Some sandwiches need two hands, and some need a plan. In Scottsdale, there is a deli where the pastrami stacks so tall that people make return trips just to see whether they can finish it this time.
New Yorkers who swear nobody outside the five boroughs gets it right keep stopping in, and locals treat it like a weekly habit. The draw goes beyond meat, too, with a full bakery case, bagels by the dozen, and a menu packed with old-school deli classics.
Breakfast starts early, the portions run large, and the staff remembers regular orders by heart. Gluten-free options are surprisingly deep, which makes it a rare deli where almost everyone at the table can order freely.
Keep reading to learn where this spot sits, what earns all the fuss, and how to plan a visit that leaves room for dessert.
A Shea Boulevard Address Worth Remembering
The tall sandwich in question lives at Chompie’s Restaurant, Deli, and Bakery, found at 9301 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, in the United States.
It sits in a strip mall rather than an enclosed shopping center. That small detail matters more than it sounds.
Parking here is far simpler than at the mall-based locations, which can mean massive lots and heavy traffic. Families bringing older relatives or anyone with mobility needs tend to appreciate the shorter walk to the door.
Chompie’s calls itself a New York-style deli serving classic fare. The menu covers breakfast favorites, matzo ball soup, and a long list of sandwiches.
It also runs as a full bakery under the same roof. Shoppers can grab a box of sweets on the way out, even after a sit-down meal.
The space is big and often busy. Expect a steady crowd, especially around meal times, and a dining room that feels bright rather than dim.
Some regulars specifically point other people toward this location over others in the Valley. For a first visit, Shea Boulevard is a solid place to start the pastrami pilgrimage.
The Pastrami Mountain Itself
Some sandwiches get measured in bites. The pastrami at Chompie’s gets measured in inches.
Pastrami ranks among the most talked-about items on the menu, and the portion is famously generous. The stack has been described as seemingly never ending, which is a fair warning for anyone planning to eat it solo.
The meat is cut thick and comes out juicy and full of flavor. Some diners who order a pastrami and corned beef combo admit that next time they would stick with pastrami alone.
The menu includes a Mile High sandwich lineup, which pretty much tells you the house philosophy. There is also the newer Brooklyner Signature, and diners can ask to swap an onion roll for the signature double rye.
Corned beef and the Reuben also draw plenty of attention. Results on the Reuben can vary, though, with the occasional order arriving messier than expected, so dining in may be the safer bet.
Sandwiches here are not cheap, with one Reuben landing around $23. Considering the height of the pile, splitting one with a friend is a smart move that leaves space for a latke.
Pastrami is the headliner, and it rarely misses its cue.
Sliders, Latkes, and Other Supporting Stars
Behind every great headliner stands a strong supporting cast. At this deli, that cast includes some famously creative sliders.
The World Famous Sliders come in several versions. The Original Jewish Slider stacks lean brisket and a mini potato pancake on a mini challah roll, served with gravy on the side.
Western BBQ Sliders arrive loaded with barbecue beef, cheddar, and onions, plus coleslaw. Turkey sliders also earn praise from the table.
Potato pancakes deserve their own fan club. The latkes are large, crisp on the outside, and come with sour cream and applesauce.
Some find them a touch thick, but plenty of regulars order them for pure nostalgia. Matzo brei also earns loyal fans for the same reason.
Matzo ball soup is a common opener, with fresh broth and hearty pieces of chicken. Appetizers like pierogies, homemade knish, and sweet and sour stuffed cabbage rolls round out the old-school lineup.
The Scottsdale Cragel is a quirky bagel sandwich that includes a potato cake and jalapeno jelly. It shows the kitchen likes to play a little while still respecting tradition.
Bagels and a Bakery Case to Plan Around
Bagels come up more than any other item when people talk about Chompie’s. That says a lot for a place with sandwiches this tall.
Bagels with cream cheese are a regular order, and lox is part of the lineup too. Many people swing by just for breakfast before work.
The bakery side is a destination in its own right. The case holds Florentines, rugelach, New York cheesecake, eclairs, babka, and plenty more.
Diners with deep deli experience in Los Angeles and New York have walked in and called it a real Jewish bakery. That is high praise from a demanding crowd.
Fresh bread is also on offer, including sourdough. Staff have been known to go out of their way to fetch a fresh loaf for a customer.
Plenty of tables leave with a box or two for later. Grabbing dessert to go after a heavy sandwich is a very reasonable strategy.
Consider the bakery an excellent reason to skip the second half of that pastrami and take it home instead.
A Deli That Takes Gluten-Free Seriously
Delis and gluten-free diets do not usually share a booth. Chompie’s breaks that rule in a big way.
The gluten-free list is long. It includes bagels, toast, sandwiches, pancakes, French toast, pies, and even challah.
There is a dedicated gluten-free dessert table as well. Many guests mention picking up gluten-friendly baked goods to take home.
That range means a family can sit down together without one person stuck ordering a plain salad. Birthday groups especially seem to value it.
Speaking of salads, the chopped salad comes out huge and fresh. Sandwiches also use real sliced turkey rather than basic lunch meat, a detail regulars appreciate.
Breakfast favorites like corned beef hash have their own following. It ranks among the dishes people praise when listing reasons they return.
For anyone avoiding gluten, this may be the rare deli visit that feels like a treat instead of a compromise.
Booths, Birthdays, and Familiar Faces
Ask regulars why they keep coming back and the answer often starts with people, not plates.
Staff members tend to learn regular orders, whether at the lunch counter or the bakery. Some loyal customers stop in two or three times a week for that reason.
Servers frequently explain menu items, refill drinks quickly, and check in during the meal. Managers are often seen walking the floor and stepping in when something is off.
First-timers have even received a small handwritten welcome box. Gestures like that turn a lunch into a story worth telling.
The dining room features comfortable booths, and there is outdoor seating too. A small merchandise area sits inside for anyone wanting a souvenir.
Families celebrate birthdays here, and some have turned it into a tradition. Longtime fans who came as kids now bring their own groups.
Service is not flawless every time, and occasional misses do happen. Still, the overall mood leans warm, welcoming, and busy in a good way.
Hours, Prices, and Smart Timing
Good news for early risers: the doors open at 6 AM every single day.
Chompie’s keeps the same schedule seven days a week, running from 6 AM to 9 PM. That makes it easy for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner.
Most meals fall in the $10 to $20 range per person. Specialty sandwiches can climb higher, so sharing a towering order is a budget-friendly move.
Diners can sit down for table service or order at the counter. Takeout and bakery pickups are common too.
The space gets busy, so off-peak hours can mean a calmer visit. Food often arrives fast, with some orders landing in under ten minutes.
Parking in the strip mall lot is straightforward. That helps on busy weekend mornings.
Plan for leftovers, plan for dessert, and arrive hungry.
Worth the Trip for That Stack
So does the pastrami live up to its height? For most people who make the trip, the answer is a confident yes.
Chompie’s holds a 4.3-star standing across nearly 1,800 opinions. That is a strong showing for such a busy, high-volume spot.
The appeal stretches past one sandwich. Bagels, sliders, latkes, and a serious bakery give everyone something to chase.
Transplanted New Yorkers say it is one of the few places in the area serving true NY fare. Locals simply call it their favorite deli in the Valley.
Prices on some sandwiches run steep, and the occasional order misses the mark. Even so, the portions often stretch into a second meal.
Gluten-free diners, early birds, birthday crowds, and serious deli fans all find a reason to stay. That range is rare.
Come for the pastrami piled inches high, and leave with a bakery box and a plan to return.
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