"The real deal pastrami sandwich." - Anthony Bourdain
Originally famous as Pastrami King in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, this quintessential New York deli eventually relocated to Kew Gardens, Queens (hence the name change in 1998), then to Manhattan's Upper East Side at 1125 Lexington Ave where it stands today as one of 3 locations in Manhattan. Our 4th and newest location recently opened in the TimeOut Market (ironically back to our Brooklyn roots) in Dumbo, Brooklyn, wherever we’ve resided, Pastrami Queen still serves the same quality pastrami we’ve been crafting since 1956. Tender, juicy, and full of smoke and spice, it's no wonder Anthony Bourdain called our hand-carved pastrami sandwiches "the real deal".
In 2016, Anthony Bourdain said:
"If I'm away from New York long enough, I need a correct pastrami sandwich from either Pastrami Queen or Katz's. And you're not getting that anywhere else, as far as I’m concerned.”
Served on fresh rye from Orwasher's Bakery up the street, with a side of garlicky pickles (sours and half-sours) and deli mustard, this iconic New York classic is waiting to be cradled in both your hands and attacked.
*Pastrami Queen is certified Kosher at our UES and UWS locations.
Bourdain told Variety in 2017:
“The first thing I get when I’m back in New York is a pastrami sandwich. Pastrami Queen is a really good pastrami sandwich — if not the best, among the very best. Just a good, nice mix of fat and lean. It’s the real deal, served warm on fresh, soft rye bread with the right kind of mustard. Good pickles. And they deliver — very happy with that. I get a cream soda. It’s a quintessential New York meal for me.”
Keeping it Kosher.
Our flagship upper east side location on Lexington and our longstanding upper west side on 72nd St are always certified Kosher, serving the same old world delicacies such as tongue tip, kasha varnishkes, stuffed cabbage, and stuffed derma as in 1956 to honor our tradition and cultural heritage.
Simple. Refined.
While our recipe is top secret, refined over generations of delicatessen veteran Aficionados, Our hand-cut Pastrami is first brined, then seasoned, dried and smoked, resulting in juicy, crumbly, and fiendishly good sandwiches with a satisfying balance of smoke and sweet spice.
In-store, the pastrami is heated and steamed for 24 hours to achieve peak moisture and tenderness—a third of the three day process from raw deckle cut acquisition to finish
New and old faves.
Don’t forget to try some of our other big old flavors like jumbo knishes, onion rings, fries showered with garlic chips, and our sweet and vinegary health salad. Grab a few of our newest crowd pleasers that will not disappoint - hot pastrami egg rolls!