Some lunches need two hands, a stack of napkins, and a plan for getting home before the first bite. In Southfield, Michigan, one small counter has been building that kind of lunch since 1973, and families have kept coming back for more than four decades.
There are no booths inside and no table service, just a long deli counter, a menu built around corned beef and pastrami, and sandwiches big enough to stretch into dinner. The prices run higher than a drive-thru, and the line can move slowly when the registers get busy.
Still, plenty of locals call this the best corned beef in Metro Detroit. Keep reading to learn what to order, what to expect at the counter, how the carryout setup works, and a few money-saving tricks that regulars wish they had known on their first trip.
A Carryout Counter on 12 Mile
Meet Star Deli, a takeaway sandwich shop at 24555 W 12 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48034, in the United States.
The spot sits in the Metro Detroit suburbs, along one of the area’s busy mile roads. It has been serving sandwiches since 1973, which makes it older than many of the shopping centers around it.
The concept is simple and has barely budged over the years. Star Deli prepares sizable sandwiches, plus salads, sides, and deli trays, all packed to go.
That last part matters. This is a carryout-only operation, so the plan is to order, pay, and take your food somewhere else to enjoy it.
Hours are generous and easy to remember. The counter opens at 8 am and closes at 7 pm every day of the week, Monday through Sunday.
That schedule covers breakfast, lunch, and an early dinner run. It also makes weekend errands a lot more appealing when a corned beef sandwich is waiting at the end of them.
So the address is set and the clock is ticking. Next comes the story of how a small counter earned such a loyal crowd.
Five Decades Behind the Counter
Back in 1973, a sandwich counter opened in Southfield with a narrow focus and a big appetite for doing things the old way. Half a century later, that focus is still the whole point.
Star Deli is described as a longtime, old-school operation. The word longtime is not marketing fluff here.
Some families have been ordering from this counter for more than 40 years. Others have called it a favorite for over 35 years and still come back after long breaks to find the corned beef and pastrami holding their crown.
That kind of loyalty usually gets passed down. Kids who grew up eating here bring their own families, and people who moved away often stop in when they return to Michigan.
The deli carries a kosher-style identity, the kind of Jewish deli tradition that has deep roots in Metro Detroit. Rugelach, matzo ball soup, chopped liver, and rye bread all point back to that heritage.
Not every return trip is a perfect reunion. A few longtime fans feel portions have shrunk or prices have climbed compared with years past.
Even so, staying open since 1973 says plenty. A counter does not reach its fiftieth year by accident, and the next stop shows what that counter looks like today.
Plain on the Outside, Busy at the Counter
First impressions can fool you. From the parking lot, Star Deli does not look like much, and regulars freely admit it.
Inside, the setup feels like a small, old-school grocery store that has not changed much over the years. A long deli counter runs through the room.
Around it sit shelves of chips and snacks, a selection of drinks, and several dessert options. It is compact, practical, and built for ordering rather than lingering.
There is no dining room. A couple of small tables sit out front on the north side of the building, which keeps them in the shade.
Those outdoor seats are handy on a mild day. On a sweltering Michigan summer afternoon, most people will likely head home or eat in the car instead.
The atmosphere matches what you would expect from a classic deli counter. Nobody comes here to socialize for an hour, and that is part of the charm.
The building is modest, but nobody drives over for the decor. What happens behind that glass case is the real headline.
The Corned Beef Everyone Talks About
Ask around Metro Detroit about corned beef, and this little Southfield counter tends to come up fast. It is, by far, the item that defines the place.
Plenty of fans call it the best corned beef in Metro Detroit. Some go further and say they will not eat corned beef anywhere else after trying it here.
The sandwiches are piled high. A corned beef special can land among the largest sandwiches people have ever ordered, which also makes it among the messiest.
That size is a feature and a challenge. More than one customer has saved half for later, turning lunch into two meals.
Consistency is the debate point. Most people praise it, but an occasional batch has come out tough enough to need a knife, according to a few disappointed regulars.
The corned beef also comes by the pound for anyone building sandwiches at home. Be ready for a price above $30 per pound, and confirm the number at the counter before ordering.
For most people, though, the corned beef is the reason the car pointed toward 12 Mile in the first place. Its spicy cousin deserves equal attention next.
Pastrami Holds Its Own
Corned beef may get top billing, but pastrami has a fan club of its own here. Longtime customers often name the two together as the best in town.
That pairing makes sense. Both come from the same deli tradition, and Star Deli treats them as twin pillars of the menu.
The pastrami sits alongside a strong lineup of meats. Roast beef, turkey, hard salami, and BBQ brisket all appear behind the counter as well.
Choosing between corned beef and pastrami is a classic deli dilemma. The easy fix is ordering one of each and splitting them with a friend.
Like everything else here, the pastrami sandwiches arrive generously stacked. Expect a hefty package wrapped for travel.
Here is a useful trick that many first-timers miss. You can ask for a sandwich with half the meat, which saves about $1.50 and makes it much easier to actually fit in your mouth.
That option suits lighter appetites and smaller budgets. It also keeps the fillings from sliding everywhere on the drive home.
Meat is only half the equation, of course. The bread underneath it gets plenty of praise too.
Rye, Onion Rolls, and Bread Choices
Bread can make or break a deli sandwich, and Star Deli takes that seriously. Rye bread ranks among the most talked-about items on the menu.
The rye is often hand cut and thick, sturdy enough to hold a mountain of meat. Regulars describe it as excellent and among the best around.
Onion rolls and kaiser rolls are popular alternatives. Many customers find them soft and satisfying, a good match for corned beef or roast beef.
Not everyone agrees on every roll. One onion roll left a customer wishing for more onion flavor, so tastes clearly vary.
White bread is available too, though it draws mixed feelings from deli purists. Rye remains the traditional pick for corned beef and pastrami.
Swiss cheese pops up often as a favorite topping. It pairs naturally with the classic meats and plays a starring role in the Reuben.
A quick tip for melted cheese lovers is to double-check the order before leaving. One customer asked for it melted and found it was not.
Pick your bread wisely, then turn to the sandwich that combines rye, Swiss, and corned beef into one famous stack.
The Reuben Worth Ordering
Some sandwiches are classics for a reason. The Reuben at Star Deli is one of them, and it shows up again and again in conversations about the place.
Built on thick rye, it comes stacked high with corned beef. Sauerkraut that is not too briny and Swiss cheese round it out.
Fans call the Reuben a nice surprise and a must-order item. One office team even ordered it for a celebration and urged others not to pass it up.
Regulars often rotate between a plain corned beef sandwich and a Reuben. Both play to the deli’s biggest strength.
The Reuben also travels fairly well for a carryout lunch. Just bring napkins, because a sandwich this full rarely stays neat.
For first-timers, it can be a smart pick. It shows off the corned beef, the rye, and the Swiss in a single order.
A Reuben in hand is a fine start. Still, the counter holds plenty more beyond the sandwich board.
Salads, Pickles, and Side Dishes
A big sandwich needs a sidekick. Star Deli keeps a full lineup of salads and sides to fill out any carryout bag.
Coleslaw and potato salad are common add-ons. Pasta salad is sold by weight, at around $8.99 per pound.
The tuna salad has devoted fans who rave about it. Others prefer it with more mix-ins, so it depends on how you like yours.
Seafood salad is another favorite for some families. Chopped liver, a deli staple, also appears on the menu for those who want the traditional route.
Pickles get their share of attention. Regulars especially liked the newer dills when they arrived, though one side pickle missed the mark for a customer.
Soup is part of the story too. Matzo ball soup has earned high marks from regulars.
Pairing a sandwich with a side is the easiest way to build a complete meal. It also gives the meal some balance next to all that meat.
Save some room, though. The dessert case has a few surprises waiting.
Sweet Endings and Morning Orders
Dessert at a deli might sound like an afterthought, but here it can steal the show. Several sweets sit near the counter, ready to join any order.
Rugelach, the classic Jewish pastry, is a highlight. One customer from Lansing picked some up because authentic versions are hard to find back home.
A 7Up pound cake has won serious praise. Even a customer who felt lukewarm about the sandwiches called that cake among the best ever.
Seven layer cake is another popular add-on. Some regulars suggest grabbing a slice with a sandwich, a side, and a drink for a full takeout lunch.
Breakfast is on the table too, since doors open at 8 am. The bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich has drawn high praise.
That early start makes the deli a handy stop on the way to work. It also means the corned beef crowd and the morning crowd can share the same counter.
Treats and breakfast add range to the menu. For bigger gatherings, the deli has another trick up its sleeve.
Party Trays for a Crowd
Feeding a whole office is a lot easier when someone else handles the stacking. Star Deli offers deli trays for parties, holidays, and other events.
The tray setup is flexible. Customers pick what they want included, so the spread can match the crowd.
One workplace ordered a tray for an office celebration and found it perfect for the occasion. That reliability is a big reason businesses keep calling.
Trays pair naturally with sides from the deli case. Coleslaw, potato salad, and pickles help turn the platter into a full meal.
Holiday gatherings are another common reason to order. A tray of corned beef and pastrami can save a host hours of prep.
Planning ahead is wise for large events. Calling or stopping by early gives the staff time to prepare the order.
For families who have relied on the deli for decades, trays are simply part of the tradition. Of course, a crowd-sized order brings up the next topic, which is cost.
What Lunch Will Cost
Bring a little extra cash, or at least a healthy card balance. Star Deli is not the cheapest lunch in town, and almost everyone says so.
Sandwiches start at around $15.99. A corned beef special has run about $18.99, and a turkey sandwich can reach $20.
Costs add up quickly with extras. A sandwich, a pint of pasta salad, and a drink came to roughly $31.82 for one customer.
Two sandwiches with a slice of cake can approach $43. Two corned beef sandwiches alone have run about $40.
Many fans still consider it worth the price because of the size and quality. Others feel the portions do not justify the bill.
A few strategies help. Ordering a half-meat sandwich saves about $1.50, and splitting one full sandwich can feed two light eaters.
Bulk meat pricing deserves extra attention. Corned beef by the pound can run over $30, so ask before ordering to avoid surprises.
Knowing the numbers upfront makes the visit smoother. A few more practical notes can help even more.
Is Star Deli Worth the Trip
Every classic deli has its quirks, and this one wears them openly. The question is whether those quirks fit your kind of lunch.
Star Deli holds a 4.1-star average from close to 900 people, which reflects a lot of love with some honest grumbles mixed in. Most of the praise centers on the corned beef, pastrami, rye, and friendly staff.
Service can vary. Many describe the crew as kind and welcoming, while a few have found it abrupt, and lines can slow down when only a couple of registers are open.
Plan to eat elsewhere. Since it is carryout only, home, the office, or a nearby park all work better than the small outdoor tables on a hot day.
The deli suits deli traditionalists, families with long memories, and office planners who need a dependable tray. Budget-focused diners may prefer sharing or ordering half-meat sandwiches.
With daily hours from 8 am to 7 pm, timing is easy. A midmorning or early afternoon visit may help avoid the lunch rush.
After more than 50 years on 12 Mile, this counter still stacks its sandwiches tall. Grab extra napkins, bring an appetite, and let the corned beef make its own case.
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