Katz's Deli

“When Harry Met Sally’s” most memorable scene
Was filmed in this eatery, where
Pastrami and corned beef are piled high on rye –
Indulge, if your arteries dare.

But here I’ll impart a sage word of advice:
Your ticket allows you to leave;
Misplace it or lose it and tsurris* awaits –
There’ll be trouble like you won’t believe!

You see, when you enter, a ticket’s proffered
And they punch in the price for your food;
That’s in case you line up at the counter buffet
Where the choices are there to be viewed.

If you sit at a table where waiters attend,
Then you still need the ticket to pay;
But my order was added to that of my friend,
Which we both thought was really okay.

So we got on the line where we’d settle the bill
And they asked for my ticket as well.
I’d left it behind, but our table was filled
With some just-seated starved clientele.

But somehow, my ticket was brought to the front
And they let me walk out of the door.
It’s lucky for me or I’d still be inside,
Washing dishes or mopping the floor.

There’s a lesson to learn – get the lay of the land
When you’re someplace you don’t know so well;
Or perhaps a distraction is what you can use
And, like Sally, just let out a yell.

*Yiddish for aggravation