Expect a queue in New York

14 places for Expect a queue in New York, picked by creators — with what they said.

• Katz's Delicatessen — National Geographic, Jon Barr
  Praised the pastrami, cured for up to 30 days, for slicing like butter even stacked 20 layers high, with smoking and steaming ensuring not a single slice loses its seasoning.
• Joe's Pizza — Beatrice Richer, Jon Barr
  Greasy with cheese that stretches for days—exactly the New York slice they'd always imagined—and gave it a perfect 10.
  Heads up: The line is very long, and there are definitely tastier slices to be found elsewhere in New York.
• Ess-a-Bagel — Beatrice Richer
  Called it one of the best bagels of their life, praising the huge variety of cream cheeses, salads, and spreads.
  Heads up: Waited an hour in line on their first visit.
• Russ & Daughters — Jon Barr
  The best nova salmon and lox he's had in New York — the whole experience of pulling a ticket and ordering at the counter is enjoyable, and the quality has stayed consistent over the years. There's also a separate sit-down café on the corner.
  Heads up: The lox cream cheese bagel is pricey at $17 and the line can be long; the bagels themselves aren't baked in-house and are a bit weak — since the cured fish is the real star, some people get their bagels elsewhere.
• Adel's Famous Halal Food — National Geographic
  Praised the tender lamb mixed with several sauces for a salty, spicy flavor balanced by sweetness, the rice for being fragrant and fluffy, and the chicken for being moist from marinating, saying 'the wait was completely worth it.'
  Heads up: The line can stretch all the way to the corner at the end of the block, meaning a substantial wait.
• Lucali — TOPJAW
  Raved about the ultra-thin yet crisp, structured dough, and the tender meatballs made from brisket, short rib, and spicy sausage.
  Heads up: Only 10 tables, no reservations — you line up to put your name down and get a assigned time. BYOB.
• Jin Mei Dumpling — TOPJAW
  Highlighted the crispy texture from one side being seared hard, and the great value at 33 cents apiece.
  Heads up: There's a line every day, and 15 dumplings is a lot to eat alone.
• Tompkins Square Bagels — Beatrice Richer
  Her boyfriend called the chipotle chicken salad bagel the best bagel of his life, and she said hers was also excellent.
  Heads up: With so many menu options and a line forming, she rushed her order and regretted her choice.
• Juliana’s — Jon Barr
  The original coal-oven pizza famously made by Patsy Grimaldi is excellent, and the classic Margherita is so good you don't even need to add toppings. A great choice for a group lunch or dinner.
  Heads up: There's usually a line, and you can only order whole pies, not slices—pies start at $26, which is a lot if you're not that hungry.
• Mei Lai Wah — National Geographic
  Praised the combination of sweet custard topping, soft bread, and the moist, sauce-soaked pork filling as 'a classic must-eat in Chinatown.'
  Heads up: So busy that the line stretches out to the sidewalk, and freshly baked batches sell out quickly.
• Magnolia Bakery — Jon Barr
  The classic banana pudding, small size, is still a great deal at $4.95 and hasn't disappointed in years. Bleecker Street is a pretty neighborhood, great for a stroll with it in hand.
  Heads up: Pre-ordering online lets you skip the line; otherwise the wait can be long depending on the time. The cupcakes are unremarkable.
• Nom Wah Tea Parlor — Jon Barr
  The oldest dim sum spot in Chinatown, in business for over 100 years, with a retro diner interior that feels like a movie set—called the most photogenic place on the list.
  Heads up: The atmosphere is great, but the dim sum itself is just average—other spots in Chinatown are better.
• Joe's Shanghai — Jon Barr
  Moved to the Bowery in 2019, giving it a bigger space and shorter waits; the broth is flavorful, and the pork and crab dumplings are especially good. Prices are reasonable.
  Heads up: Cash only (though there's an ATM inside), there's still a wait despite more seating, and 80-90% of customers are tourists. Some say the non-soup dumpling dishes are unremarkable.
• Ess-a-Bagel — Jon Barr
  Nearly 50 years old, known for thick, chewy bagels generously slathered with cream cheese, with three Midtown locations for easy access.
  Heads up: The Midtown flagship had the longest bagel line he's ever waited in, and it doesn't quite reach the top tier of crispy-outside, chewy-inside bagels.

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