Corned beef is serious business in Michigan, and a good deli sandwich here can be a two-handed operation. From Detroit counters that stay open late to old-school markets that have been slicing meat for decades, the state is full of spots that know how to pile it on.
This list rounds up eight delis where the portions are big, the rye is fresh, and the corned beef is the main event. Whether you want a classic Reuben, a stacked combo, or a made-to-order monster, there is a stop here worth planning a drive around.
Save this one, because you will want a reminder next time hunger hits.
1. Zingerman’s Delicatessen, Ann Arbor, MI
People really do drive several hours to get here, and once you see the sandwiches it makes sense. Zingerman’s opened in 1982 in a historic building near the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market and has grown into one of the most talked-about delis in the country.
The pastrami Reuben is the headliner, built with high-quality corned beef and freshly baked bread. The garlicky potato salad is a favorite side, and the cheese counter carries a wide selection of specialty foods, pickles, coleslaw, and gourmet treats.
Expect a lineup, especially on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Mornings early in the week are the calmest time to go.
The vibe is casual and a little funky, with counter service, seating, and a full vegan and vegetarian menu alongside the classics. Reservations are not accepted, and parking downtown can take a minute, so leave a little extra time.
It is a fitting way to kick off any Michigan corned beef list.
2. Bread Basket Deli Downtown Detroit, Detroit, MI
Just outside downtown near Belle Isle, this casual deli has built its name on award-winning corned beef. Portions run large, and the bread is grilled and buttered before it ever reaches your hands.
The Corned Beef and Swiss is the go-to, but the menu stretches into breakfast and creative territory too. A Corned Beef Egg Roll gives the classic a fun twist, and there are double egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches, a hickory bacon BLT, french fries, and onion rings to round things out.
Prices land in the friendly range, roughly ten to twenty dollars per person, and the deli caters corporate events. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday afternoons tend to be the busiest, while mornings stay quieter.
Open seven days a week with plenty of parking, both free and paid, it is an easy stop whether you are grabbing lunch, dinner, or an early bite. Counter service keeps things moving.
3. Star Deli, Southfield, MI
Four decades of practice go into the sandwiches here, and it shows in the stacks. Star Deli is an old-school, New York-style operation in Southfield that leans on high-quality meats and generous portions.
The pastrami on crusty rye is a signature, and the corned beef and Reuben keep loyal customers coming back year after year. Prices have shifted over the decades, but the focus stays on quality and quantity.
Worth knowing before you go: this is a to-go operation, not a sit-down spot. You can order sandwiches, salads, sides, and deli trays for takeout, curbside pickup, or delivery, with in-store shopping too.
Open every day from morning through early evening, it fills up on Monday and Friday afternoons and into Saturday evening. There is free parking in the lot and on the street, so grabbing a quick order is simple.
If corned beef and pastrami are the whole point of your trip, this counter delivers.
4. Stage Deli Restaurant, West Bloomfield Township, MI
A modern interior sets this one apart from the more no-frills spots on the list. Stage Deli in West Bloomfield is a storied Jewish deli that plates overstuffed sandwiches, salads, and smoked fish in a spacious, stylish room with outdoor seating.
The menu is vast. Alongside the Hot Pastrami and Corned Beef Sandwich, you will find matzo ball soup with carrots, a falafel plate, a full Reuben, pickles, and plenty more comfort food, all well portioned.
It has been a neighborhood staple for years, drawing folks who used to frequent long-gone metro Detroit delis. Service is attentive, and the setting works for both dine-in and carryout.
Note the hours before you head over: it is closed Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday from late morning into the evening. Busy stretches include Sunday evening and afternoons midweek and on weekends.
Free and paid parking are both available, making it an easy sit-down option.
5. Lou’s Deli, Detroit, MI
Night owls, take note: this Detroit deli stays open past midnight, and on weekends it runs into the early morning hours. Lou’s Deli on West McNichols has built a reputation on corned beef that is tender enough to fall apart, served in generous piles with pickles on the side.
The Big Louie is the sandwich to share, and it has earned families a full table of memories. Beyond the corned beef, the menu spans a Corned Beef Egg Roll, the Supreme Deli Burger, the Counterman’s Treat, french fries, and homemade desserts like sweet potato pie and double chocolate cake.
It is a family-friendly, clean spot with a welcoming staff. Prices sit in the ten to twenty dollar range, and there is free and on-site parking.
Closed Mondays, it opens Tuesday through Sunday, with the latest hours on Friday and Saturday. Weekend evenings get the busiest, so plan accordingly if you want a big Louie without a wait.
6. Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef, Detroit, MI
Breakfast and corned beef live happily together at this diner-style spot on Riopelle Street. Louie’s Ham and Corned Beef mixes counter seats and booths with a menu that swings from huge omelettes to towering deli sandwiches.
The standout is the Combo Delight, which stacks pastrami, corned beef, swiss cheese, coleslaw, and thousand island dressing into one serious sandwich. Fans also point to the Reuben, the corned beef omelette, chili fries, and french fries served at just the right temperature.
Morning eaters do well here too, with eggs benedict, loaded oatmeal, a club sandwich, and a French vanilla cappuccino on the board. Portions are generous and the pricing is fair.
Open Monday through Saturday from early morning until late afternoon and closed on Sundays, it is a solid choice for a filling weekday breakfast or lunch. Friday and Saturday are the busiest, and there is usually plenty of parking.
Table service and a family-style feel round it out.
7. Ernie’s Market, Oak Park, MI
Bring cash and a little patience, because the lines at Ernie’s are part of the experience. This no-frills Oak Park market has been slicing meat since 1955, and it still turns out huge, made-to-order sandwiches with a signature special sauce.
The Monster Sandwich lives up to its name, and the corned beef, pastrami, and turkey pastrami are cut fresh right at the counter. The setup is charming and simple, complete with an old oak-doored refrigerator that gives the place its character.
Prices are reasonable for the size, landing in the ten to twenty dollar range. There is no dine-in, no restroom, and no delivery, so this is a grab-and-go stop with street parking only.
Hours run Monday through Friday from mid-morning to late afternoon and Saturday until early afternoon, closed on Sundays. Afternoons midweek and on Saturday get the most traffic.
For an old-school deli feel with sandwiches built to order, it is hard to top.
8. STATESIDE DELI &Resturant, Okemos, MI
Head over to the Lansing area and you will find a deli that draws comparisons to famous New York spots. Stateside Deli in Okemos is known for corned beef sandwiches made in-house fresh almost daily, served with huge portions and quick, friendly service.
Reubens are a big draw here, and the plate rounds out nicely with real kosher dill pickles, New York cream soda, fries, and onion rings. The kitchen also earns praise for its Vegan Reuben, plus a full vegan and vegetarian menu that includes tater tots and avocado toast.
Breakfast fans can dig into a Philly Steak Omelette, hash browns, or country hash, and the chicken lemon rice soup is a favorite at lunch. Prices are approachable, in the ten to twenty dollar range.
Open daily from morning to late afternoon, it accepts reservations and offers dine-in, takeout, and outdoor seating with plenty of parking. Sunday mornings and afternoons are the busiest stretch.
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