This Old-School New Jersey Deli Piles Corned Beef So High You’ll Need Two Hands To Finish Your Sandwich

The deli’s X-Large sandwiches are designed to feed four to seven people. That’s not a sandwich anymore. That’s a seating chart.

The smallest size is called the junior, and even that one is famously massive. The menu boldly calls its corned beef the World’s Best. I appreciate a deli that makes a claim that big and then backs it up with a mountain of meat.

Then there’s the pickle bar. It holds more than 20 varieties, and it’s free with your meal. Half-sours, pickled tomatoes, and hot peppers all wait for you to grab a fork.

This New Jersey landmark also comes with a founder who once co-owned one of Manhattan’s most famous delis. That backstory explains a lot.

The Corned Beef Arrives Taller Than Your Appetite Expected

Rye bread does a lot of heavy lifting at Harold’s New York Deli. The corned beef gets stacked so high that the top slice looks like a hat on a skyscraper.

The menu proudly labels it the World’s Best Corned Beef. That’s a bold boast, but this kitchen clearly isn’t shy about anything.

Sandwiches come in three main sizes, and each one deserves respect. The junior is meant for one person, yet it’s still famously huge. The large can feed two to three people, and maybe even four.

Then comes the X-Large, built to feed four to seven people. Bring friends, or bring a very strong refrigerator.

Here’s my practical tip. Start with the junior unless you’re dining with a group that loves to share. You’ll still leave with plenty of leftovers, and you won’t feel like you lost a fight with lunch.

I’d probably add a side of coleslaw and a swipe of deli mustard. That classic combo keeps each bite bright against all that rich, salty meat. Grab extra napkins too.

Two hands are required here, and nobody will judge you for that.

Pastrami Fans Get Their Own Reason To Cheer

Corned beef may grab the headline, but pastrami might just steal the show. Harold’s slices it thin and piles it generously, which is exactly how a deli sandwich should behave.

Food writers have called it tender, juicy, and top-notch. It also has that rich, fatty edge that makes classic deli pastrami so hard to resist.

Can’t choose between the two? That’s a fair problem to have here.

The menu includes combo-style sandwiches, so you can pair favorites on the same rye. Sharing a large between two people is another smart move. One person grabs half, the other grabs half, and everyone wins.

Harold’s actively encourages sharing, and there’s no extra charge for it. That policy makes ordering a giant sandwich feel less wild and more like good planning.

A quick strategy helps at a busy table. Order one pastrami and one corned beef, then split both. You’ll taste the difference between the two meats side by side.

I can’t imagine skipping the pastrami completely. Choosing just one deli meat here feels a little like leaving a concert before the encore.

A Pickle Bar So Big It Earned A World-Sized Title

More than 20 kinds of pickles. Free with your meal. All you can eat.

Harold’s calls it the World’s Largest Pickle Bar, and it’s one of the most famous parts of the whole place. You grab a plate, wander the spread, and load up on whatever looks good.

The lineup includes kosher pickles, crisp half-sours, pickled tomatoes, and hot peppers. Picky eaters may finally meet their match.

Here’s a fun bit of history. The pickle bar disappeared for a while during the pandemic. Then it came back, and pickle lovers across New Jersey could breathe easy again.

My advice is simple. Visit the bar before your sandwich lands, then save room for a second round later. Something tangy and crunchy between bites of corned beef keeps your taste buds awake.

The red pickled tomatoes and hot peppers are worth trying if you like a little zip. Sour, salty, spicy, take your pick.

I’d fill a small plate with a little of everything first. Then I’d go back for whatever made me smile the most.

Soup, Knishes, And Cheesecake Join The Supersized Party

Matzo ball soup usually comes in a cozy little bowl. At Harold’s, the super-sized bowl is meant to feed three or more people.

That sets the tone for everything beyond the sandwiches. The menu reads like a greatest hits album of Jewish deli comfort food.

You’ll find potato latkes, knishes, brisket, and chopped liver. Each one carries that old-school deli spirit, just in a bigger costume.

Breakfast and diner fans aren’t left out either. Monster pancakes can feed several people from a single pancake. Oversized hot dogs, creamy macaroni and cheese, and 32-ounce ice cream sodas also show up.

Dessert deserves its own game plan. The N.Y. style cheesecake can feed two to four people, so don’t treat it as a casual add-on.

Here’s a helpful trick for groups. Order one sandwich, one soup, and one dessert, then pass everything around. You’ll sample more of the menu without drowning in food.

Honestly, I’d grab a cheesecake slice to go even if I felt completely full. Future me would appreciate that decision around midnight.

Thank A Carnegie Deli Veteran For All This Abundance

Harold Jaffe knew his way around a deli long before this one opened. He was a former manager of the iconic Carnegie Deli in New York City.

He also ran the Claremont Diner in Verona, New Jersey. That mix of Manhattan deli swagger and Jersey diner comfort shaped everything about this place.

Jaffe took the best parts of those earlier restaurants and combined them here. The result became Harold’s New York Deli, which opened its Edison location in 1998.

That means the deli has spent more than 25 years serving towering sandwiches. In restaurant years, that’s practically legendary status.

Jaffe passed in March 2025 at age 82. His big, generous vision still shows up on every overloaded plate.

Knowing that backstory makes a visit feel a little more meaningful. You’re not just ordering lunch. You’re tasting a style of deli tradition carried over from one of New York’s most famous counters.

I appreciate a restaurant with roots this deep. It’s comforting to know the oversized portions come from experience, not just a gimmick.

Tiffany-Style Lamps Set A Wonderfully Retro Mood

Colorful Tiffany-style lamps hang over the dining room like friendly little stained glass umbrellas. They give the space a warm, classic glow.

Black Windsor chairs line the tables, adding to the timeless diner look. Everything feels pleasantly old-school without trying too hard.

The walls tell stories too. Framed photographs celebrate deli culture and New York history, so there’s plenty to study while you wait for your food.

The dining room is large, which makes sense for a place serving sandwiches this size. Big food needs big elbow room.

The overall vibe lands somewhere between a traditional Jewish deli and a lively diner. It’s bustling, cheerful, and full of energy.

Service follows that same classic spirit. The staff is known for efficient, friendly, old-school hospitality that keeps things moving even when tables fill up.

Take a minute to look around before you dig in. The photos and decor add a fun layer to the meal, almost like a mini museum with mustard on the side.

It’s the kind of room where a second cup of coffee feels completely reasonable.

You’ll Find The Deli Inside A Nine-Story Hotel

Most delis sit on a street corner. This one lives inside the monolithic nine-story E Hotel, a building that once operated as a Holiday Inn.

That unusual setting adds a fun surprise to the trip. You arrive expecting a storefront and find a deli tucked within a towering hotel instead.

Harold’s New York Deli sits at 1173 King Georges Post Rd, Edison, NJ 08837. It’s an easy stop for anyone traveling through central New Jersey.

Customer parking is available, which is a real gift around here. Finding a spot shouldn’t feel like a second meal’s worth of effort.

The deli is also wheelchair accessible and offers restrooms. Those details matter when you’re bringing family or a large group.

Its location makes it handy for road trippers heading between Philadelphia and New York. A detour for a giant sandwich sounds far better than a forgettable highway snack.

Plug the address into your GPS and look for the hotel. Once you’re there, the hunt is over, and the eating can officially begin.

Saturday Crowds Can Reach A Jaw-Dropping Number

Up to 3,000 customers. That’s how many people Harold’s can serve on a busy Saturday.

Let that sink in for a second. It’s like feeding a small town before dinner is even over.

The dining room fills quickly on peak days, and long waits can happen. A little planning goes a long way here.

Hours run from 7 AM to 9 PM every day of the week. That wide window gives you options beyond the weekend lunch rush.

Early mornings and weekdays can be smart choices if you prefer a calmer visit. Breakfast here is no small affair either, thanks to those monster pancakes.

Take-out is another great option. Grab a large sandwich, head home, and spread the feast across your own kitchen table.

Catering is available too, which makes sense given the portion sizes. A single X-Large sandwich could basically anchor a family party in New Jersey.

My suggestion is to treat a visit like a mini event. Pick your time wisely, round up hungry friends, and let the deli handle the rest.

Leftovers Are Part Of The Plan, So Order Smart

Walking out empty-handed almost never happens at Harold’s New York Deli. The portions practically guarantee a to-go box, and that’s half the fun.

A smart order starts with honest math. Count your group, check the size chart, and remember that the junior is already plenty for one.

Sharing is encouraged with no extra charge, so lean into it. Split a large sandwich, add a soup, and pass around a few sides.

Don’t forget the free pickle bar. Those tangy bites can stretch your meal without costing anything extra.

Save some room for dessert, or plan to take it home. Cheesecake made for two to four people travels surprisingly well in a box.

Leftover corned beef or pastrami makes tomorrow’s lunch feel like a gift. Warm it gently, pile it on fresh rye, and relive the magic.

Harold’s is one of those New Jersey spots worth visiting at least once. Bring friends, bring patience, and bring a cooler if your drive is long. Your fridge will thank you all week.