Times Square, ok… Top of the Rock, sweet. Katz’s, can’t wait!
When friends would visit me in New York, it was often their first time so they were eager to see a bunch of tourist spots. Some I’d look forward to more than others.
Anyway, Katz’s was one I’d look forward to going to and a place I went to on this trip back.
It reminds me of the book The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath.
The first time I took my brother there, his wife wasn’t sure what she wanted initially and so he placed his order then after the sandwich was made she tried placing her order and got an earful about ordering both at the same time from the start.
That starting moment overshadowed anything about how good the sandwich was.
On this current trip, I saw a group of about 8 people finishing up and leaving. A minute later, one of them walked back.
He lost his ticket.
At Katz’s, you get a ticket when you enter and the sandwich makers mark the ticket for the food you ordered. (Sort of like dim sum.)
Then you pay when you exit. If you lose the ticket you can’t exit without paying a $50 fee.
But of course you just go back and look around in fear before giving up and paying $50.
It’s a bad way to end the meal.
I’m guessing it overshadowed how good the food was.
But anyway, I haven’t lost my ticket or been chastised at the counter, so I love the food.
Ordering tip: corned beef sandwich with chopped liver (RIP Bourdain)