The crowds that are part of the experience in order to enjoy one of the best pastrami sandwiches one can have can lead customers to think that perhaps there is no best time to visit Katz’s Delicatessen in New York…
The Best Time to Visit Katz’s Delicatessen in New York
…but actually, the best time to grab one of those delectable pastrami sandwiches is in the morning. Did you know that Katz’s Delicatessen opens at 8:00 every morning, seven days per week?
During the first couple of hours, the legendary dining establishment is practically empty — even though customers still contribute to a brisk business during those hours. The photographs in this article were taken during a recent visit on a Wednesday morning between 10:30 and 11:00.
You could even sit at the spot where the famous scene from the 1989 movie When Harold Met Salad was filmed.
Just walk right up to the counter to your choice of cutters. Any one of them will take good care of you. You will even be given a small plate with a few slices of pastrami to taste while they prepare your order.
Be prepared to pay at least $28.95 for that pastrami sandwich.
I usually visit Katz’s Delicatessen to pick up at least a pound of pastrami, a half of a loaf of Pechter’s rye bread, an order of sour pickles and half sour pickles, and several cups of mustard on the side — plus two complete sandwiches the way the personnel builds them. I head out to the airport after they complete my order; so they prepare and package everything for my flight for me to enjoy at my destination.
You are given a ticket when you first walk in. Do not lose your ticket on the way out. You could incur a minimum charge of $50.00.
Note that Katz’s Delicatessen in New York has no connection with any other store — not even Katz’s New York Deli in McCaysville in Georgia.
Final Boarding Call
My father and my grandfather used to enjoy food from Katz’s Delicatessen when they were proprietors of a business on Clinton Street in Manhattan. You might say that it is sort of a family tradition. My son is the fourth generation to continue that tradition.
Seeing Katz’s Delicatessen thrive is a pleasure — especially during an era where the number of Kosher delicatessens and Jewish-style delicatessens continue to decline.
One thing that I did not know which is apparently a recent development is that Katz’s Delicatessen is now open between Friday mornings at 8:00 and Sunday evenings at 11:00. You read that correctly: Katz’s Delicatessen never closes during the weekend between those hours.
Katz’s Delicatessen
205 East Houston Street — at the corner of Ludlow Street
New York, New York 10002
1-800-4HOTDOG or 1-212-254-2246
Hours of Operation
Now open 24 hours on weekends!
- Monday through Thursday from 8:00 in the morning until 11:00 in the evening
- Friday from 8:00 in the morning until Sunday at 11:00 in the evening
- Thanksgiving: closing at 6:00 in the evening
- Christmas Eve: closing at 10:30 in the evening
Metered street parking is extremely limited.
By the way, here is a secret: I have been able to successfully pass several cups of mustard through the security checkpoint at LaGuardia Airport 100 percent of the time over the years; so do not be afraid to have them pack mustard and pickles with your order…
All photographs ©2025 by Brian Cohen.
