Some sandwiches are meant to be eaten alone. Pastrami piled sky-high is usually not one of them.
Across Virginia, a handful of delis load their rye with so much peppery, tender meat that ordering one and splitting it just makes sense. This list covers eight spots known for hearty pastrami, from classic Jewish-style delis to sandwich shops that take their meat seriously.
Whether you are road-tripping through the state or just hungry near home, these are the places worth knowing about when you want a sandwich big enough to share.
1. Rise Biscuits Donuts & Deli, Falls Church, Virginia
Northern Virginia has plenty of quick lunch stops, but a good pastrami sandwich stands out from the crowd.
The Falls Church area is packed with delis and sandwich shops serving the busy commuter crowd. Pastrami piled on rye with a smear of mustard is a reliable order when you want something filling.
I like this kind of spot because it works whether you are grabbing lunch solo or splitting a big sandwich with a coworker. The meat does the heavy lifting, and a good rye bread keeps everything together.
Falls Church sits just outside Washington, D.C., which means the food scene here borrows a little from the big-city deli tradition. That works in your favor when pastrami is on the menu.
2. Chutzpah Deli, Fairfax, Virginia
If you have ever wanted a New York style deli experience without leaving Virginia, Fairfax has a well-known option.
Chutzpah Deli leans into the classic Jewish deli tradition, with pastrami and corned beef sandwiches built on rye. The name itself tells you the place has personality.
Pastrami here comes stacked, which is exactly what you want when the goal is a sandwich big enough to cut in half. Pair it with a pickle and you have a proper deli lunch.
The setting feels like a traditional deli rather than a trendy cafe, and that matters when you are chasing an authentic pastrami plate. It is an easy stop in the Fairfax area when a hearty sandwich is calling.
3. The Black Sheep, Richmond, Virginia
Richmond has built a serious reputation for sandwiches, and one spot is known for sizes that make people pause before ordering.
The Black Sheep is famous for its battleship sandwiches, oversized creations named after warships and built for sharing. Portions here are the whole point.
When a menu is designed around sandwiches this large, splitting one with a friend is not just an option, it is practically expected. That fits the spirit of this list perfectly.
Located in the Newtowne West area of Richmond, the restaurant has become a local favorite for anyone who wants a meal that eats like two. Bring an appetite and someone to share it with.
4. Perly’s, Richmond, Virginia
Downtown Richmond holds a piece of deli history that has been serving the community for generations.
Perly’s is a Jewish-style delicatessen and restaurant on Grace Street, known for its old-school charm and classic deli menu. Pastrami and corned beef are staples here.
The dining room keeps a retro look that matches the traditional food, from stacked sandwiches to breakfast served all day. It is the kind of place that treats deli classics with respect.
A pastrami sandwich here comes generously filled, making it a natural pick when two people want to share one plate and still leave satisfied. The downtown location makes it easy to work into a city outing.
5. New York J&D Deli, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Down on the coast, Virginia Beach has its own answer to the East Coast deli craving.
New York J&D Deli brings a big-city deli style to the beach community, with pastrami and other cured meats piled onto sandwiches. The name signals exactly what to expect.
Sandwiches built in this tradition tend to be tall, which makes them easy to divide when you want a lighter portion or someone to share with. That is a smart move on a warm beach day.
Having a proper deli near the oceanfront gives visitors and locals a break from seafood-heavy menus. When you want stacked pastrami instead, this is the corner of Virginia Beach to remember.
6. Brooklyn Deli, Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke may sit in the mountains, but that has not stopped it from claiming a slice of the New York deli spirit.
Brooklyn Deli carries the New York theme in its name and its menu, offering pastrami and other deli favorites in southwest Virginia. It gives the region a hearty sandwich option.
Pastrami stacked on rye is a satisfying order after a day exploring the Roanoke Valley or heading through on a road trip. Splitting one keeps things simple.
Having a deli like this in a mountain city means travelers passing through the area do not have to wait until a bigger metro for a serious sandwich. It is a handy stop along the way.
7. Bodo’s Bagels, Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville students and locals have a beloved bagel institution that also knows its way around deli meat.
Bodo’s Bagels is a Charlottesville staple with multiple locations, famous for hand-rolled, boiled bagels made fresh throughout the day. The bagels alone draw long, steady lines.
Pastrami built onto one of those dense, chewy bagels turns a quick bite into a substantial meal. It is a fun twist on the usual rye sandwich.
A pastrami bagel here can easily be halved between two people, especially if you want to save room for a second flavor. With affordable prices and quick service, Bodo’s fits neatly into a busy Charlottesville day.
8. The Italian Store, Arlington, Virginia
Arlington has a well-known Italian market that has been feeding the neighborhood serious sandwiches for decades.
The Italian Store opened in 1980 in the Lyon Village area and has grown into an Arlington landmark for subs, cured meats, and imported goods. Its sandwich counter stays busy.
While the shop is Italian at heart, its deli case is stacked with cured meats, and the subs are built tall enough that one order can feed two people. Portions here are generous by design.
Beyond sandwiches, the store carries imported groceries, cheeses, and fresh bread, making it as much a market as a lunch spot. Grab a sandwich, split it, and browse the shelves while you wait.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.