
17 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/AskNYC, r/FoodNYC, r/nyc20 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Diners recommend Sarge's, with pastrami drawing praise and one diner also favoring the corned beef. Several compare it with Katz's: one values the quieter room, another likes its thinner slices, and another finds it a useful alternative to long waits. Others find it expensive, and two warn against it. One regular reports crowded visits despite the quieter-room comparison.
Address
Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner, 548 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016
At a glance
- Price
- Premium
- Signature dishes
- Pastrami sandwich, Corned beef
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/Blue387 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026ambience
Likes Sarge's for being quieter than Katz's and for offering non-deli dishes too.
- Recommendsu/NYEDMD in r/FoodNYC · Mar 2024taste
Recommends pastrami there as a must-try.
- Recommendsu/transitionb in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025taste
Names Sarge's pastrami sandwich as their pick.
- Recommendsu/sandbagger45 in r/AskNYC · Jul 2025
Bare recommendation of this place as their favorite pick.
- Recommendsu/MillyGrace96 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Likes Sarge's alongside 2nd Ave Deli; notes all these delis are expensive.
- Mixedu/Electrical_Space_850 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026portion
Finds Sarge's good yet leaner than Katz's from firsthand visits; praises the corned beef as very good.
- Recommendsu/paulderev in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Calls Sarge's a strong alternative for anyone who wants to skip Katz's waits.
- Recommendsu/vpc777 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Puts Sarge's as a close second among Manhattan delis.
Show all 20 cited comments
- Caveatu/Nick_Fotiu_Is_God in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Warns against Sarge's; says it has not improved across visits since the 1980s.
- Recommendsu/Local_Indication9669 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Calls Sarge's acceptable as an option.
- Caveatu/BlondDeutcher in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026price
Calls Sarge's overpriced and overrated.
- Recommendsu/marisaannn in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Bare reply naming Sarge's as the pick.
- Recommendsu/glee212 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Suggests Sarge's and Pastrami King, noting prices will run high and advising sharing a sandwich or taking leftovers home.
- Recommendsu/iggy555 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Bare reply naming Sarge's.
- Recommendsu/PecorinoYES in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Disputes the default Katz's advice and pushes Sarge's as a better discovery.
- Recommendsu/SamBartlett1776 in r/AskNYC · Jan 2026
Lists Sarge's among their options.
- Recommendsu/BrightEyes7742 in r/AskNYC · Aug 2025
Acknowledges it's pricey but calls this place pretty good.
- Recommendsu/Bitter_Face8790 in r/AskNYC · Aug 2025
Names this place as one of two options.
- Recommendsu/Joe80206 in r/AskNYC · Jul 2025
Recommends this place and links to its website.
- Recommendsu/RecognitionOne7597 in r/nyc · Feb 2025
Says they prefer Sarge's Deli to Katz's.
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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.