They won’t “have what she’s having.”
Venerated New York City institution Katz’s Delicatessen was spit-roasted online over its $30 sandwich, which viewers labeled “diabolical” and a “waste of money.”
The backlash came in response to an X post that began in praise of the Lower East Side pastrami purveyor.
“The sandwich, sold for $27 in New York, is famous for its generous amount of ingredients,” wrote businessman Tansu Yegen in the post.
This Katz’s Delicatessen sandwich costs $27. Alamy
An accompanying clip shows a worker preparing what looks like Katz’s reuben, which actually retails for $29.95 barring substitutions, and features several tiers of luscious corned beef (or pastrami) that’s traditionally piled with sauerkraut, Swiss and Russian dressing and bookended by two giant slices of rye.
Founded in 1888, Katz’s is the oldest deli of its kind in NYC — and was made famous by the iconic orgasm scene in the 1989 film “When Harry Met Sally.”
Despite being one of the deli’s most venerated noshes — outside its legendary pastrami (which costs $28.95) — New Yorkers are divided on whether the stuffed sandwich is worth emptying their wallets.
“I’m not surprised,” Jake Hughes, from the Lower East Side, told The Post. “I mean, it’s New York. Everything’s expensive. You pay for the experience, you pay for the name, plus the quality, plus New York. We went to Shake Shack yesterday and got two burgers and two fries for $45. I’d rather we just split a sandwich for 30 bucks.”
A customer digs into the loaded sandwich at Katz’s. Stefano Giovannini for N.Y.Post
Jake Hughes, shown with lunchmate Suhina Lal, says that you “pay for the experience” of eating at the famed deli. Stefano Giovannini for N.Y.Post“It is the best f – – king pastrami on planet Earth,” Tim Brierley, who resides on the Upper East Side, said. “I pay the price for it.”
“This is an iconic New York experience that I feel is priceless,” NYC resident Tami McCarthy said. “You’re not gonna eat here every day or every week, but for a special occasion, I think it’s got that taste of New York that I’m all about.”
“It’s a little expensive,” Blendi Mustafa, from Albania, where sandwiches apparently run between $1 and $6.
The Post has reached out to Katz’s Delicatessen for comment.
Upper East Side resident Tim Brierley called it “the best f–king pastrami on planet Earth.” Stefano Giovannini for N.Y.Post
Albania/Kosovo tourists (from left) Arjeta Avdyli, Veton Avdyli, Blendi Mustafa and Agnesa Mustafa checked out the famed deli’s offerings, with Blendi calling the experience “a little expensive.” Stefano Giovannini for N.Y.PostWhile it’s on par with other iconic NYC delis — Sarge’s Deli in Murray Hill charges $31.45 plus tax for a Reuben and $26.95 for pastrami and 2nd Avenue Deli charges $29 for pastrami — many X users felt the juice was not worth the financial squeeze.
“Such a waste of food and money,” decried one critic on X. “How do you not get sick to your stomach halfway through. Average person can’t finish that and shouldn’t and for $27???”
“$27 is highway robbery. What generous amount…” said another.
“Half the ingredients, half the price, please. No one is eating a small animal and a bag of cheese between two pieces of bread lol,” scoffed a third.
NYC resident Tami McCarthy celebrated that the deli offers “that taste of New York that I’m all about.” Stefano Giovannini for N.Y.Post
Patrons line up outside the uber-popular NYC mainstay. Stefano Giovannini for N.Y.Post
Katz’s Deli’s iconic pastrami sandwich. @katzsdeli/Instagram“Katz deli, really overrated & a total tourist trap,” said one critic. “Go to a neighborhood bodega, a third of the price & twice the quality imo.”
“Crazy because a single patty cheeseburger at Five Guys is like $25,” said another, likely referring to the recent uproar over a bacon cheeseburger and fries that ran a customer $24.10 at the burger monger.
“All respect to Katz, but to pay $27 I’d need to be in a movie theater located at a baseball game being played in Las Vegas,” quipped one X wit.
“And Americans say British food is bad, that looks absolutely diabolical,” critiqued another.
However, some Katz stalwarts flocked to the restaurant’s defense with one fan declaring, “If any sandwich is worth $27, it might be that one.”
“Katz Deli … a must-visit in NYC and now one of the only Kosher places left there,” said another. “Amazing food and a scruffy restaurant-perfect!!”
“Had it a week ago. Worth its weight in gold,” said another while lauding the meat, which is “cured for weeks in a saltwater brine,” before getting boiled, steamed and painstakingly sliced by hand.
“The sandwiches are totally amazing and worth it,” defended one Katz die-hard. “The meat is incredibly rich and it would be difficult to eat an entire sandwich. My wife and I really enjoyed the place!”
Meg Ryan during the Katz’s Deli scene from “When Harry Met Sally.” ©Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Co / Everett CollectionThey added, “As I said, the sandwiches are massive and next time I’m in NY I will go with their soup/sandwich combo.”
In December, Taste Atlas named Katz’s the most legendary restaurant in the Big Apple and the eighth most iconic eatery in the world.
