Katz's Delicatessen Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Katz's Delicatessen
(2016)
Restaurant information
Food type	Jewish kosher style delicatessen
Dress code	Casual
Street address	205 East Houston Street
City	Manhattan
State	New York
Postal/ZIP code	10002
Country	United States
Coordinates	40°43′20″N 73°59′15″W / 40.722327°N 73.987422°W / 40.722327; -73.987422

Katz's Delicatessen, also known as Katz's of New York City, is a famous kosher-style delicatessen. It is located at 205 East Houston Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City.

Since it opened, Katz's has been very popular with both locals and tourists. People especially love its pastrami on rye sandwich. Many say it's one of the best in New York.

Every week, Katz's serves a huge amount of food. They serve about 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg) of pastrami. They also serve 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg) of corned beef. Plus, they sell 2,000 pounds (910 kg) of salami and 4,000 hot dogs. In 2016, a food guide called Zagat rated Katz's very highly. They said it was the number one deli in New York City.

History of Katz's Deli
Famous Sayings
- Salami for Soldiers
- Katz's, That's All!
The Ticket System
Katz's in Movies and TV
- Movies
- Television
Gallery
Images for kids
See also

History of Katz's Deli

How Katz's Began

Katz's Delicatessen started a long time ago. Brothers Morris and Hyman Iceland opened a deli on Ludlow Street in New York. This was in the Lower East Side.

In 1903, Willy Katz joined the business. The deli's name changed to Iceland & Katz. Later, in 1910, Willy's cousin Benny joined him. They bought out the Iceland brothers. That's when it became Katz's Delicatessen.

Their landlord, Harry Tarowsky, also became a partner in 1917. However, some records suggest the deli might have opened a bit later, around 1911.

Moving the Deli

In the 1930s, the New York City Subway was building a new line. This construction meant the deli had to move. It moved to the other side of the street, where it is today.

Even after the move, the main entrance stayed on Ludlow Street. The empty space on Houston Street was used for barrels of meat and pickles. A proper storefront was added there between 1946 and 1949.

A Community Hub

In the early 1900s, many new families moved to the Lower East Side. There wasn't much public transport back then. This made the neighborhood a strong community. Katz's became a central meeting place for everyone.

On Fridays, people would gather for franks and beans. This was a long-standing tradition at Katz's.

The deli was also popular with actors and comedians. They came from the many Yiddish theaters on Second Avenue.

"Send A Salami To Your Boy In The Army"

During World War II, the owners' sons, Lenny Katz and Izzy Tarowsky, were serving in the army. Their families started sending them food. This led to the famous slogan: "Send A Salami To Your Boy In The Army". Izzy's mother, Rose Tarowsky, came up with the idea.

New Owners Over Time

After Willy Katz passed away, his son Lenny took over the deli. In 1980, both Lenny Katz and Harry Tarowsky died. The deli then went to Lenny's son-in-law, Artie Makstein, and Harry's son, Izzy.

In 1988, Katz's celebrated its 100th birthday. Izzy and Arthur sold the business. They sold it to Martin Dell, his son Alan, and Martin's son-in-law Fred Austin. Alan's son, Jake, joined the business in 2009. He now helps run the deli.

Recent Milestones

Katz's celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2013. For this event, they opened a pop-up art gallery next door. It showed art by local New York City artists.

In 2017, Katz's opened a second location. This new spot is in the DeKalb Market Hall in Downtown Brooklyn.

Early morning at Katz's, before the crowds arrive.

Famous Sayings

Salami for Soldiers

During World War II, Katz's encouraged people to "Send a salami to your boy in the army." This became one of the deli's most famous sayings. It was even part of a song in the 1950 film At War with the Army. The song "So Long Mom" by Tom Lehrer also mentions it.

Katz's still supports American troops today. They send special gift packages to soldiers. These packages go to U.S. military addresses around the world.

Katz's, That's All!

Another well-known saying is "Katz's, that's all!" This phrase came about by accident. A sign maker asked Harry Tarowsky what to put on the deli's sign. Harry simply replied, "Katz's, that's all." The sign maker misunderstood and painted it exactly like that. You can still see it on the side of the building today.

The Ticket System

When you enter Katz's, a person at the door gives you a printed ticket with a number. As you order food from different areas, like sandwiches or drinks, employees write down the cost on your ticket.

If you are with friends and combine your orders, a cashier will collect all the blank tickets.

Katz's has a "lost ticket fee." If you lose your ticket, you have to pay an extra $50. The deli says this rule helps stop people from trying to steal food. It encourages customers to find their ticket instead of pretending they had a smaller order.

Katz's in Movies and TV

The sign at Katz's Delicatessen remembering the film When Harry Met Sally....

Katz's Delicatessen has appeared in many movies and TV shows.

Movies

In Donnie Brasco (1997), Johnny Depp's character meets an FBI contact here.
The deli is a scene in Across the Universe (2007). Max learns he has to join the Vietnam War here.
Katz's appears in the 2007 film We Own the Night. It stars Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg.
In the claymation movie Mary and Max (2009), Katz's is often seen in the background. It's in most of Max's bus stop scenes.
The French film Nous York (2012) shows Manu Payet and Dree Hemingway visiting Katz's. Fred Austin greets them at their table.
In the 2001 film Sidewalks of New York, Benjamin and a friend eat a pastrami sandwich and hot dog at Katz's.
Katz's is also shown in the 2014 documentary Deli Man.
It appears in the 2004 film Looking for Kitty.
In Off Beat (1986), police officers enjoy a meal at the deli.
A contract to kill Frank Sinatra's character in Contract on Cherry Street (1977) was written in a Katz's meat locker.

Television

Katz's is a regular spot for Jim Gaffigan in his TV Land show The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015).
The TV show Law & Order has filmed outside the restaurant.
Impractical Jokers filmed an episode inside the restaurant.
Man v. Food also filmed an episode there.