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Video: Katz’s Deli By Candlelight

The iconic Lower East Side deli keeps serving after Hurricane Sandy

by
Adam Chandler
and
Tracy Levy
November 02, 2012
Katz's Deli Operating by Candlelight Yesterday(Adam Chandler)
Katz's Deli Operating by Candlelight Yesterday(Adam Chandler)

Yesterday, I took a trek to the Lower East Side of Manhattan to check out some of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy. The area was not only the site of some terrible flooding, but also remains physically far away from the parts of the city that have power and a steady stream of supplies.

After hearing it was open, I stopped by Katz’s Deli and ordered up a frank. The entire place was lit by candlelight and the kitchen was operating on a generator. But, as always, the food was great and the people seemed happy.

Our own Tracy Levy dropped by before and filmed this fantastic video featuring interviews with the owner of Katz’s Deli, the staff, and the patrons, some of whom were tourists who thought they had missed their chance to eat at the famous spot. Check it out!

Adam Chandler was previously a staff writer at Tablet. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, Slate, Esquire, New York, and elsewhere. He tweets @allmychandler.

Tracy Levy is a freelance writer, producer, and multimedia journalist living in New York City. Her Twitter feed is @TrayLev.