In honor of May being Jewish History Month, we’re highlighting one of NYC’s most popular delis—Katz’s Delicatessen.
Known for their high-piled pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, Katz’s is a kosher style deli located 205 East Houston Street in New York City’s Lower East Side. It was originally opened by brothers Morris and Hyman Iceland. In 1903, Willy Katz joined the Iceland brothers at the deli, and then proceeded to buy them out with cousin, Benny Katz in 1910.
Katz’s quickly became a neighborhood staple, functioning as a gathering place for LES locals. On Fridays, the deli served franks and beans—a long-held and cherished tradition for New Yorkers in the mid-20th century.
During WWII, Katz’s sent food to local men serving overseas, and coined the phrase “Send a salami to your boy in the army.” Soldiers in both the Eastern and Western fronts of the war loved the familiar, homemade taste of Katz’s delicacies.
Katz’s continues to be a staple of the New York food scene, and tourists and locals alike flock to its tables for all-day comfort foods. In fact, the deli is so popular that each week it serves 15,000 pounds of pastrami, 8,000 pounds of corned beef, 2,000 pounds of salami, and 4,000 hot dogs, or franks. It is ranked as the number one deli in NYC by Zagat.
While known for its meat, Katz’s also sells delicious Jewish specialties like matzoh ball soup, knishes, and noodle kugel. They also classic desserts like NY cheesecake, black and white cookies, and babka. On top of all that, Katz’s doubles as a bakery and bakes their own homemade bagels and rye bread.
Katz’s it too mouthwatering to only have one location, though. Luckily, they opened a second deli in Brooklyn’s Dekalb Market. Katz’s also ships their yummy goodies nationwide, so you can treat yourself to pastrami and corned beef anywhere in the country!
We love highlighting neighborhood favorites like Katz’s deli, and we feel even more excited to eat after a great run. Join one of our tours and see for yourself all the delicious spots NYC has to offer!
