Sitting in the famous Katz’s deli on Houston St on the Lower East Side (now being re-branded by the local retailers and economic development group as LES) and watching the 2 dozen men that work the deli counter get ready for a busy Saturday afternoon…I was unexpectedly entertained and taken by their “pre-show” or “pre-game” warm up ritual.  As David Byrne says, music comes in all shapes and forms.

The Latin American (some Cuban) smiling burly men (funny side bar: one was nicknamed “Lou Ferrigno” when he was eating 5 egg whites to get ready for the day) spoke loudly in Spanish back and forth to each other like birds early in the morning.  It also made me think of the Latin American baseball teams that would chatter all game long in the dugout.  It wasn’t the words they were saying, but rather the pitter-patter high energy rhythm their combined voices produced that was extraordinaire.

Thoroughly entertained like only NYC can offer…I finished my coffee and 4 pound peppers and onions omelet and gazed at all the celebrity photos on the wall.

If you ain’t been to Katz’s…go take a listen…maybe you’ll be lucky enough to her someone recreate Meg Ryan’s fake orgasim in “When Harry Met Sally”.  While I was there, a giant Polish man eating Galicwurst was sitting in that seat.  

Otherwise just open your ears and listen to the Katz’s guys serving up corned beef.

FYW…