It is the encounter of the two main characters, Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) sitting at one of the tables at Katz's Delicatessen in Manhattan where she tells him that his past lovers probably faked orgasms with him.
Suddenly, Sally fakes one while all the customers watch in astonishment. A scene in which Reiner's own mother, Estelle, also participates, playing the woman sitting near the main characters who utters the famous "I'll have what she's having."
Thanks to that filming, Katz's Deli became a must-visit for any visitor to the Big Apple. Three decades later, the lines on the sidewalk are still incredible.
As expected, after themurderof the director and his wife, photographer Michele Singer, after their son Nick allegedly slit their throats, the establishment paid a beautiful tribute to the director: "Remembering the great Rob Reiner on this tragic day. Rob Reiner was a quintessential New Yorker and a creative giant who brought Katz's to millions of people showcasing the magic of our store in his masterpiece When Harry Met Sally. Forever changing Katz's history with that simple line: 'I'll have what she's having.' Our hearts are with his family. Sending infinite love."
The history of Katz's Deli is centennial. It opened in 1888 by brothers Morris and Hyman Iceland, who decided to open a small quality deli in the Lower East Side, knowing that millions of immigrants had settled in New York for the endless job opportunities.
In 1903, an entrepreneur named Willy Katz joined the business, so the name changed to Iceland & Katz. Seven years later, Benny, Willy's cousin, wanted to join the business, so he bought out the Iceland brothers. This way, the deli became Katz's Delicatessen, the same name it holds today and where they still make the best pastrami sandwiches in New York. In 1917, landlord Harry Tarowsky bought the business.
A sense of community quickly formed in the area, so every Friday night it was common for locals to gather and eat sausages with beans, a Katz family tradition. Additionally, Katz's Deli became a hub for Yiddish theater artists.
During World War II, Willy and Benny Katz devised an influential advertising campaign: since the owners' three sons were in the military, as a family tradition they would send food to those far away, thus giving rise to the slogan 'Send a salami to your boy in the army.'
The Katz family owned the establishment until the mid-80s, when they decided to sell it to Martin Dell, a family friend who also owned a neighboring deli.
Since 2009, the business has been run by Jake Dell, Martin's son, who has also paid a beautiful tribute to Rob Reiner on social media.