This Newark, New Jersey Deli Has Piled Its Pastrami Sandwiches So High Since 1962 That One Is Plenty

Some sandwiches are lunch, and some sandwiches are a two-day plan. In downtown Newark, one family deli has been stacking pastrami on rye since 1962, and the portions are so big that many people walk out with half of it wrapped for later.

The menu boldly calls it the best pastrami in America, which is a big claim for any kitchen to make. Hockey fans grab a seat here before games, office workers slip in at noon, and travelers on long layovers make the trip from the airport just to sit down at a table with free pickles.

The walls hold decades of history, and the owners still stop by tables to check on guests. Keep reading to learn where it is, what to order, when to go, and why one sandwich is usually more than enough.

A Downtown Newark Address With Deep Roots

Newark has changed a lot since the early 1960s, but one corner of downtown has kept its lunch tradition going strong.

Hobby’s Delicatessen & Restaurant sits at 32 Branford Pl #2723, Newark, NJ 07102, in the heart of New Jersey’s largest city.

The spot is a deli by trade and a sit-down restaurant by habit. Guests can grab a table and order from a full menu, or they can call ahead and take food to go.

It is known as a vintage Jewish comfort food mainstay. That means the menu leans on deli classics like pastrami, corned beef, brisket, and matzo ball soup, with rye bread holding most of it together.

The location also puts it close to the Prudential Center. That detail matters more than you might think, since game nights and arena traffic shape a good part of its story.

Downtown can feel busy and a little intimidating for first-timers. Longtime locals point out that the area around the deli is comfortable, with street parking and a lot behind the building.

So the address is easy to find, and the parking is easier than expected. The real challenge starts once the sandwich hits the table.

Six Decades Behind the Counter

The year was 1962 when Hobby’s first opened its doors, and the deli has been serving downtown Newark ever since.

That kind of staying power is rare. Restaurants come and go quickly in most cities, so a deli that keeps going for more than sixty years has clearly figured out what people want.

The answer, it seems, is consistency. The menu still focuses on classic Jewish daytime meals, the kind of food that has filled lunch counters across the Northeast for generations.

The place has also kept up with the times. It was renovated in recent years, giving the dining room a fresh look without erasing its old-school personality.

Ownership stays hands-on, too. The owners regularly step out of the kitchen to greet guests, chat at tables, and make sure meals are coming out right.

Some staff members have been around for a very long time. One server has worked there for more than two decades, which says plenty about how the business treats its people.

Long careers and long histories tend to go together. At this deli, both are part of the recipe.

The Pastrami That Started the Bragging

Bold claims print well on a menu, and this deli does not hold back. Its pastrami is billed as the best in America.

That is a lot of pressure for one sandwich. Still, pastrami is the single most talked-about item here by a wide margin, so the claim clearly gets people through the door.

The meat is sliced thin and stacked high on rye. Plenty of fans say it holds up against the most famous delis in New York, and some prefer it because it is less fatty.

Others keep their expectations more grounded. A few longtime deli lovers call it a generous, respectable sandwich that sits in line with other traditional delis rather than far above them.

Either way, nobody leaves hungry. The portion is the headline, and the pastrami is the star.

Purists often keep it simple with mustard on rye. Others prefer it dressed up with extras, which leads straight to the famous numbered sandwiches.

Best in America or not, it is easy to see why this one sandwich carries the deli’s reputation on its very tall shoulders.

Numbers Worth Memorizing

Regulars here do not always order by name. They order by number, and two numbers come up again and again.

The #5 is the one the menu itself says the deli is famous for. It combines pastrami and corned beef on rye, topped with coleslaw and Russian dressing.

First-timers often go straight for it, and many describe it as massive. It recently ran about $25.95, which tells you this is not a small snack.

Then there is the #1, a true triple-decker. It stacks corned beef, pastrami, and turkey, again with coleslaw and Russian dressing.

The general advice is simple. The #1 is too large for one person in one sitting, so plan on sharing or saving half for dinner.

Small changes can add up, so ask before customizing. Coleslaw on the side, for example, can come with a small extra charge.

Corned beef fans get plenty of love here, too, since it ranks second only to pastrami in popularity. Learning the numbers is the fastest way to order like someone who has been coming for years.

Free Pickles on Every Table

Before the food even arrives, there is already something to snack on.

Every table gets a complimentary assortment of pickles. It is one of those small deli traditions that never stopped being popular.

The spread includes homemade pickled cucumbers and pickled tomatoes. Many guests list the pickled tomatoes as a must-try, especially if they have never had them before.

People who say they do not even like pickles have been known to eat several. After weeks of travel, some guests treat the bowl like a welcome-back gift.

The pickles pair naturally with the big sandwiches. A crunchy bite between mouthfuls of pastrami is part of the classic deli routine.

It also sets the tone for the visit. Free extras send a clear message that the kitchen wants guests to feel taken care of from the first minute.

Plenty of restaurants charge for every little side these days. At this deli, the pickle bowl remains one of the best deals in downtown Newark, mostly because it costs nothing at all.

Beyond the Rye

Pastrami may hog the spotlight, but the menu runs much deeper than one sandwich.

The list is long and full of deli favorites. Brisket, roast beef, turkey, and ham and cheese all show up, and they are built with the same generous hand.

Matzo ball soup is a common starter for people who want the full classic experience. A chicken gumbo has also earned praise for being flavorful without too much heat.

On the side, fries come standard with many sandwiches. Upgrading to onion rings costs a little extra, and opinions on them split more than on anything else.

Some guests call the onion rings the best they have ever eaten. Others found them greasy on their visit, so results may vary.

Poutine also has a following here. It is a fun detail for a Jewish deli, and it fits the hockey crowd that fills the room on game days.

To drink, there is drip coffee with free refills and a homemade vanilla soda. Even the simple stuff gets a little personal touch.

Gluten-Free Without the Guesswork

Old-school delis are not usually the first place people with food allergies look for a safe meal. This one is an exception.

The kitchen offers legitimate gluten-free options. It uses a dedicated fryer and separate prep space to help prevent cross contamination.

That effort has earned it attention on gluten-free dining apps. Travelers with celiac disease have tracked it down specifically because of those safety steps.

The gluten-free pastrami wrap is the go-to choice. It recently ran about $23.95 with fries, so guests still get the star meat without the rye.

Staff take the topic seriously. Owners and cooks have come out to tables to explain the process and reassure guests that their food is safe.

That kind of attention is not common at busy lunch spots. It shows a kitchen willing to slow down for the people who need it most.

For anyone used to ordering a plain salad and hoping for the best, a full deli meal with real care behind it can feel like a small victory.

Hockey on the Walls

Sports and sandwiches have always made good teammates, and this dining room proves it.

The walls are packed with New Jersey Devils memorabilia. The owners are known as diehard fans, and they are not shy about showing it.

Being so close to the Prudential Center gives the deli a real role in arena life. It has long been a spot for an early dinner before Devils and Nets games.

Fans in jerseys mixing with downtown workers is part of the charm. On those days the room has a pregame energy that you will not find at a typical lunch counter.

There is more than hockey up there, too. Decades of Newark history and deli lore fill the space, giving guests plenty to look at while they wait.

The overall feel has been compared to the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Some call it a greasy spoon in the best way, the kind of place that is hard to find anymore.

Win or lose on the ice, the score at the table is usually lopsided in favor of the sandwich.

Hospitality With a Name Tag

A warm greeting at the door can set up the whole meal, and this deli has that part down.

Servers here are often described as kind, quick, and personable. Even at noon, when the room fills up, food tends to come out fast.

Some team members are practically part of the building. One longtime server, with more than twenty years on the job, is known for showing new guests to a table with a friendly tip or two.

Management is a constant presence. The owner and kitchen team regularly visit tables, which many guests find both welcoming and dignified.

No restaurant is perfect every time. A forgotten request can slip through on a busy day, though the staff stays pleasant throughout.

Still, the overall pattern is clear. People feel noticed here, and that attention is a big reason first-timers say they plan to return.

In an age of ordering screens and quick counters, it is refreshing to find a lunch spot where the people still matter as much as the pastrami.

Catering for the Whole Crowd

Big portions at the table translate to big trays for a crowd.

The deli handles catering for family events, and the owner works directly with customers to plan the menu. That personal touch makes a difference when an occasion really matters.

Orders arrive on time and in generous amounts. One family of fourteen ended up with enough leftovers to last several more days.

The goal is simple. There should be more than enough food, and the deli takes that promise seriously.

Catering works for all kinds of gatherings, from office lunches to meaningful family moments. Deli platters are easy to share and easy for guests to build their own plates.

Delivery and takeout are also available for smaller orders. Some people find the sandwich travels best when eaten at the restaurant, so dining in is worth it if you can.

For anyone planning an event in North Jersey, a call to this kitchen could solve the food question in one conversation. Just make sure there is room in the fridge afterward.

What Lunch Will Cost

Nobody walks into a legendary deli expecting fast food prices, and this one is no exception.

A pastrami sandwich runs about $20. Combination sandwiches climb higher, with the #5 near $26 and a plain corned beef and pastrami combo around $28.

Small add-ons can raise the bill, too. Onion rings cost about $2.50 more than fries, and drip coffee runs around $3.25 with free refills.

Some locals admit they would come every week if the prices were lower. For many, it becomes a special trip rather than a daily habit.

On the other hand, the math looks better once you count the leftovers. One sandwich often covers two meals.

Many guests even ask for a couple of extra slices of rye. That way they can turn the extra meat into a second full sandwich at home.

So the price tag is real, but so is the pile of meat behind it. Think of it as paying for lunch and tomorrow’s lunch at the same time.

Timing Your Visit

Here is the catch that surprises plenty of newcomers. This is strictly a daytime deli.

From Monday through Friday, the doors open at 8 am and close at 2:30 pm. Saturday hours run from 11 am to 2:30 pm, and the deli is closed on Sunday.

That short window means planning ahead pays off. The room gets packed at lunch, so arriving early or ordering ahead is a smart move.

Saturday mornings tend to be calmer downtown. Traffic is lighter and parking is easier, which makes the drive feel much more relaxed.

Street parking is available nearby, and there is also a lot behind the restaurant. Both options make the trip simpler than many expect for a city location.

Travelers passing through the area can make it work, too. Some people with long airport layovers have squeezed in a visit between flights.

Be sure to check hours before heading over, especially around holidays or game days. Showing up at 3 pm with a pastrami craving is a lesson nobody wants to learn twice.

Why One Sandwich Is Enough

After more than sixty years, the formula remains wonderfully simple. Stack the meat high, keep the pickles coming, and treat every guest like a regular.

The place has earned a 4.6-star standing from well over a thousand people. That kind of steady praise does not happen by accident.

It suits a wide mix of people. Hockey fans, downtown workers, curious travelers, families, and anyone hunting for a true old-school deli will find something here.

Not every side dish wins every time, and the prices ask for a little commitment. Yet the big picture keeps people coming back.

The pastrami stays at the center of it all, piled so high that one sandwich really is plenty. Most people head home with a container and a plan for tomorrow.

Newark has plenty of reasons to visit. Few of them come with free pickles, Devils history on the walls, and a lunch that doubles as dinner.

Bring an appetite, bring a friend if you can, and leave room in the car for leftovers.