Katz's Deli — Review by Eating With Tod
New York, United States — American Deli
Adam Richman takes the reviewer to Katz's Deli on New York's Lower East Side to experience the world's most famous sandwich. The pastrami and corned beef on rye with Russian dressing and slaw proves exceptional, with hand-cut meat from skilled cutters and authentic preparation methods unchanged since 1888. Despite the high price, the experience transcends food, connecting diners to decades of New York history and cultural significance.
What was great: Exceptional pastrami and corned beef sandwiches with incredible portion sizes, hand-cut meat by skilled cutters with 30+ years of experience, perfect balance of flavors with Russian dressing and sauerkraut, authentic old-fashioned curing and smoking techniques, crispy french fries, pickled tomatoes, and the iconic historical atmosphere that connects diners to generations of New York history
What could improve: Sandwiches are expensive at $35 each with tip included, bread is not the best quality though it serves its purpose
The Dishes
The standout order was the pastrami and corned beef sandwich on rye with Russian dressing and coleslaw, which the reviewer describes as the best Katz's order ever discovered. The pastrami itself is extraordinary, described as like its own food group with a perfect smoky, salty flavor. The corned beef adds complementary depth. The Russian dressing provides essential pickled sourness, while the coleslaw brings creaminess and crucial textural crunch. The sauerkraut adds another layer of fermented tang. Fresh pickled tomatoes, ranging from half-sour to full-sour varieties, are made in-house and offer excellent crunch and flavor complexity. The french fries are described as some of the best ever, crispy and perfectly executed. Cel-Ray soda, a celery-flavored beverage, proves brilliant for cutting through the fatty richness of the cured meats and resetting the palate between bites.
The Experience
Walking into Katz's feels like stepping back in history. The deli maintains an iconic atmosphere filled with cultural significance and personal stories from generations of New Yorkers. The most memorable moment comes when the owner shares a story about an elderly 90-something-year-old customer crying while eating a sandwich, remembering childhood Sundays when her family would sell homemade goods and pool money to buy one sandwich to share in quarters. The hand-slicing station is mesmerizing to watch, with professional cutters working with incredible speed and precision. Customers can choose lean or juicy cuts and tip their preferred cutter in cash, developing personal relationships over time. The reviewer notes that despite being a world-famous destination, actual New Yorkers still frequent Katz's regularly, placing it on the same level as the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty.
Value and Pricing
At $35 per sandwich with tip included, these are not cheap eats. However, the portion size is genuinely incredible, with so much meat that the reviewer describes it as a gym workout alone. The sandwiches are designed to be shared rather than eaten alone. The reputational cost makes up approximately 50 percent of the price, and the reviewer leaves the value assessment to viewer opinion. However, the historical significance and authentic preparation justify the investment for many.
Notable Moments
All the people that I used to come here with, that took me here, are gone.
Katz's goes through 1,650 tons of meat each year. And to put that into perspective, that's roughly the weight of 11 jumbo jets, just in meat alone.
This transcends food. This is New York. This is the best of us.
She had a sandwich, whole sandwich in front of her. And I grew up with three sisters, and every week we would sew spend all week sewing stuff, and then we'd come to Orchard on Sundays and sell what we had made. And with what we had made, we'd come here, and we had enough money for one sandwich, and we cut it into quarters.
The Verdict
Katz's Deli is an absolute must-visit for anyone seeking authentic New York history combined with exceptional food. Unlike many iconic restaurants that lose their way chasing hype, Katz's has remained unchanged since 1888, refusing to take shortcuts and maintaining traditional curing, smoking, and pickling methods. Every bite carries the presence of generations past. This is perfect for food enthusiasts who appreciate culinary history, families looking to create new memories while honoring old ones, and anyone wanting to truly experience New York City beyond tourist attractions. The pastrami and corned beef sandwich is genuinely world-class, and the experience of eating here connects you to something far greater than just a meal.