{"id":3229,"date":"2026-07-13T23:35:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T23:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3229"},"modified":"2026-07-13T23:35:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T23:35:06","slug":"i-tried-an-old-school-new-york-deli-in-ballantyne-was-it-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=3229","title":{"rendered":"I tried an old-school New York deli in Ballantyne. Was it worth it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.<\/p>\n

Read our AI Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n

Nothing says summer to me like a comically tall sandwich and a soda, so I set out to try a classic Charlotte deli.<\/p>\n

Read more Could Ralph Norman replace Lindsey Graham in Senate after failed SC governor bid?<\/a><\/p>\n

Katz Deli in Ballantyne serves a variety of sandwiches, bagels, omelets and other deli fare. I went with $25 for our \u201cOn a Budget\u201d series, where we visit a notable spot with just a few bucks to spend.<\/p>\n

When I arrived, the deli was stuffed. In terms of finding a seat, this was not so promising. But I hoped it meant the food would be worth it.<\/p>\n

The deli is decorated with Knicks and Mets merch and murals of New York, including Lady Liberty. It may come as no surprise that while listening to the full restaurant, I realized many people had New York accents, rather than any North Carolina twang.<\/p>\n

While I read the menu, several different strangers asked me what I was ordering, scoffing when I said I wasn\u2019t sure yet. Eventually, a woman next to me said \u201cWell if you\u2019re not sure, ask a New Yorker!\u201d which is how I ended up getting my sandwich and sides approved by committee. Thank you New York, congratulations on the Knicks.<\/p>\n

It took a minute to find a seat after I ordered, but a table eventually turned over. I went at lunchtime on a Thursday \u2013 takeout might be a better choice, depending on when you need to get back to the office.<\/p>\n

Katz is well known for its Reuben, but I don\u2019t eat beef, so I pivoted to a turkey BLT. My love of tomatoes knows no real bounds and feels summery, so it felt an apt pick. But a BLT is not traditional Jewish deli fare, so I wanted to make sure I got something else too.<\/p>\n

I also got cucumber salad, a knish and a cream soda. I spent exactly $25, including a couple dollars tip at the counter.<\/p>\n

Read more AC\/DC concert review: Angus isn\u2019t as Young as he used to be. But does it matter?<\/a><\/p>\n

My sandwich was tall enough that I worried it would not fit in my mouth, but not so tall that it did not. I got it on whole wheat, which was inoffensive to my committee in line. It came with a pickle, which is important to me. I am a pickle person (do not ask my roommates how many jars are in the fridge).<\/p>\n

It did not have too much mayo, nor too little meat, but I could have done with a tiny bit more tomato and lettuce. But I am a tomato lover, so a person in it for the bacon or for the BLT as a whole would likely have no issue.<\/p>\n

The restaurant offers two knishes, baked (made in house) and fried. I got baked. Knishes are pockets of dough-wrapped carbs brought to New York by European Jewish immigrants. Some knishes are made with buckwheat, but this one was made with potato.<\/p>\n

The in-house knish was round, while the fried option was square. A quick Google shows this to be a traditional differentiation. It was great \u2014 where can you go wrong with potatoes? I want to return and try a square knish, as I can see how delicious it would be fried. A knish and a sandwich was a lot of food because of all the potato, but I would never complain about that.<\/p>\n

It came with a cup of cucumber salad, which fit my pursuit of summer well. The salad was made of thin sliced cucumber and onions, with a slightly sweet vinegar dressing and herbs. It felt almost like a very quick pickle.<\/p>\n

I will return, perhaps on my own time, for the fried knish. Katz is a great place to talk to strangers \u2013 admittedly, a place where it may be impossible to people watch. Everyone is very friendly in a no-nonsense New York way, and the food is delicious.<\/p>\n

Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you\u2019d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Read more 2 NC college towns rank among the nation\u2019s best hidden gems to visit. Here\u2019s why<\/a><\/p>\n

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Katz Deli in Ballantyne serves Reubens, turkey BLTs, baked knishes and cream soda. Crowded at lunch but authentic New York charm and satisfying deli fare.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3228,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nI tried an old-school New York deli in Ballantyne. 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