Discover 11 great NYC restaurants where you can eat a special meal unless you’d rather eat burgers, pastrami sandwiches or bagels.
1. Katz’s Delicatessen
Katz’s is the holy grail when it comes to pastrami sandwich on rye. It’s a simple place where multiple service clerks slice meat by hand for each order. The clerks are nice if you behave but may get a little grouchy if you ask too many questions. Prices may seem high at first glance. However, the ginormous sandwiches are big enough to share though you may want to eat it all yourself.
2. JG Melon
Located on an Upper East Side corner since 1972, JG Melon serves classic New York pub burgers made tasty with plenty of fat and served simply with a pickle on a generic white plate. Beyond burgers, other food highlights include chunky cottage fries and chocolate cake.
3. Keens Steakhouse
Keens Steakhouse has been serving steak to a cast of characters that includes Albert Einstein, Liza Minelli, J.P. Morgan, Babe Ruth and Doctor Ruth since the historic restaurant opened in 1885. The mutton chop is the dish to order here. It’s a tender, steak-like cut of lamb saddle that tastes great with minty lamb jus.