Katz's Deli owner pays tribute to Rob Reiner and his iconic When Harry Met Sally scene

Few food spots are as instantly recognisable as Katz’s Delicatessen, with its tightly packed tables and famously oversized sandwiches attracting locals and tourists in equal measure.

Over the years, Katz’s has become a backdrop to far more than lunch in the US, with walls being lined with photographs that subtly remember moments of cultural history, capturing actors, musicians and filmmakers passing through in between shoots or shows.

That long-standing connection between food and film has resurfaced in recent days, prompting reflection among staff and regulars alike.

The renewed focus follows the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner on 14 December, whose work helped secure Katz’s a permanent place in cinema history. Reiner directed When Harry Met Sally, and its iconic ‘I’ll have what she’s having’ scene was filmed inside the deli in 1989.

The scene sees Sally (Meg Ryan) demonstrating to Harry (Billy Crystal) that women he’s slept with would very likely fake an orgasm — very contrary to his belief.

Even before Reiner’s death, it was a moment that would go on to define both the film and the restaurant for generations, making When Harry Met Sally remembered as one of Reiner’s best movies.

Talking to People, Katz’s owner Jake Dell shared his memories of the director, describing him as ‘a great New York guy, fun, bubbly, charismatic, a real schmoozer.’ He added: “He would talk with any employee or any customer that wanted to talk to him… Big appetite, loved the food.”

Dell reflected on the lasting impact of the film and its most famous scene, saying: “Here we are nearly 40 years later, still talking about this movie and this one scene… Who would've thought that? How many movies, how many scenes in the history of cinema are remembered that many years later? So we're grateful for that, for his ability to storytell.”

Katz’s also paid tribute on social media via an Instagram post, remembering Reiner as ‘a quintessential New Yorker and creative giant’ who brought the deli to millions by showcasing ‘the magic of our store’ on screen.

The post highlighted how a single line would go on to shape the restaurant’s legacy: “Forever changing Katz’s history with that simple line: ‘I’ll have what she’s having!’”

The line was delivered by Estelle Reiner, his mother, in a brief cameo that has since become one of the most quoted moments in film.

Decades later, its influence remains as prevalent as ever. In December 2024, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal returned to Katz’s to film a commercial, underlining how closely the deli remains tied to the film’s enduring popularity.