30 Best Pastrami Sandwich Shops in the U.S., Ranked
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Given that pastrami sandwiches and Jewish delis basically go hand in hand, it's not surprising that the word "pastrami" has Yiddish roots. The Yiddish "pastrame” is partly of Romanian origin and refers specifically to cured, pressed meat. And, lucky for us, the delightful brisket sandwich staple made its way from Eastern Europe and across the Atlantic to become a cuisine staple here in the New World.
Jewish delis were once ubiquitous in cities around the country, but CNN reported in 2021 that the trend seems to be on a downward slope, with New York, which once hosted 1,500 such delicatessens in the 1930s, now having less than two dozen in the 21st century. (Although the vaunted Carnegie Deli is no longer open for physical dining, you can still order from them online.)
The good news? Those pastrami sandwich shops that are still going strong serve up some of the best meaty goodness on the planet. That's why we decided to rank America's best pastrami sandwich shops, according to some data from Tripadvisor as well as some personal staff picks.
Wherever you wind up, as soon as that pastrami sandwich slides across the counter, it’s time to shout a hearty “L'Chayim!” in thanks.
30. Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop
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Location: San Francisco, California (New York location closed at present)
Year opened: 1929 (New York), 2022 (San Francisco)
Tripadvisor review rating: 35.8
Why Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop Is So Popular
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Eisenberg’s has been a staple of the New York delicatessen scene since the same year that Wall Street crashed. But COVID was particularly unkind to the business, which had to close several times in the last few years both for pandemic and other reasons.
While the restaurant's New York location has since been rebranded, if you happen to find yourself in San Francisco, head over to the popup location just off Union Square. Eisenberg’s stocks a delicious Reuben as well as a combo Reuben, both of which are piled high with pastrami. Eisenberg’s may have ventured far from its Gotham roots, but its Bay Area outpost shows just how much Americans enjoy pastrami coast to coast.
29. Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli
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Location: Denver, Colorado
Year opened: 2003
Tripadvisor review rating: 36.3
Why Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli Is So Popular
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In only two decades, Smiling Moose has gone from an upstart delicatessen in the Mile High City to an operation with several locations around Colorado’s capital. If you’re feeling winded up at elevation, Smiling Moose has you covered with its traditional grilled pastrami sandwich, featuring Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and 1000 Island dressing on marble rye.
However, if you’re game for a new twist on an old favorite, try the Ridgeline Pastrami, which features chopped sirloin along with melted American cheese, grilled pastrami, sautéed onions, Dijon mustard, roasted garlic aioli and the requisite Swiss cheese. Talk about a Rocky Mountain high!
28. Katz’s Delicatessen
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Location: New York, New York
Year opened: 1888
Tripadvisor review rating: 38
Why Katz's Delicatessen Is So Popular
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OK, let’s get this out of the way now: I’m as shocked as you that Katz’s Tripadvisor rating was so low, but upon closer inspection, over 17,000 people wrote reviews, providing quite a lot of wiggle room for less-than-stellar ratings for what is arguably the most famous deli in the nation.
I doubt many people would even give two bagels about that low rating and will head to Katz’s on Manhattan’s Lower East Side for pastrami post-haste (I’ll see you there!). In addition to the traditional sammy, you can also enjoy the pastrami meat at Katz’s sliced by the pound (yes, please!) or in hash form. This restaurant has been around for 135 years, so clearly, Katz’s is doing something right.
27. Pastrami Queen
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Location: New York, New York
Year opened: 1956
Tripadvisor review rating: 40.6
Why Pastrami Queen Is So Popular
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As if putting the word right there in the name weren’t enough, Pastrami Queen’s website lands you on an absolutely delectable-looking sandwich that’ll have you hopping the next plane to LaGuardia. The “reigning” shop has been offering its World Famous Hot Pastrami Sandwich for almost 70 years — though, the current $25 price would likely be a shock to anyone who dined there in the 1950s.
The Queen also allows you to upgrade your sandwich, with options such as club bread, fried onions, tomato and extra meat all available for some extra scratch. It’s not a cheap meal, but it’s New York — and you’ll be so full you might not need dinner later on.
26. The Hat
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Location: Pasadena, California
Year opened: 1951
Tripadvisor review rating: 40.9
Why the Hat Is So Popular
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Many places claim their pastrami sandwich is world famous (such as the Pastrami Queen), but no one ever says how that’s measured. Whatever the case, in the Rose City, mere miles up the 110 freeway from downtown Los Angeles, the Hat is a Pasadena institution. It must be, after all, since it also claims its pastrami is “world famous."
The Hat offers a unique take on the pastrami sandwich, with several “dipping” options such as au jus or gravy. Relocated New Yorkers love to complain that they can’t get “their” food out West, but watch them go quiet after a Hat pastrami. Especially when it’s 70 degrees Fahrenheit in February.
25. Noshville
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Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Year opened: 1996
Tripadvisor review rating: 41.5
Why Noshville Is So Popular
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Ya gotta admit, the name is clever. Noshville claims to be an “authentic” New York-style deli in the Tennessee capital, and it offers both East Coast pastrami as well as “turkey pastrami” sandwiches. But if it’s the traditional ’stram sandwich you’re after, Noshville has it on rye, pumpernickel, wheat and sourdough bread — a perfect melding of East and West coast bread options.
The pastrami sammies come with three different choices of meat sizes: small (6 ounce), New York (½ pound) and “We Dare Ya” (1 pound) — the latter probably so-named by Music City cardiologists.
24. Wexler’s
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Location: Los Angeles, California
Year opened: 2014
Tripadvisor review rating: 43.9
Why Wexler’s Is So Popular
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A deli need not be “storied” to get pastrami right. Case in point is Wexler’s, an L.A. delicatessen operation that has only been open for less than a decade but has Angelenos positively singing its praises.
In addition to the Reuben and the “O.G.” (pastrami and mustard on rye), chef-owner Micah Wexler and his partners also offer a daybreaking interpretation called the Big Poppa. That mac-daddy of breakfast goodness includes pastrami, egg, cheddar and cream cheeses, all served on a bagel. Everything is made in-house, giving Wexler’s a leg — er, slice — up on the competition.
23. Canter’s Deli
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Location: Los Angeles, California
Year opened: 1931
Tripadvisor review rating: 44.4
Why Canter’s Deli Is So Popular
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There’s history, and then there’s Canter’s. Since the early years of the Great Depression, Canter’s has been serving up traditional Jewish staples to the hungry Hollywood community — and you can gaze at photos of the many famous persons who have dined here over the years. (Fun fact: Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash is best buddies with Marc Canter, a member of the family that still owns the joint, and is thus known to rock up with Marc in tow for a bite.)
Canter’s Pastrami Reuben and hot pastrami sandwiches aren’t to be missed, and the pastrami meat can also be found in breakfast items, including the benedict. Canter’s has 92 years to its resume, so anytime is a super time to roll on up to L.A.’s Fairfax District to celebrate this perennial SoCal eatery. Oh, and if it’s late, you should also pop by the attached Kibitz Room for live music.
22. Loeb’s NY Deli
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Location: Washington, D.C.
Year opened: 1959
Tripadvisor review rating: 45.5
Why Loeb’s NY Deli Is So Popular
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The nation’s capital wasn’t always the hotbed of culinary activity it is now, thanks to chefs like José Andres coming to town. It’s strange that the District of Columbia, home to people from all over the world, has only a few Jewish delis, but Loeb’s consistently tops that list.
Unsurprisingly, its pastrami offerings are named for notable streets in New York, including the Park Avenue (corned beef, pastrami, twin rolls), the Wall Street (pastrami, roast beef, slaw, special-recipe Russian dressing) and the Times Square (pastrami, fried egg, cheese, slaw, special-recipe Russian dressing). There’s also Walter’s Favorite, entailing pastrami, Muenster cheese, slaw and special-recipe Russian dressing on pumpernickel.
Yes, please and thank you for all of these pastrami options! May I suggest renaming at least one or two the “Washington Monument” or the “Pentagon”? No?
21. Hometown Bar-B-Que Industry City
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Location: Brooklyn, New York
Year opened: 2013
Tripadvisor review rating: 46.6
Why Hometown Bar-B-Que Industry City Is So Popular
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In a city with such a storied deli culture as New York, it’s understandable that new names on the block are trying to take a big bite out of the Big Apple’s pastrami crown (send complaints about my puns to City Hall; I’ll meet you there, I swear!). Hometown opened in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn in 2013, and it hasn’t wasted any time serving up some groovy pastrami.
Its main pastrami sandwich features toasted rye bread and brown deli mustard, but this bad boy is served only on the weekends, so plan ahead! Especially so you can get there before all those Williamsburg hipsters, who will swear up and down that they liked Hometown Bar-B-Que’s pastrami “before it was cool.”
20. Sarge’s Deli
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Location: New York, New York
Year opened: 1964
Tripadvisor review rating: 47.1
Why Sarge’s Deli Is So Popular
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Sarge’s offers the “usuals” when it comes to corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, but this is a place that absolutely rewards more adventurous diners. Case in point is the pastrami, Swiss and tongue sandwich. Yes, tongue! Served up with coleslaw and Russian dressing, this is a $25 delicacy from this delectable delicatessen.
And for a heart attack-inducing option, try out the hog dog wrapped in pastrami. Just make sure you walk about 50 blocks afterward.
19. Beantown Pastrami Co.
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Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Year opened: 2015
Tripadvisor review rating: 53.3
Why Beantown Pastrami Co. Is So Popular
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When it comes to Bostonian pastrami sandwiches, this place is wicked awesome. It’s right there in the name, for one thing. Beantown serves up the traditional corned beef and Reuben sandwiches, but it takes things up a notch with something called the Grilled Pastrami Rachel, featuring a quarter pound of the meat. (Whoever Rachel is, thank you!) You can also pit your stomach against the half-pounder.
And a word of advice to any visiting New Yorkers who pop by Beantown Pastrami: Don’t mention the Yankees. Or the Giants. Actually, just shut up and eat — which is New York for “what a beautiful day here in Boston!”
18. The Refuge
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Location: San Carlos, California
Year opened: 2008
Tripadvisor review rating: 53.4
Why The Refuge Is So Popular
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Heading back to the Bay Area again to take refuge at a popular spot in the South Bay city of San Carlos. In addition to its take on the conventional pastrami sandwich, the Refuge is home to such other surprises as poutine served with pastrami, a pastrami chopped salad and even pastrami tacos — which may not be traditional, but it shows how great it is when chefs take chances with tried-and-true ingredients.
Oh, and unlike many other delis we’re visiting here, you can also order a beer at the Refuge to go along with your pastrami. What could be hipper than that?
17. 2nd Ave Deli
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Location: New York, New York
Year opened: 1954
Tripadvisor review rating: 53.5
Why 2nd Ave Deli Is So Popular
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Have you ever watched “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee?" Then, you’ve probably seen Jerry Seinfeld and pal Jim Gaffigan pop by the 2nd Ave Deli for some nosh. You can visit as well, particularly if you have a weakness for New York pastrami.
Of particularly note is the No. 4, a drool-worthy sandwich encompassing hot pastrami, corned beef, soft salami, coleslaw and Russian dressing. If you’re feeling “saucy,” to quote one Wayne Campbell, there’s also the “Instant Heart Attack,” a sandwich featuring two potato packages and pastrami. Just press 9 and 1 before you dig in.
16. Katzinger’s Delicatessen
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Location: Columbus, Ohio
Year opened: 1984
Tripadvisor review rating: 53.7
Why Katzinger’s Delicatessen Is So Popular
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Not to be confused with New York’s Katz’s Deli, Ohio’s capital city hosts some hefty doses of pastrami goodness at Katzinger’s Delicatessen, which has been in the business of slinging sammies just shy of 40 years. This being the Midwest, Katzinger’s offers some rather hefty pastrami options, including Big Bob’s Belly Balancer (say that 10 times fast), with its complement of hot pastrami, corned beef, coleslaw and Russian dressing served on rye bread. Or, for an even beefier option, there’s Bill, Gary and Beuford’s Upper Yough Reuben, with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut or coleslaw, as well as the requisite Russian dressing on rye.
And another great reason to come to Katzinger’s is its prices. You’d pay two to three times as much in Manhattan for such titanic sandwiches. You’re welcome.
14. Shapiro’s Delicatessen (Tie)
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Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Year opened: 1905
Tripadvisor review rating: 55.6
Why Shapiro's Delicatessen Is So Popular
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Russian immigrants Louis and Rebecca Shapiro officially became Hoosiers in 1905, and right away, they opened a small delicatessen in Indiana’s largest city. Anti-semitism was sadly as prevalent then as it is now, but that didn’t stop the Shapiros from displaying the Star of David on their business in blatant defiance of Gov. Ed Jackson, who was also a vocal member of the KKK.
Despite such difficulties, the Shapiro family has thrived for over a century — as has their pastrami. Today, you can enjoy Shapiro’s hefty New York Reuben or peppered beef sandwich. And for the adventurous, there’s the smoked tongue sandwich. We salute you, Shapiro’s!
14. The Original Tops (Tie)
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Location: Pasadena, California
Year opened: 1952
Tripadvisor review rating: 55.6
Why The Original Tops Is So Popular
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Heading back to sunny Southern California for another pastrami, we find ourselves at the famous Original Tops. Because things are usually done a bit differently out West, Tops puts a different spin on the pastrami sandwich by serving it on a French roll. Ooh la la!
And since most of us have since given up on our New Year’s diets anyways, I’ll meet you there on East Colorado Boulevard for the quarter-pound Tops Special, which is a cheeseburger “topped” with pastrami. Your treat!
13. Zingerman's
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Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Year opened: 1982
Tripadvisor review rating: 56.7
Why Zingerman's Is So Popular
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Entrepreneurs Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig had the ingenious notion of opening up a deli right next to Ann Arbor’s farmers market, ensuring some rather steady — and hungry — foot traffic. It’s kind of hard to decide between the Rick’s 50/50 Mix, featuring both pastrami and corned beef, or Jenny’s Fix, the more customary pastrami sandwich featuring Russian dressing and Swiss cheese atop rye bread.
Oh man, and what about the absolutely loaded Don’s Rhythm & Blues, featuring Zingerman’s pastrami on double-baked, Jewish rye bread?
12. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen
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Location: Chicago, Illinois
Year opened: 1942
Tripadvisor review rating: 56.9
Why Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen Is So Popular
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How’s about another American success story? Jack and Charlie Raskin came to Chicago from Russia and started cooking up Jewish specialty food at the corner of Van Buren and Halsted streets in the city’s Greektown. Nearly a century later, the Raskin family is still serving up pastrami goodness. In addition to the pastrami sammies — including the amazing-looking Chazzer — almost everything else on the menu features pastrami in some shape or form, be it the omelets, egg sandwich or as a side order.
Manny’s website even comes with a warning: “May cause drooling.”
11. Eleven City Diner
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Location: Chicago, Illinois
Year opened: 2006
Tripadvisor review rating: 60
Why Eleven City Diner Is So Popular
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The Windy City has no shortage of pastrami options, so if you’re still hungry after lunch at Manny’s (actually, wait a few hours — and definitely don’t go swimming!), then head over to the Eleven City Diner, located right next to Chicago’s famed waterfront.
This joint offers turkey pastrami, corned beef and “regular” pastrami sandwiches — and you can even get some pastrami atop your French fries for an even more calorie-packed extravaganza. After all, there are absolutely zero wrong ways to enjoy pastrami.
10. Kenny & Ziggy's Deli
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Location: Houston, Texas
Year opened: 1999
Tripadvisor review rating: 60
Why Kenny & Ziggy's Deli Is So Popular
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Most self-respecting pastrami-philes surely miss the Carnegie Deli, but fear not, as former Carnegie owner Freddy Klein pulled up stakes and headed for … Houston? Sure, why not?!
Klein partnered up with the Bayou City’s own Lenny Friedman in Texas to help Ziggy Grube get his dream of a Jewish deli in Houston off the ground — with none other than pastrami, of course. And holy cow, it’s said that everything is bigger in Texas, which would explain the Zellagabetsky, an eight-decker corned beef and pastrami sandwich. If you can finish it, Kenny & Ziggy promises you a free piece of cheesecake.
Houston, we might have indigestion.
8. Larder Delicatessen and Bakery (Tie)
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Year opened: 2018
Tripadvisor review rating: 62.5
Why Larder Delicatessen and Bakery Is So Popular
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Instead of demolishing older buildings, many of America’s cities are repurposing them. That’s certainly true in Cleveland, where the Ohio City Firehouse was given new life as the Larder Deli a few years ago.
Larder’s menu includes a pastrami sandwich piled high with Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brisket, then topped with sauerkraut and mustard. All of it served on rye bread, natch. When you show up, be sure to thank chef and co-owner Jeremy Umansky for bringing pastrami awesomeness to C-town.
8. Beyer Deli (Tie)
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Location: San Diego, California
Year opened: 2001
Tripadvisor review rating: 62.5
Why Beyer Deli Is So Popular
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San Diego has long been a military town, and when sailors come ashore, they typically need some hearty food that reminds them of homes far away. Beyer Deli offers the usual deli staples, with pastrami sandwiches on tap to satiate a hungry belly.
Some bets are probably being settled there thanks to the “Man Handler,” a pastrami sandwich topped with bacon, Thousand Island dressing and provolone cheese. Now that’s good eatin’!
7. David's Brisket House
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Location: Brooklyn, New York
Year opened: 1960s
Tripadvisor review rating: 62.9
Why David's Brisket House Is So Popular
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Pastrami Reuben, pastrami and brisket, corned beef and pastrami, or brisket beef, corned beef and pastrami sandwiches. Now you’re talking! Brothers Riyadh and Farouq Gazali are currently shepherding this long-time New York institution, which holds the distinction of being the only halal Jewish deli in the world.
That’s right: When the brothers took over the business, they maintained the menu but added halal options for observant Muslims, too. It goes to show, yet again, that breaking bread is what brings people together.
6. Perly’s
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Location: Richmond, Virginia
Year opened: 1961
Tripadvisor review rating: 65.3
Why Perly’s Is So Popular
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Why order a regular old pastrami sandwich when you can order Perly’s “Oy Vey!,” featuring a mammoth 8 ounces of pastrami and 8 ounces of corned beef. This historic deli is a brisk 10-minute walk from the Virginia Capitol, meaning all those self-important politicians can fill up before heading back to waste, I mean “use,” my taxpayer money (I live in Virginia).
If the Oy Vey! isn’t quite your speed, try Perly’s Patty Melt, a hamburger topped with pastrami, or the Jewish Sailor, which pairs that hot pastrami smoked with beef sausage and pickled red cabbage — as well as some chopped liver schmear. You first!
5. Langer’s
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Location: Los Angeles, California
Year opened: 1947
Tripadvisor review rating: 66
Why Langer’s Is So Popular
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Another Hollywood go-to for the foodie cognoscenti is Langer’s, where pastrami meat is paired with all manner of items in the joint’s array of sandwiches. Langer’s is perhaps most famous for its No. 19, a sandwich comprised of pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing.
But you can also grab a sammie of pastrami and chopped liver, pastrami and tomato, and even pastrami French dip. Heck, ask for pastrami on top of pastrami, already!
4. The Bagel Deli
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Location: Denver, Colorado
Year opened: 1967
Tripadvisor review rating: 68.1
Why the Bagel Deli Is So Popular
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You know when a restaurant boasts “as seen on TV” that it’s popular. No less than Guy Fieri has rolled up to Bagel Deli in his famous ’68 Camaro.
The Bagel Deli is well known for its pastrami sandwich served on pumpernickel bread (but you can also substitute light rye, marble rye, sourdough, whole wheat, kaiser roll, onion roll or even a bagel). You could also take a stab at the peppered beef sandwich, entailing lean pastrami. (Hair-dyeing like Fieri’s? Optional.)
3. Sam La Grassa's
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Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Year opened: 1968
Tripadvisor review rating: 70.1
Why Sam La Grassa’s Is So Popular
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Two words: Pastrami Diablo! This devilish sandwich entails pastrami served on a round roll — and tagging along for the ride are BBQ sauce, jack cheese, Bermuda onion, applewood smoked bacon and some hot cherry peppers to “sweeten” the deal. Yowsers!
Sam La Grassa’s also offers a Chipotle Pastrami that tops the meat with chipotle honey mustard. That’s some creativity from Sam La Grassa, whose descendants are still slinging pastrami nearly six decades after its founding.
2. Brent's Deli
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Location: Northridge, California
Year opened: 1967
Tripadvisor review rating: 70.6
Why Brent’s Deli Is So Popular
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Nicolas Cage once decreed “I don’t want to go to the Valley!” in the 1983 flick “Valley Girl.” His character, Randy, absolutely should have, as he could have noshed at the popular Brent’s Deli with its well-known pastrami.
Ol’ Randy would likely have been a happy camper chowing down on the hot pastrami and corned beef with Swiss or the hot pastrami and chopped liver sandwich. Or would Randy and his titular Valley Girl have enjoyed Brent’s king of sandwiches, the hot pastrami with roasted turkey and Swiss cheese? As the film’s Julie might observe: “I am SO sure!”
1. Hobby’s Deli
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Location: Newark, New Jersey
Year opened: 1962
Tripadvisor review rating: 74.8
Why Hobby’s Deli Is So Popular
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Full disclosure: I’m from New Jersey, and I may be a tad biased here. I might lie to you, but would Tripadvisor’s ratings? According to the travel site's metrics, one of the best places to go in America for pastrami sandwiches is Hobby’s Deli in Newark, which is still run by the Bremmer family 61 years after it opened its doors.
Hobby’s is rather creative in naming its pastrami sandwiches, including the Weequahic Triple-Decker, comprised of pastrami, corned beef and turkey slathered with Russian dressing. Sure, you could also order up the classic Reuben, but you might want to go the distance with the Legend Burger Deluxe that marries pastrami and the beef patty. There’s also the No. 27, the Nidres-Burger Deluxe, which piles pastrami, onions, hot sauce and pepper jack cheese on top of a burger. Don’t fancy a sandwich? Go for the meat poutine served with pastrami instead.