Some sandwiches come with a side of history, and this one has been piling it on since 1949. Tucked into a quiet corner of St. Paul, Minnesota, there is a small deli where generations of families have grabbed a seat, ordered pastrami on fresh bread, and come back again for decades.
Some regulars have been coming for more than 40 years, which says plenty about a place that never chased trends. The menu leans on kosher classics, the bakery case is stocked with homemade treats, and the dining room feels like it was frozen in a friendly time capsule.
Keep reading to learn where it is, what makes the pastrami worth the trip, how the whole place works, and the smart tips that will help you plan your first visit like a seasoned local.
A Deli Address Worth Memorizing
Every great food story needs a home base, and this one sits at 651 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116. The name on the door is Cecil’s, a long-standing Jewish deli in the Highland Park area of St. Paul, Minnesota.
It is a pint-sized spot, but it packs a lot under one roof. There is a restaurant, a deli counter, a small bakery, and a grocery area stocked with the staples you would expect from a classic deli.
Kosher classics are the backbone of the menu. Sandwiches, soups, and more have been leaving the kitchen here since 1949, which makes it one of the true mainstays of the city.
The building does not try to dazzle anyone. It keeps things simple and lets the food do the talking, which is exactly why locals keep it on speed dial.
On-site parking adds a welcome bonus in a city where finding a spot can sometimes feel like a sport. That alone makes the first visit easier than expected.
So the map pin is set and the parking is handled. Now comes the fun part, which is learning how this little deli earned its long run.
Seventy-Plus Years of Sandwich Heritage
Back in 1949, Harry Truman was in the White House and a little deli in St. Paul started slicing meat. More than seven decades later, the doors are still open and the family name is still on the sign.
The business has passed the 75-year mark, and the owner, Cecil, can still be spotted around the place. That kind of continuity is rare in the restaurant world.
Regulars describe it as a mid-century independent family restaurant that simply cannot be built from scratch today. It took the better part of a century to shape a place like this, and that heritage gives it a relaxed kind of excellence.
The walls carry plenty of awards, a quiet nod to the recognition it has gathered over the years. Nobody makes a fuss about them, though.
Some families have been coming for more than 40 years. Others bring their kids now, hoping to start a tradition of their own.
History is nice, but nobody stays open this long on nostalgia alone. The real reason sits between two slices of bread.
The Pastrami That Steals the Show
Ask the staff for a recommendation and there is a good chance pastrami will come up. The servers here are proud of it, and some will gently nudge first-timers toward it even when burgers are on their mind.
That confidence makes sense. Pastrami ranks among the most talked-about items on the menu, with fresh pastrami showing up again and again in conversations about the place.
The star of the lineup is the Sasha, a pastrami sandwich with a devoted fan club. Regulars return year after year and order the same thing with the same happy result.
The Shayna is another sandwich that gets plenty of love alongside it. Both make a strong case for exploring beyond a single order.
Bread is baked fresh every day, which gives each sandwich a sturdy foundation. Every sandwich also comes with a choice of side, so the plate never feels lonely.
A fair heads-up: some diners wish the portions of meat were a bit bigger for the cost. Still, the pastrami keeps people coming back, and that loyalty is hard to argue with.
Corned Beef and the Reuben Crowd
Pastrami may get the headline, but the Reuben is the most mentioned sandwich in the house by a wide margin. It has earned its own loyal following.
Corned beef is the heart of it, sliced and stacked on that fresh daily bread. Out-of-town guests have called it the best Reuben they have ever had.
There are variations too. The Russian Reuben is a favorite among longtime regulars, while some diners still prefer the classic version.
Vegetarians are not left out. A Veggie Reuben sits on the menu for anyone skipping the meat.
The East Coaster is another option, made with corned beef, coleslaw, and homemade thousand island dressing on caraway rye. It is a fun twist for anyone wanting something a little different.
The counter crew has even built an oversized sandwich with a full pound of corned beef on request. That kind of flexibility says a lot about the team.
With this many choices, the hardest part might be picking just one. Luckily, there are plenty of reasons to return and work through the list.
Sides, Soups, and Supporting Players
A great sandwich deserves a great sidekick. The side list here gives every plate some backup.
Creamy coleslaw is a common pick and pairs well with the deli sandwiches. A sweet and sour slaw is also available for those wanting a change.
Potato salad and pasta salad are both solid options. Fresh fruit works for a lighter plate, and fries are available for about an extra dollar.
Matzo ball soup is one of the most mentioned items on the menu. It is a deli tradition, and plenty of diners order it alongside their sandwich.
Latkes come out crispy, giving the table a classic Jewish comfort food option. Potato knishes are on the menu as well.
Not every side wins every diner over, and opinions on the fries vary. The variety means there is usually something for everyone at the table.
Once the sides are sorted, it is worth saving a little room. The bakery case has its own story to tell.
A Bakery Case Full of Temptations
Dessert at a deli might sound like an afterthought. Here, it is a reason to make a second stop at the counter.
Hamantashen are one of the most talked-about treats, and the chocolate version has a dedicated following. Strudel is another longtime favorite among regulars.
The bars deserve attention too. Lemon bars, gooey bars, and rice crispy bars are easy to grab for a snack later in the day.
Apple cobbler is available for anyone dining in. It arrives hot with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and walnuts on top.
Homemade bread rounds out the bakery offerings. Many people pick up a loaf to take home along with their meal.
The desserts are made in-house, which adds to the old-school charm. It is the kind of bakery case that turns a quick lunch into a longer stay.
Deli Counter and Grocery Corner
Not every trip here has to end at a table. The deli counter is a destination of its own.
Meats, homemade bread, and deli staples are all available to take home. A small grocery area carries the essentials you would expect in a traditional Jewish deli.
Takeout is popular, and the counter staff make first-timers feel welcome. Newcomers are greeted quickly, handed a menu, and set up without fuss.
Families often order several sandwiches to go and bring them home for dinner. It is an easy way to share the experience.
Plenty of first-time diners leave the dining room planning to return just to shop the deli. The display has a way of planting that idea.
Restaurant, deli, and bakery all under one roof makes this a one-stop shop. It is hard to leave empty-handed.
A Dining Room Straight Out of 1970
Some restaurants spend fortunes trying to look retro. This one never had to try.
The dining room sits in the back of the deli, with simple tables placed close together. It feels like a diner from 1970, and that is part of the appeal.
Comparisons to the diner from Seinfeld come up, though this one is a bit less fancy. The modest setting is part of the charm rather than a drawback.
The mood is fun, lively, and family-friendly. Staff move quickly and efficiently through the compact space.
Getting to the restrooms involves a slightly unusual route. It is a small quirk that comes with an older building.
Low-key and local is the best way to sum up the vibe. It is the kind of place people describe as one you will never find again.
Who Will Feel Right at Home
Grandparents, parents, and kids all share tables here. The crowd is as varied as the menu.
A small kids menu makes it easy to bring the little ones. Families looking for something different from chain spots tend to find it here.
Breakfast is served too, so early risers have options. The menu also includes BLTs, burgers, a chili dog, barbecue beef, and a grilled tuna sandwich.
Business travelers passing through have made a point of stopping in. Longtime locals treat it as a reliable go-to.
People who love Eastern European comfort food will feel especially at home. Fans of classic delis will appreciate the traditional approach.
Some guests come once to try it and leave planning to bring their own children. That is how a family tradition quietly begins.
Know Before You Go
Good planning makes a deli run even better. Luckily, the schedule here is refreshingly simple.
Cecil’s is open every day of the week from 9 AM to 8 PM. That covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner without any complicated rules.
A sandwich with a side runs around 16 dollars. Fries as a side add roughly a dollar more.
Seating usually moves quickly, and parking is available on-site. Coke products are served for drinks.
Takeout is an easy option for busy days. Pairing a sandwich with something from the bakery case makes the trip feel complete.
For a first visit, the pastrami is the move, maybe with a Reuben for the table. More than 75 years of practice suggests this little St. Paul deli knows exactly what it is doing, and the next sandwich is waiting.
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