Iconic Katz’s Deli Fined $20K for ADA Violations

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced Monday that it settled a lawsuit with Katz’s Deli over Americans with Disabilities Act violations at the Lower East Side landmark.

The kosher-style restaurant agreed to pay a $20,000 fine and improve its handicap facilities through a consent decree.

“Katz’s Deli’s main entrance is not accessible, the restaurant does not provide adequate dining space for people with disabilities, and despite being renovated in 2018, its restrooms are not ADA compliant,” the attorney’s office said american.

“Specifically, the consent decree requires staff to assist individuals with disabilities in using the main public entrance, ensures that the requisite number of accessible dining surfaces are provided, and requires renovations to the men’s and women’s restrooms at Katz’s Deli,” the Justice Department said. .

Founded in 1888 as Iceland Brothers across the street from the deli’s current location, Katz’s Bills bills itself as New York City’s oldest deli and is famous for its towering pastrami sandwiches on rye, soup of matzah ball and other Ashkenazi foods in what used to be the center. of Eastern European Jewish migration to the United States.

He is also widely known for his portrayal in the 1989 comedy When Harry Met Sally ….

“During World War II, the owners’ three sons were all serving their country in the armed forces, and the family tradition of sending food to their sons became the company slogan ‘send your son a sausage to the army,'” according to Katz’s Page.

“During the heyday of the Yiddish theater, the restaurant was forever filled with actors, singers and comedians from the many theaters on 2nd Avenue, as well as the National Theater on Houston Street,” he adds. “Although the era of the Yiddish theater has passed, Katz’s still has its fair share of famous patrons whose photos now line our walls.”

The U.S. attorney’s office said its agreement with Katz’s ends the 13-year-old “Manhattan Restaurant ADA Compliance Initiative,” which evaluated the accessibility of the 50 most popular restaurants in the borough as rated by the 2011 Zagat guide.