Some sandwiches are lunch, and some sandwiches are a project. Connecticut has a handful of delis where the pastrami comes stacked so tall that the first bite takes a little planning.
From a New York style dining room off the highway in Vernon to an early-opening grinder counter in Bethel, these seven spots take cured beef seriously. Save this list for your next road trip or hungry Saturday, and bring a big appetite plus plenty of napkins.
1. Reins New York Style Deli Restaurant, Vernon, CT
Plenty of Connecticut drivers know the Vernon exit by one name, and it is not the town. Reins sits right off the highway at 435 Hartford Turnpike, which makes it an easy stop for anyone heading east of the Connecticut River.
The pastrami here arrives stacked so high that getting your mouth around it becomes a small engineering challenge. Corned beef gets equal billing, and the Reuben is one of the most ordered plates in the house.
The menu is big and leans fully into traditional Jewish deli fare. Think chicken soup with a matzo ball, a bagel with whitefish salad, kippered salmon salad sandwiches, and rugelach for dessert.
If you want to go all in, the Pastrami and Chopped Liver combo exists for exactly that mood.
The dining room is large and simple, and a counter up front sells ready-made items for takeout. Hours run 8 AM to 8 PM every day, so breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all fair game.
Reservations are not accepted, and afternoons on Thursday through Sunday get busy. Parking is usually plentiful, and families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu.
2. Katz’s Deli Restaurant, Woodbridge, CT
No, you did not take a wrong turn into Manhattan. This Katz’s lives on Litchfield Turnpike in Woodbridge, just outside New Haven, and it has its own loyal following.
The retro setting fits the classic menu. Thick, juicy pastrami on rye comes with pickles and coleslaw on the side, and the corned beef Reuben is a strong second choice.
Portions run large, so splitting a sandwich and adding a bowl of chicken matzo ball soup is a smart move. Onion rings, potato salad, and a French dip round out the lineup.
I like that you can also shop here, including picking up a jar of Beaver spicy deli mustard to bring the flavor home. Expect to spend roughly 10 to 30 dollars per person.
Doors open at 10 AM daily and close at 8 PM. There is a free lot on site, which helps on busy weekend afternoons.
3. Gold’s Delicatessen, Westport, CT
Westport has its share of trendy lunch spots, but Gold’s goes the other way and sticks to the classics. That old-school approach is exactly the appeal.
Order the pastrami with hot mustard, slaw, and a pickle and you have the house specialty in its purest form. The corned beef and the Reuben earn just as much respect.
Matzo ball soup and lox fill out the traditional side of the menu. There is a sit-down area with table service if you want to linger, though many visits here are quick ones.
Plan around the schedule. Gold’s is closed Mondays, open 8 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and 8 AM to 4 PM on Sunday.
Prices usually land between 10 and 20 dollars per person. A free parking lot at 421 Post Road East keeps things easy.
4. Pastrami On Wry, Manchester, CT
Any restaurant that puts pastrami in its name, with a pun no less, is making a promise. This Manchester spot on East Center Street backs it up.
The namesake sandwich comes in a generous portion with a large dill pickle and your choice of coleslaw or potato salad. The meat is salty and rich, the kind of pastrami that is meant to be a full lunch.
Morning people get rewarded here too. Doors open at 7 AM, and the breakfast menu includes corned beef hash and a red potato omelet, plus coffee that gets regular praise.
The space has a modern rustic look, and service moves quickly. Free wi-fi makes it a handy solo stop.
Hours end at 3 PM daily, so do not count on a late meal. Weekends are busiest, while weekdays tend to be quieter, and free parking is easy to find.
5. Rye Ridge Deli, Stamford, CT
Shopping center delis do not usually draw a crowd from out of town. Rye Ridge in Stamford’s High Ridge Shopping Center is the exception.
Meats and bread are cut fresh, and the sandwiches come out huge. A favorite move is hot pastrami on rye with melted Swiss and Russian dressing.
Crisp pickles land on the table, and the dessert selection is wide enough to make you rethink finishing that second half. Breakfast, burgers, bagels, and matzoh ball soup are also on the menu.
There is a seating area and a diner-style section in the back for a sit-down meal. Unlike several delis on this list, Rye Ridge accepts reservations.
Hours run 7 AM to 8 PM every day. Budget about 20 to 30 dollars per person, and enjoy the free parking.
6. New York Pickle Deli, Rocky Hill, CT
Pastrami for lunch, coconut French toast for breakfast, and no judgment either way. New York Pickle Deli in Rocky Hill plays both sides of the clock well.
This family-owned spot is known for creative takes on the pastrami sandwich, along with generous corned beef and a house favorite called the Skinny Jimmy. Portions are hearty.
Breakfast gets serious attention. Belgian waffles, cinnamon roll pancakes, and both traditional and California Benedicts share the menu.
The setting is casual and relaxed, with a private dining room for groups. Reservations are accepted.
Check the hours before heading out. It is closed Monday, open 8 AM to 2 PM Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 AM to 8 PM Thursday through Saturday, and 8 AM to 3 PM Sunday.
7. For Pete’s Sake Delicatessen, Bethel, CT
Early risers in Bethel have a 6 AM option that takes sandwiches seriously. For Pete’s Sake on Stony Hill Road opens before most of town is awake.
The hot pastrami grinder is the star, and it is the reason this counter made the list. Hot and cold sandwiches come with homemade potato chips and homemade sides.
Prices are the other headline. Most meals here cost about 1 to 10 dollars per person, which is rare for a sandwich this size.
The staff is friendly and service is quick, so it fits a workday lunch break. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming to families.
Hours are 6 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday, and it is closed Sunday. A free lot makes grabbing a grinder simple.
Seven delis, seven ways to stack pastrami. Pick the one closest to you, grab extra napkins, and maybe bring a friend to share the second half.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.