The Best Old Style Deli in NYC
Written: Nov 20 '00 (Updated Nov 20 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great food and huge portions.
Cons: Somewhat pricey.
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| jmk444's Full Review: Katz's Deli |
New York City is famous for its delis. There are landmarks like the Carnegie Deli and the Stage Deli, both in the mid-town area, and of course, Katz’s Deli on the Lower East Side.
Katz’s Deli, located at 205 East Houston Street (between Allen or 1st Ave & Ludlow Street) was founded in 1888. For a world-famous eatery, Katz’s is not at all fancy or pretentious. The food is, as advertised, deli fare – hot dogs, sandwiches, knishes, fries and sodas.
The place itself is large and open, but plain. It's also old and it hasn't been updated since God knows when, but that's part of its charm. It's sort of like stepping back in time.
On the right or east wall, lies a long counter. Food is served cafeteria style. You go up to a station and pick out the items you want. The food is excellent for deli fare. The hot dogs are Isaac Gellis brand (wonderful) and the roast beef, for instance, is done to perfection. The portions are huge (sandwiches are piled three inches thick), though pricey. Roast beef on rye goes $9.35 and the same on a hero goes $11.50. There are stations that specialize in sandwiches, others dish out hot dogs, fries and soft drinks.
There is some seating along the west wall and in a space that L’s off at the back of the store.
Katz’s has seen the area go through a ton of changes. The Lower East Side was first a teaming Irish then Jewish, then Italian ghetto and has always been a hot-bed of radical politics. In the sixties the area just east of Ludlow Street, called Alphabet City (Avenues A,B & C) went through an explosion of crime and fire. For that reason, many tourists avoided the area. In the past few years, with crime down and the neighborhood resurgent (studio apartments now rent for $1400/mth and up...which is supposed to be good news, unless, of course, you're paying the rent), tourism is back and that’s got to be great news for places like Katz’s.
If you’re visiting Manhattan, you should know that Katz’s is a unique, though expensive dining experience. Neither the food, nor the place itself is fancy, but the food is hearty and delicious and it comes in huge portions and of course, it’s about as authentically New York as you can get.
Food: The food isn't fancy (deli fare) but it's tasty and the portions are huge! It's also a little pricey...a sandwich, fries or a knish and a coke could easily run upwards of $15.
Service: Serving is cafeteria style...you move along stations to the items you want. Orders are prepared promptly.
Decor: The decor is retro...it's a plain old Jewish deli that simply "is what it is." The stark decor is part of its old time charm.
Special Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations:Great pastrami, Isaac Gellis franks and their Brisket of Beef is awesome!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jmk444
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Member: J Michael Kearney
Location: New York, N.Y.
Reviews written: 87
Trusted by: 90 members
About Me:
Staten Island born fireman (South Bronx) and I write - occasionally coherently.
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