“I’ll have what she’s having.” Can it really be 35 years since Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal created their famous fake orgasm scene from When Harry Met Sally? The scene was filmed at New York City’s Katz’s Delicatessen where sumptuous sandwiches are skyscraper tall and absolutely delicious (my sole visit was in 1978). Unlike Meg’s character, most of us wouldn’t have to fake our “excitement” with one gander of the sheer size of Katz’s pastrami sandwich. A Katz’s, the world-famous pastrami sandwich is enormous, featuring about one pound (12–16 ounces) of hand-carved meat stacked between rye bread. The sandwich stands roughly five-inches tall and is often considered large enough for two people to share. Obviously that doesn’t include me; I wouldn’t share it with anyone.
When my friend and frequent dining companion Bill Resnik invited me for lunch at Kaufman’s New York Diner, we hoped for some facsimile of the excitement and size of Katz’s . We’re both realists, however, and recognize that parsimonious portions are standard at most New Mexico sandwich shops. We did, however, hope and expect that the pastrami be imported from New York City or, even better, made on the premises in the tradition of Jewish sandwich shops across “Metropolis.” Our hopes were bolstered by the knowledge that Kaufman’s New York Diner is the brainchild of David Kaufman who also owns Kaufman’s Coffee & Bagels. David is a graduate of the “real CIA,” the Culinary Institute of America.
Kaufman’s Coffee & Bagels is a paragon of the art of New York bagel baking. The same techniques and practices employeed by bagel shops in New York City are practiced at Kaufman’s. It shows in the high quality of some of the best bagels you’ll find outside of The Big Apple. Kaufman’s is located at 2500 Central, S.W. If you’re headed east on Central, you’ll spy it as you make that confusing U-turn to get into the El Vado parking lot (make sure to look out for city buses) In keeping with the zeitgeist of the area, Kaufman’s lives in a “pod”-sized space, not a restaurant. That makes it so much more personal. So does interacting with the great staff who fill your order.
Excitement across the city ramped up when it was announced that Kaufman’s would be launching a New York style diner. Kaufman’s launched on Friday, February 13, 2026. It was an auspicious date and not only for those who suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th). This particular Friday was two days after Ash Wednesday which meant a lot of Catholics were abstaining from meat. Yes, there are several non-meat items on the menu, but those of us who crave pastrami and corned beef don’t want to indulge in a tuna melt or matzo ball soup.
Kaufman’s New York is located within the 505 Central Food Hall just west of the intersection of Central Avenue and 4th Street, (the only spot in the U.S. where Route 66 crosses itself). Kaufman’s occupies the space previously held by Humble Coffee. The menu still includes Humble Coffee which undoubtedly goes well with pastrami. Most of us will visit for sandwiches: BLT, tuna melt, grilled cheese, French dip, reuben and pastrami, but we’ll inger for such desserts as cinnamon rolls and the black-and-white-cookie. Also on the menu are a number of traditional New York breakfast dishes, salads, soups (including motzo ball soup).
Much as we may have been intrigued by other menu items, Bill and I didn’t drive from Rio Rancho for anything other than a pastrami sandwich and a Reuben. He would order one, I would order the other then we would have a half of each. The pastrami sandwich was perhaps one-fifth the size of its counterpart at Katz’s. A very good rye bread was graced by smear of yellow mustard and not nearly enough pastrami for two pastrami paramours like us. The pastrami is very lean and moist (my preference is for fatty pastrami which I’ve found to be far more flavorful). Our server confirmed that the pastrami comes from Boar’s Head, a prolific purveyor of deli meats and cheeses. That was a disappointment for us both.
Our other sandwich was a Reuben which you can order made with pastrami or with corned beef. We opted for the latter so we could have some of both meats. The corned beef Reuben is constructed on lightly toasted rye bread. Slices of Swiss cheese sandwich other Reuben ingredients: Thousand Island dressing and sauerkraut. Two slices of Swiss is a big plus. Alas, the Thousand Island dressing was a bit on the sweet side which masked much of the sour component of the sauerkraut. As with the pastrami sandwich, we were disappointed that there wasn’t more heft to the sandwich. A single pickle spear and a bag of Miss Vickies chips was a nice touch.
Don’t get me wrong. Our sandwiches were very good – “very good for New Mexico good.” Bill and I, hoping for sandwiches so tall we could climb them, wanted “New York good.” Still, Kaufman’s New York Diner is a very welcome addition to Albuquerque. It may not make New Yorkers forget about Katz’s Deli, but it will delight sandwich lovers who like eating their sandwiches without having to climb them.
Kaufman’s New York Diner
505 Central Avenue, N.W., Suite C
Albuquerque, New Mexico
(505) 251-9517
Website | Facebook Page
LATEST VISIT: 24 February 2026
# OF VISITS: 1
RATING: N/R
COST: $$
BEST BET: Pastrami Sandwich, Reuben
REVIEW #1518