Carnegie Delicatessen

This was our first experience with Carnegie Deli. Overall, I would recommend this deli. The place was crowded, but it is New York and it is good food. The sandwiches are pricey, but they are impressive. The sandwhiches are enormous and delicious. To put the price in perspective, you could pay almost the same price for the same sandwich at Katz's deli, but a sandwich at Katz's would be a fourth of the size and disgusting. If you really like corned beef and/or pastrami, I highly recommend this deli. The cheesecake too is outstanding. It's the best I've had in New York. It's a little pricey too, but worth it. However, buying a whole cheesecake may be better than buying it by the slice. I found the wait staff very friendly and helpful. I do think that the cash only policy is a bit inconvenient, but it is what it is--their policy. Overall, very good experience. I will make this a NY trip tradition.

Never saw so much meat in my plate. The pastrami looked and tasted great. Also the Hamburger and Egg Cream were excellent. Never had this type of experince form any Deli before. Little pricey.

The Carnegie Deli is the Federal Reserve of delis: You can take it to the bank. This crowded, overpriced midtown spot is packed with tourists who come to gawk at the towering, high-piled corned beef and pastrami sandwiches. But they're right to do so. These sandwiches are supremely reliable, always hot and fresh and almost never disappoint, despite their cost, which creeps closer to $20 every year. On the other hand, you’ll never go hungry at Carnegie, especially if you top off your meal with a slice of one of the cakes, which rotate like circus elephants holding each other's tails in a refrigerated case near the cash register.

I am a concierge in midtown so I decided to go to Carnegie Deli to check why everybody wants to go there. It was a terrible experience I paid 18 for a corned beed sanwich- a specialty as per the menu- and there was basically no bread I had to ask the waitress for more bread... It was really bad I almost couldnt eat it. My friend had a tuna melt and it was as bad as my corned beef sandwich. I would never ever reccomend this place to anybody I will never go back. Any other deli in NYC will make a better sandwich for a quarter of the price. Service...no words.... I had to ask 3 people to take my order in the end a lady came and I placed my order and 10 minutes after I have a dish thrown to the table with a "sandwich" almost falling apart. And for last... you can only pay cash... Dont go there.

Although the desserts are good, they're not the best. A bit overpriced, so it doesn't make up for the terrible serivce. All of the servers, managers and hostesses are extremely rude!

First place I go to eat whenever I'm in New York is the Carnegie Deli. Oh sure, there are lots of competition for the best deli in the City, but this place is a tradition for me! I've been comforted by their cold borscht pepto-bismol soup, oooh, yum! I looove their pile-high corned beef on rye. And their cheesecake, why I have one in my fridge right now (a friend just came back from New York). Anyhoo, it might be very touristy, but still great fun, and a mainstay!

One of the worst experiences. The service was rude (both server and "manager") Paid $80 +tip for 2 sandwiches 2 sodas and a cheesecake. Turns out there is a $3 fee for sharing (same quantity) So a $27.00 sandwich turns out to be $30 ($3 for sharing) There is also a $12.50 minimum charge No credit cards CASH ONLY mhmhmhmh makes me wonder... I can not think on one reason i would ever go back.

If Chicken soup is the barometer of a good deli, then Carnegie Deli should change its name. My matzo ball soup came in what tasted like canned chicken broth. It was horribile and unnaturally orangey. The potato pancakes were good, but everything else was mediocre at best. A major disappointment. One highnote, the cheesecake rocks! Avoid the line and get a slice to go.

The wait was 25 minutes the cost for 3 footlong hot dogs with sauerkraut, 3 sides and 3 drinks (soda) was $45 (before tip) and we were rushed. Be mindful the minimum purchase is $12.50 per person a side of fries cost $5.45. The food was good but that was a bit costly for lunch. I purchased a Danny Rose to go with a slice of cheesecake and a Black Cherry cola, that cost me $32. By far that is was the BEST cheesecake I've ever had. The sandwhich corned beef and pastrami were both a little fatty. The sandwich was $17.95 with no extras. I did get 4 sandwiches from the one but since the meat wasn't lean it wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been. I'm from Baltimore and we have Attmans here, the sandwiches may not be as big but they are so much leaner and you can enjoy.

Carnegie Deli is nothing but a tourist trap these days. The food leaves MUCH to be desired. Katzs Deli downtown blows away Carnegie. It is w...

Okay, this is a NYC landmark. Everyone must go at least once in their life. It's a great place to take out-of-town guests who want one of those NYC experiences. The look on their faces when the sandwiches come out is priceless. The novelty factor, however, wears thin after eating about a quarter of your meal and you are stuffed. Order carefully and you can keep the tab down to an affordable level. Everyone orders way too much food. Prices are steep. So, have your "Broadway Danny Rose" moment, and oh, yes, try and go during off-peak hours, and you will get in faster and not get rushed.

Yeah, the hype is that they have BIG sandwiches. They are BIG. But not the BEST. There was about 4 lbs. of meat on my sandwich, so much it was impossible to eat. We paid $47 for a sandwich a piece, and split an order of fries. There are plenty of good places to eat in NYC. This was the only place I had buyer's remorse. In addition, they don't take credit cards, AND they charge you for sharing. The only way around this, I can figure, is to buy a loaf of bread, take the sandwich to go, and make about 5 sandwiches out of it to avoid the waste. The portion was obnoxious.

My husband and I were told about Carnegie Deli as a must for a pastrami sandwich. Our friend said to split one and you still won't be able ...

The pastrami sandwich is awesome. I think the $3 plate charge to split an $18 sandwich is kind of crazy though. The service was fair. It was nearly impossible to get a refill on my ice tea. Also, when they bring you the check, they make it a point to say "You pay the cashier but you leave the tip on the table". I thought that was rude and unnecessary. The food is very good though.

This place is terrible and a total tourist trap. The service is really bad. The waiter actually yelled at me because I didn't "order enough" because I ordered a large bowl of soup (at $8.50). The place was only 25% full at the time so I cant imagine the waiter was missing out on some large check for our order. My husband tried to order a hamburger and was told by the server that he couldnt because it would take too long and that he needed to pick something else. So he ended up with a tasteless, overpriced sandwich. We actually tried to complain to the manager on the way out, after we had paid so it's not like we were trying to get something, and he said "that's just how it is, if you want to complain call the owner". There are some great delis in New York but this is not one of them.

A true Landmark in New York. Huge portions, very huge.. order and share. A fun place to relax after seeing the sights of the big apple. A ...

I absolutely love this place. Love the food, love the surroundings. The sandwiches are huge, the rooms are packed, you sit at tables with strangers, the cheesecake is to die for, and its all great! I enjoyed telling my daughter about some of the famous people on the walls - the walls are covered with head shots of actors, comedians, sports stars, etc... My fav sandwich is the "So there's the Ruben!" which is an open faced ruben STACKED with corned beef or pastrami and COVERED with sour kraut and swiss cheese - dressing on the side. I can never finish it. There is a charge to split meals and the food is expensive, but I come here whenever I'm in town anyway. Bring cash since they don't accept any credit cards. And be prepared to wait outside even in bad weather since it does get crowded.

If you respect yourself please do not come here. Grossly overpriced. Incredibly rude, disrespectful servers. I've lived in New York for five years, and this restaurant does not represent a true "New York" experience. Tourists beware. It's a disgrace they call themselves a Jewish deli.

This was the worst service I have ever received at any restaurant in my entire life. First, the server wouldn't seat us even though there were plenty of seats available. I ordered a cheese blintz. The server emphasized the price, $12.75, giving me and my friends a contemptuous glare, and asking if I wanted an entire order. She then gave us a choice between putting the bill on one check or leaving the establishment (we never asked about splitting the bill). Then I wanted to give a friend one bite of a blintz, and the server insisted on charging us $3 for splitting. After asking to speak with the manager, the manager not only did not apologize, but simply handed us a business card and walked off mumbling "what do you want me to do about it."

We arrived Easter Saturday at 12.15 and there was a considerable line-up outside; the line moved fairly quickly and we were inside within 25 minutes. Well you can see why this is a favourite of Woody Allen. The tables are typical Deli crammed, the waiters and waitresses are quck and efficient and are wise crackers. However the food is the star here. We had Corned Beef, Pastrami and Reuben Sandwiches. You cannot eat all the food in a serving. So take your time. We had a few locals at our table who have been eating here for over 30 years; their running commentary was right on with what to order and how to eat it. The Pastramai was the best I heve ever had ,ditto for the Corned beef and the Reuben. The Sour pickles were so good we ordered extras. Be sure to order extra rye bread and break the sandwich down into smaller sandwiches. The fries and gravy were also good. The walls are covered with celebrity photos and the decor is tacky but you simply cannot beat this Deli food!!! We did not... Read more

Happened to be in the neighborhood with a fairly well known television personality, and for old time sake decided to grab a sandwich. This is beyond touristy. I thought i was transported to Ohio. I had a brisket and a side of coleslaw. He had a hamburger. One hour later, I was ill. The prices are outrageous, the sandwich greasy, and we could not find his photo on the wall. Never again.

We only ate here for breakfast and it was fantastic. Toasted bagel with cream cheese and a side of bacon is the best breakfast you could wish for. A real New York atmosphere in a great venue. We were always seated immediately and served quickly. Sandwiches looked huge but yummy. Didn't see any unhappy customers when we were there and there were a lot of locals there too.

We had a group of 11 & we were seated within 15 minutes. This deli looks small from the outside, but has a TON of seating with walls COVERED in signed photographs to Carnegie Deli of famous people who have eaten there over the years - pretty much any famous person you can think of has eaten at this deli. We were seated in the very back (restrooms in the front). I had the cheeseburger (it was pretty good ... nothing super-special) & the potato skins with cheese & bacon (runny cheese - not melted shredded cheddar), but they were good. My husband had the corned beef ... you could easily split it with another person ... so much food!! Our kids had the chicken noodle soup. They did NOT like it. At the end of the meal, the kids wanted cheesecake, so we ordered them ONE piece of strawberry cheesecake to share ... there were FOUR children & they didn't even finish it. It was THE BEST MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH cheesecake I've EVER tasted!!!

My boyfriend had to drag me here, but I loved it! I didn't want to stand in the line, but it moved very quickly. We ordered a classic reuben and split it ( a must!). Service was very fast. The food was awesome. Cheesecake great, but not on par with the sandwich. It is expensive, but you get a ton of food and the atmosphere is worth it. The place is an institution and worth the wait in line.

This place as the best pastrami and corned beef sandwiches I have ever had. My friend and I went here 3 times in our week long vacation to New York. Well worth the wait and rude waiting staff. With that being said, the place is often quite crowded often times drawing a line in front of the store which would cause you to stand outside in the blistering cold for 20mins or so. The waitress that served me was very rude from the get to. She belittled me as I was forced to make my food decision in front of her. She also spilt Ruben all over another patron as she was running through the store to fill an order. The food is also slightly over priced for what it is and you get colossal sized portions. Maybe I?d justify these prices for a nice steak dinner but not a sandwich. I suggest going here after 8pm if you don?t want to deal with waiting in line.

A well-working trap because it was packed during a visit at an off hour between lunch and dinner. Ridiculously over-priced sandwiches (giant meat pile topped with a bread fragment) and a crazy $12.50 minimum per adult. May be fun for some, but a "never return" for me.

I came with a tour group. The leader of our tour group told us to go in groups of four so it didn't look like that "big" of a group. He said that the waiters were rude last time cause there was too many people. Do NOT order the roast beef sandwich.

This was such a letdown that I signed up for a Citysearch account just now so I could write a review. I went here with my fiance after MoMA--we were hungry, tired from walking around the museum all afternoon, so it seemed like a fun idea. Wrong! I ordered a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, thinking, hey, this is NY, it will be awesome. Wrong again! The menu claimed the bagel was jumbo-sized and toasted, and it was neither--small and cold. The cream cheese was hard as a rock--whatever happened to the double whipped, light, and fluffy stuff that melts in your mouth? The salmon was ok. It was served with a huge boulder of lettuce, white onion, and tomato. What about red onion and some capers? All for $19.95. Let me tell you--Jerry's Deli in LA knows how to do a bagel with lox and cream cheese. My fiance got a Reuben. The corned beef was ok--not too greasy--but frankly, it just wasn't that impressive. Forcing people to pay $20 for four times the food you need is not... Read more

The food was pretty good but the vibe is strange. It feels like a nursing home cafeteria. the prices are ridiculous...$25 for a sandwich! and it didn't even come with anything...fries were $5. And if you want to share...it's is $3 extra. This place is so stupid it's funny...i would NEVER GO BACK.

I love the Carnegie Deli. Their hot pastrami sandwich is outstanding! Having said that, it is outrageously expensive. There are so many better deals in town. The seating is crowded. Go there only to eat and nothing more. The wait staff is rude and terribly slow. And the cash only, no refills on soda, make this a bit less desirable. But if you find yourself in Times Square and hungry, check it out. Make sure to get a cheese cake to go! Yum.

Made the mistake trying lunch at this place, waitress was rude right off the bat (I'm a former waitress, so I keep it simple, I'm not a fussy customer) - but from the moment I placed my order I was looking forward to leaving, the vibe is that wierd. $15.00 for a grilled cheese and fries was crazy, I should have left when I saw the price on the menu. My friend, an out of towner, couldn't believe how bad the service was! Clearly, they want you to get out ASAP - no problem, I'm never going back! Nothing "special" about this place, except how much they hate serving the public. And what restaurant doesn't take credit cards? Amazing.

I took my husband when we starting dating, he absolutely adored the experience. The potato pancakes are simply superb and served with both s...

There's no talent to throwing large lumps of meat between two slices of bread and that's all they do. There was no lettuce, tomator or any of the other fixings normally found in sandwiches, just the gargantuan amount of meat. I was truly expecting much more from this famed establishment and was completely disappointed. Will never use them again.

We were starving one night and decided to go there for a good old fashioned Hot Pastrami on Rye.... I hate to say it but the Deli has gone...

The most memorably wonderful eatery I've been to in NYC. Mountain-high, sumptuous menu items abound, such as their famous pastrami and perfect cheesecakes. Not for the weak of arteries. Tourists will get a kick of the hundreds of autographed celebrity portraits covering the walls, a testament to the Carnegie Deli's popularity. The down-to-earth feel of the place makes it great for group bonding. Like many other NYC establishments, they don't take credit cards, so bring plenty of cash or travelers checks if you are footing the bill.

This is a fun place to take guests from out-of-town - great delicious "New York-y" food in mega portions along with a dose of Manhattan-diner atmosphere (crowded tables, headsho--covered walls, etc) . A bit overpriced for a local (most locals have a favorite spot to get this food for less $) but not unheard of prices for tourists and those entertaining them. The sandwiches were piled so high, our guests took pictures of them! If, like me, you can't imagine getting one of those towering creations, get a knish and some blintzes, they're awesome. The pierogis, however, are forgettable (better to get those elsewhere in the city).

In the mood for matza-ball soup, 4 of us waited in the long line to get in on a Saturday afternoon. After being seated, the waiter (who had worked there forever) threw some cutlery at us and waited to take our order. At $20 for a monster-sized sanwich and a $3 addre for sharing (ridiculous), I opted for a smaller grilled cheese sandwich which came barely melted (they took it back and re-made it) but it wasn't great. Soup was huge (for $7.00/bowl) and fries were ok. When ordering a turkey burger, the waiter asked my sister why she didn't just get a turkey sandwich. Uh, hmmm... I would NOT run back to Carnegie deli - I could have made a better sandwich myself for free.

This place was great! Just had to try it the next day after I saw the line outside. I will come back again!

Ate here when I was visiting NY. Had planned on going to Katz, but never made it there at the right time. We stumbled across this place which my friend said she recognized from Letterman. We shared a beheamoth pastrami and some coleslaw. it was delicious. some tourists next to us were having what looked like a good dessert, but we were too full for it. fast service, clean, comfortable. loved this place.

YES, It is TOURIST TRAP. Costomer service is horrible. I and my friends had cheesecakes and had very bad time. Minmum charge $12.50 Per Parson, Sharing fee $3.00. There is no smile and no good worker.

We wanted a NY deli experience. The food was delicious and it was fun looking at the tightly displayed celeb pictures. Although it was spacious, the tiny tables were packed so close together one might feel claustrophobic. You can hardly move your chair to get in and out. Service left a lot to be desired, the portions are a bit gluttonous, especially for a tourist who can't take leftovers. The one thing that stood out was that they don't accept credit cards, so you must have a lot of cash handy for the expensive menu items. Furthermore, we discovered other delis that were MUCH better in terms of food quality, portion size, service, and more reasonable prices... and they take plastic to boot! Save your money, avoid this tourist trap and enjoy your deli experience elsewhere. There are over 400 other delicatessens to choose from!

When my wife and I were in New York last year, we made it a point to eat at Carnegie's Deli. We were not disappointed. I had the Corned beef on Rye and my wife had the Pastrami sandwich. They were literaly to die for. In fact I almost did, I ate my sandwich and half of my wife's and the portions were HUGE. I would do it again, too. The restaurant personafies New York and should not be missed. Oh, and try the pickles, they are fantastic!

... to go with monster sized prices. Right off the bat you need to ask yourself: is this place a tourist trap? And the answer is yes. Yes it is. That said it's still worth checking out at least if only for that classic NY feel mixed with Hollywood hype. Coming into Carnegie you're immediately struck by the hundreds and hundreds of celeb pics that line the walls. As for the food... Yea it's a rip-off. There's no other way to justify $20 for a sandwich. That said what a sandwich it is. The portions are hugggggeeeee and will most certainly fill you up and you know whats more the food tastes pretty darn good to boot. Bottom line: you balance the good and the bad and decide if it's right for you.

I ordered the ruben and it was gigantic and one of the tastiest things I had ever eaten. Well, half eaten due to it's giagantic size! The meat was piled very high and the cheese was awesome. The staff was quirky and bitter at best. Others in my party enjoyed their food/portions as well. The pickels they put on your table are a weird assortment of sizes, texture and taste almost like they collected them from other retaurants!

Overall the regular food was nothing special except for the large size. Also not a great value. Eat light and save up for the strawberry cheesecake which is simply beyond belief! Ignore everything else and keep your eyes on the prize.

Just paid my first, and definitely not my last visit to the Carnegie Deli while on vacation. The atmosphere was right out of a Woody Allen Movie, the servers were quick, food was fantastic- the best pastrami and corned beef I've ever had! The desserts are amazing, especially the cheesecake and the coconut creme pie. We went at an off-peak time right before the lunch rush. A definite must-see and do for anyone visiting New York

I've been going to the Carnegie for over 20 years, every time I'm in NY. It is, bar none, the best NYC Deli experience you can have. Great food, excellent NYC service and a real NYC atmosphere. I always recommend it and I've never had anyone disappointed.

i know this is a tourist trap but a trip to Carnegie deli after a red eye into the city is a must and i am a tourist when i visit nyc. i have been going for 25 years since I was a kid. my dad used to bring me ? a dozen knishes back to L.A. when he'd go to ny. the rest of the food is okay, not great and expensive. but its an institution so worth the visit.

Sandwich was so dry, it would hardly go down! Prices are out of site, manners and customer service is not to be found. Take your money somewhere that will appreciate it and you!!!

worst sandwich i've ever had - yea, it's HUGE...but who cares. it was about $60 for three people (about 20 dollars per sandwich...literally). TOURIST TRAP.