Katz's Delicatessen: worth the price of a pastrami sandwich?
Shared report · refreshed weekly · updated Nov 6, 2026
Within complaints about food quality, reviewers describe dry, tough meat, too much fat, bland meat and weak sides and soups at Katz's Delicatessen.
OneStar read 625 Google Maps and Tripadvisor reviews of Katz's Delicatessen posted from Nov 2025 to Nov 2026. Of the 625 people who reviewed Katz's Delicatessen in OneStar's sample, 49% complain and 86% praise it. The top complaints about Katz's Delicatessen are food and drink quality (30% of complaints), wait times (29%) and price and value (22%). In OneStar's sample of Katz's Delicatessen reviews, 6% of reviewers say they won't come back. OneStar's report on Katz's Delicatessen was last updated on Nov 6, 2026.
What goes wrong
The meat was so tough and sinewy that we were afraid we would choke trying to consume it in a sandwich that was not overloaded.
Yours was by far the most disappointing way overpriced, terribly small portions and they wanted to charge me extra for pickles.
Too much of a line Up...all the way to the next corner...couldnt try ☹️
Genuinely horrible service. I would never spent a cent with people who obviously do not value their patrons. Immediately walked out due to the lack of friendly service
Place has a tasteless, dated feel - stuck in 1970s.. avoid, if you don't want to sponsor tightwads masquerading poor taste and cheapness as authenticity.
What goes well
A huge beefy sandwich that all visitor in nyc MUST try at least once. Great meat and very satisfying. Service is quick and polite. LOVED IT
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant
Absolutely worth the hype and great service from Alfonso!
Une adresse mythique à découvrir lors d'un séjour à New York !
It was very busy but moves quickly.
Reasons for quitting
The main complaint of the 40 reviewers who say they stopped or are quitting
Their categories
Yes or no questions the person who shared it asked of each review
Too much of a line Up...all the way to the next corner...couldnt try ☹️
Fleisch ist wider erwarten trocken, es ist nicht schwer so ein Fleisch saftig zu garen (geheimtipp: nutze Kerntemperatur).
Typical got too big for their own good… Their carvers do not give a shit about the customers only the tips they get ….
What they use it for
100 of 625 reviewers said; shares are of them
Had to try this visiting NYC from UK, sandwich was absolutely massive and as tasty as expected. For being around lunch it was busy but not too overwhelming, easy to get a seat and great efficient...
This place is overrated, food not great. Got the dining service 230pm-4pm, crammed & small space in between tables, the seatings too close to other customers.
Always excellent! One of the great New York institutions. I am a local who often braves the tourist crowds to get some of the best pastrami in the world.
What they ask for
8 reviews ask for something
Who is saying it
The biggest clear differences between audiences; 4 more with a free account
TenureNew user: say they won't come back 3.1x as often as everyone (20% vs 6%).
Star rating5 stars: mention wait times 1.9x as often as everyone (62% vs 33%).
Made with OneStar's Google review analyzer. Run one on your own place or a competitor's, free with no card.