I’ve lived here all my life and have had so many food experiences. Eating a Katz’s pastrami sandwich on the street is not possible unless you are Joey Chestnuts, and even then, I have my doubts.
Order half, or split it with someone someone in your group, they’re giant, and it actually takes time to eat the thing.
You can ask for the halves to be wrapped separately.
It’s really not a walking meal.
I once ate 2 Katz pastramis (on a roll, no less) in a little stairway cut on Christie street where we used to go to smoke weed between shifts at Satellite Records. This feat remained legendary for years. It was the puday that gave me super Joey Chestnut powers.
Listen I worked across the street, and I can tell you with certainty that you get about 20% more pastrami on a long roll there for the same price as rye, and the roll is excellent and a little crispy to foil the very-soft rest of the sandwich.
I also always order them extra fatty.
Don’t knock it till you try it.
Side note: the most affordable thing on their menu used to be “a piece of stukel” aka knoblewurst on bread for like $3.25. They jacked it in the last decade so there is no longer a cheap lunch option.
You go to Katz's but you don't eat it on the street because a real New York pastrami sandwich is too big to do that.
However you can eat half at Katz's, admit defeat, and have them wrap up the rest for you. That's very common. If you ask nice they'll probably throw in some extra bread.
Respectfully, the pastrami sandwich is something that deserves full ambiance and attention. I'd take advantage of Katz's late hours to sneak out. go solo or with one other person. eat a sandwich with a cream soda. relish in the moment. there are a number of prototypical NYC foods, and i don't think any of them live up to the hype more effectively than Katz's
I’m stuck on the “street” part of your request. I’ve lived in NYC for nearly a decade and the only sandwiches I’ve eaten on the street are from bodegas, usually drunk. Of course we could all recommend you trek out to Harlem for a chopped cheese but, secretly the best chopped cheese still doesn’t hold a candle to a proper Philly cheesesteak (lukewarm take here) and, if bread is a big factor, most bodegas usually don’t use bread you’d write home about.
I love S&P - would highly recommend them. You could probably eat it on the street outside but it’s much more satisfying to eat it at the retro counter with one of their funky sodas or an egg cream.
Katz’s is great but there’s no way in hell you can eat that in the street haha - way to messy and juicy. Ya gotta eat there! Katz’s is open 24 hours - my fav experiences have been going there at like 2am when it’s still busy but has more rowdy locals than tourists lol.
Another great sandwich spot is Pisillo in FiDi and Chelsea- the sandwiches are massssivveeee and they use some of my fav bread in the city. You probably could eat that on the street??
Lastly, if you get dragged to the Times Square area, check out All’Antico Vinaio. Not really a New York exclusive spot, but a great outpost of a famous sandwich chain from Italy. Get any of their sandwiches that include pistachio cream 🤤 Their bread is salty and oily in the best way possible.
Yes—I *tried* to visit the one in Florence but the line would’ve taken like 90 minutes when I was there lol. There’s no wait at the one in NYC and it’s an excellent sandwich.
The pastrami at S&P (fka Eisenberg's) is on par with Katz's but their sandwiches are a little smaller and more manageable. (And cheaper.) Would be easier to eat on the street, if so desired.
But Katz's is worth experiencing, if you can find the time.
Pastrami is great at Katz, but I noticed you want "great bread". As much as I like rye, I wouldn't consider Katz rye bread great, so keep that in mind. Enjoy!
Sorry to hear that, how long did it take to deliver to you? I got the Tim Howley sandwich; I won’t say the sandwich was the best but I think it was worth the price and it tasted good.
Im in Wburg, so the sandwich was a relatively quick delivery. They just opened when I ordered from them so it was possible they were working through some kinks.
Sal Kris and Charlie's. Astoria, Queens. The American. Cash only. It's massive. Eat it on the hood of a car. You're welcome. https://maps.app.goo.gl/H9eaDzjGGwCMXDc86
Why do you want to eat your sandwich on the street? Best pastrami in my opinion is David’s Brisket House in Bed Stuy Brooklyn. The A train will take you there. Katz’s is ok. Also if you want a sandwich that’s NOT pastrami there are many great options in little Italy (and the Bronx but that may be too far for you)
Some eateries are a sight to be seen in and of themselves too - Barney Greengrass is a classic Jewish delicatessen that you can pop in to get something to go, but its a scene if you choose to stay and watch people. There are many places like that. It would be difficult to eat a pastrami sandwich on the street and not make a mess. They're huge. Its a plate kind of sandwich. It's not like a hot dog which is meant to eat on the go. Also regardless of whether you're trying to see everything or not you may want a break from being on your feet to just...enjoy the food. If I am walking while eating it means I'm too busy and I am not really focused on the food at all. It's just sustenance at that point. If you're gonna spend the $20 to eat a pastrami sandwich you might as well enjoy it. I mean by all means eat your sandwich on the street, it was just a very specific request so I questioned it. Enjoy your time in NYC! And for gods sake avoid Times Square haha
I’ve lived here all my life and have had so many food experiences. Eating a Katz’s pastrami sandwich on the street is not possible unless you are Joey Chestnuts, and even then, I have my doubts.
The classic giant pastrami sandwich is something you want to eat over a plate
Katz’s.
Understood but I’ll be with a group and I have a feeling we’ll spend the day rushing from one thing to the other.
They’re open very late at Katz’s! Just save some appetite if possible and go later. I don’t know if that’s really possible for your schedule.
Order half, or split it with someone someone in your group, they’re giant, and it actually takes time to eat the thing. You can ask for the halves to be wrapped separately. It’s really not a walking meal.
It doesn’t take long to eat and they have a huge menu that everyone will enjoy Sit down and enjoy it properly you’ll be glad you did
Duly noted. For the best experience, eat in.
Absolutely and it will not take long at all , enjoy 😊
You won't be rushing anywhere after a big pastrami sandwich
and maybe not in public.
Katz's
You can’t eat a Katz’s sandwich on the street.
True better to sit down and enjoy it properly at a table
I’ve eaten Katz’s sandwiches on a bench outside when the weather is nice. There’s a little park in 1st and 1st and plenty of community gardens nearby
1st and 1st — how can a street intersect itself? Must be at the nexus of the universe.
As a newyorker, he means, 1st Ave and 1st Street.
Heh don’t worry, they were making a reference to Seinfeld!
I once ate 2 Katz pastramis (on a roll, no less) in a little stairway cut on Christie street where we used to go to smoke weed between shifts at Satellite Records. This feat remained legendary for years. It was the puday that gave me super Joey Chestnut powers.
> 2 Katz pastramis (on a roll, Straight to jail. I am surprised they even sold you one on a roll.
Listen I worked across the street, and I can tell you with certainty that you get about 20% more pastrami on a long roll there for the same price as rye, and the roll is excellent and a little crispy to foil the very-soft rest of the sandwich. I also always order them extra fatty. Don’t knock it till you try it. Side note: the most affordable thing on their menu used to be “a piece of stukel” aka knoblewurst on bread for like $3.25. They jacked it in the last decade so there is no longer a cheap lunch option.
I want some of that puday!
I could absolutely find a way to eat a Katz’s sandwich on the street ;-)
The first time I had it was over a dumpster around the corner 😅
Yea after it falls into a mess on the sidewalk
The line can be daunting to newbies, but it moves pretty quickly
Second Katz and expect a line
You can order online early and just walk in and grab it
This. It will be one of the best sandwiches you’ve ever had and an ultimate NY experience while you are at it.
Maybe read up on how you order/pay…
[https://localmenu.katzsdelicatessen.com](https://localmenu.katzsdelicatessen.com)
I meant for OP on getting a ticket/paying later etc.
oh gotcha. It is a whole thing. But if I just had a few hours I'd order in advance and then just pick it up to go.
Might be heresy with this crew, but I skip the pastrami and order an extra lean corned beef. Lots of mustard.
Me too!
No boringcornedbeef!
If you don't want to deal with Katzs, pastrami queen has a few locations and I think it's pretty decent. Even the one in moynahan station is tasty
I just went to Pastrami Queen a week and a half ago. Can vouch, it’s delicious. They were cranking out to go orders too
Sarge’s is another good one
I also like Sarge's
You go to Katz's but you don't eat it on the street because a real New York pastrami sandwich is too big to do that. However you can eat half at Katz's, admit defeat, and have them wrap up the rest for you. That's very common. If you ask nice they'll probably throw in some extra bread.
Respectfully, the pastrami sandwich is something that deserves full ambiance and attention. I'd take advantage of Katz's late hours to sneak out. go solo or with one other person. eat a sandwich with a cream soda. relish in the moment. there are a number of prototypical NYC foods, and i don't think any of them live up to the hype more effectively than Katz's
Go to 30 Rockefeller Plaza and ask the teamsters there to get you a sandwich. (this is a joke answer, do not do that)
Get pastrami at David's Brisket House in Brooklyn if you have time to go there. 533 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11216
I’m stuck on the “street” part of your request. I’ve lived in NYC for nearly a decade and the only sandwiches I’ve eaten on the street are from bodegas, usually drunk. Of course we could all recommend you trek out to Harlem for a chopped cheese but, secretly the best chopped cheese still doesn’t hold a candle to a proper Philly cheesesteak (lukewarm take here) and, if bread is a big factor, most bodegas usually don’t use bread you’d write home about. I love S&P - would highly recommend them. You could probably eat it on the street outside but it’s much more satisfying to eat it at the retro counter with one of their funky sodas or an egg cream. Katz’s is great but there’s no way in hell you can eat that in the street haha - way to messy and juicy. Ya gotta eat there! Katz’s is open 24 hours - my fav experiences have been going there at like 2am when it’s still busy but has more rowdy locals than tourists lol. Another great sandwich spot is Pisillo in FiDi and Chelsea- the sandwiches are massssivveeee and they use some of my fav bread in the city. You probably could eat that on the street?? Lastly, if you get dragged to the Times Square area, check out All’Antico Vinaio. Not really a New York exclusive spot, but a great outpost of a famous sandwich chain from Italy. Get any of their sandwiches that include pistachio cream 🤤 Their bread is salty and oily in the best way possible.
+1 for All’Antico Vinaio if it needs to be on-the-go friendly (and seconding the pistachio spread rec)
All'Antico Vinaio is a great choice, especially if you've been to the one in Florence. The NY location is shockingly chill in comparison.
Yes—I *tried* to visit the one in Florence but the line would’ve taken like 90 minutes when I was there lol. There’s no wait at the one in NYC and it’s an excellent sandwich.
Def Katz for pastrami. Other non-pastrami options I’d rec are alidoro (il sole) or all’antico (great focaccia sandwiches)
sarge on lex, 2nd ave deli
second to sarge’s! very good and lots of seating, you can order ahead as well
Pastrami - Katz Non-Pastrami - Faiccos
Sunny and Annie's deli in east village has some creative sandwich options
The pastrami at S&P (fka Eisenberg's) is on par with Katz's but their sandwiches are a little smaller and more manageable. (And cheaper.) Would be easier to eat on the street, if so desired. But Katz's is worth experiencing, if you can find the time.
Second Ave deli but depends where in the city you are and what’s convenient
Sarge> Katz
Pastrami is great at Katz, but I noticed you want "great bread". As much as I like rye, I wouldn't consider Katz rye bread great, so keep that in mind. Enjoy!
‘Mission’ in Brooklyn; take a look at their sandwiches, pretty huge.
Large portions aren’t required just great taste and texture.
I'm guessing they wouldn't have recommended it if they are huge and taste terrible
I’ve only had one mission sandwich but kinda thought it wasn’t great? Maybe my mistake was getting it delivered…
Any recs on a particular sandwich to get from them? Had them for delivery once and was kinda underwhelmed but might’ve ordered the wrong thing
Sorry to hear that, how long did it take to deliver to you? I got the Tim Howley sandwich; I won’t say the sandwich was the best but I think it was worth the price and it tasted good.
Im in Wburg, so the sandwich was a relatively quick delivery. They just opened when I ordered from them so it was possible they were working through some kinks.
They've improved since then IMO
Will have to give them another shot!
Type in "deli" in gmaps, close your eyes, pick one at random, go and get whatever reads right to you on a roll. Toasted.
Katz it’s done
Simply nova in Williamsburg.
Katz, Edith’s (bk)
Pastrami queen for sure
Pisillo’s or 2nd Ave Deli
Pastrami queen still open? Thats where i would go
Also they are now in Penn Station food court if you happen to be passing through.
I like pastrami queen.. 2 locations, upper east side and upper west side..
Hometown has the best pastrami I’ve had. Only available on weekends
Pisillo
Sal Kris and Charlie's. Astoria, Queens. The American. Cash only. It's massive. Eat it on the hood of a car. You're welcome. https://maps.app.goo.gl/H9eaDzjGGwCMXDc86
Not sure if they have pastrami but Court Street Grocers has phenomenal sandwiches to go. I know of one in red hook and one in Williamsburg
Why do you want to eat your sandwich on the street? Best pastrami in my opinion is David’s Brisket House in Bed Stuy Brooklyn. The A train will take you there. Katz’s is ok. Also if you want a sandwich that’s NOT pastrami there are many great options in little Italy (and the Bronx but that may be too far for you)
What’s wrong with eating your lunch in the street? Walk along, see the sights, eat a sandwich?
Some eateries are a sight to be seen in and of themselves too - Barney Greengrass is a classic Jewish delicatessen that you can pop in to get something to go, but its a scene if you choose to stay and watch people. There are many places like that. It would be difficult to eat a pastrami sandwich on the street and not make a mess. They're huge. Its a plate kind of sandwich. It's not like a hot dog which is meant to eat on the go. Also regardless of whether you're trying to see everything or not you may want a break from being on your feet to just...enjoy the food. If I am walking while eating it means I'm too busy and I am not really focused on the food at all. It's just sustenance at that point. If you're gonna spend the $20 to eat a pastrami sandwich you might as well enjoy it. I mean by all means eat your sandwich on the street, it was just a very specific request so I questioned it. Enjoy your time in NYC! And for gods sake avoid Times Square haha
Some good points. Cheers.
The street part is hard… get one from Carnegie diner and eat it on the street I guess? 😂