Marc Katz founded this restaurant in 1979 back when Austin was still a sleepy college-state government town (probably when the population was around 250,000). I’m sure his relatives in New York thought he was a putz, schmoe and ferklempt to come here to start a deli restaurant. Good thing they were wrong because Katz’s is another awesome gem of Austin. Even though every friend from out of state I’ve had visit makes me drag them to San Antonio to see the smelly Riverwalk (an overpriced mall) and the Alamo, they are still treated to a meal here.
At its heart, it’s a New York or East Coast-style deli restaurant with Central Texas touches: Shiner Bock, jalapenos, etc. According to my former roommate Garrett (raised in the Jewish religion), Katz’s isn’t truly kosher since they serve melted cheese over meat. It’s only uncool with the strictly pious Jews (his way of saying Hassidic Jews and the diehard Orthodox). Is Katz’s close? I honestly can’t say. I did eat at one deli restaurant in Manhattan when I attended Macworld 2000 but the place was near Times Square so I’m sure its “authenticity” can be easily challenged by more experienced Easterners.
Authenticity aside, Katz’s is an Austin institution to me. When I first moved here in 1994, there were commercials on KNNC with Marc Katz himself plugging his restaurant. He’d end the spot with having blintzes ready for you no matter when you came in. I have also had Katz’s traditional Chrismtas dinner multiple times, starting with my first year here and the rest were provided by Apple. Another time, my friend Ethan and I went there for a late dinner. We had been drinking, didn’t have any luck meeting women so I know I had a horrible case of the munchies. He suggested we get a side of fried pickles. As a Midwesterner, I can’t say no to fried food but pickles? I thought it was the most disgusting thing at the time. Thankfully I was wrong and it wasn’t the booze deciding.
I have over a dozen stories about my great meals, experiences, awesome wait staff and conversations shared at Katz’s. How I missed the place while I was in exile in North Carolina . Outside of Waffle House and Gypsy’s Shiner Diner, my part of NC lacked many late-night dining choices. My only frustration with the place is their location. It’s at Sixth Street and Rio Grande. Marc’s son Barry did open up a location in Houston near the Galleria (unfortunately the two aren’t speaking because of a fight over money). Back in the late Nineties, they were reumors of a second location on Austin’s north side. Maybe Marc will let me buy a franchise despite being a Gentile.
To those of my friends who have yet to visit, just remember you’ll have to eat one meal with me there. You don’t need to share an order of fried pickles but you’ll need to order your own plate of apple, blueberry or hot fudge blintzes, they’re too good to share!