Inside America’s Most Legendary Deli That Started It All

What does it take to stay relevant for over a century? One iconic deli has the answer.

In a world of viral food trends and TikTok-famous snack hacks, there's something comforting—almost rebellious—about a place that’s done the same thing for more than 130 years and still manages to stay at the top. Welcome to Katz’s Delicatessen, the oldest continuously operating deli in the United States, and a living, breathing slice of New York history that still knows how to draw a crowd.

Photo From: Bryan Thomas for The New York Times

Not Just a Deli—A Legacy in Layers

Katz’s didn’t just happen. It was built layer by layer, like one of its signature sandwiches—each generation adding a little more flavor to the story. The deli got its start in 1888, opened by brothers Morris and Hyman Iceland on New York’s Lower East Side, a bustling neighborhood filled with immigrants and working-class families. In 1903, Willy Katz joined the business, prompting the name change to Iceland & Katz. Soon after, more family joined, along with their landlord Harry Tarowsky, and eventually the name we know today—Katz’s Delicatessen—was born.

The deli quickly became more than a lunch spot. It was a meeting place, a community hub, and a safe space for conversation, laughter, and comfort food that tasted like home. Every Friday, locals gathered for a neighborhood dinner, and barrels of pickles and meats stored outside were as much a part of the cityscape as fire hydrants and brownstones. Even during the turmoil of World War II, Katz’s made headlines with its heartfelt and enduring slogan: “Send a salami to your boy in the army.” - New York Times

Photo From: Katz’s Delicatessen, New York Times

Generations May Change, but Pastrami Is Forever

Today, Katz’s is run by Jake Dell, the latest in a long line of stewards who’ve kept the deli’s legacy alive. His father, Martin Dell, took over as a partner in the 1980s when the Katz and Tarowsky families passed the torch. And while the deli has grown into a cultural institution—appearing in Law & Order, Super Bowl commercials, and, of course, that unforgettable scene in When Harry Met Sally—its heart hasn’t changed.

You can still find Katz’s at 205 East Houston Street, where it serves up nostalgia in every bite. Whether it’s your first time visiting or your hundredth, you walk in and feel something different—like the city slowed down just for a second.

What to Order (Because Yes, There Is a Right Answer)

Katz’s menu sticks to its roots with traditional Jewish deli fare: house-made sausages, juicy salami, and, of course, the star of the show—pastrami on rye. While the Reuben (a corned beef or pastrami sandwich stacked with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing) has gained popularity—despite not being kosher due to the meat-and-dairy combo—the purists know the pastrami is where the magic happens.

This isn’t just meat—it’s pastrami that’s slow-cured, seasoned with a secret blend of spices, smoked to perfection, and hand-carved thick. It’s the kind of sandwich that leaves you with mustard on your face, crumbs in your lap, and absolutely zero regrets.

Pro tip? Order like the celebs. Adam Richman of Man v. Food doubles up with corned beef, while Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick swear by the salami.

Why It Still Resonates

In an era of ghost kitchens and delivery-only concepts, Katz’s reminds us why physical spaces matter. It’s not just about the food—it’s the ritual: waiting in line, grabbing your ticket, watching the slicer hand-carve your order like a performance, and biting into something that tastes exactly the way your grandfather might remember it.

Katz’s isn’t trying to reinvent itself for social media. It doesn’t need to. With more than 15,000 pounds of pastrami sold every week, the lines stretching out the door tell you all you need to know. People still crave that realness, that warmth, that flavor that only time—and tradition—can build.

So whether you're a local or a tourist, a food-lover or a history buff, Katz’s isn’t just a deli you visit. It's a deli you experience—and one you don’t forget.