Pennsylvania takes its deli sandwiches seriously, and the Reuben might be the biggest proof. Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss, and Russian dressing on grilled rye sounds simple, but a handful of shops around the state pile it so high you almost need a plan to finish it.
From Philadelphia counters to small-town lunch spots, these places have built real followings around their overstuffed versions. Here are nine delis worth knowing if a serious Reuben is what you are after.
1. Famous 4th Street Delicatessen, Philadelphia, PA
Open since 1923 in the Queen Village neighborhood, this is one of the oldest continuously running delis in Philadelphia. The corned beef comes stacked high, and the Reuben is a favorite for anyone who wants an old-school deli experience.
The menu leans classic Jewish deli, with matzo ball soup, potato pancakes, and towering pastrami sandwiches sharing the spotlight. Portions here are known for being generous enough to split.
The 4th Street location has a vintage feel that matches its age. If you want a Reuben with real history behind it, this counter has been at it for a full century.
2. Hymie’s Merion Delicatessen, Merion Station, PA
Just outside the city in Merion Station, Hymie’s has been a Main Line fixture for decades. The deli case here is packed, and the sandwiches are built to match.
Corned beef and pastrami are the stars, and the Reuben gets the full grilled treatment with melted Swiss and plenty of kraut. Many regulars pair it with a bowl of chicken noodle or matzo ball soup.
The dining room is roomy and family-friendly, making it an easy weekend stop. Parking is simpler here than in Center City, which is a plus for a lunch that takes a while to finish.
3. Ben & Irv Delicatessen, Huntingdon Valley, PA
Fans of a proper Montgomery County deli lunch have long pointed to Ben & Irv in Huntingdon Valley. The place keeps the traditional deli menu alive with hot sandwiches, soups, and breakfast plates.
The Reuben lands on the heftier side, with a good balance of corned beef, sauerkraut, and dressing on grilled rye. It is the kind of sandwich that pairs well with a short list of afternoon plans.
Beyond the Reuben, the deli is popular for its breakfast and its overall sit-down comfort. It is a reliable spot when you want a big sandwich without heading downtown.
4. Kibitz Room, Cherry Hill area / South Jersey Philly crowd draw
Delis near the Philadelphia line have set a high bar, and the Kibitz Room is famous for going sky-high with its sandwiches. It sits just across the river and draws a heavy Philly-area lunch crowd who plan around the trip.
The sandwiches here are stacked to almost comical heights, with piles of corned beef and pastrami that make the Reuben a serious commitment. Many people share one and still have leftovers.
The deli case, sides, and classic soups round out the meal. If your goal is a Reuben that looks as tall as it tastes, this is the kind of stop worth the short drive from Pennsylvania.
5. Attman’s Delicatessen, Philadelphia area location, PA
Rooted in a long deli tradition, Attman’s brought its corned beef reputation to the Philadelphia region and quickly won over sandwich fans. The kitchen focuses on the classics done well.
The Reuben features corned beef piled generously, grilled rye, and the tangy pull of sauerkraut and dressing. Pastrami and brisket sandwiches sit right alongside it for the undecided.
The setting is casual and counter-forward, made for grabbing a big lunch. For anyone who measures a deli by the thickness of its corned beef, this one delivers a stack worth planning your day around.
6. Primanti Bros., Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh has its own way of building a sandwich, and Primanti Bros. put it on the map by stacking fries and slaw right inside. The corned beef version leans into Reuben territory in the boldest way possible.
Every sandwich comes loaded so high that eating one neatly is nearly impossible, which is part of the fun. The Strip District original location has been serving this style since 1933.
Locals treat a Primanti order as a full event, not a quick bite. If you want a taller take on corned beef that only Pittsburgh could invent, this is the place to try it.
7. The Corner Room, State College, PA
Right in the heart of downtown State College, The Corner Room has fed Penn State students and locals for generations. Its spot at College and Allen is about as central as it gets.
The menu covers diner classics, and the Reuben holds its own with grilled rye, corned beef, and melted Swiss. It is a filling choice before or after a busy day around campus.
The restaurant has a long history in town, dating back to the 1920s. For a hearty Reuben with a college-town crowd around you, this landmark corner is an easy pick.
8. Tommy’s Pizzeria & Deli style corner shops, Scranton, PA
Northeastern Pennsylvania has a strong corner-deli culture, and Scranton is full of shops that pile their sandwiches high. Local delis here treat the Reuben as a lunch-counter staple worth doing right.
Expect grilled rye, plenty of corned beef, and a tangy hit of kraut and dressing in the classic build. Many spots serve it with chips or a side that rounds out a big meal.
The area’s deli scene rewards regulars who know which counters stack it tallest. If a road trip through the Poconos region is on the table, a Scranton Reuben stop fits right in.
9. Wilkes-Barre area classic delis, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Neighboring Wilkes-Barre carries the same deli pride found across Luzerne County, with counters known for hefty hot sandwiches. Corned beef gets serious attention here, and the Reuben shows it.
The sandwiches come grilled and generous, with the familiar mix of Swiss, sauerkraut, and dressing on rye. Soups and simple sides keep the menu grounded in comfort-food territory.
Downtown and neighborhood delis alike make this a solid stretch of Pennsylvania for sandwich hunting. A tall Reuben here is a fitting way to close out a tour of the state’s biggest stacks.
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