We try to go to Katz’s once during every visit to NYC, about once a year nowadays. As said, the pastrami sandwich is superb. I also like to get an appetizer of their chopped liver, which is out of this world.
I voted corned beef just be contrary because no one else had - I very slightly prefer it to pastrami on average. But I don’t think you can possibly go wrong with any of them. I you were a real man you’d get them all 
.
Well, today’s the day.
My wife and I had lox and bagels at Zabar’s around the same time (15-20 years ago). I thought it was fine, but not amazing. I probably would have enjoyed it more without the lox (I don’t care for fish in general).
Never been to Katz’s, but I have been to the Carnegie, a few times. A pastrami sandwich there—phew! Pastrami piled so high that the bread must only be there in order to call it a sandwich.
Anybody remember Stars Deli, in NYC?
I have to put in a word here for Montreal, which is another great deli town. Schwartz’s gets all the love, but I preferred Ben’s. Sadly, it is gone now. Regardless, you cannot visit Montreal without getting a Montreal smoked meat sandwich. Or two, or three …
I remember my last trip to Carnegie shortly before they closed, I got & ate a full Pastrami sandwich. Now, I know it’s a salty meat & I did drink a lot but I think I was thirsty for two days from it. T’was worth it, though.
I will be in midtown next week, & they are feeding us, but…hmmm, decisions, decisions???
I’ve been lusting after some really good pastrami and was looking at Katz’s website to have some shipped. It’s wicked expensive, but I am SO glad that I saw your post.
I’ll look elsewhere.
Anybody have suggestions for a web order of good pastrami?
Last time I was there which was probably 15 years ago now, we got bagels at H&H and went down the street to Zabar’s where we got the lox and other accoutrements, and made our own.
Since our hotel was near there, we also hit Artie’s Deli one day, which was also down the street on the other side one day (this is along Broadway roughly around 80th). Unfortunately that H&H and Arties have gone out of business since then, but Zabar’s is still kicking.
Anyway, Artie’s was good- the classic deli food we’ve all heard of and had elsewhere, but just better, probably because the NYC deli competition is intense relative to elsewhere.
Had an open-face Reuben and cheesecake at The Carnegie Deli in 2000 while at My Beloved’s family reunion. Damn, that was good!
I don’t have any suggestions, but I’ll say this: most pastrami nowadays isn’t the real deal. Traditionally, it was made from meat from around the navel of the animal, but nowadays it’s brisket. Not that it’s necessarily worse, just not “real” pastrami. I can’t tell the difference, but I’m not an aficionado, and it tastes fine to me. As for ordering from Katz: for what they charge, you should be getting top product. IME, it was mostly fat and leftover end bits.
Is that true? I thought pastrami was brisket since I’ve been around. When did it change?
I agree, and thanks for saving me a bunch of money.
One of my favorite moments from Law & Order. Lennie and Rey are at the scene of a murder; a well-to-do man has been strangled in his home. While looking around, they see a picture of him with a much younger woman in a wedding dress. They make a bet as to whether she is the victim’s granddaughter (Rey) or wife (Lennie). The stakes are a pastrami sandwich from the Carnegie Deli. Just then the woman walks in, saying “you’ve got to tell me what happened, I’m his wife.” Rey offers his condolences, then Lennie leans over to him and says “extra mustard, and don’t trim the fat.” And the opening credits roll.
I’ve never been to New York, but Carnegie Deli (RIP) used to have a satellite location in Vegas at the Mirage (RIP). I ordered a half pastrami sandwich and a side of coleslaw and that was more than enough food for me.
I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure I read it somewhere in the dim past of my failing memory.
My son got food poisoning from cold roast beef at Katz, a couple years back. My pastrami was pretty tasty though.
Edit: I mean it was alright but didn’t seem top-line special tbh - grew up near Canter’s (L.A.) and that’s my fave.
Not New York, but close by: Hobby’s in Newark. Pastrami is to die for.
My usual has been Smoke Meat Pete’s which is just before you leave the island on the way back to Toronto. They have a take out deal with a loaf of rye, a pound smoked meat, pickles, and cucumbers for about $35. I get 3 or 4 sandwiches out of it.
I’m going to Montreal this summer. Mostly I’ll be busy, but I’m interested in good Montreal deli. I’ll be at Hotel Le Centre Sheraton Montréal. (I have no idea where that is, it’s the convention hotel.)