National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day Timeline

1989

Harry Meets Sally

The pastrami on rye at Katz Delicatessen comes into the national spotlight with the hit comedy When Harry Meets Sally.

The 1930's

Deli Take Over

New York experiences a peak of about 1,500 Jewish delicatessens as a results of its growing population.

1888

Pastrami Meets Rye

Volk starts serving pastrami on rye bread. New York classic Katz Delicatessen is also established.

The 1880's

Pastrami is Served

Lithuanian Immigrant Sussman Volk began selling pastrami from his butcher shop on the Lower East Side.