This week we went on a tour of the Tenement Museum, which is located at 97 Orchard Street in the Lower East Side. The tour offered us a deeper look into the origins of "sweat shops" by presenting an actual tenement that dated back to the 1860s. From this time until the 1930s, more than 7,000 poor urban workers lived in the house. The building remains in its original state except for minor renovations. The Tenement Museum really shed light on the life and times of the average 19th century immigrant who came to New York with hopes of prosperity. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and taught us a great deal of history about the museum. She later led us on a walking tour of the Lower East Side and when finished, encouraged us to explore the area for ourselves.
Following the tour, Rob and I decided to stop for lunch at Katz's delicatessen, the oldest of its kind in New York. The deli was established in 1888 and was featured in the movie When Harry Met Sally. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are not the only celebrated customers; Bill Clinton and Dan Akroyd are also regulars. Rob and I both ordered the hand-sliced pastrami sandwich. The price of $15 was reflected in the quality and quantity of the sandwich, the largest I have ever eaten. The ordering process is unique since the customer has direct interaction with the counterman to ensure quality service. The food was great, the service was efficient, and the staff was very friendly. Overall, this was a great New York experience, and I recommend Katz's delicatessen to all.
