New York Pastrami

[Lolaray]

Although not a favorite of mine I hear pastrami is the best in Manhatan.Any places that stand out?

[liztish]

If you're on the UES, Pastrami Queen is amazing!

[ellenost]

I hope to be moving to the UES from Murray Hill in the next few months. Where is Pastrami Queen?

[liztish]

Lexington between 77 and 78 - so good!

[fun_seanny]

i gave in to my pastrami craving and tried sarges last night. doesnt even compare to good ol katz. it was a little too salty, the cuts a little too thin and the fat wasnt nearly as tasty. time to head downtown!

[jsmitty]

what about ben's. it was always good on long island. is the nyc ben's good for pastrami....

[bobjbkln]

The only debate is between Katz' Pastrami on Rye and Katz' Pastrami on club. Most people choose Rye, I am in Club bread minority.

PS: I never tip until AFTER I get my sandwich and I still get the "taste" and the same well-filled sandwich. I think the up front tip requirement is a myth.

[RGR]

It's never been a "requirement." More appropriately, a "tradition."

I actually think Katz's rye bread isn't all that great since it doesn't stand up very well to the massive mound of meat between the slices and tends to fall apart. I don't mind because, to me, it's all about the pastrami. The club bread, being more substantial, probably does a better job of keeping the sandwich intact. But, I still prefer rye.

[KTinNYC]

The rye bread is only there to keep your hands from directly holding onto the meat. More like an edible napkin than anything else.

[ESNY]

Haha, I agree.

[Striver]

...and a good place to smear the mustard...

[ricky7]

damn im so hungry for pastrami now. yes like everyone has said, it begins and ends with Katz's. everybudy else is simply 2nd. other places i like alot are Ben Ash
on 7th across from carnegie and Ben's isnt that bad either. and i havent gotten over the closing of 2nd Ave Deli. luckily they will be re-opening soon though a bit further uptown.

[fun_seanny]

ill give another nod to katz. tip the meat cutting guy a few bucks and ask for fatty cut, then submit yourself to pure gluttony. theres nothing like it. they make some amazing hot dogs too.

[rolise]

katz, extra lean

[Brian S]

Extra lean? If they are too cheap to use fat, it's no good!

[rolise]

They use fat. I order it extra lean otherwise it gives me a stomachache.

[josh L]

for the best pastrami at katz, order it juicy and tip the guy a buck.

extra lean pastrami is not in my vocabulary.

[Striver]

Order extra fatty. Pure pastrami heaven.

[twiggles]

Katz all the way. best pastrami, most interesting atmosphere. Go in, take your ticket, wait on line, tip the man slicing your meat. he'll give you a piece to sample. get your sandwich, some pickles, and a dr brown's soda. take in the atmosphere and watch the diverse crowd. it's a great experience!

[Felixnot]

Katz's. That's it.

[wriskit]

The Stage Door Deli's pastrami sandwich is as good as Sarge's IMO. So is their corned beef. Both are reasonably priced at $10 and of reasonable size. Its on 8th Ave and 33rd St diagonally across from Madison Square Garden.

[eve]

I am a fan of Katz's but let me throw out another option: Sarge's Deli on 3rd Ave and about 37th St. The fatty pastrami is very good here too.

[ESNY]

Sarge's is good but only if you can't make it down to Katz's. Not a perfect substitute but a good option for those in the area.

[ellenost]

I like Sarge's pastrami much better than Katz's. Katz's is extremely overrated IMHO.

[KTinNYC]

Katz. Period.

[princeofpork]

Nuff said.

[DavidT]

Katz's Deli (205 E. Houston St.) - yes, Yes, YES!!!

The chef/owner of a well known restaurant in San Francisco was recently quoted in a local magaginze saying that "the single best processed-meat product I have ever had - including in Italy and France - is the pastrami at Katz's Deli. It's out of this world, perfectly executed every time."

[Porthos]

Who said it?

[DavidT]

David Gingrass of Hawthorne Lane, quoted in the February issue of "7x7" magazine.

[jsmitty]

if you don't think of katz's in this discussion you simply have not been paying attention for a long time...

[greghound]

Agreed- ain't nuthin' more needs to be said. Katz's is the Lord Almighty of Pastrami Paradise.

[addictedtolunch]

Have to agree about it being Katz', and otherwise I don't like the place much at all. There's more to a deli than its signature dish. Get the sandwich take-out when you can, but otherwise don't reward them for the indifferent way they maintain what should be a signature New York landmark.

[LFeinberg]

Hands down.

[MRich]

I turned to this post expecting to have to fight for Katz.

I love you guys.