New York City isn’t exactly lacking in legendary spots to grab a sensational sandwich, so it really says something that a pop-up by Michigan institution Zingerman’s Deli caused such buzz in the Big Apple. The legendary Ann Arbor. Michigan shop brought its award-winning sammies to NYC for the first time ever, hosting a one-day event at Chelsea’s Olly Olly Market on 7 October. New Yorkers flocked to get a taste of the Jewish deli’s famous Reuben sandwiches fresh off the line. Why so much buzz? These aren't just any old sammies.
Made with Zingerman’s rye bread, Russian dressing, and house-made Black Angus corned beef, they're regularly named the best in the US, and people travel far and wide to try them. The deli itself is at the heart of Ann Arbor’s food landscape, and what makes the business so special is that practically everything is made in-house; over the years, it's grown to include a restaurant, bakery, coffee roastery, candy store, and even a creamery, crafting delicious artisan cheeses and gelato.
The Zingerman’s story goes back to 1982, when friends Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig decided to open a traditional Jewish deli in a historic building near Ann Arbor’s Farmers’ Market. The deli was originally to be named Greenberg's Delicatessen, in honor of one the regular customers at Monahan's Fish Market, where Paul was a partner; but another business with that name objected. After a quick brainstorming session to find a new name, they eventually settled on ‘Zingerman’s’, in part because it starts with a Z so would be easy to spot at the end of the phone book.
Initially, the humble shop had just five tables and sold a small selection of sandwiches, traditional Jewish foods like chopped liver, and other deli delights like chicken soup, cheeses, smoked fish, and bread. The first new addition to the empire was Zingerman’s Next Door coffee shop in 1992, closely followed by Zingerman’s Bakehouse, which quickly grew to be one of the most beloved bakeries in Michigan. Its recipes are rooted in age-old American, European, and Jewish traditions, and the bakery has a loyal following for mouth-watering creations like its chocolate challah, Black Magic Brownie, and the all-important rye bread for the deli’s famous Reubens.
We all know how badly the pandemic hit the nation’s restaurants and, while Zingerman's was badly affected, it managed to weather the storm, unlike the countless eateries forced to shutter for good over the past few years. The secret ingredient was its mail-order service; before the pandemic, carryout and deliveries only made up about 8% of the business; now, more than 80% of orders at the deli are placed in advance. The team was also quick to mix-up the product lineup, focusing on the kind of comfort food we all craved during COVID-19, and offering curbside pick-up.
Today, what’s now called the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses encompasses a veritable food empire in Ann Arbor – in fact, you’ll struggle to find a type of food the business doesn’t create. There’s fresh mozzarella, hand-stretched every morning at the creamery, hearty plates of gourmet mac 'n' cheese at the bustling Zingerman’s Roadhouse restaurant, and even homemade candy bars crafted at Zingerman's Candy Manufactory. And, while the team have no plans to expand to New York, they’re keen to spread the love with plenty more pop-ups in the works.
Hungry for more? Read on to discover the best, most highly rated deli in your state.
NOTE: Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Diplomat Deli has been a Birmingham favorite since opening in 1982. It’s best-known for its huge sandwiches, crammed with fillings like ham, turkey, regional cheeses, and unusual additions like pineapple and banana. Customers love the friendly neighborhood atmosphere and dreamy sandwiches, which are generously stuffed and have the perfect bread to filling ratio. It’s also known for its selection of beers and spirits.
Imported foods from Russia, Poland, and various Eastern European countries are the specialty at Eastern European Store & Deli, which sells a range of meats, cheeses, and baked goods alongside prepared dishes and hot meals. People love trying authentically prepared and delicious treats like borsch (beetroot soup) and pierogi (filled dumplings, pictured), while the huge sandwiches are much appreciated. There’s a second store in Wasilla too.
Hot pastrami, scratch-made soups, tender brisket, a daily turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy… Miracle Mile is exactly what a deli should be: a place to enjoy home-cooked-style meals in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. There’s often a long line (for good reason) but the service is efficient, and it’s well worth the wait. The deli opened in 1949 and the experience shows in every bite.
This cute counter-service spot is loved for its cozy, homely atmosphere, and creative sub sandwiches – the deli’s specialty. The extensive menu has a range of 'hot and toasty' subs, with favorites including the incredible French Dipped and Bang Pow Chicken, a pan-seared chicken breast with sriracha mayo. The veggie options, including the Caprese and Infused Portobello with mushroom and balsamic, are super-tasty too.
Delis don’t come much more old-school than Molinari, in San Francisco’s North Beach or 'Little Italy' neighborhood. To say the shelves heave under jars, tins, bottles, and boxes is an understatement. There’s an eye-popping array of pastas, olive oils, cured meats, cheeses, sauces, and coffee. It’s a great spot to stock up on authentic Italian foods, of course, although people also come for the incredible sandwiches, with mouth-watering options like Sicilian sausage and grilled eggplant in marinara sauce.
Italian sausage, made in-house to a recipe handed down through generations of the Mollica family, is the specialty at this cozy, comforting deli. Opened in 1987, Mollica’s has an Italian market and a counter with sandwiches and pizza. It’s also popular as a restaurant, serving a range of homemade pasta and authentic Italian dishes with options like cannoli and cheesecake for dessert.
Rein’s combines a deli counter and market with a restaurant, all specializing in traditional Jewish food. There are generously stuffed pastrami sandwiches, tubs of house-made soup, and a bakery section with bagels and hamentashen (soft, triangular-shaped pastries eaten on Jewish holiday Purim). People love the complimentary pickles and the Reuben sandwiches, which come with a choice of fillings including pastrami, brisket, and veggies.
The Philly-style cheesesteaks at Long Neck Deli are so good, they rival the real deal – the sandwiches here are served on sub rolls from Philadelphia, after all. Other favorites include the roast pork sandwiches, while people praise the friendly service and the fact that everything is freshly made with the best ingredients.
This Ybor City mainstay is best-known for its perfectly crisp and chewy Cuban bread, an essential base for the meat-stuffed Cuban sandwich, which some claim was invented in this Tampa neighborhood. La Segunda has been a cornerstone of the area since it opened in 1915, and it’s a favorite for everything from Cuban-style breakfasts of toast, pastries, and café con leche, to the legendary sandwich itself.
This cute deli in Savannah is a top spot for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods like Greek salad, hummus, and dawali (grape leaves stuffed with rice). Gyros filled with ground lamb or chicken breast are a specialty, although customers rave about pretty much everything on the menu. Al Salaam also serves wraps with falafel, kofta or chicken curry.
With two locations in Kailua (and two others located elsewhere on Oahu), Kalapawai is a reliably friendly spot to grab something delicious at pretty much any time of day. It serves Hawaiian roasted coffee, dreamy sandwiches, and baked goods, and everything is great. The beach location is gorgeous too, right by the entrance to Kailua Beach Park.
Fat Guys is famous for its Reuben, heaped generously with corned beef and sauerkraut, though all the sandwiches served at this popular local deli are good. Customers recommend the BLT – made with thick-cut bacon – and the incredible potato salad. Other menu favorites include scratch-made soup of the day and big fat salads. There's a second location in Boise.
From the checkered floor to the rows of tables that run the length of the skinny space, Manny’s oozes old-school deli charm. Opened in 1942, this venerable spot has a deli counter stocked with bagels, cured meats, pickles, and pastries. The café also serves a range of hot sandwiches and pretty much every breakfast option you could imagine. It’s the type of place that feeds your soul as well as your belly.
This family-run deli has been a fixture of downtown Indianapolis since 1905. Shapiro’s specializes in made-from-scratch comfort food and Jewish cuisine like matzo soup, brisket, pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, crave-worthy mac ‘n’ cheese, and huge chicken salads. It’s also known for its cheesecakes, made in the on-site bakery. There’s a second location at the airport, for those who want another fix before departing the city.
Formerly Hagar’s and now under new ownership, Hansen’s Manhattan Deli has been a staple for subs and other deli delights since opening in 1982. Sandwiches of all kind are the main event, with rotating daily specials alongside favorites like Deli Burger and Little Italy. Oh, and the vegetarian Reuben – packed with filling and flavor – is the best around.
Few people visit College Hill Deli just the once – unless they happen to be from out of town. The food is so good that customers return again and again, dreaming about the super-fresh and flavor-packed salads on those in-between days. The sandwiches are described as incredible, though there’s barely a bad choice on the menu, from chicken fried steak and cups of house-made chili to tempting cakes and desserts.
Stevens & Stevens is all about classic, New York–style deli fare made with fresh, healthy, and local ingredients. The deli’s founders, Mark and Susan Stevens, source some of the ingredients from their own farms and orchards, while those craving a pile of pastrami on rye won’t be disappointed. The sandwiches here are seriously good.
There’s really only one place to try a muffuletta. The traditional sandwich, made with Italian bread that’s typically filled with cured meats, cheese, and pickles, is believed to have been invented at Central Grocery, founded in 1906 by Sicilian immigrant Salvatore Lupo. They’re still made with meats sliced in-house, while the French Quarter deli’s shelves typically heave with pasta, oils, herbs, cheeses, and olives. The store is gearing up to re-open after hurricane damage, but while you wait you can get their muffulettas at several other locations in and around New Orleans – check the website for updates.
There’s nothing fancy about The Big Top Deli (unless you count the sign, with its striped circus motif). But the food itself is well worth an encore. The counter-service spot serves packed-full breakfast sandwiches and bagels all day, and also has a range of hot hoagies or subs like Philly cheesesteaks, French dips, and tuna melts. Aside from the food, people love the company’s ethos and the friendly atmosphere.
Cravings tend to be satisfied pretty quickly at Attman’s, an old-school spot established in 1915. It’s a favorite on Corned Beef Row, a stretch of East Lombard Street that was once the epicentre of the city’s Jewish community. The corned beef here is great, especially when stuffed, hot, into a Reuben sandwich with sauerkraut.
Old-school corner spot Polcari’s Coffee has been a local favorite since it opened in the 1930s, with one loyal customer describing it as 'the best coffee shop on Earth'. It’s primarily a deli that sells Italian-style charcuterie, cheeses, house-made baked goods, and a particularly impressive array of spices.
Zingerman’s is such an integral part of Ann Arbor’s food landscape that people are willing to travel just to get a bite of one of their generously filled Reubens. There’s often a wait, but that doesn’t seem to put anyone off. The deli opened near the city's farmers' market in 1982, and is famous for made-to-order sandwiches with Black Angus corned beef, pastrami, and house-made chopped liver. The store also sells regional cheeses, olive oils, vinegars, cured meats, smoked fish, and coffee.
This 1954-established Eastern European deli specializes in superlative sausages, made in-house to traditional recipes from countries including Ukraine and Poland. They’re sold raw, smoked, or pre-cooked, alongside a range of other meats like steaks, burgers, hams, and pâtés. There’s a range of pastries, cakes, breads, and packaged goods on sale too.
Long Beach isn’t your usual deli. For a start, its kitchen is helmed by a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu who grew up in South Korea. As you might expect, that means unique flavors and foods – from chicken wraps to bánh mì sandwiches – that are a cut above. The deli also claims to have the largest selection of cold beer in the state, including several on tap. And when you throw in the pet-friendly patio, there are plenty of reasons to linger for a while.
From jaw-challengingly huge sandwiches to freshly made cinnamon rolls and cookies, M&M Bakery and Deli has Kansas City’s deli cravings covered. Specialties include the Reuben and the Hook ’Em Up, an onion roll filled with pepper beef, turkey, salad, and pickles. The spot also makes occasion cakes to order – and serves some pretty good donuts too.
Baskets overflowing with fresh, vibrantly colored fruits, counters displaying regional cheeses and cured meats, and shelves weighed down by cookies and sweets. All of these things go some way to explaining why people love Big Sky Deli, which customers describe as a hidden gem. It also makes great coffee, pastries, and sandwiches too.
Jacobo’s isn’t just a great place to pick up Mexican groceries and deli items; it’s the type of place people dream about. In particular, they dream about the tamales. And the tortillas. And the salsas… Everything is fresh, perfectly prepared, and authentic, from the baked goods to the tortillas (pressed in-store) and deli meats.
The menu at Weiss Deli reads like a roster of stuff you might crave when you're especially ravenous. There’s The One, a breakfast sandwich with ham, eggs, and cheese; the Vegetable Hash, a roll filled with veggies, hash browns, and cheese; and huge hashes packed with ingredients like shredded corn beef, potatoes, green onions, and mushrooms. And everything – including the cookies – is as delicious as it sounds.
Plymouth spot Biederman’s is a hugely popular pub and grocery store hybrid. From the Reuben, packed with corned beef and cheese, to the Zamboa (a delicious combo of buffalo chicken, mozzarella, lettuce, bacon, and blue cheese), it’s all about the sandwiches here. Oh, and beer – it has local beers on tap and fridges packed with cans and bottles. It's a popular hangout spot and sells sandwiches, potato salad, and cookies to take home, too.
Pretty much everything is made fresh in-house at Harold’s New York Deli (which, despite the name, is very much in New Jersey). There’s the coleslaw, packed with crunch and zingy flavor, and an array of perfect pickles, usually displayed on what the joint claims is the world’s longest pickle bar. The sandwiches, too, are out of this world, made with the best bread and absolutely packed with fillings like pastrami.
Brown Bag Deli may be small, and the décor might be on the basic side, but the food is neither of those things. The sandwiches, for example, are humongous and packed with flavor. Customers recommend the Ultimate Green Chile Chicken Club – described as one of the best sandwiches ever – and the sodas. The pickle and pepper bar, where people can help themselves, is another plus.
The word 'institution' gets thrown around a lot, especially in New York City. But there’s no denying that Katz’s, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, deserves the description. The no-frills Jewish deli has been around since 1888 and famously featured in the film When Harry Met Sally. Everything is delicious here, although the real classic is, of course, the pastrami sandwich – considered by many to be the best in the world.
Located on the state’s Outer Banks line of barrier islands, Country Deli is known for its over-stuffed sandwiches. Mind you, most customers seem to feel they’re just the right amount of stuffed, and love the generous fillings. The huge hoagies and super-sized subs are enough to satisfy pretty much any hunger, maybe over a couple of meals. The cookies, cakes, and ice cream sandwiches are popular too.
Starting life as a sausage and cheese shop in 1976, Bismarck's Country House Deli has grown to a full-service deli, serving up sandwiches, soups, and salads. It's a real favorite with locals, who especially love the joint's specialty dish: beer cheese soup. Yes, that's a soup made with beer and cheese – and it's as delicious as it sounds.
This cute corner deli in Columbus’ historic German Village is considered the go-to place to satisfy sandwich cravings. People rave about Brown Bag Deli menu favorites like The Village Addiction: sourdough with smoked turkey, havarti cheese, and cranberry mayonnaise. Sides like the potato salad, laced with mustard, and deviled eggs are also great.
Oklahoma City's Mediterranean Imports is the place to go if you're trying to track down that hard-to-source ingredient. The store specializes in groceries from Italy, Greece, Turkey, France, Spain and the UK, as well as goods from the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe. You can also pick up freshly made sandwiches, and there's a great olive bar.
Delis are often associated with heaps of cured meats, hanging salamis and wheels of cheese. But East Side Deli makes a real effort to cater for vegetarian and vegan diets, too, with faux-meat options like Tofurky, crispy soy (stuffed into the vegan BBQ sub), and a veggie Reuben. It also serves classic meat-filled deli sandwiches, plus a range of salads and hot dogs. There are two further locations in Portland too.
Famous 4th Street takes the idea of scratch-made foods to new levels. Established in 1923, the deli is a Philly landmark and features in movies including Philadelphia, starring Tom Hanks. The spot smokes its own meats, pickles its corned beef (for those incredible Reubens), and bakes its bread in-house. The focus is on Jewish cuisine, while people love the original vintage features and, of course, the generous and impeccably prepared food.
Dee’s Deli is the sort of cute, charming, down-home spot that has locals yearning for the sandwiches while they’re away and visitors longing to return. The bungalow-style joint specializes in traditional Italian grinders (sub sandwiches), served packed with charcuterie meats, cheeses, and crunchy veggies. Everything is good, though – particularly the meatballs.
With two locations in Charleston, Brown Dog Deli is a chef-driven deli that likes to put tasty twists on typical deli fare. The menu combines diverse influences from Asian cuisine to Southern BBQ, with dishes like chipotle chicken cobb salad; a grilled cheese with prime rib; and a BLT with fried green tomatoes. There’s a decent vegetarian menu too, while everything is served up amid funky, 1980s-themed decor.
Local favorite Lotus Up serves a straightforward but delicious selection of coffees and baked goods, with a focus on espresso-based drinks and deli sandwiches. The Monte Cristo panini and the caramel buns are especially good, although you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, from the breakfast sandwiches to the quesadilla, perhaps paired with an Italian soda.
Like many delis, Mitchell specializes in perfecting the craft of the sandwich. And, according to many loyal customers, it succeeds. The sandwiches are freshly made using mostly local ingredients and meats smoked in-house, with the Reuben and the Mitchell Club sandwich among favorites. The French Dip is also excellent, as are the packaged salads and hot breakfast items.
With two locations, both in Austin, Little Deli comes out on top with customers because it offers all the delicious sliced meats, cheeses, salads, sandwiches, and soups you might expect at a deli – plus pizza. The pies come with thin, crisp bases and are topped with anything from spinach and ricotta to roasted eggplant. People love the fact that you can BYOB too.
This local mini-chain, with several locations in Salt Lake City, sells a mouth-watering array of regional Italian foods and delicacies from southern Europe. Caputo’s is like a sweet shop for savory-lovers (although it does sell a selection of artisan chocolate). There are well-stocked counters displaying cured meats and seafood, and shelves with bottles of olive oils and vinegars, many of which can be sampled. There’s even a cheese cave. Customers love the made-to-order sandwiches too.
Gill’s Deli has been serving the best grinders (sub sandwiches) around since it opened in 1964. They’re made with fresh bread supplied by a local bakery and, according to the deli, it’s the secret-recipe seasoned oil, passed down through generations, that makes them so delicious. Whatever the reason, customers love them and often come back time and again, with the Hot Italian a favorite.
Originally opened in 1961, Perly's abruptly shut down a decade ago after 50 years in business – before new owners took it on and gave it a brand new lease of life. Keeping much of the original Art Deco style, it's now a buzzy and modern take on the Jewish deli, serving up great breakfasts, classics like latkes, matzoh ball soup and fish platters, and mouth-watering specialty sandwiches. There are great cocktails, too.
Tat's Deli was opened by two friends who grew up in New Jersey and Philadelphia and wanted to bring a taste of home to Seattle. Channeling the vibe, and the menu, of east coast delis, Tat's serves a huge range of hoagies, cheesesteaks, and hot subs. Customers especially love their signature Tat'strami sandwich, packed with in-house pastrami, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, and coleslaw.
Hermosilla’s might be the type of place that people stumble across and decide, on a whim, to stop by for an Italian sub or perhaps a platter of cold cuts to take home. It isn’t, though, a place that people forget. The food here is that good, and customers tend to return time and again (or, if they don’t live in the area, dream about returning).
Longstanding family-owned deli West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe has a dreamy array of Wisconsin cheeses, smoked meats, and other edible goodies sourced from local businesses. The attached café serves all-day breakfast and incredible sandwiches too. There's also a location at Milwaukee Public Market, complete with a Raclette Bar serving oozy cheese and cocktails.
Main Street Deli combines counter service with a restaurant. It’s also something of a community hub, hosting regular events and cooking classes in a warm and welcoming space. Menu items are named after streets, such as the 5th Avenue Philly cheesesteak, the Sunset Blvd – a salad topped with breaded buffalo chicken – and the Front Street grilled cheese. The pizzas and giant burgers are great too.