Reuben with Pastrami - Katz's Deli, NYC

I just did a retroactive post on Katz's Delicatessen a few weeks ago, but since then I've been to New York again and made another visit to Katz's and have to share some more. 

Katz's reuben on rye with pastrami rates right up there as one of the most amazing sandwiches I've ever had. It costs $25.00 and is loaded and a load. Look at the photo below. The bread teeters on top of a ridiculously massive amount of meat, cheese and sauce. We shared a sandwich and it was plenty.

We went on a cold Saturday morning and could scarcely get in the door. All of the tables were full and 7 or 8 order stations were stacked three and four deep with customers ordering sandwiches and other items (when we left, the line was out the door and down the street). 

Judy found and saved a seat at a table and I waited about 20 minutes in line to order. I was amazed as I watched the men behind the counter pull out roast after roast and slice them into chunks and deposit the meat on sandwiches. They put a plate on the counter and the guy in front of me deposited a large tip in a glass bottle on the counter and was rewarded with several chunks of pastrami on his plate which he picked up with his fingers and slipped into his mouth. I wasn't sure if I had to make a tip to get the pastrami deposit, but I did not want to leave it to chance, so I conspicuously added some dollar bills into the jar and I did get my reward. 

I also noticed a sign I'd not seen the previous time: "Where Harry met Sally...Hope you have what she had!...Enjoy!" I immediately recalled the scene. Here it is on Youtube. I'm glad I saw the movie before going to Katz's. If not I'd have thought Sally was enjoying the Reuben sandwich!