"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Taster’s Cherce

Couple of days ago guy asks me, “What’s the best pastrami in New York.”

“Katz’s.”

I didn’t know if it was a question or a test but I didn’t hesitate. And that’s part of what it means to be a New Yorker, being certain. Now, I could be wrong, and these things are a matter of taste, of course. Mile End makes a tasty sandwich out in Brooklyn. But it is not like Katz’s. And not only is the food tasty but the ambiance is usually just right. Has always been better than Ratners, the Stage or the Carnegie or even the 2nd Ave Deli, rest in peace.

Any other nominees for the best pastrami in town? Get at me.

[Photo Credit: Joel Zimmer]

7 comments

1 Chyll Will   ~  Sep 15, 2011 2:06 pm

I don't like patrami for some strange reason, but I appreciate a good one and Katz is good. Maybe not the greatest of all, but it's the best known that isn't a tourist trap like Stage and Carnegie. I bought a turkey and cheese there during a production lunch break and I was hopping mad at how much a sandwich costs there... until I bit into it.

Dayam.

But even Katz isn't the best turkey sandwich in town; that honor belongs to Torrisi Cafe on Mulberry & Prince.

2 Evil Empire   ~  Sep 15, 2011 3:40 pm

I'm so jealous of your food, Al. But we gotcha in ribs I swear!

3 Alex Belth   ~  Sep 15, 2011 4:00 pm

2) Where is "we"? And I don't doubt it.

4 Evil Empire   ~  Sep 15, 2011 9:42 pm

Birmingham, Alabama -- saw's ribs, dreamland, full moon etc.

5 Boatzilla   ~  Sep 16, 2011 2:02 am

Where is Katz, btw? Do they have a website? If I ever get to NYC again, and I know I will, I will make it a point to get a big, fucking pastrami sangwidge.

6 Boatzilla   ~  Sep 16, 2011 2:08 am

[5] Sorry, never mind. I found the website. Now I'm stahvin'

7 YankeeAbby   ~  Sep 16, 2011 9:48 am

:::sigh::: Katz's. Man, that's a nice sammich!

My brother, sister-in-law & I will, on occassion make the short trip (they're over in Hell's Kitchen, I'm in Queens) for some Katz's! The pastrami sandwiches are ginormous so my sis-in-law & I will split one. I'm a sucker for the frankfurters with a nice side of kraut tho'!

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