Some sandwiches are lunch, and some sandwiches are a group project. In Livingston, New Jersey, there is a deli where a full sandwich can feed three people, and nobody seems to mind.
Pastrami is the headliner here, stacked so high that a knife and fork become part of the plan. The pickles and coleslaw show up before you even ask, and a little robot has been known to help deliver the food.
People drive 40 minutes or more just to sit in a booth and work through a pile of hot meat on rye. Prices run high, and the portions do too, so there is plenty to talk about.
Keep reading to find out where this spot is, what to order, how much to budget, and why so many families keep coming back year after year for one more round of deli classics.
A Deli Address Worth Writing Down
Every great deli story needs a starting point, and this one begins on a busy stretch of Route 10.
Eppes Essen Deli & Restaurant sits at 105 E Mt Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039, in the United States. The building is easy to reach by car, with its own parking lot right outside.
The name roughly means a little something to eat, which is a funny bit of modesty for a place known for giant portions. It is a diner-style Jewish deli that mixes classic counter culture with sit-down restaurant comfort.
The menu leans on over-filled meat sandwiches, along with knishes and pierogies. Pastrami gets talked about more than anything else, and corned beef follows close behind.
Livingston is a suburban town in Essex County, and the deli has become a regular stop for locals and road-trippers alike. Shoppers coming from Willowbrook Mall and drivers headed toward East Hanover often end up here when a deli craving strikes.
Some places you stumble upon, and others you hear about from family. Eppes Essen tends to be the second kind, passed down like a favorite recipe card.
So the address is set, the parking is sorted, and the appetite is ready. Next up is a look at what makes this place tick inside its doors.
Two Doors, One Big Appetite
Here is a layout tip that saves some confusion on a first trip.
The takeout deli sits to the right. The restaurant, with its tables and booths, sits to the left.
There is also a party room for bigger gatherings. Outside, a few picnic tables give the option of eating in the open air when the weather cooperates.
The look is classic diner, the kind of setting that puts the focus on the plate rather than the decor. Some longtime fans would like to see an update to the dining room, while others treat the old-school feel as part of the charm.
One practical note matters here. The dining room tables are meant for sit-down guests, not for takeout orders.
Grab a sandwich to go, and the plan should be the car, the picnic tables, or home. Want a booth?
Order from the restaurant side and enjoy table service.
Knowing which side to head toward makes everything smoother. The deli rewards a little planning, and the next section explains exactly why that planning pays off.
The Pastrami That Started the Pilgrimage
Ask around town about Eppes Essen, and the conversation almost always lands on one word: pastrami.
It is the most talked-about item on the menu by a wide margin. The menu is built around hot pastrami, and the owner proudly calls it his delicious pastrami.
The meat is tender and not fatty, and it gets stacked high on rye bread. Many fans compare it to the famous delis of New York City, and plenty say it holds its own.
One woman who first came as a child returned years later and found the pastrami sandwich just as good as she remembered. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident.
A regular pastrami sandwich runs around $25. Some feel that is steep, while the owner points out that nothing they make is tiny.
For those who want to go bigger, the pastrami Reuben earns strong praise for its quality. Mustard and Russian dressing are both common partners for the meat.
Pastrami is the reason many people make the drive. Corned beef, however, is ready to argue for a share of the spotlight.
Signature Stacks With Royal Names
Some sandwiches here come with names that sound like they belong in a storybook.
The New King David is a heavy hitter. It brings together pastrami, corned beef, coleslaw, Russian dressing, and melted Swiss.
It arrives open face, and it is very much a knife and fork job. The portion is big and the meat is tender, so pace yourself.
Then there is The Eppy, a special that has won over first-timers. One out-of-state guest credited it with making a whole New Jersey visit complete.
The Oy Veh is another playful pick, combining turkey and pastrami in Reuben form. Yes, the name alone is worth a smile.
Corned beef also stands strong on its own. It is the second most mentioned meat at the deli, and a full corned beef sandwich can feed three people.
A brisket sandwich piled on rye with au jus rounds out the options. Note that some sandwiches, like the brisket, do not come with fries or chips, which are ordered separately.
Choosing just one is the hardest part of the meal.
Pickles and Slaw on the House
Before the main event arrives, the table gets a welcome gift.
Complimentary pickles and coleslaw are part of the routine. The pickles come in both sour and half sour, and they are homemade.
These are not an afterthought. Pickles show up in conversation almost as often as matzoh ball soup, and the coleslaw is mentioned even more.
Many guests call the slaw the best around. Some diners who are lukewarm on a main dish still rave about the coleslaw.
The pickles also have their own fan club. Some describe them as unique, and families with kids often point to them as a highlight.
Takeout customers are not left out either. Staff have been known to package the pickles and mustard separately so a to-go order holds up for later.
Small details like this set the tone for the whole meal. A free side that people actually talk about is a pretty good sign of what is coming next.
Soup, Knishes, and Potato Pancakes
Not every craving needs to involve a mountain of meat.
Matzoh ball soup is a favorite at Eppes Essen. One guest said it tasted just like her mother used to make, which is high praise in deli circles.
The soups in general earn strong words. Some call them amazing, and they are a common pick on chilly days or when someone feels under the weather.
Potato pancakes have their own following. They have been called tremendous, and even guests who skip the sandwiches tend to enjoy them.
The potato knish arrives hot and in a huge portion. Its shell is flaky, somewhat like an empanada, and opinions differ on just how flaky is ideal.
Pierogies also appear on the menu, adding an Eastern European touch. Tuna sandwiches and an Israeli salad with chicken give lighter options too.
The point is simple. A table can share soup, knishes, and pancakes and still leave room for a sandwich, if anyone is brave enough.
The Famous Party-Size Sloppy Joe
New Jersey has its own version of the sloppy joe, and it has nothing to do with ground beef.
Here it is a layered deli sandwich, and it shows up often in conversation about Eppes Essen. It is one of the menu items people come in specifically to order.
Size matters with this one. The owner describes it as a huge four-piece sandwich meant for at least two people.
The price is around $50. Some find that steep, while others treat it as a shared centerpiece for a group.
Russian dressing and rye bread are classic parts of the deli spread. Both show up repeatedly among the things guests mention.
For families or friends, ordering a sloppy joe and splitting it can make the math feel better. It also turns lunch into a bit of a team effort.
Gatherings bigger than a booth can handle lead nicely to the catering side of the business.
Candy Cups and a Robot Server
Two of the most charming details here have nothing to do with sandwiches.
Near the washing station, classic sweet snacks are sold in small plastic containers. Think chocolate jelly rings, nonpareils, and other old-school treats.
It is a nostalgic touch that many longtime fans love. A cup of candy on the way out feels like a little bonus round.
Babka is another sweet note worth knowing about. Even a harsh critic of the prices called the babka great.
Then there is the robot. Yes, a robot helps deliver food to tables.
Guests find it funny, and it adds a playful twist to a very traditional style of restaurant. Kids, in particular, tend to get a kick out of it.
Old candy and new technology under one roof make for an unexpected mix. It works because it does not take itself too seriously.
Josh and the Front-Door Welcome
A warm greeting at the door says a lot about a place.
At Eppes Essen, the first face many people see belongs to Josh, the owner. Guests describe him as funny, welcoming, and proud of his food.
One story stands out. A customer accidentally overpaid by $50, and the owner walked the cash out to the car to return it.
Staff earn credit for patience too. First-timers who need time with the long menu often find help with questions and suggestions.
Service is described as friendly and attentive by many regulars. Families mention planning return trips with parents and kids.
Not every experience is perfect, of course. Some guests have had misunderstandings over menu items or seating rules, and the owner tends to answer directly and with personality.
Catering is another side of the operation. Businesses use it to feed meetings with a wide range of options.
The personal touch is a big part of why people keep coming back.
Hours, Prices, and a Few Smart Moves
Planning ahead is easy, since the schedule stays the same all week.
The deli is open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Sunday. That makes it handy for lunch, an early dinner, or a mid-afternoon snack.
Now for the part everyone asks about. Prices run high, and many guests are upfront about it.
A pastrami sandwich is around $25, and an Israeli salad with chicken was $27.99. A sloppy joe is about $50.
Two adults can expect to spend $90 or more with tip if ordering generously. Plenty of fans compare the prices to well-known New York City delis.
Portions help balance things out. That salad was big enough for three or four meals, and one full sandwich can feed three.
Sharing is a smart move. So is checking whether sides like fries come with a sandwich, since some are ordered separately.
Also double-check names, since the turkey pastrami is turkey made pastrami style, not a mix of two meats.
A Deli That Earns the Drive
Some restaurants are a quick stop, and others become a family tradition.
Eppes Essen holds a 4.3-star standing from nearly a thousand opinions, which says a lot about its loyal crowd. Many people treat it as their go-to Jewish deli in New Jersey.
It is not kosher, and it is not trying to be fancy. What it offers is comfort food with both meat and dairy options, served in big, shareable portions.
The best fit is a hungry group ready to split sandwiches and sides. Budget-minded solo diners may want to plan on leftovers.
Those who love deli culture will find plenty to enjoy, from the pickles to the potato pancakes to the candy cups by the sink. Pastrami remains the main reason to come, and it rarely lets fans down.
Is it worth the trip? For many, the answer has stayed yes for decades.
Bring an appetite, bring a friend, and maybe bring a takeout bag for tomorrow’s lunch too.
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