Katz's Delicatessen: Maddening Process, Delicious Results
You ever been to a restaurant that is absolute madness, quite expensive, but is fully aware it can get away with it because of the end product?
Welcome to Katz.
Katz's Delicatessen is the oldest deli in all of New York City, they specialize in gigantic sandwiches with thick cuts of meat chopped right in front of you, served with a plethora of pickles and whatever else you are craving. Their ordering system is madness, as you have to pick your line and patiently wait forever and a half if the place is busy----and its almost always busy and full to the brim.
To make things a little wilder, you have to go to separate lines to order the sides and a third one to order drinks. So it’s a lot of work before finally having your meal and hopefully finding a table. New York City has its edges where customer service isn’t exactly a priority, so you aren’t coming to Katz to be treated well, you are here to order, receive, and enjoy giant sandwiches with giant sides.
I went with their pastrami sandwich, which is a hefty $25, and it was added pain because I paid half that amount for a similarly-looking sandwich in Montreal with a side. But hey, I’m in New York, it is what it is. I also ordered their potato latkes because I’m a sucker for some fried European potato dishes.
I’m not going to lie, it hurts to pay 2 Olive Garden meals for this sandwich, but it was so damn good and such a hearty portion that unless you’re a lonely tourist it requires sharing with a loved one. The process is similar to the smoked meats of Montreal, but spiced different and Katz gives you a bit more meat. Similar to Schwartz, the beef is the primary player and doesn’t need much dressing to reveal its highlights. Meat, mustard, that is all. The tradition here is to order it reuben style with the swiss and sauerkraut, but I’ve never been a reuben fan.
The latkes however? Yea, you also should be sharing these, because they also have a hefty price but is also met with hefty portions. A place like this may seem like its just sandwiches, but this deli in particular actually has a nice diverse menu so if say you want to avoid the madness of the sandwich lines, you have other ways to eating a nice meal whether it be their platters, or American classics like burgers and sausage on a bun.
And you know you’ve made it when you have your own bottled water and lemonade.
Katz is a New York City staple, and it doesn’t care much for the typical organization of an eatery, nor does it care that you may not have full range of free time if sayyyyyyyyyy you’re a tourist that is trying to visit all the boroughs in the span of 10 days. Katz is fully aware that time is always of the essence in the Big Apple, and its also fully aware that you will wait because you know the food is going to be delicious. So yes, clear the schedule when you make your way here, because its going to be a battle to get your food, but it will be worth it if you appreciate the delicious deli staples this place offers.
