Hidden Florida Deli Serving Pastrami You’ll Never Forget
I’ve spent years hunting down the best sandwiches in the Sunshine State, and let me tell you – Florida’s hidden pastrami scene is a delicious secret waiting to be discovered.
Beyond the beaches and theme parks, these unassuming delis are crafting cured meat masterpieces that rival anything I’ve tasted up north.
From family recipes passed down through generations to modern twists on classic techniques, these five spots represent the absolute best pastrami experiences Florida has to offer.
A Humble Exterior, A Legendary Interior
You’d drive right past Manny’s Corner Deli if you weren’t looking for it. Tucked between a laundromat and a hardware store in a strip mall outside Tampa, this place doesn’t waste money on fancy signage. But what Manny lacks in curb appeal, he more than makes up for in pastrami perfection.
The first time I walked in, the aroma nearly knocked me over – peppery, smoky, and utterly mouthwatering. Every morning at 4 AM, Manny starts the smoking process using a technique his grandfather brought from Romania in the 1930s.
The dining area features just six tables with mismatched chairs, faded family photos, and Yankees memorabilia (don’t hold it against him). Cash only, no website, and they close when they sell out – usually by 2 PM. Trust me, it’s worth planning your day around.
The Menu Board: A Roadmap To Sandwich Happiness
Scrawled in chalk and barely legible, Schwartzman’s Delicatessen’s menu board might seem chaotic to newcomers. I still remember squinting at it during my first visit, completely overwhelmed by the dozens of sandwich combinations with quirky names like “The Boca Retiree” and “Miami Heat Wave.”
Mrs. Schwartzman, a spry octogenarian who still works the register, noticed my confusion and simply said, “Get the #4 – you won’t regret it.” That #4 – hand-carved pastrami on marble rye with their secret mustard blend – changed my sandwich standards forever.
Regular customers know to check the special board hidden behind the counter. That’s where experimental creations appear before earning a spot on the main menu. My personal strategy? Ask what came out of the smoker most recently and order that.
Pastrami Perfection That Rivals New York
“New York delis have nothing on us,” boasts Bernie, the third-generation owner of Sunrise Provisions in Boca Raton. Fighting words, for sure, but after tasting his pastrami, I’m inclined to agree. Bernie’s 14-day process involves a secret brine mixture, a proprietary spice rub, and smoking techniques he refuses to divulge.
What makes this place special isn’t just the quality – it’s the consistency. I’ve visited seventeen times over three years, and each sandwich has been identical to the last: warm, tender meat with a peppery crust, sliced to the perfect thickness where it barely holds together.
The proof is in the clientele. Half the customers are transplanted New Yorkers who claim this is better than what they left behind. When a Brooklyn native gives a Florida deli the nod of approval, you know something magical is happening.
Beyond Pastrami: Reubens, Cheesesteaks, And More
Lightning struck twice at Katz & Kohen’s when I ventured beyond their signature pastrami. Their Reuben – a towering monument of warm pastrami, Swiss cheese, housemade sauerkraut and Russian dressing on grilled rye – left me speechless for a full minute after the first bite.
Owner Saul Kohen chuckled at my reaction. “Everyone comes for the pastrami but discovers something else they love,” he explained while slicing corned beef for another customer. The Philadelphia transplant also makes the only authentic cheesesteak I’ve found in Florida, complete with properly chopped meat and real Cheez Whiz (if that’s your preference).
My unlikely favorite? Their pastrami breakfast sandwich – thin-sliced meat on an everything bagel with scrambled eggs and melted provolone. It’s not traditional, but traditions are meant to evolve, especially when they taste this good.
A Community Atmosphere That Feels Like Home
Walking into Steinberg’s Deli feels like entering someone’s living room – if that living room happened to serve the best pastrami in Orlando. Rachel Steinberg greets regulars by name, remembers their orders, and often has them started before they reach the counter. My first visit, she somehow guessed I’d want pickles on the side.
The walls are covered with customer photos, local sports memorabilia, and handwritten notes from satisfied diners. A community bulletin board by the door advertises everything from local concerts to babysitting services. The large corner table – dubbed “the family table” – is where strangers become friends over shared sandwich recommendations.
Last Hanukkah, I watched Rachel close early to host a free dinner for elderly customers who had nowhere else to go. That’s when I realized: the pastrami might bring you in, but it’s the heart that keeps you coming back.