Katz's Deli vs. Carnegie Deli

[what can I say]

Any opinions about one versus the other?

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Carnegie Deli
854 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019

[s.piller]

No comparison. Go to Katz's. Carnegie Deli is the ultimate tourist trap.

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Carnegie Deli
854 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019

[addictedtolunch]

Pretty broad statement-and possibly unfair to some of us who now consider Katz's a tourist trap as well (see above comments).

[s.piller]

Carnegie Deli was an excellent location when Leo Steiner was alive and owned it. The man was a true gentleman. I remember going there with my family on a Christmas day as a young person after the theater when few restaurants were open. However, since that time when I have been there, the quality has gone done. It's living on it's past glory.
The writer was asking for a comparison between the two. In my opinion, Katz's is far superior.
Is it the best deli in the City, I really do not know. Frankly, I'd rather eat other types of food. I am offering my personal opinion.
If you disagree that is your right. That's why we have this board.

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Carnegie Deli
854 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019

[Motosport]

As I have said before: "All of NYC has become a tourist attraction." I hate to say trap. Thank goodness for the tourists!! They fuel the NYC economy. The ill advised stay in the Times Square area and patronize ESPN Zone. Those that have a little savvy might go to Carnegie Deli. Those that follow Chowhounder advice get out of Times Sq and get to the LES to try a place like Katz's. Gotta love those tourists but not their backpacks!!

[MandalayVA]

Actually ESPN Zone has been closed for a while--I think only two restaurants in the entire chain still exist. Think Hard Rock and Olive Garden these days in Times Square.

I personally prefer Sarge's just because I can get their awesome fries with my pastrami omelet in the morning, but if we're talking Carnegie vs. Katz's I'd do Carnegie for breakfast and Katz's for any other meal.

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Hard Rock Cafe
1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

Olive Garden
2 Times Sq, New York, NY 10036

[tpigeon]

I am a Miami Resident who has been to both Delis quite a few times over the years. Here are my two thoughts:

1) As said repeatedly, Katz's is much much better than Carnegie for a pastrami sandwich.
2) Carnegie Deli is a good deli. If you really want to know what bad deli tastes like, please come down to Miami. I would love anything remotely as good as carnegie in my town.

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Carnegie Deli
854 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019

[Motosport]

Over breakfast this morning my lovely wife and I were discussing this very issue.
Our conclusion: For a NYC "experience" you can't beat the unique "ambience" of Katz's!!
The other hotly debated competitors, Sarge's, 2nd Ave, Carnegie etc.. all have good food but lack odd and entertaining aspect of Katz's.
I.M.H.O. Carnegie is just too "Times Square" for my local boy tastes.

[scotty27]

That's easy. Second Avenue Deli and then Katz's. Carnegie only if you're really, really, really hungry.
www.shrtinkinthekitchen.com

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Second Avenue Deli
162 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016

[North Country Rambler]

You guys crack me up. If you want to see how great Katz's is, and how great Carnegie is, move someplace else. Anywhere else. You might legitimately finesse the fine points of one's pastrami spices or pickle brine, but please! Stop your wining. You have no idea how great they both are until you leave New York. Ditto, Stage, or 2nd (now 3rd) Ave Deli. New York owns deli. You have no idea how good NY deli is until you leave. I look forward to very trip to NYC so I can visit one, two or more of your fabulous delis. So stop complaining. Stop comparing. Go have a corned beef on rye and shut up.

[ellenost]

You're absolutely right! Twenty-five years ago, I had moved to the suburbs of Detroit, and not only couldn't I get great deli, but I couldn't even get great Chinese food or pizza. I've been back in Manhattan for more than 20 years, and I truly appreciate the wonderful foods (and cultural events) that we have. We are really just splitting hairs as to which deli has the best pastrami. I would have loved to have had even the 10th best NYC deli near my apartment in Michigan.

[uwsister]

Yeah, but what would be the point of Chowhound if we all subscribed to that kind of notion? Right?

[ellenost]

I know but sometimes we all look a bit silly quibbling about things others don't have (but wish they did).

[Bob Martinez]

I agree completely.

[Motosport]

Carnegie is a true NYC/Times Square tourist experience. I stay away.
Katz's on the other hand is Manhattan at it's best. The ambience is unique and the sammiches are fabulous. Even when there are lines they move pretty quick.
We've been going there for 50+ years. We always split a Pastrami or Corned beef on rye since neither one of us can eat a whole one. They don't seem smaller to me.

[Recursion]

Sarge's is cheaper, more relaxed setting and better than both katz's and carnegie.

Im 100% serious when I say this. There is nothing better than strolling into sarges at 3AM for one of there triple deckers. The pastrami is great, as is their brisket. I have never left there diappointed. except sometimes they have this nasty waitress.

[ellenost]

I agree with you about Sarge's (except I haven't seen any nasty waitresses--but then again I don't go to Sarge's at 3AM).

[iluvcookies]

You'll find lots of heated opinions on this subject on the Manhattan board. Neither place is the same as 10, 20, 50 years ago, but very little in NYC is.

If you haven't been to either then I suggest a visit to each... both have their good points.

Having said all that, I vastly prefer Katz's... the pastrami is hand sliced and delicious.

[marciamarciamarcia]

KATZ'S without question is better. Taster meat, better fries, prefer the atmosphere. Although they are both overpriced.

[sam1]

katz's deli has gotten out of control over the last 2 years...with the tourists, with the crowds of newcomers who dont know how they operate, with the smaller sandwiches...that i just stopped going.

now i get my pastrami at mile end in brooklyn.

i like carnegie deli but ive only eaten it from delivery to my office. ive eaten it 10-15x and the woody allen sandwich is a classic. its classic ny deli...i have no issue with it. but ive never sat inside.

[bookhound]

The sandwiches are not any smaller today then they were 15 years ago.

[RGR]

Well, sam1, you make it sound as though Carnegie doesn't get any tourist traffic. lol

We recently went to Katz's late on a Sunday morning, and there were no lines. The pastrami is consistently superb, and I've seen no diminution whatsoever in the size of the sandwich. Photos of our still hefty sandwich can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157624358794525/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[addictedtolunch]

As in other posts, dissent on the sandwich size. My take is they are now smaller. Either that or my stomach has shrunk and I've lost my peripheral vision.

[sam1]

ive been eating at katz's for about 15 years...the sandwiches have only in the last year or two have become increasingly smaller to the tune of 35-40% of what the older sandwiches once were.

not sure if anyone else has noticed but the coverage of katz's and il labratorio and donut plant has brought tons of tourists out. i tried to have lunch on a friday afternoon and saw a line 20 deep outside of the door...never saw it that crowded in my life.

[drumwine]

sam1...completely agree with you on tourist-mania of Katz's, & sandwich size shrinkage...& I've been going there for 50 years.

[addictedtolunch]

Agree. The second most embarrassing kind of shrinkage is the one where you take out of town friends to Katz's and for $15 they get a smaller sandwich. (So now I stay out of both Katz's and cold swimming pools when on a date).

[RCC]

Been eating Katz since the mid-80's
Sandwich sizes have definitely shrunk. I still think their pastrami -on-rye are pretty good though.

No opinion on Carnegie. Can't remember the last time I ate, but will definitely look forward to trying out very soon.

[JMF]

Actually, looking at the pics you posted, they have shrunk by at least a good 1/3 from the last time I was there, which was 2-3 years ago. Before that I went on a regular basis for over two decades. that sandwich looks like you can get your mouth around it. I always had to eat 1/2 the meat before picking it up and trying to stretch my mouth to take a bit.

[Sneakeater]

Carnegie was better than Katz's until Leo of the Carnegie died around 1987.

Katz's has been vastly better than Carnegie ever since.

So, unless you have access to a Wayback Machine, Katz's.