Katz's Delicatessen, Lower East Side, NYC

This is a extremely close battle in my opinion.  I have been to both and they are both excellent!  I must say that I think the edge goes to Katz's Delicatessen, for a couple good reasons.  The main reason being the atmosphere!  It's one of the few old school spots left NYC.  Katz's Deli, established in 1888 by a Russian immigrant family in the Lower East Side, is one of the few places still standing from its time.  Not to mention all the celeb pictures on the wall as well as being the location of the famous orgasm scene in "When Harry met Sally" and where Evan Rachel Wood worked in "Across the Universe" makes you feel like you're in NYC for sure.  Best of all, you get to walk up to the counter and select your carver as well as the particular cut of pastrami you want!  From lean to fatty, they give you the choice of picking the sandwich to your exact liking!  Let alone they let you taste the cut before they even build your sandwich.  The part I like the most is the wide range of people in there.  From suits to hipsters, from native New Yorkers, tourists and neighborhood locals, you get all walks of life in there.  

                                             Pastrami Queen, Upper East Side, NYC                                                      Katz's Delicatessen, Lower East Side, NYC                                       

Pastrami Queen                                                                         Katz's Delicatessen
1125 Lexington Ave                                                                    205 E Houston St
New York, NY 10075                                                                  New York, NY‎, 10002
(212) 734-1500                                                                           (212) 254-2246‎
Get Directions                                                                             Get Directions    

As for the Pastrami Queen...  This Kosher Deli has a very tasty pastrami sandwich.  Nice and juicy with just the right fat in my opinion.  Although if you're a fan of a lean sandwich, I would not head there.  This spot is more of a NYC deli style with a lot more meat selection.  Everything from hot pastrami, tongue, chopped liver, bologna, smoked turkey and egg salad, Pastrami Queen has more to choose from.  Located on the Upper East side on Lexington Ave @ 78th St, this place is a tiny spot that is better suited for take out!  The atmosphere is not quite as exciting.  As a matter of fact it frankly sucks compared to Katz's!  But it's the food that counts.  

Verdict:  Katz's wins by TKO!