Some couples celebrate a big anniversary with a fancy dinner in the city. One South Jersey pair skipped the hour-long drive up the Turnpike and split a pastrami sandwich instead, and they had eaten at Katz’s, Langer’s, and Schwartz’s before.
Their verdict was that this spot in Cherry Hill serves pastrami of the same caliber for far less effort. There is no tablecloth, no velvet rope, and no fuss here.
There is a counter, a menu packed with deli classics, a staff that loves a little friendly teasing, and a pickle bar you can visit without paying a cent. Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes the sandwiches so famous, why the pickle bar has its own fan club, and what to know before you go.
A Deli Address Worth Memorizing
South Jersey has its own answer to the big-city delicatessen, and it sits on Springdale Road. The Kibitz Room is found at 100 Springdale Rd, Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08003, in the United States.
It is classified as a Jewish restaurant, but most people simply call it the deli. The menu covers stacked meat sandwiches and the full lineup of Jewish deli classics.
The setting is proudly no-frills. You order at the counter, find a seat, and let the kitchen do the heavy lifting.
That kitchen does a lot of lifting, judging by the size of the sandwiches. Portions here are known for being big enough to split, which is part of the charm.
The place has built a loyal following, with a 4.3-star average across more than 1,260 opinions on Google. Pastrami and corned beef come up more than anything else when people talk about it.
The location makes it easy for Cherry Hill locals and Philadelphia-area folks alike. It sits close enough for a lunch break yet feels like a small trip back to old-school deli culture.
So the address is settled. The real question is what keeps people coming back to it.
Back After a Break
Every good story needs a comeback, and this deli has one. The Kibitz Room went through a short closure and then reopened its doors to a crowd of happy regulars.
Many fans say it came back looking just like it used to. The dining room filled up, the pickle bar was stocked, and meats were being sliced in the back while sandwiches went out fast.
Some go further and call it better than ever. New lunch specials arrived with the reopening, giving people a fresh reason to stop by.
One detail regulars love is that the owner is often working right there in the restaurant. That visible presence signals real care for the business and the local community.
The owner has also said publicly that nothing about the recipes was cut back. In fact, the claim is that quality was turned up on many products after the reopening.
Not every return trip has been perfect, and a few diners felt a sandwich missed the mark. The deli’s stated approach is simple: tell them, and they will make it right.
A small local business that bounces back and keeps its standards is worth cheering for. Next comes the sandwich that put it on the map.
Pastrami On Rye That Rivals Katz’s
Here is the big claim from the headline, and it holds up with those who know their pastrami. Diners who have eaten at Katz’s on the Lower East Side, Langer’s in Los Angeles, and Schwartz’s in Montreal put this deli in the same league.
Pastrami is the most talked-about item on the menu, with over 125 mentions. Corned beef runs a close second.
The sandwiches are piled high on rye bread. One sandwich can easily feed two people, so splitting is a smart move.
That size matters for the wallet too. Some fans note it costs roughly half of what a trip up north for the same thing would run.
Each sandwich comes with a small side choice. Crinkle fries, steak fries, and latkes are among the options people pick.
Fair warning: a crinkle fry side once showed up large enough for about six people. Arriving hungry is recommended.
Corned beef also has passionate fans who call it the best they have ever had. Even home cooks admit it makes them rethink their own recipes.
For the truly ambitious, a triple-decker stacks pastrami, corned beef, Swiss, coleslaw, and Thousand Island on rye. It earns its playful glutton-for-punishment reputation honestly.
The Famous Free Pickle Bar
Free is a lovely word, and it is attached to the most beloved feature here. The complimentary pickle bar earns more praise than almost anything else in the building.
After you place your order, you are welcome to help yourself. It works as a built-in appetizer while the kitchen prepares your meal.
The variety is the main draw. Sour, sweet, and spicy pickles share space with other pickled choices.
Sauerkraut is part of the spread too. Various salads round things out, so there is more to explore than just cucumbers.
Pickles alone come up nearly 100 times in conversations about this deli. The pickle bar itself gets over 80 mentions, which tells you how seriously people take it.
Even diners who had mixed feelings about other dishes still give the pickle bar a thumbs up. That kind of agreement is rare in the deli world.
Some guests admit the pickle bar is the real reason they show up. The sandwich is great, but the free pickles might be the star of the show.
Consider it a dill you cannot refuse.
Beyond the Classic Stack
Cherry Hill sits in cheesesteak country, so of course this deli has its own spin. The Jewish Cheesesteak is one of the most talked-about sandwiches outside the pastrami world.
It layers tender brisket with coleslaw, pepper jack cheese, and Russian dressing on a soft roll. The result is a mashup of Philly tradition and deli flavor.
A traditional cheesesteak is on the menu as well. Diners can pick classic or creative depending on their mood.
Breakfast is served all day, so eggs and omelets are fair game at any hour. A corned beef omelet with Swiss is a popular choice.
Sandwiches come hot or cold, and Reubens have a spot on the menu too. Chicken salad and hoagie-style creations are available for those wanting something different.
Matzo ball soup earns its own fan base. The matzo balls are described as roughly softball-sized.
Soup lovers can also try options like mushroom barley and vegetable. Staff have even offered small sample cups to help undecided guests choose.
Potato pancakes, potato knishes, herring and sable platters, and summer salad also appear on the menu. Clearly, nobody leaves short on choices.
Dessert Case Temptations
Leaving without dessert takes real willpower at this deli. A bakery case near the front makes a strong argument for one more purchase.
Plenty of guests confess they could not walk out without grabbing baked goods to go. The display seems designed for that exact outcome.
Jewish apple cake is one of the treats people take home. Brownies and cheese danish also appear in the case.
Staff are known for small, kind gestures around dessert. One mother celebrating an early birthday received extra little treats to take with her.
Families with kids often get similar attention. Children have been chatted with and offered sweets during their visit.
Desserts make an easy add-on for a takeout order too. They pair nicely with a sandwich packed for later.
Keep in mind that a giant sandwich and a free pickle bar may leave little room. Taking dessert home solves that problem neatly.
Sweet endings are part of the deal here, even if they happen at your kitchen table.
Staff With South Jersey Personality
Expect a little teasing with your turkey. The staff here are known for a jokingly cheerful style that feels classic Philly and South Jersey.
Servers greet guests with big smiles and often let them sit wherever they like. Some team members become so memorable that people talk about them long after their meal.
Friendly heckling while taking a custom order is part of the experience. It is all in good fun, and guests tend to leave feeling special.
Small gestures stand out. Servers have cleaned and moved guests to a better table without being asked.
Management goes the extra mile as well. When a scrapbooking guest asked for one sheet from the order pad, she was handed the whole book.
The team has even reached out online to help someone plan a small luncheon for four to six people. Their suggestions were spot on, and the effort made the event special.
Service can move quickly, and occasionally the check arrives soon after the food. That pace fits the busy, efficient deli style.
Warm, witty, and quick on their feet, this crew is half the reason people return.
Who Fits Best at These Tables
Quiet and quaint it is not. The dining room tends to be lively and loud, especially at lunch.
The space is on the smaller side, with compact tables that can feel snug. Large parties may find it a squeeze.
Lunchtime gets busy, and even an 11:30 AM Friday visit can find the place hopping. Arriving a bit early or later in the afternoon may help.
Drinks are self-serve, just like the pickle bar. That keeps things moving and casual.
This is not a fancy date-night spot. It is a place for people who care more about the sandwich than the decor.
Couples marking milestones, families with kids, and friends grabbing lunch all fit right in. So do deli lovers who miss the Philadelphia vibe after moving away.
Takeout is a strong option for those who prefer to skip the bustle. Both dine-in and takeaway service earn praise.
The room is clean and simple, and that suits the food just fine. Bring an appetite and leave the formal wear at home.
Hours, Costs, and a Fair Verdict
Planning a visit is refreshingly easy. The deli is open seven days a week.
Monday through Saturday, doors open at 9:30 AM and close at 8 PM. Sunday starts a bit earlier at 9 AM and also wraps up at 8 PM.
Prices fall in the typical modern deli range. Sandwiches have run about $14 to $20, each including a side, and the Jewish Cheesesteak has been around $19.
Opinions on cost vary. Many call the prices really fair for the huge portions, while others find a full meal for several people adds up.
The smart strategy is to split a sandwich. With that much meat on one order, sharing stretches your dollar.
Remember the pickle bar is included at no charge. That alone adds real value to every visit.
Not every dish wins every time, and some guests say the sandwiches outshine the breakfast plates. Sticking with the deli meats is the surest bet.
For pastrami worthy of a famous New York name, served without a long highway drive, this Cherry Hill counter delivers. Grab a pickle, split a stack, and see what all the kibitzing is about.
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