Why Tourists Flock To This New York Eatery After Spotting It On TV

Katz’s Delicatessen has been serving up towering pastrami sandwiches on New York’s Lower East Side since 1888, but it wasn’t just the food that made this deli world-famous. When a certain unforgettable scene from a beloved romantic comedy put Katz’s on the big screen, tourists began arriving by the thousands, eager to sit where movie magic happened.

Today, visitors from around the globe line up not only for a taste of old-school New York but also to snap a photo at the very table where Hollywood history was made.

1. A Legendary History Dating Back to 1888

Founded in 1888 by the Iceland brothers, Katz’s Delicatessen has stood on the Lower East Side for over a century, serving generations of New Yorkers and visitors alike. The deli earned its current name in 1910 when Willy Katz joined the business, cementing a legacy that would span three centuries.

What started as a humble Jewish delicatessen catering to immigrant families has transformed into one of the most recognized restaurants in America. Through world wars, economic downturns, and dramatic neighborhood changes, Katz’s has remained a constant, still hand-slicing pastrami and piling it high on fresh rye bread.

Walking through those doors today feels like stepping into a time capsule. The vintage neon signs, worn wooden counters, and walls plastered with fading photographs tell stories of a New York that once was. This authentic connection to the past is precisely what draws tourists seeking a genuine taste of old New York, long before the city became a playground for glass towers and chain restaurants.

2. The Unforgettable When Harry Met Sally Scene

In 1989, director Rob Reiner filmed one of cinema’s most memorable moments right inside Katz’s Delicatessen. Meg Ryan’s character faked an enthusiastic reaction at a corner table while Billy Crystal watched in stunned silence, creating a scene that would be quoted and referenced for decades to come.

That single scene transformed Katz’s from a beloved local spot into an international tourist destination overnight. The deli wisely marked the exact table with a hanging sign reading “Where Harry met Sally… hope you have what she had!” giving fans a perfect photo opportunity.

Tourists now make pilgrimages specifically to sit at that table, recreating poses and sharing their visits on social media. The film gave Katz’s something money can’t buy: a place in pop culture history. What makes this moment so powerful is its authenticity – the deli wasn’t a movie set but a real restaurant, making the connection feel personal and accessible to anyone who walks through the door.

3. Appearances Across Television and Film

While When Harry Met Sally put Katz’s on the map, the deli has enjoyed countless other screen appearances that keep it fresh in viewers’ minds. The critically acclaimed series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel featured Katz’s prominently, fitting perfectly into the show’s 1950s New York setting and introducing the deli to a whole new generation.

Popular crime drama Law & Order filmed scenes at Katz’s multiple times over its long run, cementing the deli’s status as a quintessentially New York location. Food personality Anthony Bourdain featured Katz’s on his show No Reservations, praising the pastrami and calling it an essential New York experience.

Each appearance reinforces Katz’s reputation and brings new waves of curious visitors. Television and film producers choose Katz’s precisely because it looks and feels authentically New York – no set designer could recreate the worn charm and bustling energy. For tourists who’ve seen these shows, visiting Katz’s becomes a way to step into their favorite scenes and taste what their favorite characters enjoyed.

4. An Authentic Old-School Deli Experience

Walking into Katz’s for the first time can feel overwhelming – in the best possible way. You’re immediately handed a small ticket that you must keep throughout your visit, a quirky system that’s been in place for decades and adds to the authentic experience.

The cavernous space buzzes with energy as deli cutters work behind long counters, rhythmically slicing mountains of pastrami and corned beef. Walls are covered floor to ceiling with signed celebrity photographs, some faded with age, creating a visual history of famous visitors spanning generations.

Vintage neon signs glow overhead while the smell of smoked meat fills the air. There’s no quiet corner here – conversations overlap, orders are shouted, and plates clatter constantly. Tourists love this chaos because it feels utterly real, a stark contrast to the polished, Instagram-ready restaurants that dominate modern food culture. Every element, from the worn wooden tables to the no-nonsense service, delivers exactly what visitors hope for: an unfiltered slice of classic New York.

5. Menu Classics That Define New York Deli Culture

Katz’s menu has remained remarkably consistent over the decades, focusing on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than chasing food trends. The star attraction is undoubtedly the hand-carved pastrami on rye – a towering sandwich piled impossibly high with tender, peppery meat that’s been cured and smoked using traditional methods.

Other staples include the matzo ball soup, featuring baseball-sized dumplings floating in rich chicken broth, and potato knishes with crispy golden exteriors. The corned beef rivals the pastrami in quality, and hot dogs are grilled to perfection with snappy casings.

Portions are generous to the point of being almost comical – a single sandwich can easily feed two people. Tourists often express shock at the sheer size of what arrives at their table. What sets Katz’s apart isn’t novelty or fusion experiments but rather unwavering commitment to quality and tradition. When visitors bite into that pastrami sandwich, they’re tasting the same recipe that’s satisfied customers for over a century, connecting them to generations of New Yorkers who came before.

6. The Emotional Pull of Pop Culture Familiarity

There’s something powerful about visiting a place you’ve seen on screen – it transforms from fiction into tangible reality. When tourists walk into Katz’s, they’re not just entering a restaurant but stepping into scenes they’ve watched and rewatched, creating an instant emotional connection.

This phenomenon explains why screen-famous locations draw such devoted crowds. Seeing a place in a beloved movie or show creates a sense of familiarity, almost like visiting an old friend. Katz’s delivers on that promise because it hasn’t been dramatically renovated or modernized – it looks almost exactly as it did in those famous scenes.

For many visitors, eating at Katz’s becomes a way to participate in the stories they love, turning passive viewing into active experience. Sitting at the same table where movie magic happened or ordering the same sandwich a favorite character enjoyed creates lasting memories. This emotional dimension elevates Katz’s beyond just good food, it becomes a pilgrimage site for pop culture enthusiasts seeking meaningful connections to the entertainment that shaped their lives.

7. Lower East Side Location and Neighborhood Character

Katz’s location on Houston Street places it at the heart of the Lower East Side, a neighborhood steeped in immigrant history and cultural significance. This area once served as the first American home for millions of Jewish, Italian, and Eastern European immigrants seeking better lives.

Today, the neighborhood blends its historic roots with modern developments, creating fascinating contrasts. Walking tours frequently include Katz’s as a highlight, contextualizing the deli within the broader story of New York’s immigrant communities and their lasting contributions to the city’s food culture.

The surrounding streets feature historic tenement buildings, trendy boutiques, and other cultural landmarks like the Tenement Museum. Visitors often combine their Katz’s meal with exploration of the neighborhood, making it part of a larger Lower East Side experience. The deli’s survival and continued success symbolize the neighborhood’s resilience and ability to honor its past while adapting to change. For tourists, eating at Katz’s becomes not just about the food but about connecting with the authentic New York story that unfolds in these historic streets.

8. Insider Tips for First-Time Visitors

First-timers should know a few key things before visiting Katz’s to maximize their experience. Arrive early if possible – weekends and lunch hours draw massive crowds, and waiting in line can take considerable time. The deli opens at 8 AM most days, offering a quieter morning experience.

Hold onto your ticket from the moment you receive it at the entrance, losing it results in a hefty fee. This old-school system tracks your orders, and you’ll need it to pay when leaving. Bring cash for tipping the counter workers, who often offer free samples while preparing your order.

Don’t expect a peaceful, leisurely meal – Katz’s is loud, crowded, and chaotic, which is entirely part of its charm. Embrace the energy rather than fighting it. Consider sharing sandwiches since portions are enormous, allowing you to try multiple items without overordering. Most importantly, come with an open mind and appetite. Katz’s isn’t trying to be trendy or refined – it’s unapologetically itself, offering an authentic slice of New York that’s increasingly rare in our homogenized world.