Katz's Deli & Bar (CLOSED)

I don;t see how this Katz is a ""top choice"" for anyone who has eaten here. The service is so bad you really wonder how they stay open and then food (when you finally get it) is just mediocre. more

I have eaten at Katz all over the place yet this is a huge disappointment! Ok food and terrible service make a terrible experience. more

I had been wanting to eat here for about 2 years because I'm from Ohio and I love deli sandwiches but I never find myself downtown at lunch time. Today was the day though, I was finally downtown and ready to eat. I was by myself so I decided to order my favorite to go... corned beef on rye. I walked in, it was dark, and I was told I could place my order at the bar. The bar stunk bad, the wait was long, and the price was steep so at least I figured it would be huge meal. To my surprise the sandwich was mediocre and chewy... by far the worse corned beef sandwich I ever paid for. Skip this place and go to subway, you'll be happier. more

I grew up in New York city and I'll tell you this, you're not EVER going to find the type of deli that New York city has to offer anywhere except for NYC. It's not possible to duplicate what they have there. When I first went to Katz's I kept an open mind. I appreciate the looks of the place, a typical downtown place, more of a ""cafe"" style if you will. Definitely not a deli, but that's ok, we don't want that kind of fast-paced living down here in Austin. It has an eclectic look and some really nice sentiments of New York city. The waitstaff looks nice in all black, noticed some of them wearing Katz's t-shirts which was a nice touch, but the all black is good for a downtown locale. The menu is huge, breakfast, lunch and dinner, 24/7. Pretty challenging for a kitchen staff I can imagine. Anyway, you can get whatever you're in the mood for, which is really nice when you can't decide what to eat. Seems like it appeals to all kinds of people as well. I see young and old, families and single people every time I go. They are obviously doing something right, most every time I've gone, they've been pretty busy. I really like the offerings, fresh fruit or a burger, pastrami or chicken. They have something for everyone. Just remember, it's a restaurant, not a deli. They have a full bar and a full menu with as many hot items as cold. I thinks it's great! more

My family and I have been coming here for years, multiple times a year and for Christmas. We always have great service and great food. I'm sad to hear the recent news but I know they can weather this storm, they've stuck around through worse times. I'm writing this in hopes that anyone that has had a bad experience will give them another try. I know some of the past politics of the place and it was sorely neglected by an old manager. The new folks running it are great people as I have spoken with all of them on many occasions. They have a true passion for what they do and regardless of what happened last time you were there, they deserve your respect and another chance. We go there as often as we do because we are truly made to feel welcome. Marc is always smiling and telling us he's glad we're here and the waitstaff, although rocky at times, generally goes above and beyond. I see the things the staff does, gong out of their way to help someone find their way through downtown and even moving cars around to squeeze another one in the small lot in the back so they don't have to pay for parking. I even saw a manager pay for someone's valet out of his own pocket just so they could come in and eat. The vibe in there is more than hospitable and I say shame on those who have written these bad reviews, I know many of the staff personally and they don't deserve some of the things written on this website. They are working very hard in the kitchen to get things back to the quality it used to be. I know, I was there during the ""bad"" times and I've tasted the improvements myself. Please realize what an impact it would have on the people working there if it went out of business. We need to show our support now more than ever as Katz's has been there for us, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for over 30 years, even on holidays when we had no where else to go, they stood proud, smiling and welcoming us all. Now is not the time to turn our backs on this Austin landmark, it's time to rally together and let Katz's know that we love them and want them to stay and that we as a community are willing to do whatever it takes to keep them around. Pros: Everything! more

My husband and I went for brunch yesterday, yummy!!!! They have $1 glasses of champagne until 2pm, wow! What a great deal! I had a couple and my husband had a Holy Mary, never heard of it, but it was yummy too! We had eggs florentine, fresh fruit and pancakes. It was all so good. Great waiter too, he really knew his stuff. We asked him about beef bacon and turkey bacon and he was on his game! The place had a great vibe too, lots of hustle and bustle going on all around us. Seems like the staff has a lot of fun and they really enjoy working there. We will be adding this to our weekly routine, the menu is so extensive, I just have to go back and try more things, especially since what we did have was so good. I've read some of the negative reviews on here and I just have a hard time believing them after what we saw in there yesterday. Some of them just can't be true, no way, no how! I love Katz's and we will be back! Next time, maybe for lunch, I saw a reuben sandwich go to the table next to us and it looked fantastic! Can't wait to try one!!!! Pros: Yummy brunch! Cons: ? more

I love this place! Pastrami is so good, I gotta go back every day! I hear the corned beef is excellent too, I can't seem to not order the pastrami though! And the rye bread is so delicious! Great place, lots of fun and great service! This place is top notch. Been coming here for years and we definitely need to show them our support right now, we can't lose such a great place. Come on people, come on down to Katz's! Meet me there, I'll buy you a pastrami sandwich! I'll be the one grinning holding the giant pastrami on rye!!! Pros: Pastrami! Cons: Parking can be a bit rough more

Went yesterday for lunch, had never been. Ordered a reuben and wow!!! All I can say is wow!!!! I felt like I was back home, a little kid again! It was soooo good! I even met the owner, great guy, great guy. Came up to our table and told us how happy he was that we were there! Who does that? Such a great and fun place! I heard the late night crowd is a lot of fun and great for people watching. Oh and those fried pickles are just heaven!!!!! Everything was perfect from start to finish and I've been in the business for 40 years. Trust me, I'm a critic. And they passed with flying colors. Katz's is definitely becoming one of my regular spots! Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing more

Just came back from Katz. Could not help writing this incident. \r \r I went out for a drink with a friend of mine. We ordered a drink each and a fire dog each. We didn't know what a ""fire dog"" is so we asked the manager on duty. My friend pointed out the ""fire dog"" on the menu from ""a la carte"" when asking. The manager explained and mentioned"" relish being extra"". We didn't not want relish so we thought it would be $2.95 each from a la carte. \r \r When we got the bill, fire dog is priced as $4.95 each. We asked the same manager why and he told us that there is another ""fire dog"" item which shows $4.95, not from a la carte. My friend DID point out a fire dog from ""a la carte"" when initially asking. We assumed it is $2.95. This manager even denied that my friend pointed out the fire dog from a la carte. I was there and I saw everything and I can tell you this. This manager is NOT honest. No apology whatsoever. I would not go back this place again. I go out to eat to enjoy. Attitude from the manager is the last thing I want from any restaurant. \r \r \r \r \r Cons: Everything more

It's been a couple years since I've been and I just had to give it another shot. I was sooo glad i did! They have made so many improvements in the past 2 years. I really got the sense that they are making strong efforts to make the food and atmosphere better. I didn't recognize any of the managers so I think they have replaced people and upped the quality of staff. It was finally back to how it was 10 years ago when I was going there 3 times a week for my pastrami fix. I think I'm going to start with my weekly visits again and hopefully next time I will run into Mr. Katz!!!! Pros: Lots of improvements! Cons: None! more

Quite possibly the best French Dip sandwich I have ever tasted! Evertything I have ever tried here is always so delicious and fresh tasting! Plus, the waitstaff is very attentiuve, outgoing, and eclectic all at the same time. \r \r Never a negative experience! A must-try! Pros: Great barstaff, huge portions, open 24 hours Cons: ??? more

I went to Katz on December 25th, 2009 to have a get together with some friends, have some nice time and nice lunch. Unfortunately, all my hopes were lost since the moment the receptionist saw me. He was a very affected guy, was wearing a thick necklace and had his hair combed up. It was very crowded there due to Christmas, of course. I was waiting in line and someone told me I had to write my name on the list. So, I walked towards the place where the list was placed and started checking it, holding a pen that was near the list. Suddenly this guy came and told me - in front of everybody else: ""don't touch my things"". I was startled by what he said and embarrassed in front of all the other people. But that was not all: he slowly started to push me away from the list using his body, so that I could not see it and so that I was left in the corner. I then asked him if he could write down my name and I started to spell it... impatiently, he wrote it wrongly and while I tried to correct it, he just ignored me. I said ""thank you"", but he did not even reply back. Humiliated, I went back to the line. Some time later - from certain distance, and again, in front of everyone, he asked: ""what's your name, in hell?!"". The only reason why I stayed in the place was because I was waiting for other people in order to have a pleasant Christmas lunch. We had planned this lunch weeks before and despite what happened to me, I did not want to spoil their day by trying to go somewhere else. Few days later I emailed the manager reporting the incident, but never got a reply. Apart from this, the food was simply awful. Cons: Bad employees and bad food more

We ordered the reuben and potato cake and it was dry and the bread was overcookedand these potato cakes are discusting i don't know why this place is still open. then when we left five of the employees were outside smoking just outside the front door. WOW...... Pros: It's on 6th. Cons: The food is overpriced, and not worth it. more

I ordered a Corned Beef and Pastrami to go. Later that day I ate some of the sandwich and got so sick I had to be ambulanced to the hospital. Neither my wife nor I suspected the sandwich until 2 days later when we both had a bite off the last half and both of us got sick {me for the 2nd time}. \r \r When I reported this to the owner he blew me off and didn't want to hear about it. We can all get sick for free....no need to go out and pay for it. Pros: NY Deli Atrmosphere and menu Cons: My Wife and I both got sick more

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the soup is thick like plaster, hash browns are greasy, hot dog was cold and they act like you are an inconvenience when you complain??? how about that for customer service. don't waste your time and especially your money.. Cons: they dont care about the quality of the food more

I continue to give Katz's a chance.\r \r They continue to prove I should stay up north at Manny Hattan's.\r \r The Corned Beef and Pastrami are probably from Sysco, and the blintz is straight out of a box. Truly awful. Don't go back. Pros: Good Location Cons: Yuck more

What has happened to Katz's Deli? I have been coming here for years, but the management has really let this place go downhill. Everything used to be made in house and now it tastes like it came out of a can. The manager is really gross too, I lost my appetite when he came to our table to address a problem and he was overweight, sweaty and smelled strongly of cigarettes, his name was Bryan. Not only that he was a rude dolt. We won't be returning, losing their parking really made it an ordeal, and I won't pay to park to eat food that is terrible. more

My husband and I went to Katz this morning to grab brunch before leaving Austin. 2 friends joined us. First, the waitress approached our table and just dropped of the set ups and then went to check on the rest of her section before coming back to get our drink orders. It was 100 degrees outside and we had walked there about half a mile.\r \r Anyway, the food took quite a while for a brunch. I dont mind waiting for food on a Friday night say while I have a drink - but not a brunch and the place was not even close to full.\r \r My husbands french toast was barley even close to warm and was cold by the time he finished his first slice. The waitress forgot to bring the syrup and he had to wait. He ordered hot tea which the waitress said was earl gray - but it was lavender infused earl gray which was too fragrant and gross.\r \r I ordered the cheese quesadillas with beans instead of chicken, these cheese tasted like it came from a tube and my food was also not hot. Out two friends did not enjoy their food either.\r \r We had told the waitress at the time we sat down that one of our friends had to catch a flight. We asked for the check when the food arrived yet it still took until after we were finished to get it.\r \r Avoid this place. Pros: Ambiance I suppose Cons: quality of food and service is truly horrible - I want my time and money back! more

I'm not understanding all of these bad reviews. I've been coming here for years. I'll admit there was some inconsistency with the food a couple of times, but that never stopped me from dining there. The Reuben with the stuffed potato is my favorite. I know Mr. Katz is an interesting character but his actions are no different than any other New York Deli. What do you expect? And I have to say, that cute hostess with that amazing smile Angela or Amanda.......WOW, is enough reason to keep me there for years to come. Oh, I almost forgot the cheesecake....my goodness. I add chocolate syrup w/strawberries!! We have to take at least half of it home every time. Things aren't perfect, like parking now. But stop being so uptight, this is Austin!!! Pros: The food, service (including that hostess),the New york feel Cons: parking more