We have been going to Harold’s for decades and this time we felt totally cheated. Harold’s was always pricey but you got a lot of very good food for the money. Tonight the food was nothing special: just a sandwich (a $30-40 sandwich). Everything is an upcharge: cheese, tomato, etc. Now they even charge for bread! Prior to 2020, the rye bread was on the pickle bar, then during 2020, they brought some to the table and now they charge $1 per slice for a slice of rye bread! I never thought I would be writing a bad review for Harold’s but I am now.
A pastrami sandwich at Katz or Sarge's will run you $30 dollars, and that's a small sandwich with no sides or soup. Velben effect makes people think their pastrami is better because its more $$, but I can barely tell the difference. Harolds with just as good pastrami at $30 can feed 2 people or 4 dieting New Yorkers. Dollar for dollar, pastrami lbs. to pastrami lbs., no contest. Anyone complaining about quality or prices don't realize the value they are getting or feel the opportunity cost. Its cheaper to take a train from NY Penn to Metuchen station, uber to Harolds, pick up a party size meat package, uber back, and take the train back smelling like a god, and you still save money. Edison born and raised, living in NYC. I visit my parents just to eat here.
Always great food. I order to go usually. My only gripe is really grasping how much food each item actually is. It's always more than is described and hard to decide how much is enough.
The pickle bar was ok. Not really a pickle person.
A lot of food must be shared. The new menu has an individual sandwich. Good selection. Open pickle bar
This Restaurant has magnificent food. It's worth every penny.