New York's biggest sandwich, delicious matzo
ball soup, and slow-cured pastrami that melts in your mouth? Missing out on these American delicatessens
just wouldn't be kosher. Katz's Delicatessen - New York City Opened in 1888 on New York's Lower East Side,
and after a few name changes, Katz's Delicatessen has become as iconic to the culture of New
York City as much as the Statue of Liberty or Broadway. Family owned and operated, Katz's is a deli
like none other in the country. Diners from near and far trek out to the deli
for the famous slow-cured pastrami and corned beef, which is served on rye bread. Unlike a typical 36 hour curing method, Katz's
cures their meats for 30 days to preserve every essence of pure flavor. The mammoth pastrami sandwiches are the most
famous staple at this oldest deli in town, and they always carefully hand-slice the meats
for each customer who successfully navigates their chaotic, yet truly-New York-style, deli. As per the instructions of New York Magazine,
customers must grab a paper ticket to secure their spot in line and have cash ready if
they're paying at the register. If you're lucky enough to snag a table seat
in this tight-knit yet well-organized dining area, the waiter will also accept a credit
card. Whichever way you pay, you won't be displeased
with this iconic Jewish deli, symbolic of everything it means to be a New Yorker — fast,
no-frills, and proud of every timeless and classic tradition. "I'll have what she's having." Slyman's Restaurant - Cleveland Located on the corner of St. Clair Avenue,
Slyman's Restaurant has been highly successful in serving the Cleveland community all of
the best, premium-quality delicatessen foods. According to Slyman's website, they're "The
Home of the Biggest and Best Corned Beef." Family-owned since its opening in 1964 and
passed on through the generations, Slyman's is famous in Cleveland for their enormous-stacked
corned beef sandwiches on rye bread. Slyman sandwiches are a huge hit for Clevelanders
— just ask any of the 34,000 fans on their official Facebook page. One Tripadvisor reviewer even claimed that
theirs was the best sandwich they'd ever had — referring to the corned beef sandwich
with Swiss cheese on rye. Because their colossal following is as massive
as their sandwiches, it's safe to say that Slyman's is one of the best delis in the United
States. Gioia's Deli - St. Louis Opened in 1918 by Italian immigrants who have
called St. Louis home for four generations, Gioia's Deli distinguishes themselves from
others with their unique and savory hot salami sandwich. The thick-cut Italian salami has been made
in-house using the same process for over 100 years. Many of its fans love to pair it with their
mouth-watering Garlic Cheese Bread to craft a truly sensational meal. Gioia's was a recipient of the 2017 America's
Classics Award by the James Beard Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on
supporting a premium food culture in the U.S based on overall high standards, quality ingredients,
and leadership. In 2021, Gioia's hot salami sandwich was awarded
the "Best Sandwich in Missouri" by Food and Wine Magazine, and also landed on a Food Network
list of best sandwiches in the nation. As co-owner Alex Donley shared with local
NBC affiliate KSDK, they currently keep the longtime secret recipe for their salami in
a locked safe on display in the restaurant. However, Gioia's is definitely not a secret
in St. Louis or the rest of the United States. Zaftigs Delicatessen - Brookline, Massachusetts Many delicatessens are also known for their
homemade soups like matzo ball, which is what Zaftigs Delicatessen in Brookline, Massachusetts,
specializes in. The Zaftigs Brookline location opened in 1997,
and they have made it a priority to keep their family recipes going strong by upholding decades-long
traditions like any good deli should. Just take a glance at their current all-day
menu on the Zaftigs website that lists farm fresh eggs in their breakfast dishes, classic
latkes – potato pancakes – and a selection of smoked fish such as salmon. One Yelp reviewer reports that the matzo balls
are "fluffy" and the soup itself includes plenty of chicken and vegetables. "This guy makes the best soup in the city,
Jerry! The best!" Gonella's - Detroit Proudly operating for more than 75 years and
providing one-of-a-kind Italian subs to Detroit's hard workers, Gonella's is a valued staple
in the Motor City. Per their website, they're an original eatery,
famous for freshly made, layered submarine sandwiches that use only top quality ingredients. They also offer a full-service deli counter
complete with an assortment of olives, cheeses, meats that include steaks, sirloin, and veal. Their layered subs come in a variety of sizes,
from six all the way up to 18 layers, piled high with ham, salami, capicola, and many
other choice cold cuts, cheeses, and vegetables. Their modest brick establishment includes
wine and olive bars, as well as a generous selection of grocery items. One Google reviewer said that they always
visit Gonella's for one of their Italian subs whenever they're in Detroit. And why wouldn't they? Gonella's is always a good time. Sarge's Delicatessen & Diner - New York City If you're in search of one of the best pastrami
sandwiches in New York City, you'll find it on 3rd Avenue at Sarge's Delicatessen and
Diner. According to their official website, they've
been in business since 1964, serving up quality homemade foods such as hot sandwiches, cold
cut platters, and "The Monster" — New York's "BIGGEST" sandwich, according to their menu. It's described as being stacked high with: "Corned Beef, Pastrami, Roast Beef, Fresh
Turkey, Salami, Sliced Tomato, Lettuce, Coleslaw & Russian Dressing." If you hadn't already expected it, all of
their meats are cured in-house, making each sandwich, no matter how massive, specially
hand-crafted. Their classic style and cozy restaurant setting,
complete with burgundy diner booths and walls of celebrity-visitor photos, helps to make
Sarge's a good place to sit and stay awhile. If you stop by to take on the challenge of
a Monster sandwich or to share a platter of cold cuts with friends, Sarge's is an experience
of undeniable tradition. Harold's New York Deli - Edison, New Jersey This deli in Edison, New Jersey, is the epitome
of a classic Jersey diner atmosphere with a compact yet warm setting and plenty of homemade
eats. The sandwiches at Harold's Deli, like this
triple-decker, are hand-crafted with perfectly tender, juicy meats. The pastrami is made on the premises and served
up with a side of coleslaw that makes for a more than generous portion. Their desserts, such as cheesecakes and pies,
are all homemade. As Only In Your State notes, Harold's claims
to have the World's Largest Pickle bar, where patrons can self-serve a massive variety of
pickles, buffet-style. The bigger, the better when it comes to the
pastrami and corned beef sandwiches served at Harold's, where they pile on the meats,
making one sandwich big enough to feed multiple people. The pastrami is slow cooked for over two days
in order to preserve the full amount of flavors. of cake — almost everything on the menu
is gigantic. It's become a place where locals enjoy celebrating
holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, marking the events with a memorable meal. What better way to celebrate traditions than
at a traditional deli like Harold's? Langer's Delicatessen - Los Angeles Opened in 1947 and currently located in the
Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, Langer's Jewish deli has been well beloved and affectionately
regarded as the best hot pastrami sandwich in Los Angeles. The generations of patrons who have enjoyed
Langer's would argue that the sandwich is the best in the world, suggests David Shaw
for the James Beard Foundation. In a piece for The New Yorker, the late Nora
Ephron praised the already-acclaimed sandwich, saying — "It’s a symphony orchestra, different instruments
brought together to play one perfect chord. It costs eight-fifty and is, in short, a work
of art." As Tasting Table notes, Langer's cuts each
slice of peppered brisket meat with tremendous care to ensure quality texture and preserve
the robust outer crust. On Yelp, they have nearly 4,000 reviews with
an overall 4.5 rating out of 5. One reviewer credits Langer's with having
— "The best pastrami in Southern California,
with the proper crunch of the crust." Langer's old-world, no-frills atmosphere is
a true gem to SoCal. Famous 4th Street Delicatessen - Philadelphia For the Radin siblings, much of their lives
were spent working in Jewish-style delis around New York City and its surrounding boroughs. According to the deli's website, after the
family expanded through marriages, the family business grew to further include coffee shops
and lunchrooms. But it was their own delicatessen that opened
in 1923 on 4th Street that became a staple in the city of Philadelphia — the Famous
4th Street Delicatessen. Like many other traditional delis, they cure
their meats in-house, as well as bake all of their tasty desserts to stock their own
bakery. "Get a pastry box." "Move it!" As WHYY radio notes, the deli gets especially
busy when the U.S. election season rolls around, meaning politicians, staff, poll workers,
and the media stop in for a bite to eat and a chance to interact with the public. Even President Barack Obama stopped by in
2010. And, yes, that's Adam Sandler enjoying a bite! Condé Nast Traveler recommends ordering a
big sandwich or a savory treat from the "smoked fish department." Famous 4th Street Deli is one of those places
so steeped in tradition that you just can't miss it if you ever tour the City of Brotherly
Love. Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen - Chicago As many establishments have proven already,
the secret to a successful delicatessen is not to change a thing. That's exactly how Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen
has operated since 1942. Over the years, the Chicago eatery has added
a traditional meat counter and moved from their original location, but that's about
it. The business has belonged to the same family
for four generations. Apart from their famous pastrami and corned
beef classics, they also specialize in fish that includes varieties of salmon and trout,
and homemade bakery items that are courtesy of cherished family recipes. Walking into Manny's, you'll feel like you've
stepped back in time when your feet hit the black and white tiled floor and you search
for an open table within the massive cafeteria-style dining area. Due to the fluctuating population of Jewish
communities in the Chicago area over the decades, Manny's has grown to become one of the most
well-loved delis in the city. As owner Dan Raskin has said, they've kept
customers happy throughout the years by providing the same delicious eats that have always been
found at traditional Jewish-delis and households alike. "Oh, oh, and take the challah out of the oven,
please. In 10 minutes, listen for the timer." "You got it." Molinari Delicatessen - San Francisco Molinari does the Italian-style delicatessen
right, and they've been going strong in San Francisco since 1896. The sandwiches on the menu here feature a
wide variety of quality prosciutto, salami, mortadella, and other delectable meats, each
topped with fresh vegetables, cheeses, and dressings. Customers are guaranteed to find something
to please their palette at Molinari, whether through their own custom-made sandwich or
a gourmet, crafted one listed on the menu. Tat's Delicatessen - Seattle Seattle, Washington isn't just about Starbucks
and local craft breweries. In the Emerald City, you'll find a classic
East Coast-style deli at Tat's Delicatessen. They've only been in business since 2004,
but have quickly proven themselves worthy of providing quality foods just like any other
old school establishment. As the Tat's Deli website shares, it is all
thanks to two Philadelphia and New Jersey natives: owners Brian Tatman and Jason Simodejka. They offer up a tremendous menu of breakfast
dishes, Philly Steak sandwiches, and hoagies. If you have a hankering for an authentic East
Coast-style deli lunch but you're stuck in Seattle, look no further than Tat's Delicatessen. A Taste of Italy - Wilmington, North Carolina North Carolina is another place that you would
never automatically think about when it comes to old-world delicatessens. The state is better known for their fried
chicken fast food chain Bojangles and vinegar-based barbecue. However, the city of Wilmington is home to
a well-loved authentic Italian delicatessen called A Taste of Italy. The deli offers made-to-order Italian classics
such as grilled sandwiches, breakfast meals, sautés, and as many cold cuts as your heart
desires—salami, mortadella, capicola, pastrami, Parma prosciutto, and so many more. Cheese and specialty deli salads can also
be purchased by the pound. A Taste of Italy also features a market stocked
with wines that you can buy to-go as a way to top off your Italian treats at home. Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen - Houston Ziggy Gruber is a third generation deli owner
who's owned a few eateries across the country, but his New York-style delicatessen located
in Houston, Texas currently does an outstanding job at bringing Jewish deli traditions to
the Lone Star state. Whether you're in the mood for fresh matzo
ball soup, a multi-stacked pastrami sandwich on rye, or "K&Z handcrafted, all beef, natural
casing franks,” Kenny & Ziggy's will fill you up with any of their hundreds of menu
items. Like, how do you even eat that? Shapiro's Delicatessen - Indianapolis Last but not least, a list of the best delis
in the U.S. would not be complete without Shapiro's Delicatessen in Indianapolis. Their restaurant has been operating in the
family since 1905 and has solidified their position as one of Indianapolis's favorite
kosher deli eateries. Pastrami sandwiches piled high? Check. Slow-cooked brisket? Check. Fresh rye bread, homemade matzo ball soup,
desserts, bagels? Of course! "Sorry, I, uh, I had a bite of my bagel and
I forgot to pray." The deli stays true to tradition with classic-style
cafeteria dining, open-area seating, and recipes that haven't changed in over 100 years. The poppy seed cake is also a must. One thing's for certain: Whatever you choose
will be authentic and excellent at the kosher-style delicatessen called Shapiro's.
