Katz’s Deli, at E. Houston and Ludlow Sts., celebrated its 125th anniversary Sunday with a food-filled affair, featuring pastrami-eating and pickle-bobbing contests. In the pastrami chew-down, the East Village’s own mysterious Eater X put up a good fight, but was edged out by hungrier opponents. For eating the most 7-ounce sandwich halves in 10 minutes — 25, to be exact — Joey Chestnut won the coveted Gilded Pastrami Sandwich Championship Trophy, along with $7,500 in prize money. Runners-up included Matt Stonie, Notorious B.O.B. and Eater X, with 21, 18.5 and 16 sandwiches, respectively. Councilmember Margaret Chin, below, made the scene, hanging with Katz’s owner Alan Dell, left, and Bob Zuckerman, executive director of the Lower East Side Business Improvement District, right. The event was also tied in with the BID’s Day Life series of events, featuring the best of local food and fashion vendors.
