Katz's Delicatessen, New York

Katz's Delicatessen is one of New York City’s most iconic food institutions since the late 19th century. This kosher-style deli has become deeply woven into the city’s immigrant food culture, serving generations of locals, theater performers, workers, tourists, and late-night diners. Although inspired by Jewish deli traditions, Katz’s is not strictly kosher, yet its menu remains closely tied to the flavors that shaped immigrant neighborhoods across New York.

Founded in 1888, Katz’s grew alongside the Lower East Side during a period when thousands of newly arrived immigrant families transformed the neighborhood into one of the most densely populated areas in America. The deli became more than a place to eat; it served as a gathering point for a tightly knit community. During the height of the Yiddish theater era, actors and entertainers from nearby stages frequently stopped in, helping establish Katz’s reputation as both a social hub and neighborhood landmark. Its famous slogan, “Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army,” emerged during World War II, reflecting the family’s tradition of mailing food packages to relatives serving overseas.

Today, Katz’s remains famous for its hand-carved pastrami on rye, widely regarded as one of New York City’s defining sandwiches. The deli serves thousands of pounds of pastrami, corned beef, salami, and hot dogs every week, maintaining the bustling energy that has defined it for more than a century. Inside, the experience feels intentionally unchanged: ticket stubs handed out at the door, long communal tables, vintage signs, and the constant rhythm of deli cutters slicing meat behind the counter. While ownership has changed over the decades, Katz’s continues to balance nostalgia with modern expansion, including a Brooklyn outpost and nationwide mail-order service, ensuring its place as a living piece of New York culinary history.