On my most recent visit to the Big Apple, I finally got around to paying a visit to the tourist hotspot of Katz’s Delicatessen in the Lower East Side. Their cuts of pastrami was stuff of legend, and I needed to know for myself. I was here for one thing and one thing only, the pastrami. All meat, no filler (well except for the roll).
We were handed a ticket (which we were told repeatedly) to not lose and skimmed Yelp for some ordering tips and uttered this to the man behind the counter:
“Pastrami Sandwich with Club Bread, no mustard, full sour pickles please”
After the dust settled, this was by far the most expensive sandwich I had ever eaten at almost $25 per sandwich, but there was at least a pound of the most juicy, most succulent pastrami I’ve ever eaten. Would I come here again? Probably not, but I’m glad I did chomp on that pastrami at least once in my life!
ProTips:
- If you’re not a fan of the rye bread, order the club roll, which is basically a hoagie roll. It costs extra, but is worth it if you despise rye.
- When you are standing in line, simply go to someone who is free to get your order in. This is New York City, don’t let being courteous get in the way of pastrami heaven.
- The beer ordering station is different from the sandwich station and is further down the counter, closer to the window.
- It was odd to tip the sandwich preparers but that is how it has always been and I’m not going to be the idiot to buck that trend on my one, and possibly, only visit to this place.
- DO NOT lose the ticket you were handed when walking in. It is your ticket out of Katz, even if it is unused. I didn’t lose a ticket to experience the ire of Katz, nor did I want to find out.
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