9 Hole-In-The-Wall Delis Across New York Known For Seriously Amazing Reuben Sandwiches
New York has a lot of opinions, and one of the strongest is about who makes the best Reuben sandwich. Some of the best sandwiches are not coming from trendy restaurants or flashy storefronts.
They are made in small neighbourhood delis where the counters are worn, the menus are simple, and the grill has been sizzling for decades. These places may look modest at first glance, but locals know exactly what makes them special.
The Reuben is often the star of the show. Thick slices of corned beef or pastrami, tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and just the right amount of dressing come together between perfectly toasted rye bread.
One bite delivers that unmistakable balance of savory, salty, and rich flavors that keeps people coming back again and again. Across New York, these hole-in-the-wall delis are quietly serving Reubens that serious sandwich lovers simply cannot resist.
1. Sarge’s Delicatessen & Diner
Nobody does diner energy quite like Sarge’s, and the Reuben here is the main reason to show up hungry. Open since 1964, this midtown fixture at 548 Third Avenue has been feeding New Yorkers through every era of the city with zero apology and maximum corned beef.
The sandwich arrives at your table looking like a small skyscraper, and the first bite delivers exactly what you hoped for.
The corned beef is thick cut and deeply seasoned, with a texture that gives just enough resistance before melting apart. Paired with extra-salty sauerkraut and gooey Swiss cheese on golden rye bread, each component earns its place.
The Russian dressing ties everything together with a tangy, slightly sweet finish that makes you close your eyes for a second.
Late-night diners, early commuters, and curious visitors all pass through the doors, drawn by the promise of comfort food done right.
Sarge’s is open around the clock, which means your 2 a.m. Reuben craving finally has a very legitimate answer.
The staff moves with the confidence of people who have assembled thousands of these sandwiches and know exactly what they are doing. Portions are enormous, prices are fair, and the no-fuss atmosphere makes every visit feel like a proper New York meal.
2. Liebman’s Deli
The Bronx does not get enough credit in the New York deli conversation, but Liebman’s has been quietly holding it down since 1953. Located at 552 West 235th Street in Riverdale, this family-run spot carries the kind of old-school kosher deli tradition that most places only talk about.
Walking in feels like stepping back into a New York that actually had time to slow down and eat properly.
The Reuben at Liebman’s features corned beef that is braised to a genuine tenderness, not the rubbery kind you sometimes get at lesser spots. The sauerkraut has a sharp, fermented bite that cuts right through the richness of the meat.
Every layer is balanced with the care of people who have been perfecting the same recipe for decades.
Liebman’s holds a loyal following in the neighborhood, and for good reason. The menu is deep with deli classics, but the Reuben consistently earns its spot at the top.
Portions are generous without being theatrical, and the sandwich arrives wrapped in that unspoken promise that someone in the kitchen genuinely cared about what they made. That matters more than any fancy sign outside ever could.
3. Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen
Long Island does not always get a seat at the New York deli table, but Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen in Carle Place makes a very convincing argument for why it should.
Found 211-37 26th Ave, Bayside, NY 11360, Ben’s has been a staple for suburban New Yorkers who refuse to compromise on deli quality just because they moved out of the city.
The Reuben here is built with the same seriousness you would expect from a beloved Manhattan institution.
Ben’s uses quality kosher-certified meats that are sliced fresh and piled generously onto grilled rye. The sauerkraut is properly tangy, the Swiss cheese gets melted to that perfect slightly-browned stage, and the overall construction holds together from first bite to last.
It is the kind of sandwich that makes you forget you are eating in a strip mall.
The restaurant has a full deli menu with matzo ball soup, potato knishes, and other classics that pair beautifully with your Reuben order. Service is friendly and quick, and the atmosphere has that comfortable, familiar deli warmth that feels like home.
Ben’s proves that great Jewish deli food has no geographic boundaries, and the Reuben especially makes that point with total conviction.
4. Pastrami Queen
The name alone sets expectations, and Pastrami Queen does not flinch for a single second. Situated at 1125 Lexington Avenue on the Upper East Side, this kosher deli brings an unapologetically old-world approach to every sandwich that leaves its kitchen.
The Reuben built here uses house-prepared pastrami that has been smoked and seasoned with a spice blend that commands your full attention.
Pastrami Queen’s version of the Reuben swaps the traditional corned beef for their signature pastrami, which turns out to be a very smart move. The meat is sliced thick, still warm, and carries a smokiness that makes the whole sandwich feel like a completely different experience.
The delicious sauerkraut and Swiss cheese balance the bold flavor without fighting it, and the rye bread gets grilled to a satisfying crunch.
The deli has a no-nonsense vibe that feels authentically New York in the best possible way. There is nothing trendy about the decor, and that is exactly the point.
Your focus here is entirely on the food, and the food rewards that focus generously. Pastrami Queen is the kind of place where you eat quietly because talking would interrupt the experience of the sandwich.
5. 2nd Ave Deli
Few delis carry as much cultural weight as 2nd Ave Deli, and a single visit explains why instantly. Originally opened in 1954 on Second Avenue in the East Village, the deli now operates two Manhattan locations, including one at 1442 1st Ave.
The legacy here runs deep, and the Reuben sandwich carries every bit of that history in its generous, carefully assembled layers.
You get to choose between corned beef or pastrami, and both options are equally defensible decisions. The meats are prepared in-house using traditional methods that prioritize flavor over shortcuts, and the difference is obvious from the first bite.
Tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss, and a properly seasoned rye bread frame the whole experience with the confidence of decades of practice.
2nd Ave Deli also serves amazingly legendary matzo ball soup and a full menu of Jewish deli classics that make it nearly impossible to order just one thing. The staff is fast, the portions are enormous, and the restaurant has a lively energy that feels distinctly New York.
Coming here for a Reuben is not just a meal, it is a legitimate cultural experience that any serious sandwich lover owes themselves at least once.
6. Katz’s Delicatessen
Katz’s Delicatessen is not just a restaurant, it is a New York landmark that has been operating since 1888 at 205 East Houston Street on the Lower East Side. The pastrami gets most of the headlines, but the Reuben here is quietly one of the greatest sandwiches in the entire city.
Built with thick-cut corned beef that is sliced to order right in front of you, this sandwich means business from the moment it lands on your tray.
The corned beef at Katz’s is brined and cooked low and slow over several days, producing a depth of flavor that most delis simply cannot replicate. Add the sharp sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and house-made Russian dressing onto grilled rye, and you have a sandwich that justifies every bit of the line you probably waited in.
It is unapologetically massive and entirely worth it.
The cafeteria-style ordering process is part of the Katz’s experience, and it adds a fun, chaotic energy to the whole visit. Hold onto your ticket, tip your carver, and find a seat among the legends.
Katz’s has been feeding New Yorkers through every chapter of the city’s history, and the Reuben is one very delicious reason why it keeps earning its place at the top.
7. Mile End Delicatessen
Mile End Delicatessen brings a Montreal sensibility to Brooklyn, and the result is something genuinely worth crossing a bridge for. Located at 97A Hoyt Street in Boerum Hill, this spot takes the deli tradition and adds a Canadian Jewish twist that sets it apart from every other sandwich shop in the borough.
The smoked meat here is prepared in-house using a method rooted in the Montreal delicatessen tradition, and it shows in every single bite. Absolutely delicious.
The Reuben at Mile End uses their signature smoked meat in place of standard corned beef, which gives the sandwich a distinctly different flavor profile. The smoke is present but not overwhelming, and it pairs beautifully with the tangy sauerkraut and creamy Swiss.
The rye bread is sturdy enough to hold everything together without getting soggy, which is a detail that lesser delis frequently overlook.
Mile End has earned serious recognition in the food world, appearing on numerous best-of lists since its opening in 2010. The space is small and unpretentious, with a menu that rewards adventurous eaters while still satisfying purists.
Order a bowl of their matzo ball soup alongside the Reuben and you will understand immediately why this Brooklyn spot has developed such a devoted following.
8. Frankel’s Delicatessen & Appetizing
Greenpoint, Brooklyn has quietly become one of the most interesting food neighborhoods in the entire city, and Frankel’s Delicatessen sits right at the center of that excitement.
At 631 Manhattan Avenue, this newer deli opened with a clear mission to honor the old-school New York deli tradition while making it feel completely alive for a modern audience.
The Reuben here reflects that ambition with precision and flavor.
Frankel’s sources quality meats and prepares them with genuine care, resulting in a corned beef that is tender, well-seasoned, and sliced generously. The sauerkraut has a clean, bright acidity that refreshes the palate between bites, and the Swiss cheese is applied with enough restraint that it enhances rather than dominates.
The grilled rye bread provides a satisfying crunch that pulls the entire sandwich together.
The deli also offers a strong selection of appetizing items, smoked fish, pickles, and spreads that make the visit feel like a full experience rather than just a quick lunch stop. The space has a warm, neighborhood feel that encourages lingering over your food.
Frankel’s proves that the New York deli tradition is not fading away, it is simply finding new champions who take the craft seriously and deliver results that back up that confidence.
9. R & A Deli
Cornwall, New York sits in the Hudson Valley about an hour north of the city, and R and A Deli has become one of the most beloved sandwich spots in the entire region. Small, unassuming, and completely focused on quality, this deli earns its reputation one order at a time.
The Reuben here is the kind of sandwich that makes people plan road trips, and that is not an exaggeration.
Located in the heart of Cornwall on Hudson, R and A keeps things refreshingly simple. The corned beef is properly seasoned and sliced to a thickness that gives you real substance in every bite.
Paired with quality sauerkraut, melted Swiss, and a well-balanced Russian dressing on grilled rye, the sandwich delivers a straightforward excellence that does not need any extra flourishes to make its point.
The deli operates with the efficiency and warmth of a place that knows its community and cares about feeding it well. Regulars return consistently, and first-time visitors almost always become regulars themselves after one sandwich.
R and A Deli is the kind of local gem that reminds you why small-town spots sometimes outperform big-city institutions. If you find yourself driving through the Hudson Valley, stopping here is one decision you absolutely will not regret.