Eating

Katz II on Temple

21 Temple St.
New Haven, CT
(203) 787-5286

Katz's II on Temple makes everything from scratch - their soups are made daily, cookies are baked every morning and they steam their own deli meats, like pastrami and corned beef. "Someone will come in and say, '$6.99 for a pastrami sandwich?!' and someone will tap them on the shoulder and say, 'You haven't been here before, huh?'" recounts owner Mark McKinley. McKinley's point: The quality is so high and the ingredients are so fresh that Katz's II sandwiches, piled high with meat, are worth it. McKinley is acutely aware of the recession, and Katz's II was one of the area's first restaurants to offer a recession menu: smaller portions at smaller prices. The menu includes four $8 options ranging from a sandwich, chips and drink to a salad, soup and drink.