Anyone who has seen the movie When Harry Met Sally should raise their hand. Well, I haven’t. But I’ve heard a lot about it. And Meg Ryan has always been my favorite.
But first things first.
Katz’s Delicatessen is a legendary, kosher-style (but not kosher) deli in New York City’s Lower East Side that has been serving massive hand-carved sandwiches since 1888. It is world-renowned for its pastrami on rye and was the site of the iconic “I’ll have what she’s having” scene from When Harry Met Sally… That’s what AI says.
There is no exact date when the place was founded. Officially, it is in 1888. But according to other sources, it was not until 1911.
Since its founding, it has been popular among locals and tourists alike for its pastrami on rye, which is considered among New York’s best.
In the early part of the twentieth century, the Lower East Side was home to thousands of newly immigrated families. This, along with the lack of public and private transportation, forged a solid community such that Katz’s became a focal point for congregating. On Fridays, the neighborhood turns out for franks and beans, a long-time Katz tradition.
During World War II, the sons of the owners were both serving their country in the armed forces, and the family tradition of sending food to their sons became established as the company slogan “Send A Salami To Your Boy In The Army”.
Another of the deli’s catchphrases is “Katz’s, that’s all!”, which came about when a signmaker asked what to say on the deli’s sign, and got the answer “Katz’s, that’s all”. This was misinterpreted by the signmaker, who painted the sign as it stands today on the side of the building.
As an interesting fact, you get a printed, numbered ticket at the entrance. When you choose what you want from the staff at the counter, they write on this ticket how much you owe. You order a drink separately. You have to take all this to your table yourself. The staff just cleans up the dirty dishes.
When you leave, you pay in cash at the exit. If you want to pay by card, you pay at the back door, but you leave at the front anyway. And if you “accidentally lose” this ticket, you will be fined $50 at the exit.
And what is pastrami on rye?
Pastrami on rye is a sandwich comprising sliced pastrami on rye bread, often served with mustard and Kosher dill pickles. It was popularized in the Jewish delicatessens of New York City and has been described as New York’s “signature sandwich”. It was created in 1888 by the Lithuanian immigrant Sussman Volk, who served it at his deli on Delancey Street in Manhattan.
Pastrami is a type of cured meat originating from Romania, usually made from beef brisket. The raw meat is brined, partially dried, seasoned with herbs and spices, then smoked and steamed. Like corned beef, pastrami was created as a way to preserve meat before the invention of refrigeration.
Rye bread is a type of bread made with various proportions of flour from rye grain. Compared to white bread, it is higher in fiber, darker in color, and stronger in flavor.
From everything I’ve seen and heard, there should always be panic here, people in line at the entrance, waiting for an open seat. The sandwiches are good, but overpriced, a trap for naive tourists, and everyone is just waiting for you to leave and vacate your seat.
I’ve been thinking for a few days about whether or not I should even go to this famous place. But I decided to go anyway. I have plenty of time to spare. So, on a rainy Wednesday in early September, mid-morning, I walked up to the entrance to Katz’s. No line. I walked in and of course I got that numbered ticket right away. Only two or three tables were occupied. I approached one of the cutters at the bar. Cutter – the one who cuts the meat for your sandwich. It’s customary to give him a dollar or two in the jar on the counter. And if he’s in a good mood, you’ll get a small slice of meat to taste. I don’t know why, but he gave me a pretty big piece. I wanted a classic sandwich – Katz’s pastrami. He asks me if I want some mustard, I nod. I also get a slice of cucumber and a pickle.
I take it all to the table and think, oh my, if I eat all of this…
Let me tell you a secret, I ate it all!
And finally, let’s get back to Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.
Katz’s Delicatessen was the site of the iconic scene where Meg Ryan’s character fakes an orgasm. A sign hangs above the specific table where they sit, reading: “Where Harry met… Sally… hope you have what she had!”.
The famous “I’ll have what she’s having” line was delivered by director Rob Reiner’s mother, Estelle Reiner.
https://youtu.be/6pQgbEEFPq0
Thirty-five years later for the 2025 Super Bowl, Hellmann’s Mayonnaise released a highly publicized commercial titled “When Sally Met Hellmann’s” which reunited the stars of the 1989 classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally. The ad was filmed on the same location at the iconic Katz’s Delicatessen in New York City, even using the exact same table from the original movie scene.
https://youtu.be/UX9qfSEKyuc