Roast beef sandwiches don’t get the hype that pizza and bagels do in New York, but ask around and you’ll find people with strong opinions and secret spots. From Brooklyn counters that have been slicing beef since before your grandparents were around to Buffalo’s famous beef on weck, this list covers eight places New Yorkers keep going back to.
Some pile the meat high on soft rolls, others dip everything in beef broth or au jus. A few are old-school delis, one is a brand new ale house.
Whatever the style, each of these spots takes its roast beef seriously. Here are eight joints worth knowing about the next time a craving hits.
1. Roll N Roaster, Brooklyn, NY
Sheepshead Bay has held onto this retro fast-food landmark since 1971, and the roast beef is still the reason people show up.
The signature move here is the Roaster Beef, sliced thin, piled high, and served on a soft roll with cheese that you can order double dipped. Pair it with the cheese fries and you’ve got a Brooklyn classic that hasn’t needed to change its formula in decades.
The menu runs beyond beef, too, with golden fried shrimp, chicken wings in hot garlic sauce, and freshly baked apple pies for dessert. There’s even surprisingly good thin crust pizza if your table can’t agree.
Service is fast and casual with no table waiting, so it works for a solo lunch or a group. It’s open late, running past midnight most nights and until 2 AM on Saturdays, which makes it a reliable stop after a long day.
You’ll find it at 2901 Emmons Ave, with plenty of parking nearby, a rarity in this part of Brooklyn.
2. Brennan & Carr, Brooklyn, NY
Dating back to the 1930s, this Nostrand Avenue institution built its whole reputation on one thing: roast beef bathed in broth.
The sandwich here is different from most. The roll gets soaked in the beef juices, sometimes double dipped, and topped with caramelized onions and American cheese.
It’s the kind of messy, old-school sandwich that has kept the same fans coming for generations.
On the side you can get a cup of beef broth or New England clam chowder, plus corn fritters and onion rings. The burger and roast beef combo is a popular way to go if you can’t decide.
Unlike the counter-only spots, this place has table service and a genuinely historic feel, cozy and unfussy. Prices stay reasonable, with the roast beef sandwich landing right around ten dollars.
One important heads up: they take cash only and don’t accept reservations. Bring bills, plan for a wait during the weekend rush, and find it at 3432 Nostrand Ave with easy parking around.
3. The Original John’s Deli, Brooklyn, NY
Over in Gravesend, this classic Italian deli has turned one sandwich into a genuine local legend: the Johnny Roast Beef.
What sets it apart is that the roast beef is cooked in-house, then loaded onto a toasted hero with caramelized onions, dark gravy, and melted mozzarella. Regulars order the gravy on the side too, for dipping every bite.
The rest of the menu leans deli through and through, from hot pastrami to chicken parmigiana, plus breakfast and coffee if you come early. It opens around 9:35 in the morning, which is oddly specific and part of the charm.
Fair warning, the signature sandwich runs on the pricey side for a deli, but it’s a hearty, filling order that most people treat as an occasional splurge. There’s no restroom on site and no reservations, so keep expectations counter-service simple.
You’ll find it at 2033 Stillwell Ave, with street parking around the neighborhood.
4. Charlie The Butcher’s Carvery, Buffalo, NY
If you want to understand what beef on weck really means, this Elmwood Avenue carvery is the place to start.
The name tells you everything. Freshly carved roast beef gets piled on a Kimmelweck roll, that Buffalo specialty crusted with salt and caraway seeds, then dipped in au jus and served with horseradish for a kick.
It’s a regional icon done right.
Service moves fast, the space is clean and easygoing, and there’s even a Saturday prime rib sandwich special worth planning around. Sides like mashed potatoes and gravy round things out.
Because it’s tied so closely to Buffalo tradition, it’s a natural stop if you’re new to the city and want the local sandwich everyone talks about. Staff here are known for being helpful with visitor questions, too.
Parking can be a little tight on Elmwood, so budget a few extra minutes. Find it at 770 Elmwood Ave, Suite A, open daily with slightly shorter Sunday hours.
5. Schwabl’s, West Seneca, NY
Step into this West Seneca landmark and you get the sense that not much has changed in a very long time, and that’s exactly the point.
Roast beef has been the star here for as far back as locals can remember, hand carved and served on a Kummelweck roll. The vintage dining room, table service, and staff in white keep the old-fashioned feel intact.
The menu goes well beyond the sandwich. You’ll find German potato salad, a haddock fish fry, hot turkey sandwiches, poutine, and pretzel sticks.
There’s a bar on site and even a menu of classic mixed drinks.
Prices run a bit higher than the counter joints, landing in the twenty to thirty dollar range per person, but you’re paying for a sit-down experience with real service.
A couple of planning notes: it’s closed Mondays and Sundays, it accepts reservations, and there’s plenty of parking. Find it at 789 Center Rd in West Seneca.
6. Steve’s Pig & Ox Roast, Lackawanna, NY
Curly fries and roast beef built the reputation of this family-run Lackawanna shop, and both still do the heavy lifting.
The roast beef comes tender and piled generously, best ordered on a Kummelweck roll. Regulars pair it with a large order of curly fries, which is famously enough to share and often sends people home with a to-go box.
Sweet potato fries are on the menu too.
Some folks even buy roast beef by the pound to take home for sandwiches later, which tells you how loyal the following is around here. The turkey on Kummelweck is another solid pick if beef isn’t your thing that day.
The dining room is clean and roomy with a vintage retro vibe, and service is quick and friendly. It’s a true mom-and-pop that’s been around for decades.
Note that it’s closed Sundays, doesn’t take reservations, and has an easy parking lot. Find it at 951 Ridge Rd in Lackawanna.
7. Crooked Cattle, Syracuse, NY
Syracuse has a long roast beef history, and this newer downtown sandwich and ale house set out to bring it back with a fresh spin.
The roast beef here is sliced razor thin, cooked medium rare, and served tender on a salt-crusted Kummelweck roll, a nod to the region’s history as a salt hub. The Beef and Cheddar version, with melty cheese layered in, has quickly become a favorite.
Beyond the beef, the menu keeps things interesting with a Tuscan turkey panini and a vegan drunken focaccia, plus a solid lineup of craft brews on tap. The vibe is casual and modern, good for groups or a quick solo lunch.
It’s the youngest spot on this list, proof that the roast beef tradition is still evolving. Reservations are accepted and there’s a kids’ menu.
Downtown parking can be a hassle, so factor that in. It’s closed Mondays, and you’ll find it at 290 W Jefferson St in Syracuse.
8. Maurice’s Delicatessen, Albany, NY
Downtown Albany’s lunch crowd has a reliable go-to when the roast beef craving hits, and this South Pearl Street deli is it.
The roast beef is cooked in-house and can be dipped in au jus, often built on ciabatta with horseradish mayo and provolone for a little extra bite. Fresh deli pickles and homemade house chips round out the plate.
Beyond roast beef, the counter turns out homemade pastrami, subs, liverwurst, and a salad bar, with gluten-free options available. The half-sandwich combo with chips and soda is an easy call for a quick weekday meal.
This is a weekday spot through and through. It’s open Monday through Friday from morning until mid-afternoon and closed on weekends, so plan your visit accordingly.
Parking is mostly paid garages and street spots in the area. Find it at 50 S Pearl St in Albany, an honest deli that keeps things simple and fresh.
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