Nothing beats a real deli sandwich piled so high you have to plan your first bite. New York is home to some of the oldest and best sandwich counters in the country, and a few of them are worth putting a little mileage on your car.
From Buffalo and Rochester to the streets of Manhattan and the Bronx, these eight spots have been feeding hungry people for decades. Whether you want pastrami on rye, a fresh knish, or a bowl of matzo ball soup, this list points you to the classics still doing it right.
Save it, share it, and get ready to eat.
1. Fox’s Deli, Rochester, NY
Craving a Reuben you can actually feel good about? Fox’s Deli has been serving Rochester its Jewish deli classics for more than 80 years, and it is still family-run.
The menu keeps things refreshingly simple, hitting all the right staples. You will find pastrami on rye, freshly made bagels, knishes, latkes, and a matzo ball soup that gets plenty of love.
Vegan and vegetarian eaters are not an afterthought here either. The Mish Mosh and Pickle Plate are both plant-based, and the potato salad and coleslaw round out any order.
One fun detail: this is the only spot in the Rochester metro area still serving original chocolate phosphates, an old-school soda fountain treat. They also keep baked goods stocked for takeout.
You can find Fox’s at 3450 Winton Place, with free parking in the lot and on the street. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 3 PM, and it is closed Sundays, so plan a breakfast or lunch trip.
2. Joe’s Deli, Buffalo, NY
Over on Hertel Avenue, Joe’s Deli has built a reputation as a North Buffalo staple for creative, generously stacked sandwiches. It is an easygoing spot that does the classics well and adds a few surprises.
The sandwich lineup goes beyond the usual. Look for Gill’s Tuna Monster, the Muffaletta, Jimmy’s Cuban, and the option to build your own.
Buffalo pride shows up too, with Beef on Weck and a Beer Battered Fish Fry on the menu.
Even the vegetarian pick feels thought out rather than tossed together, and the soups and salads hold their own next to the subs.
The vibe is casual and works well for solo lunches or groups, with counter service, outdoor seating, and a kids’ menu. Dogs are welcome outside too.
Joe’s is open Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 8 PM and Saturday until 4 PM, closed on Sundays. Parking is usually easy, with a free lot and street spots.
No reservations, so just show up hungry.
3. Brooklyn Pickle East, Syracuse, NY
Since 1975, Brooklyn Pickle has been Syracuse’s answer to a true New York deli, and the East location on Burnet Avenue keeps that reputation going strong. Consistency and quality are what made it a local legend for well over 40 years.
The sandwiches are the main event, and they come big. Choose from the Turkey Breast, Pastrami, Tuna Salad, Liverwurst, or the signature Brooklyn Pickle Special.
Homemade pickles come with the territory, which is exactly what you want from a place with that name.
Soups and salads fill out the menu, including a Chef Salad with Tuna, and there is a jumbo chocolate chip cookie waiting if you saved room.
Service is speedy and there is plenty of seating, which makes it a solid quick stop. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM, closed Sundays.
There is a free lot plus paid parking nearby.
4. Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers, Carle Place, NY
Long Island’s kosher deli tradition is alive and well at Ben’s in Carle Place. It carries that classic old-school diner energy while serving up sandwiches and Eastern European comfort food.
The favorites here are exactly what you would hope for. Pastrami on rye, corned beef sandwiches, potato pancakes, knishes, and matzo ball soup all show up strong, along with heartier dishes like stuffed cabbage.
The menu is large, so it works whether you want a quick sandwich or a full sit-down meal with the family. It is family-friendly, good for groups, and welcomes tourists exploring the area.
Unlike some of the grab-and-go spots on this list, Ben’s does full table service and accepts reservations, which is handy for bigger parties.
You will find it at 59 Old Country Road, with plenty of free parking. Hours are generous, running Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 9 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday until 9 PM.
5. Lido Kosher Delicatessen, Long Beach, NY
Down by the water in Long Beach, Lido Kosher Delicatessen has kept its old-fashioned look and hefty portions for years. If you remember the great kosher delis of the past, this one brings that feeling back.
Pastrami is the headliner, served on tender rye with a side of mustard that regulars swear by. The chopped liver, corned beef, knishes, and homemade matzoh ball soup all belong in the conversation too.
A nice touch: tables get a bottomless bowl of coleslaw along with full sour and half sour pickles, so the meal starts before your sandwich even arrives. There is also a full vegan menu, which is rare for a traditional deli.
Open every day from 9 AM to 9 PM, it covers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The place is family-friendly, offers free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating, and accepts reservations.
Parking is usually easy at 641 East Park Avenue.
6. Liebman’s Deli, Bronx, NY
Walk into Liebman’s and you step into Bronx history. Open since 1953, it is the last kosher Jewish deli standing in a borough that once had dozens, which makes every sandwich here feel like a small tradition worth keeping.
The pastrami earns serious praise, moist and succulent, served with pickles and coleslaw on the side. A standout order is the Liebman’s Favorite, a half pastrami and half corned beef combo on rye, often paired with fried potatoes, kishka, brown gravy, coleslaw, and pickles.
Beyond the sandwiches, the matzah ball soup comes with soft, fluffy matzo balls and plenty of noodles. Onion rings, hot dogs, and an egg cream round out the classic experience.
The setting is cozy and historic, sitting on West 235th Street in the Riverdale section. Open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, it handles breakfast through dinner, takes reservations, and usually has parking nearby.
7. Katz’s Delicatessen, New York, NY
Some places are famous for good reason, and Katz’s on East Houston Street is one of them. Slinging mile-high sandwiches since 1888, it is the deli that other delis get measured against.
The pastrami and corned beef sandwiches are the reason people line up, hand-carved and stacked to impressive heights. The Katz’s Cheesesteak, potato latkes, and cole slaw fill out the menu, but the rye sandwiches are the main attraction.
Part of the fun is the no-frills, ticket-in-hand ordering system and the famously theatrical service. It is a full New York experience as much as a meal.
Hours are long and cater to night owls, running Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 11 PM, Friday until 11:30 PM, open 24 hours on Saturday, and Sunday hours as well. Parking is paid in the neighborhood, so consider transit.
It sits at 205 East Houston Street in Manhattan.
8. Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner, New York, NY
Midtown Manhattan is losing its old diners, but Sarge’s on 3rd Avenue keeps the tradition going with big portions and a huge menu. It is a quintessential New York deli that has been feeding regulars for decades.
Corned beef and pastrami are the stars, showing up in the Unreal Corned Beef Sandwich, the Hot Pastrami Sandwich, and generous Reuben builds. Matzo ball soup and an assorted bagel platter cover the rest of the deli cravings.
Do not skip dessert here. Sarge’s Legendary Cheesecake and the Original New York Cheesecake are worth ordering even if you are already stuffed.
Large, comfortable booths make it a relaxed sit-down stop, which is a nice change of pace from counters where you eat and run. It is open every single day from 10 AM to 10 PM, so lunch or a late dinner both work.
Find it at 548 3rd Avenue, with dine-in, takeout, and delivery all available.
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