Katz’s Deli opened its Shenandoah location 10 years ago, and owner Barry Katz celebrated the milestone last month by taking the lock off the door to signify the restaurant’s new 24-hour operating schedule.


In addition to keeping the location open 24/7, the restaurant and the menu underwent a makeover, making it more similar to the original Katz’s Deli on Westheimer Road in Houston, Katz said.


“Our big push is we’re a quality 24-hour restaurant,” he said. “The big difference is for the past year, I’ve been working on adding new menu items.”


Additional appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and breakfast items are now available, and breakfast, lunch and dinner options are served 24 hours a day, Katz said.


Popular menu items at Katz’s include fried pickles, the Reuben sandwich and New York-style cheesecake, Katz said.


“People have been very positive and welcome the 24-hour quality that we bring to the table,” Katz said.


The shift to being open 24/7 also created additional job opportunities. The location went from employing a staff of 15 to 50, Katz said. The new format also provides full-table service.


Offering 24-hour service at the Shenandoah location was especially appealing because of the general growth in the region as well as the increase in hotels and hospitals in the area, Katz said.


“Area hotels and hospitals have already learned that we are 24 hours, so we’ve kind of become to go-to place for the overnight business,” he said.


In addition to new food, the eatery now offers a beer and wine selection, Katz said. The interior also got an update from building designer Michael Hsu, who has also designed the Gucci and Shake Shack buildings, Katz said.


Katz is a New York native and moved to Austin when he was 7 years old, he said. He opened the first Greater Houston area Katz’s on Westheimer Road in 2000.


“I’ve had a passion and worked in the restaurant industry for over 30 years,” Katz said. “I started when I was 12 washing dishes. I always wanted to grow within the industry and grow restaurants.”