Some sandwiches are lunch, and some sandwiches are a group project. Across Indiana, a handful of delis stack corned beef so high that splitting one with a friend starts to look like a smart plan instead of a polite gesture.
This list covers six spots, from a longtime Indianapolis cafeteria line to a weekend-only counter near the Michigan border and a pair of Region sub shops that do not skimp. Some smoke their corned beef, some cure it in house, and a few just keep piling until the rye gives up.
You will find practical notes on hours, parking, and what else to order, because a few of these places keep short schedules. Grab a hungry friend, bring an appetite, and maybe a few extra napkins.
These are the Indiana delis where one order can easily feed two people.
1. Shapiro’s Delicatessen, Indianapolis, IN
Long before Indianapolis had a trendy food scene, there was a cafeteria line on South Meridian Street serving Kosher-style deli classics in big portions. Shapiro’s still works that way.
You grab a tray, slide down the line, and pick your feast.
The corned beef on rye with mustard is the order to know. The meat comes tender and well seasoned, stacked thick on rye bread that holds its own.
Plenty of folks find that one sandwich turns into two meals, so a shared plate or a to-go box is a realistic plan.
The menu goes well beyond corned beef, too. Pastrami on rye with Swiss, a Pastrami Reuben, beef tongue, chopped liver, and a Nova lox platter all sit on the lineup.
Save room for a slice of Arlene’s Carrot Cake or a cannoli.
Expect to spend around $20 to $30 per person. Hours run 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekends.
Sunday mornings and afternoons get busy, while Monday and Tuesday mornings are calmer. Free parking, including a lot and a garage, makes a downtown-adjacent lunch easy.
2. Otter Bay Deli, Fremont, IN
Eight ounces of meat per sandwich. That is the standard at Otter Bay Deli, a small counter-service spot in Fremont, near where Indiana meets Michigan and Ohio.
The pastrami and corned beef are made in house, and the sandwiches come out moist and loaded. Expect a sandwich around $20, which is still a lot less than a trip to New York for the same kind of stack.
Breakfast is part of the appeal here. Fresh New York-style bagels and coffee make the morning crowd happy, and Vienna hot dogs round out the lunch side.
Plan ahead, because the schedule is short. Otter Bay is closed Monday through Wednesday, opens 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The setting is casual and quiet, with seating for dining in and an easy parking lot. There is no restroom on site, so plan your stop accordingly if you are on a road trip.
3. Fat Dan’s Deli, Indianapolis, IN
Chicago decor in the middle of Indianapolis might seem like a plot twist, but Fat Dan’s Deli on East Michigan Street makes it work. The menu leans on smoked meats, and that includes the corned beef.
A smoked corned beef sandwich is one of the quieter stars here. The Reuben comes with a generous amount of corned beef, which makes it an easy pick for anyone who wants a deli classic with a smoky edge.
If your sharing partner wants something else, the options get big fast. Chicago dogs, the Double Brother Fat Burger, the Fatty Melt, brisket sandwiches, Dirty Tots, and smoked jumbo wings all show up on the menu.
Food arrives on heavy paper and in lined boxes, keeping things casual. There is outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome outside.
Hours are generous, running until 10 p.m. most nights and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Street parking can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
4. Fat Dan’s Chicago-Style Deli, Carmel, Carmel, IN
Thin slices are not the plan at the Carmel location of Fat Dan’s. The corned beef here gets smoked and left in thick, chunky cuts, then stacked between two pieces of rye.
That style gives the sandwich a tender bite and a strong smoky flavor. The Reuben is a favorite way to try it, though fitting it in your mouth may take some strategy.
Sitting on West Main Street, this spot fits easily into a Carmel outing. The menu also includes Italian beef, Italian sausage, Chicago dogs, Dirty Tots, and the signature smoked jumbo wings.
Families have it easy here, with high chairs and a kids’ menu. Dogs are allowed, and there is outdoor seating.
Parking is usually simple thanks to a free lot. Hours run 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and most meals land in the $10 to $20 range.
5. Super Submarine, Hammond, IN
Bring a friend. That is the simplest advice for Super Submarine, where one sandwich is big enough to feed two people.
This traditional sandwich shop on Kennedy Avenue in Hammond has a historic, no-frills feel. The bread is packed with meat, cheese, peppers, and pickles, and the corned beef has a strong reputation around the Region.
Italian beef subs are the other headliner, stuffed full and hearty. Homemade meatballs also share the spotlight.
Timing matters most here. Super Submarine is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed Saturday through Monday, so this is a weekday lunch mission.
There is no table service and no restroom, so many people grab their order to go. Free parking in a lot and on the street keeps the stop quick.
6. Lincoln Carry Outs, Hobart, IN
Hobart’s go-to for a stacked corned beef sub is a carryout on Lincoln Street that has been feeding Northwest Indiana for a long time. Lincoln Carry Outs keeps things classic, with made-to-order sandwiches and pies.
The corned beef is the big draw, served on rye or as a sub and stacked with fresh meat, cheese, and veggies. The staff are friendly and quick at the counter.
Plenty of other picks fill the board. The Lincoln Burger, patty melt, steak sandwich, fish sandwich, and Regular Italian all have fans, along with sides like potato salad and cole slaw.
Dessert deserves a mention too, since the shop is known for its pies. A corned beef sub split two ways leaves just enough room for a slice.
Hours run 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.
Parking can fill up, and curbside pickup is available if you would rather skip the hunt for a spot.
Six delis, six ways to stack corned beef, and every one of them makes sharing feel like the smart move.
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