Katz’s Delicatessen
Pastrami on Rye
Pickles
Matzo Ball Soup
Latkes with Apple Sauce and Sour Cream
Knish
Black & White Cookie
Carrot Cake
“Known as the best since 1898” reads the sign outside Katz’s Delicatessen, and now open from Friday morning straight through to Sunday evening it was early on Sunday that three first-timers circumvented the line to taste several legendary signatures, the “one ticket per adult” process making a bit more sense when the place isn’t filled to capacity and the whole meal completed in less than thirty minutes.
Long on the New York ‘to-do’ list, but previously passed-by due to enormous portion sizes, prices and a dining agenda that avoids filling up on too much of any one thing, it was with only perhaps a dozen additional patrons present that the counter was approached with a focus on variety, a sleepy-eyed man taking the whole order at once before unwrapping a whole new piece of Pastrami and offering both lean and fatty samples prior to making the Sandwich.
Proceeding to the end of the counter for Desserts and Drinks, the walls filled with iconic photographs and memorabilia entertaining others as an elderly couple took pictures at the “When Harry Met Sally” table, it was with tickets stamped that a tray and three plates were carried to seats at the center of the room, first tastes of a Latke showing the Potato Pancake to be crisp and light while the square Knish was densely packed to the point of bursting with Mashed Potatoes and Black Pepper.
Avoiding the Soup until it stopped steaming, the large bowl served in combination with any half-Sandwich for $18.99, it was with both styles of Pickle tasted that the Pastrami on Rye was divided into thirds, the Bread just a touch tangy while the Beef was supple and smooth without much visible fat, but a bold spice profile.
Sort of wishing for more Sandwich, but happy to see all-present enjoying the spread, Katz’s Matzo Ball Soup lived up to its reputation with a Broth that is clear yet chock-full of flavors beyond the typical Dill, the large ball at the center lighter that it looks, as too was the fluffy Black and White Cookie while the Carrot Cake dense and full of Raisins with tangy Cream Cheese dividing the layers.
https://katzsdelicatessen.com/
