This New York-Style Maryland Deli Is Worth The Drive From D.C. For Its Pastrami Reubens

Just over the D.C. line, there is a strip mall where weekend crowds line up for one sandwich. Families drive in from other states for it.

Locals show up two or three times a month and still are not tired of it. The sandwich is a pastrami Reuben, stacked tall on rye, and the place that makes it has been doing this long enough to joke that it was there before the gym next door.

Nobody has to fly to Manhattan for a classic deli lunch. All it takes is a short drive into Maryland and a little patience with the parking lot.

Keep reading to learn where this deli sits, what makes its Reubens so famous, why the free pickle bar matters, and the smartest times to show up so the wait stays short.

A Strip Mall Address With a Big Reputation

Some of the best lunches hide in the least flashy places, and this one proves it.

Parkway Deli & Restaurant sits at 8317 Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910, in the United States. It occupies a spot inside a strip mall just across the D.C.-Maryland border.

For city folks, that means the trip is short. A quick hop over the line puts a full old-school deli within easy reach.

The business describes itself as a bustling, NYC-style deli with sandwiches and other traditional fare. It also offers a pickle bar, which has become one of its signature calling cards.

Calling it a local spot undersells things a bit. Word of mouth has carried its name well beyond the neighborhood, and many people say they heard stories about it for years before they finally went.

The location also makes it easy to fold into a weekend plan. Some diners stop in after a long hike, while others swing by on holidays when plenty of other places are closed.

The address may look ordinary on a map. What happens inside the doors is where the real story begins.

The Hidden Dining Room Behind the Counter

First-timers often do a double take.

The front of Parkway is a store area with a busy deli counter and dessert cases. The sit-down restaurant sits toward the back, so guests walk through the shop to reach their table.

That layout feels a little unusual at first. Many people say it gives the whole outing a sense of discovery, like they found a secret spot that only regulars know about.

There are really two ways to enjoy the place. The counter handles takeout orders quickly, and even on a crowded holiday, a counter Reuben can be in hand within minutes.

The dining room is the other route. It offers table service and, importantly, free access to the pickle bar for everyone who eats in.

The indoor space is on the small and tight side. Tables sit close together, and on busy days the room fills fast.

There is also an outdoor patio that some guests miss entirely. It is worth asking about, especially on pleasant days when a little elbow room sounds appealing.

Knowing the layout ahead of time saves a moment of confusion at the door. Next comes the star of the menu.

Pastrami Reubens Built Sky High

The Reuben is the reason many people make the drive, and it earns that loyalty.

It is the most talked-about item on the menu by a wide margin. The pastrami version gets special praise, with the meat often described as the highlight of the meal.

These sandwiches are thick. Some stand roughly two and a half inches tall, yet the tender slices make them easier to eat than their height suggests.

The build sticks to the classic formula. Rye bread holds the meat, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing together, and the flavors come across as well balanced.

A small heads-up for purists: the dressing can soften the rye a bit. Most diners consider that a minor note compared with how good the whole thing tastes.

The pastrami also runs on the salty side by the final bites. That is exactly where the pickle bar comes in handy, since the acidity cuts through the richness.

There are variations too. A hot and spicy Reuben, a turkey Reuben, and a corned beef version all appear on tables around the room.

Sides are ordered separately, so plan accordingly. A Reuben here is a full commitment in the best way.

Corned Beef and the Rest of the Lineup

Pastrami gets the headlines, but it does not work alone.

Corned beef is another heavy hitter at Parkway. It shows up in sandwiches and in its own version of the Reuben, with slices that are tender and stacked generously.

Hot shaved pastrami also stars outside the Reuben. Ordered on its own, it lets the meat do all the talking without dressing or kraut in the way.

The broader menu covers plenty of deli staples. A tuna bacon melt and a chicken cheesesteak with hot peppers both make appearances.

Eggplant fries offer a less common side. They come out crispy outside and soft in the middle, a nice break from standard fries.

For anyone unsure where to begin, regulars tend to point toward the classic deli items. The safe bet is to stick with the cured meats that built the reputation.

Portions are generous across the board. Many diners leave with leftovers or at least a very satisfied appetite.

Variety keeps repeat trips interesting. A pastrami Reuben on one visit and corned beef on the next is a common rotation for regulars.

A Pickle Bar That Steals the Show

Free pickles might sound like a side note. At Parkway, they are practically a main attraction.

The pickle bar ranks among the most mentioned features of the whole place. It is included for anyone who dines in, and the selection also features sauerkraut.

Diners treat it as a real perk. Some say it adds a bit of excitement to every trip, while others call it a unique touch they rarely see elsewhere.

There is a practical side too. The acidity of the pickles helps balance the rich, salty pastrami, making the bar a smart partner for any Reuben.

Takeout customers can still enjoy it, but the rules change. Those who do not dine in pay by the pound for pickle bar items.

That detail alone convinces many people to grab a table. When a free pickle bar is on the line, the back dining room starts to look very appealing.

It is a small feature with outsized charm. Few things say classic deli quite like a self-serve bin of pickles waiting nearby.

Soup, Latkes and Comfort Classics

Plenty of guests come for the sandwich and leave talking about the soup.

Matzo ball soup is one of the most praised items on the menu. Strangers at nearby tables have been known to recommend it, and it is a favorite pick for colder days.

Chicken soup gets regular mentions as well. There is even a vegetarian matzo ball soup, something some diners say they cannot find anywhere else.

Potato pancakes, also called latkes, are another standout. Many consider them excellent and a must-order side.

Some regulars build a whole routine around these comforts. A smoked fish platter with matzo ball soup is one popular combination.

The kitchen will also accommodate special requests. One example is an egg salad platter with all the fixings, made to order even though it is not on the menu.

These dishes are a big part of why people call Parkway their comfort food stop. A bowl of soup and a Reuben make a fine pair.

Breakfast Worth Waking Up For

Early birds get a whole separate menu to explore.

Parkway opens at 8:30 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends. That makes it a solid choice for a morning meal before the lunch crowd arrives.

The breakfast earns strong praise from regulars. Omelets in particular are called amazing, and the Belgian waffle also gets high marks.

Bagels round out the morning options. They pair well with spreads and salads, and they also appear on catering platters.

Coffee and drinks get refilled several times during a meal. That kind of attention keeps long breakfasts relaxed.

Weekend mornings are the busiest time of the week, though. Arrive around 11 a.m. on a Sunday and expect a packed house.

For a calmer meal, a weekday morning is the better plan. The menu is just as good, and there is far less waiting for a table.

Breakfast here proves the kitchen is about more than lunch meats. Still, nobody would blame anyone for ordering a Reuben at 9 a.m.

Cakes, Cookies and Something Sweet for the Road

Leaving without a dessert takes real willpower.

The front store area features a wide selection of cakes and pastries. Many diners grab something on the way out, which is easy since the exit passes right by the cases.

Carrot cake is a frequently mentioned favorite. Chocolate top cookies and hamantaschen also land in plenty of takeout bags.

A chocolate mint pie appears on the dessert list as well. It is well liked, even if some fans would welcome a little more filling.

Dessert prices are considered very reasonable. That makes it easy to try more than one treat without much guilt.

The bakery case also explains why the deli works so well for gatherings. Desserts are part of the catering platters too, which we will get to shortly.

A sweet finish rounds out the full deli experience. Saving a little room is strongly advised.

Bustling Rooms and Old-School Banter

Quiet and calm are not really the point here.

Parkway runs on energy. The room is lively, often loud, and full of neighbors, families, and out-of-towners all at once.

Many describe it as a portal into an old-school New York deli. The diner-like setup leans into that classic feel without fuss.

Service has a personality of its own. It can be gruff, but it is also funny and friendly, the way a good deli counter often is.

Most diners describe the staff as fast and attentive. Some servers get called out by name for being warm and perfectly paced.

On the busiest days, things can slip a little. A forgotten request or a slow check sometimes happens, and table cleanliness can be inconsistent.

Those small hiccups rarely change the overall verdict. The welcoming, neighborhood spirit is exactly what keeps people returning.

Plenty call it a community cornerstone. That sense of belonging is hard to manufacture, and it shows here.

Party Platters for a Crowd

Feeding a whole group can be stressful, but this deli takes some of the work away.

Parkway offers catering with party platters for events. Options include sandwiches, bagels, fruit, coffee, and desserts.

Deliveries arrive on time and exactly as ordered, according to happy customers. That reliability matters when guests are waiting.

The platters bring the deli experience straight to an office, home, or celebration. Guests get a taste of the same food that draws crowds in Silver Spring.

For anyone planning a gathering in the D.C. area, it is an easy option to consider. The website, theparkwaydeli.com, is a good starting point for details.

Catering also works well for people who cannot make the trip themselves. The deli effectively comes to them.

It is another sign of how deeply this place fits into local life. Birthdays, meetings, and family events all get a slice of the action.

Hours, Costs and Smart Timing

A little planning goes a long way at a place this popular.

Parkway is open every day of the week. Hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Prices are widely considered reasonable for the quality and portion size. Add-ons can add up, though, with avocado at $2.50 and onion rings over $6.

Since sides come separately with Reubens, factor that into the budget. A sandwich alone is already a hearty meal.

Parking can be a challenge on weekend mornings and afternoons. The strip mall lot fills up quickly when crowds arrive.

Weekend mornings bring lines at the door. Holidays can be packed too, and Mother’s Day is famously one of the busiest days of the year.

Quick seating does happen at quieter times. Weekday visits are the easiest way to skip the wait.

The counter is a handy backup when the dining room is full. A takeout Reuben is fast, even on hectic days.

Why the Drive Pays Off

Some restaurants are convenient. Others are worth going out of the way for, and Parkway belongs in the second group.

The deli holds a 4.6-star standing across more than 3,000 opinions. People travel from D.C., the Maryland suburbs, and even Delaware just to eat here.

It suits a wide range of diners. Families, hikers refueling after the trail, regulars craving comfort food, and travelers passing through all find a seat.

Fast service makes it work for a quick lunch. The bustling room makes it fun for a longer weekend meal.

The pastrami Reuben remains the clear headliner. Paired with matzo ball soup and a trip to the pickle bar, it makes for a classic deli meal close to home.

Small quirks come with the territory, from tight tables to a crowded lot. Most people decide those are a fair trade for what lands on the plate.

For anyone in D.C. missing a true New York-style deli, the answer is closer than expected. Grab a friend, bring an appetite, and point the car toward Grubb Road.