Katz’s Delicatessen has assured patrons that it will continue to stay open for takeout and delivery throughout the coronavirus crisis, describing itself as ‘a beacon of hope in a sometimes hopeless world’.
The iconic New York City eatery, which first opened back in 1888, is even shipping out orders across the country for those seeking comfort food amid the current uncertainty.
On Monday, the deli shared a photo to Instagram which showed its famous pastrami and corned beef boxed up and ready for delivery alongside jars of pickles and mustard.
‘For the past 132 years, we’ve kept our doors open through depressions, blackouts, hurricanes, and so much more,’ owner Jake Dell wrote on Instagram.
‘I know there is a lot of uncertainty in today’s news and many things are beyond our control, but I want to reach out and reassure everyone of one thing: we aren’t going anywhere. We will all get through this together, just like we have so many times in the past.’
Iconic New York City eatery Katz’s Delicatessen has assured patrons that it will continue to stay open for takeout and delivery throughout the coronavirus crisis. The deli is pictured in the
Workers at Katz’s Deli were seen preparing delivery orders behind the counter on Sunday
‘Katz’s will remain open for takeout and delivery, in accordance with city guidelines. We will continue to serve in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner as always, to ensure the health & safety of our customers and staff,’ he added.
Katz’s closed its famous dining room on March 16, after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered bars, restaurants and casinos to shutter their sit-in spaces in a bid to stem the spread of COVID-19.
As of Tuesday morning, New York City had more than 12,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and is at the epicenter of the outbreak in the United States.
While many restaurants are continuing to serve customers through takeout and delivery apps, others have completely closed up, claiming they can longer operate without the income brought in from foot traffic.
On Monday, the deli shared a photo to Instagram which showed its famous pastrami and corned beef boxed up and ready for delivery alongside jars of pickles and mustard
Katz’s says business is way down after having to close its famous sit-in space (pictured)
‘I’ll have what she’s having!’ Katz’s was famously featured in the 1989 rom-com When Harry Met Sally
On Monday, restaurateur Cristina Castaneda shuttered her two famous New York City eateries, Ella Social and El Mitote, stating that it was neither safe nor financially viable to keep the doors open amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
‘I worked there all day and just couldn’t find a safe way to continue operating,’ she told The New York Post. ‘We are going home.’
‘We are really left with nothing, and I’m talking nothing: Two bank accounts went to zero within one week after the last payroll,’ she added.
Katz’s Deli – located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side – has been open since 1888
Meanwhile, one restaurant investor told the Post he believes the shutdowns caused by the virus is ‘apocalyptic’ for independent eateries.
‘How sad would the city be if the only places that survived were chains? It makes me depressed to even think about it,’ they stated.
Speaking with DailyMail.com Tuesday, one manager at Katz’s Delicatessan said business was way down, but that they were ‘surviving’.
The deli – which was famously featured in the 1989 Meg Ryan Billy Crystal romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally – has promised to weather the storm and not be one of the casualties.
‘We’ll all get through this stronger than ever,’ owner Dell stated on Instagram.
Katz’s is suffering without foot traffic, but have promised to weather the storm. Pictured: An eerily quiet Manhattan on Monday
A New York City healthcare worker is seen gowned amidst the coronavirus crisis Monday
Owner Jake Dell shared a message on Instagram to the deli’s 158,000 followers