Katz's Delicatessen

I was recently advised by a deli counter employee who has worked at several major stores and is a Katz's maven that one should not get pastrami at Katz's after 2 PM or so. He told me that the steamers are shut off about then. I do not know what the steamers are or what they are used for and whether he is correct or not, but I have noticed that once or twice when I went to Katz's late in the day,...+READ I was recently advised by a deli counter employee who has worked at several major stores and is a Katz's maven that one should not get pastrami at Katz's after 2 PM or so. He told me that the steamers are shut off about then. I do not know what the steamers are or what they are used for and whether he is correct or not, but I have noticed that once or twice when I went to Katz's late in the day, I was disappointed with the pastrami. Any comments?-COLLAPSE / REPLY (75 Replies) (by AlanMa, updated November 22, 2009)

Deli's strive for consistency, but food quality varies much more than at fast-food chains. Most of this type food tastes better when prepared in smaller amounts. That's why most any deli meat at a deli tastes better than a deli meat from a take-out supermarket counter.

I've had very good pastrami and so-so pastrami at Katz's. How busy or slow the restaurant is, how good or bad your slicer is,...+READ Deli's strive for consistency, but food quality varies much more than at fast-food chains. Most of this type food tastes better when prepared in smaller amounts. That's why most any deli meat at a deli tastes better than a deli meat from a take-out supermarket counter.

I've had very good pastrami and so-so pastrami at Katz's. How busy or slow the restaurant is, how good or bad your slicer is, and the weather make a big difference in how good your sandwich is. At most deli's, including Katz's, the food is better when the place is busy, but not super busy.

The differences among all these places are not all that great. I think we're kidding ourselves to think so. Ben's in Rego Park when it's busy will usually be better than Katz's when it's real slow.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (75 Replies) (by BigGuy, updated November 18, 2009)

Are you kidding about the "fat" in the Patrami at Katz's? C'mon. Fat is FLAVA, FLAVA, FLAVA. It is the quintessential Jewish Deli. REPLY (30 Replies) (by Brooklynhound, updated October 19, 2009)

» Best Pastrami you will EVER freakin eat

Succulent, like pork belly, on crusty, chewy, soft rye goodness. EAT. (by Brooklynhound, updated October 19, 2009)

» The best pastrami you'll ever eat

Go, get the pastrami (NOT LEAN) on rye. It's perfect. (by balabanian, updated August 27, 2009)