1. **Katz's Delicatessen** — Lower East Side - Address: 205 E Houston St - Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJ2-92l8RYwokR1a-7E6m8G-Y - Google Place ID: `ChIJ2-92l8RYwokR1a-7E6m8G-Y` - Price: $$$ - Best Time: Weekday mid-afternoon (15:00) to avoid the legendary queue. - Access: Easy — On the corner of Houston and Ludlow. - How To Get There Easily: F train to 2nd Ave. - Go If Visiting: Washington Square Park (nearby-detour; same-afternoon); Brooklyn Bridge (same-transit-line; same-afternoon) - Also Famous For: Matzo ball soup, "Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army" slogan. - The undisputed king of New York pastrami since 1888; their brisket is cured for 30 days and hand-carved to order by legendary "cutters." The result is a thick, juicy sandwich that is the city’s single most iconic meal. Don't lose your ticket given at the entrance.
Pastrami sandwich · say “Pastrami on rye” ·
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1. **Katz's Delicatessen** — Lower East Side - Address: 205 E Houston St - Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJ2-92l8RYwokR1a-7E6m8G-Y - Google Place ID: `ChIJ2-92l8RYwokR1a-7E6m8G-Y` - Price: $$$ - Best Time: Weekday mid-afternoon (15:00) to avoid the legendary queue. - Access: Easy — On the corner of Houston and Ludlow. - How To Get There Easily: F train to 2nd Ave. - Go If Visiting: Washington Square Park (nearby-detour; same-afternoon); Brooklyn Bridge (same-transit-line; same-afternoon) - Also Famous For: Matzo ball soup, "Send a Salami to Your Boy in the Army" slogan. - The undisputed king of New York pastrami since 1888; their brisket is cured for 30 days and hand-carved to order by legendary "cutters." The result is a thick, juicy sandwich that is the city’s single most iconic meal. Don't lose your ticket given at the entrance.
Order:
“The undisputed king of New York pastrami since 1888; their brisket is cured for 30 days and hand-carved to order by legendary "cutters." The result is a thick, juicy sandwich that is the city’s single most iconic meal. Don't lose your ticket given at the entrance.”
Queue: On the corner of Houston and Ludlow.
Go: Weekday mid-afternoon (15:00) to avoid the legendary queue.
Price: $$$
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Verdict: A certified glatt kosher institution that moved from its namesake avenue but kept its world-class standards; it is famous for its fatty, perfectly spiced pastrami and its traditional, no-nonsense Jewish deli atmosphere. — Midtown East
Queue: Midtown location.
Go: Lunch on a weekday.
Price: $$$
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Verdict: A small, high-quality operation that gained global fame as the favorite pastrami spot of Anthony Bourdain; their pastrami is known for being exceptionally tender and heavily seasoned with a distinct black pepper crust. — Upper East Side
Queue: Near Central Park.
Go: Late lunch.
Price: $$$
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Verdict: One of the last remaining 24-hour diners in Manhattan, Sarge's cures their own meats on-site; their pastrami is classic, old-school, and served in a nostalgic booth-lined setting that feels frozen in the 1960s. — Murray Hill
Queue: In the heart of Murray Hill.
Go: Any time—they are open 24/7.
Price: $$$
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Verdict: A unique neighborhood gem run by a Muslim family that produces some of the city's best Jewish-style pastrami and brisket; the portions are enormous, and the pastrami is prized for its high fat content. — Bed-Stuy (Brooklyn)
Queue: Deep in Brooklyn.
Go: Mid-day.
Price: $$
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Verdict: Occupying the space of the legendary Eisenberg's Sandwich Shop, S&P has preserved the 1920s lunch counter vibe while elevating the pastrami to elite levels; it is the best place to eat a pastrami sandwich at a historic counter. — Flatiron
Queue: Right next to the Flatiron Building.
Go: 11:30 before the Flatiron lunch crowd.
Price: $$
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Verdict: A "new-school" Jewish deli founded by brothers from the Upper West Side; the pastrami is expertly hand-cut and lean but exceptionally flavorful, serving a younger, Brooklyn-based crowd. — Greenpoint (Brooklyn)
Queue: Near McCarren Park.
Go: Weekday lunch.
Price: $$$
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Verdict: Since 1953, this has been the last remaining Jewish deli in the Bronx; it is a time capsule of post-war New York, serving traditional kosher pastrami that has changed very little in 70 years. — Riverdale (Bronx)
Queue: Requires a trek to the North Bronx.
Go: Sunday lunch.
Price: $$
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Verdict: While primarily a BBQ joint, their wood-smoked pastrami is considered by many to be the best "modern" version in the city, blending Jewish deli spices with Texas low-and-slow smoking techniques. — Red Hook (Brooklyn)
Queue: Remote waterfront location.
Go: Opening hour on a weekday; weekend pastrami sells out fast.
Price: $$$
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Verdict: Known as "The Sturgeon King," this legendary appetizing shop also serves a world-class hot pastrami sandwich that is among the city's most soulful, though often overlooked in favor of their fish. — Upper West Side
Queue: On Amsterdam Ave.
Go: Weekday breakfast or early lunch.
Price: $$$
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Verdict: While famous for the cake, locals know Junior's as a reliable destination for classic, high-quality pastrami and brisket sandwiches in a high-volume, festive Brooklyn atmosphere. — Downtown Brooklyn
Queue: Near the DeKalb Ave station.
Go: Afternoon.
Price: $$
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Verdict: A reliable, high-volume kosher deli that serves consistent, high-quality pastrami to the theater-district crowds; it is the best "safe" option for a classic deli experience in the heart of Manhattan. — Midtown
Queue: In the Garment District.
Go: Lunch before a Broadway show.
Price: $$
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Verdict: A legendary neighborhood spot that remains the heart of its South Brooklyn community; the pastrami is cut thick and served in a dining room that feels like a private club for local regulars. — Mill Basin (Brooklyn)
Queue: Requires a car or long bus ride.
Go: Sunday dinner.
Price: $$
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Verdict: A refined, old-school Upper East Side staple that serves exceptionally lean and flavorful pastrami; it is a favorite for locals who want the deli experience without the chaotic crowds of Katz's. — Upper East Side
Queue: Near the 72nd St station.
Go: Weekday lunch.
Price: $$$
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Verdict: A relatively new entrant that has quickly gained a reputation for high-quality, hand-cut pastrami in the industrial heart of Sunset Park; it is a vital option for those visiting Brooklyn’s waterfront. — Sunset Park (Brooklyn)
Queue: Near Industry City.
Go: Lunch.
Price: $$
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Verdict: An ultra-traditional Hasidic deli that serves some of the most authentic, soulful kosher pastrami in the city; the atmosphere is quiet, respectful, and deeply rooted in the local community’s customs. — Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
Queue: In the South Williamsburg Hasidic enclave.
Go: Weekday mid-day; closed on Shabbat.
Price: $$
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0.0 / 10
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Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
Best nearby foods: Signature order
Pairs naturally with this food stop.
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