Katz's Delicatessen

Katz's Delicatessen, in continuous operation at 205 East Houston Street on the Lower East Side since 1888, is the greatest Jewish delicatessen in America and one of New York City's most irreplaceable cultural institutions. The process begins at the door, where guests receive a paper ticket that is tallied as they move through the line and pay on exit — a system unchanged for over a century. The pastrami sandwich is the point of the pilgrimage: a mound of hand-cut pastrami, taken from the steam table, piled three inches high on rye bread with mustard, a side of pickles, and nothing else required. The corned beef is its equal in a slightly lighter register. The knoblewurst, brisket, and turkey round out a menu of authentic delicatessen traditions. The interior is enormous — a high-ceilinged, fluorescent-lit hall with formica tables, walls covered in signed celebrity photos, and a capacity that somehow accommodates the perpetual crowds without feeling entirely chaotic. A sign suspended from the ceiling marks the table where the famous scene from the 1989 film When Harry Met Sally was filmed — a magnet for tourists that the regulars navigate around philosophically. The deli is open late — until 2:30am on weekends — serving as one of the few places in New York where a genuine pastrami sandwich can be obtained after midnight. Counter service, where a tip to the carver earns a generous free sample, is the traditional method and remains the preferred experience for first-time visitors.