Great pastrami does not need a passport to Manhattan. Right here in New Jersey, there are counters where skilled cutters slice the meat thin, keep it warm, and stack it high on fresh rye with a smear of mustard.
Some of these spots have loyal followings that stretch back decades, and a few will make you rethink that drive across the river. Here are seven Jersey delis where the pastrami is the main event, plus what to order and where to find them.
1. Pastrami Grill Bistro, Garfield, NJ
The pitch here is simple. Skip the trip into Manhattan and get your pastrami fix in Bergen County instead.
Listed on the map as an East Village-style sandwich specialist, this Garfield spot leans hard into pastrami, corned beef, and brisket. The kitchen also turns out burgers and steak dishes, so a table with mixed appetites has options.
Order the pastrami on rye with mustard, which pairs nicely with the juicy meat and a slice of Swiss. If you want to sample widely, the 3 Meat Platter and the Corned Beef and Brisket combo do the trick.
Homemade matzo ball soup and square potato knishes round out the menu, and a Half Sandwich with Soup keeps lunch light and affordable. Prices land around 10 to 20 dollars per person.
You will find indoor and outdoor seating in a clean, quick-stop setting. It sits at 83 River Dr, open most days from 11 AM, with later Friday and Saturday hours and both free and paid parking nearby.
2. Pastrami hut NY Style Delicatessen, Jackson Township, NJ
Down in Ocean County, this casual eatery keeps the deli playbook classic and the pace easy. No reservations, no fuss, and usually plenty of parking.
The name tells you the priority. Pastrami leads the way, joined by corned beef, brisket, and homemade soups.
A pastrami on rye ordered medium comes piled generously, and the large hot pastrami sandwich is built for a real appetite.
There is more here than meat between rye. The Split Pea Soup and Potato Latkas are vegan-friendly, the Mushroom Swiss Burger covers the grill crowd, and a slice of cheesecake finishes things off.
The vibe stays relaxed and quiet, good for solo lunches or a low-key dinner, and it works well for kids too. Counter service and takeout make it a smooth quick bite.
Find it at 363 N County Line Rd, open daily from 11 AM with dinner service into the evening. Curbside pickup and delivery are available if you would rather bring the sandwiches home.
3. Pastrami House Delicatessen, Morristown, NJ
A telltale sign of good pastrami is when you reach for the sandwich and forget the mustard entirely. That happens here, where the meat comes tender, juicy, and not fatty.
Set on Speedwell Ave in Morristown, this nostalgic eatery serves kosher-style sandwiches, soups, salads, and sides. The signature move is the pastrami and corned beef combo, stacked the way a real deli should do it.
Regulars build a full spread around the sandwiches with coleslaw, pickles, and disco fries, plus chicken noodle soup when the weather turns. Breakfast and brunch are on the table too, since the doors open at 9 AM.
The setting is casual and cozy, family-friendly, and welcoming, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and free Wi-Fi. It is one of the few on this list that accepts reservations and offers a private dining room.
Prices run about 10 to 20 dollars per person. Parking is street or garage and can take a minute to find, so leave yourself a little extra time.
4. Harold’s New York Deli, Edison, NJ
If you have ever wanted a sandwich that doubles as a group project, this is the address. Harold’s built its reputation on monster-sized portions of classic Jewish deli fare.
The pastrami arrives hot and soft, delivered with a stack of extra fresh rye bread, coleslaw, mustard, and pickles from the pickle bar. Jumbo platters of pastrami, corned beef, and turkey are made for sharing, and family-sized is the default mindset here.
Beyond the meat, the menu stretches from potato knishes and matzoh ball soup to mini potato pancakes with applesauce and a towering chocolate fudge layer cake. Breakfast items like a chocolate chip single pancake keep the diner-style spirit alive.
Expect to spend more here, roughly 20 to 40 dollars per person, though a single sandwich can feed two. It is dine-in and takeout only, with no delivery.
Located at 1173 King Georges Post Rd near Raritan Center Parkway, it is open every day from 7 AM to 9 PM with plenty of on-site parking.
5. Eppes Essen Deli & Restaurant, Livingston, NJ
Some sandwiches earn a nickname just from the way they are ordered. At this Livingston mainstay, the move is pastrami and corned beef on rye with coleslaw and Russian dressing tucked right inside.
Described as a diner-style Jewish deli specializing in over-filled meat sandwiches, Eppes Essen keeps the pastrami moist, tender, and flavorful without turning greasy. Add Swiss for a bit of creaminess and you have a proper deli classic.
Breakfast fans get their own reasons to show up early, with buttermilk pancakes and challah French toast on the menu. Potato pancakes, matzo ball soup, and cream cheese with Nova lox fill out the rest.
Knishes and pierogies share the spotlight, so this is a good stop when the table cannot agree on just one thing. Portions run large, and the price sits around 20 to 30 dollars per person.
You will find it at 105 E Mt Pleasant Ave, open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM with free parking on-site.
6. The Kibitz Room – Cherry Hill, NJ, Cherry Hill Township, NJ
Down in South Jersey, the pickle bar is part of the ritual. Help yourself while you wait for a warm, juicy pastrami sandwich to hit the counter.
The Kibitz Room runs on a no-frills, order-at-the-counter setup with stacked meat sandwiches and Jewish deli classics. The pastrami and corned beef come flavorful with just the right amount of chew, served on a roll or rye that holds together instead of going soggy.
The hot pastrami and Swiss is a crowd favorite and comes big. If you want to branch out, the Jewish cheesesteak is a fun detour, and the bakery goods and desserts are worth saving room for.
A quart of matzo ball soup is easy to take home, and the menu covers full vegan and vegetarian options along with a salad bar. Sides like coleslaw and potato salad round things out.
It is at 100 Springdale Rd, open daily with early hours and usually plenty of parking. Expect around 20 to 30 dollars per person.
7. Fred and Murry’s Kosher Delicatessen, Freehold, NJ
Vintage posters on the walls and a narrow, old-timey layout set the mood the moment you step inside this Freehold deli. It has kept a long-time following for its pastrami and corned beef.
Hot Pastrami is a headliner on the menu, sliced from quality meats and served with rye, thousand island dressing, and a mustard people go out of their way to praise. Order it as a full sandwich, or start smaller with the 4 oz Junior Deli Sandwich.
The kitchen backs up the meat with homemade split pea soup, coleslaw, kasha varnishkas, and homemade onion rings. Dinners come with a large salad and plenty of pickles, and there are Dr Brown’s sodas to wash it all down.
The setting stays quaint and quiet, good for groups and kids alike, with a kids’ menu and high chairs on hand. Reservations are accepted, which is handy on busy Saturdays.
Find it at 4345 US Highway 9 in the Pond Road Plaza, open daily from 9:30 AM to 8 PM with easy parking.
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