This Michigan Deli Makes Its Own Pastrami, Biscuits And Breakfast Muffins

The owner bakes English muffins from scratch using recipes he learned from his grandmother. Then he tucks them under eggs benedict. That alone had me hooked.

The pastrami gets made in-house too. So do the biscuits that anchor a plate of homemade biscuits and gravy. I like how nothing here feels like it came out of a box.

The menu reads like an old school newspaper. Breakfast falls under a section called before the bell, and salads land in gym class. I can’t imagine a better excuse to show up hungry and a little nostalgic.

This Michigan deli also hangs vintage memorabilia on its walls, some of it donated by customers. It sits in a building that stood empty for a decade before getting a second chance. So how did one career change turn into all this scratch cooking?

Groesbeck’s Setback Storefront Is Easy To Miss

Old School Deli is along Groesbeck Highway in Roseville, Michigan, north of Detroit. Follow the Groesbeck corridor rather than looking in Roseville’s residential side streets.

The deli sits back from the highway, so the storefront may not appear right at the curb. Slow down as you near the address and watch for the business entrance along the commercial stretch.

Pull into the property’s accessible customer area where permitted, then walk to the deli entrance. This is a breakfast-and-lunch stop, so check current opening hours before setting out.

The Pastrami Is Made Right Here, And It Shows

House-made pastrami is the headliner, and the deli treats it that way. It holds a top spot among the long list of deli sandwiches.

Making pastrami in-house takes real commitment. Plenty of delis skip that work and buy it ready to slice.

Old School Deli chose the harder road. That decision gives the kitchen control over the flavor from start to finish.

One description calls it melt in your mouth yummy. Honestly, that’s a pretty strong pitch for a sandwich meat.

Pastrami also shows up beyond the bread. A pastrami hash with eggs and toast makes a good case for eating it at breakfast too.

My advice is simple. Order the pastrami at least once before exploring the rest of the menu.

Pair it with house-made onion rings or fries, since those come from scratch as well. That way your whole plate stays homemade, which feels right in a place like this.

If you’re splitting with a friend, grab one pastrami and one corned beef. Comparing them bite by bite counts as research, and nobody can argue with that logic.

Grandma’s English Muffin Recipe Steals The Breakfast Show

Most people never think twice about English muffins. They come in a plastic sleeve, and that’s the end of the story.

Not here. Steve Morse makes them from scratch using recipes he learned from his grandmother.

Those muffins go straight into one of the most beloved breakfast classics around. Eggs benedict at Old School Deli sits on homemade English muffins, which instantly makes it stand out.

Breakfast plates here often come with a choice of sides. That means you can build your morning around hash browns, a biscuit, or whatever sounds best.

I believe homemade bread changes a whole dish. It gives eggs benedict a base worth noticing instead of just a plate holder.

There’s also something sweet about a grandmother’s recipe living on in a Michigan kitchen. Every order keeps a little family history going.

Breakfast runs right from opening at 8 a.m. So early birds get first dibs on these muffins.

Want a tip? Order the benedict on your first visit, then save room. You might find yourself eyeing the pancakes or French toast at the next table and planning a return trip.

Scratch Biscuits Swimming In Gravy Make Mornings Better

Fluffy, handmade, and covered in gravy. Few breakfast plates sound as comforting as biscuits and gravy done the homemade way.

Old School Deli makes its biscuits from scratch. You can order them as a breakfast side or go all in with the house-made biscuits and gravy.

The gravy brings sausage into the mix. That combination ranks among the most talked-about dishes on the menu.

Biscuits are trickier than they look. A good one needs a gentle hand, the right dough, and patience in the oven.

Scratch cooking also takes time. Food gets made to order here, so a short wait simply comes with the territory.

Honestly, that’s a fair trade. Nobody remembers a rushed biscuit, but a fresh one sticks with you all day.

Here’s a practical move for groups. Get one order of biscuits and gravy for the table, plus your own main dish.

Everyone gets a taste, and nobody has to choose between sweet and savory. On a chilly Michigan morning, that plan feels like pure genius wrapped in a warm biscuit.

Read The Menu Like A Newspaper, Then Try Not To Laugh

Breakfast is called before the bell. Salads live under gym class, and sides go by sing-a-longs.

That’s the playful spirit of the menu at Old School Deli. The whole thing is designed to look like a newspaper.

It fits the name perfectly. Every section leans into a school theme, and the dish names follow along with plenty of humor.

Give yourself an extra minute before ordering. Reading it is half the fun, and you’ll probably spot a few names that make you grin.

The list isn’t short either. Deli sandwiches fill a big chunk of it, alongside pancakes, French toast, and plenty of breakfast choices.

Corned beef comes from Detroit’s famous Eastern Market. Pair that with the house-made pastrami, and the sandwich section gets serious fast.

A Reuben, a patty melt, or a stacked BLT can all compete for your attention. Picking just one might be the hardest test of the day.

Kids especially enjoy menus like this one. Hand them a copy and let them hunt for the silliest name while you decide what to eat.

Peanut Butter, Jelly, And Salami Walk Into A Sandwich

Yes, you read that correctly. The Batman and Robin pairs a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with salami.

It usually comes on toasted white bread. Sweet, salty, nutty, and savory all show up in the same bite.

Is it strange? Absolutely. Is it fun to order? Even more so.

Every great menu needs one dish that starts conversations. At Old School Deli, this sandwich handles that job with flair.

The name feels perfect too. Two classic partners teaming up makes sense, even if one partner happens to be cured meat.

If you’re feeling brave, order it alongside a safer pick for the table. That way someone gets the familiar favorite while you enjoy the adventure.

Picky kids might surprise you here. Plenty of them already love peanut butter and jelly, so the salami becomes a fun dare.

Sides make the experience better. House-made French fries or onion rings round out the plate and add a crunchy, salty finish.

Worst case, you get a great story. Best case, you find a new favorite lunch that nobody back home will believe until they try it.

Onion Rings And Fries Get The Homemade Treatment Too

Side dishes rarely get star treatment, but they do here. French fries and onion rings are both made in-house.

That matters more than you might expect. Frozen sides can drag down a great sandwich, while homemade ones lift it right up.

The onion rings come up often when folks talk about this deli. So do the fried mushrooms, which make a crunchy partner for any lunch.

Think of these as the supporting cast. They won’t steal the spotlight from the pastrami, but the show wouldn’t feel complete without them.

Remember the menu calls sides sing-a-longs. It’s a cute touch that makes ordering an extra basket feel like joining the chorus.

Portions here tend to run generous. Sharing a side is a smart move if you also want room for a sandwich or dessert.

Carryout and delivery are available too. Fries and rings travel best when eaten quickly, so dig in soon after pickup.

A patty melt with house-made onion rings makes a strong combo. Add some friends, a table full of baskets, and you have one very happy Michigan lunch.

Vintage Walls Make Every Meal Feel Like A Throwback

Old signs, collectibles, and memorabilia cover the walls with a 1950s look. Some pieces belong to the owner, and customers brought in others.

I adore that detail. The decor grew from the community, so the room tells a shared story.

The goal is a homey, family-style feel. First-timers are treated as guests, and returning diners get welcomed like family.

Old School Deli seats roughly 65 to 75 people. That makes it roomy enough for groups but still cozy.

There’s a TV inside as well. You can catch a game while waiting on your biscuits.

Accessibility is covered, since the deli is wheelchair accessible. Credit cards are accepted, and parking is available on site.

Take a slow lap before you sit down. Spotting your favorite vintage item becomes a fun little game for kids and grownups alike.

Got an old treasure gathering dust at home? Pieces from customers already hang here, which makes this place feel like a neighborhood scrapbook.

Either way, the atmosphere pairs nicely with the food. Scratch cooking and nostalgic decor just belong together.

Plan Your Visit Before The Kitchen Clocks Out

Timing is everything at a breakfast and lunch spot. Show up too late, and you’ll miss those homemade biscuits.

You’ll find Old School Deli at 30860 Groesbeck Highway, Roseville, Michigan 48066. The building sits back from the road, so watch closely as you drive.

Doors open at 8 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The kitchen closes in the afternoon, at 4 p.m. most weekdays and 3 p.m. on weekends.

Mondays are closed. Plenty of hungry folks have learned that lesson the hard way, so double-check before heading out.

Roseville sits in Macomb County, close to Fraser and Warren. That makes it an easy stop for anyone in metro Detroit.

Food gets cooked to order from scratch. Give yourself a relaxed schedule rather than squeezing in a rushed lunch break.

Short on time? Carryout and delivery are options, so pastrami can still find its way home.

My final suggestion is simple. Come for the English muffins, stay for the pastrami, and leave already planning your biscuit return. This corner of Michigan rewards anyone who arrives early with an empty stomach.