This NYC Style Deli In Upstate New York Piles Pastrami Sandwiches As Big As Your Head

The first shop here started in a space barely wide enough to hold one of its giant sandwiches. That is the deli’s own joke, and honestly, it tells you everything about the priorities.

The menu leans hard into New York deli tradition. Pastrami, corned beef, Reuben sandwiches, and full sour pickles all show up in serious force. One sandwich even stacks pastrami, corned beef, and turkey together, which feels less like lunch and more like a dare.

I appreciate a place that takes its pickles as seriously as its meat. The dining room adds a pickle-shaped table, giant murals, and a glowing neon bridge. It’s a lot of personality for an upstate New York sandwich counter.

So how did a small Syracuse sandwich shop bring New York City deli traditions to Upstate New York? The answer starts with a tiny shop and a very big idea.

A Tiny Shop Grew Into A Syracuse Sandwich Legend

Back in 1975, the founder opened a small sandwich shop on Burnet Avenue. That shop became The Brooklyn Pickle, and this location, now called Brooklyn Pickle East, is where the whole story began.

The original space was famously cramped. According to the deli itself, it was barely wide enough to contain one of its giant sandwiches.

Growth came in steady steps. A new building went up in 1992, giving the shop more room to breathe.

Then came a bigger makeover. After major renovations and an expansion, the deli reopened in its present form after Christmas in 2007.

Ownership changed hands in 2022. Craig Kowadla, who had worked for the founder for years, bought the business and kept it rolling.

I like that the new owner came from inside the operation. It suggests someone who already understood what made the place tick.

Today the name stretches beyond Syracuse. There are locations elsewhere in New York, including Utica, plus spots in North Carolina.

Still, every branch traces back to this one corner of Burnet Avenue. Not bad for a shop that once struggled to fit a single sandwich through the door.

Pastrami Piled High Enough To Need A Game Plan

Giant overstuffed sandwiches are the main event at Brooklyn Pickle East. The pastrami sandwich sits right at the heart of that mission.

The deli embraces New York City-style sandwich traditions, serving oversized sandwiches piled high with classic deli meats. That’s a bold influence to claim, and the menu leans into it with classic deli meats front and center.

Size is part of the personality here. The shop calls its sandwiches giant, and it means it.

My advice? Plan your day around this meal instead of squeezing it between errands. A sandwich of this scale deserves your full attention.

Splitting one isn’t a bad idea either. You can share with a friend and still leave room for a side or a bowl of soup.

Rye bread is the classic match for pastrami. Add Swiss cheese or Russian dressing if you want that familiar New York deli flavor.

Of course, you could also just order it plain and let the meat do the talking. Sometimes the simple route is the smartest one.

Either way, grab extra napkins. A sandwich built like this isn’t designed for tidy eating.

Meet The Sandwiches That Refuse To Pick Just One Meat

Indecisive eaters, rejoice. The menu has a few sandwiches built for people who want everything at once.

The Brooklyn Pickle Special Sandwich combines corned beef and pastrami. It adds Russian dressing and Swiss cheese, all stacked on dark rye bread.

That combo hits two deli classics in one order. If you can’t choose between corned beef and pastrami, this solves the problem nicely.

Then there’s the triple-meat sandwich. It brings pastrami, corned beef, and turkey together in one stack. The size alone sounds like a cartoon hero’s lunch.

Honestly, it seems to live up to the hype.

The Reuben is another strong choice. It features corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing.

I’d probably start with the Special on a first visit. It feels like the house handshake, the sandwich that best introduces the deli.

Save the triple-meat sandwich for a day when you skipped breakfast on purpose. You’ll be glad you did.

The menu also offers plenty of other sandwiches and subs. Lighter appetites have options too, so nobody gets left out of the fun.

Those Full Sour Pickles Deserve Their Own Fan Club

With a name like The Brooklyn Pickle, the pickles had better be good. Thankfully, the deli treats them like a real part of the meal.

Whole dill pickles are on the menu. So are Brooklyn Full Sour pickles, the tangy kind that New York delis made famous.

Full sours have a bold, sharp bite. They cut through rich meats like pastrami and corned beef in a way that just makes sense.

I can’t imagine leaving a pickle off my order here. It would feel like visiting a bakery and skipping the bread.

The pickle theme runs deeper than the menu. It shows up in the decor, too, including a table shaped like a giant pickle.

That kind of commitment makes me smile. Few businesses love their mascot this much.

Pickles also make a smart snack while you work through a giant sandwich. A crunchy bite between mouthfuls keeps things fresh.

So go ahead and add one, or two. Nobody here is going to judge your pickle count, and frankly, they’d probably respect it.

A Neon Bridge And A Pickle Table Set The Mood

A glowing neon Brooklyn Bridge hangs inside this Syracuse deli. That one detail tells you the decor isn’t trying to be quiet.

Larger-than-life murals cover the space too. They add color and big-city personality to an upstate New York dining room.

And yes, there’s the pickle-shaped table. It might be the most on-brand piece of furniture in the state.

The whole room has been described as feeling like a time capsule. One description says it draws you back about 50 years.

That fits the history nicely. The deli opened in 1975, so a retro feel isn’t a costume here.

I appreciate decor that matches the food. Old-school deli sandwiches taste right in an old-school setting.

Bring a phone if you like snapping photos. The neon bridge and murals make fun backdrops, especially next to a sandwich that’s wider than your hand.

Kids will probably head straight for the pickle table. Adults might too, though they’ll pretend it was the kids’ idea.

It’s the kind of room that makes lunch feel like a small outing rather than a quick stop.

Blink And Your Sandwich Might Already Be Done

The staff at Brooklyn Pickle East are known for preparing oversized sandwiches quickly, even during busy lunch hours. The restaurant emphasizes fast service, helping customers get their orders without unnecessary delays.

That’s fast enough to make a stopwatch nervous. It’s also impressive considering how much goes into each one.

The atmosphere at Brooklyn Pickle East is known as fun, friendly, and fast-paced. Speed matters, but it doesn’t push out the friendliness.

This makes the deli handy on a lunch break. You can get a serious sandwich without a serious time commitment.

Here’s my tip. Look over the menu before you reach the counter, since things move quickly once it’s your turn.

Knowing your bread, meat, and toppings ahead of time helps everyone. It also saves you from panic-ordering the first thing you see.

Big appetites and tight schedules don’t usually mix well. This counter seems built to make them get along.

The operation feels a bit like a well-rehearsed kitchen show. Orders fly, sandwiches stack, and you’re back outside before you know it.

Just don’t blink too long while you’re deciding. Your turn might come and go.

Save Some Room For Soup, Sides, And Weekly Specials

Soup might not be the first thing you think of at a sandwich shop. At this deli, though, the homemade soups are called award-winning.

Chicken noodle is served every day. That’s comforting news during a chilly Syracuse winter.

Homemade chili is on the menu too. It’s a hearty pick when one giant sandwich somehow isn’t enough.

The sides cover all the deli classics. You’ll find macaroni salad, potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, and coleslaw.

Salads are available for lighter eaters. They give you a way to enjoy the visit without facing a mountain of meat.

Watch the calendar for daily specials. Thursdays bring Chicken Riggies, a beloved central New York dish.

Fridays feature Mac and Cheese. That’s a cheerful way to end the work week.

I’d probably pair a half sandwich with a cup of soup. It feels like the smart move for anyone who wants variety.

Then again, adding a side of coleslaw next to pastrami is a classic for a reason. Tradition earns its spot sometimes.

Grab A Patio Seat Or Bring The Whole Crew

Nice weather in Syracuse is something to celebrate. Brooklyn Pickle East offers outdoor seating, so you can eat your sandwich in the fresh air.

The patio is a nice option on warm days. A giant sandwich somehow tastes even better under a blue sky.

The deli also works well for groups. That makes it a good choice for team lunches or a family meal out.

Planning a bigger event? The Brooklyn Pickle offers catering services for all kinds of gatherings.

Picture a party tray loaded with those overstuffed sandwiches. Your guests would talk about it long after the event ends.

Okay, I’ll stop daydreaming about the platter. But it’s a fun idea for graduations, office parties, or game days.

The address is 2222 Burnet Ave, Syracuse, NY 13206. It’s easy to find on the city’s east side.

Hours run Monday through Saturday, from 10 AM to 8 PM. The deli is closed on Sundays, so plan your craving carefully.

Missing it on a Sunday would sting. Mark your calendar and avoid that sad moment.

Why This Upstate Deli Earns A Spot On Your Road Trip

More than 50 years is a long time to keep people hungry for more. The Brooklyn Pickle has managed it by sticking with giant sandwiches and real deli flavor.

That staying power speaks for itself. Plenty of restaurants come and go, but this one keeps building.

A trip through central New York gets a lot tastier with a stop here. The Burnet Avenue shop is the original, which adds a bit of history to your lunch.

You get New York City-style deli sandwiches without the long drive to Manhattan. That’s a pretty sweet trade for anyone living upstate.

My plan would be simple. Order the Brooklyn Pickle Special, add a full sour pickle, and grab chicken noodle soup on the side.

Then I’d take a quick lap past the murals and neon bridge. A good meal deserves a good view.

Leftovers are likely with sandwiches this big. Think of it as a bonus meal for later.

In a state packed with great food, Brooklyn Pickle East holds its own with pride. Your stomach might ask for a return trip before you even leave the parking lot.