These Are The Must-Try Ohio Spots If You’re A True Pastrami Sandwich Fan
Ever met a sandwich so persuasive you start planning your day around rye bread and good decisions? That’s me in Ohio, following the peppery aroma of pastrami like it’s a statewide treasure hunt.
I learned the hard way that “just one stop” is a fairy tale once a deli counter starts slicing warm, smoky stacks with that crackly spice edge. One minute I’m being responsible, the next I’m negotiating with my appetite like it’s a very demanding travel companion.
Across the state, the best pastrami shows up in all kinds of disguises, from classic old-school delis to low-key sandwich shops that look ordinary until the first bite rewrites your lunch standards.
This list is my map of 15 must-try Ohio spots where pastrami gets the respect it deserves, piled high, served hot, and paired with the kind of “how soon can I come back” energy that makes road trips feel like self-care.
1. Jack’s Deli & Restaurant, University Heights
The first time I walked into Jack’s, the deli case looked like a reunion of every great sandwich I had ever had.
Their pastrami on rye has that classic New York style personality, with slices that are tender, smoky, and cut thick enough to feel substantial without turning chewy. I like mine with Swiss and mustard, then I watch the sandwich arrive, looking like it has serious opinions about portion control.
Jack’s is the kind of place where matzo ball soup, knishes, and corned beef tempt you from every direction, yet the pastrami still manages to hold the spotlight.
Jack’s Deli & Restaurant sits at 14490 Cedar Rd, Cleveland, OH 44121, technically University Heights, but very much part of greater Cleveland deli lore. By the time I mop up the last crumbs of rye, I am usually debating whether “second lunch” should become an official life policy.
2. Slyman’s Restaurant, Cleveland
I still remember the first time I saw a Slyman’s pastrami sandwich and briefly questioned basic physics. When I ordered their hot pastrami on rye, the first bite had that peppery crust, silky interior, and just enough fat to keep things luxurious without feeling heavy.
Locals will tell you the corned beef is the headliner, but the pastrami quietly steals scenes from the second row of the stage. I like to grab a seat, watch the line of suits and construction workers snake toward the counter, and feel slightly smug that I showed up early.
Here in downtown Cleveland at Slyman’s Restaurant, 3106 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114, the meat is stacked so high it looks like it needs scaffolding rather than toothpicks.
By the time I am crunching through the pickle on the side, I am already planning the next visit, because one Slyman’s pastrami is never really enough.
3. Lox, Stock and Brisket, Shaker Heights
Some spots feel trendy, but Lox, Stock, and Brisket feels like it woke up trendy and then studied technique for homework. Their pastrami sandwiches lean into that balance of smoke, spice, and slow-cooked tenderness that makes your brain go quiet for a second.
I like to order it on rye, then sit near the big windows and pretend I am doing important life planning instead of just prioritizing my next bite. The menu hops from lox to brisket, but the pastrami holds its own among all the heavy hitters.
You will find it inside Van Aken Market Hall at 3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122, a sleek counter where chef Anthony Zappola channels serious deli craft.
When the last shard of crusted edge disappears, I always feel like I just solved a very delicious problem.
4. Mister Brisket, Cleveland Heights
If you have ever wondered what happens when a serious butcher decides to treat sandwiches like a passion project, Mister Brisket has the answer. Their pastrami is sliced from carefully sourced brisket, smoked and seasoned so that every piece carries a little peppered bark and a lot of flavor.
I like grabbing a sandwich and a few extra slices to take home, pretending I will “cook with them” instead of just snacking over the sink. Mister Brisket feels like the place where deli nerds and home cooks shake hands over the slicer.
This tiny shop at 2156 S Taylor Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, is part premium meat counter, part deli, and all commitment to good beef.
By the time you finish that pastrami on rye, you will understand why people drive across town just for a sandwich and a few butcher-paper-wrapped extras.
5. Diamond Deli, Akron
My introduction to Diamond Deli was a local friend telling me, very calmly, to “come hungry and bring an appetite with ambition.” I ordered their pastrami on rye and watched the staff stack it until gravity started asking questions.
The meat is tender, thinly sliced, and generously portioned, with enough smoky spice to keep every bite interesting without overwhelming the rye and dressing. The room is usually buzzing with downtown workers swapping stories over chips and pickles, which only adds to the charm.
Tucked downtown at Diamond Deli, 378 S Main St, Akron, OH 44311, this counter-service classic is famous for towering corned beef and pastrami sandwiches that barely fit in the basket.
By the time I reached the last quarter of the sandwich, I was firmly in the “this deserves a nap, not a side salad” camp.
6. Katzinger’s Delicatessen, Columbus
The first time I stepped into Katzinger’s, I felt like I had accidentally walked into a Midwestern daydream of a New York deli.
Their pastrami lineup is serious: think classics like pastrami on rye and showstoppers such as Bill, Gary, and Beuford’s Upper Yough Reuben with hot pastrami, Swiss, and your choice of sauerkraut or slaw.
I remember juggling a mountainous pastrami sandwich and a pickle, wondering whether two hands were going to be enough. Katzinger’s has that bustling, chatter-filled energy that makes every bite feel like part of a bigger story.
Katzinger’s Delicatessen anchors German Village at 475 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215, and has been feeding sandwich fans since the 1980s.
By the time you steal one last forkful of someone’s matzo ball soup, you will understand why this place keeps ending up on national pastrami lists.
7. Lexi’s on Third, Columbus
Some delis are weekend destinations, but Lexi’s on Third feels like the downtown reward waiting at the end of a weekday morning.
Their deli menu lets you build a straight pastrami on rye or go for a pastrami Reuben, with the same generous portions that made Danny’s Deli a legend.
I once watched an entire line of people quietly nod while eating their sandwiches, which is pretty much the highest compliment a deli can get. The room hums with order numbers, clinking trays, and the occasional gasp when someone sees the size of Lexi’s Tower.
Located inside Columbus Center at 100 E Broad St #150, Columbus, OH 43215, this spot keeps bankers, office workers, and hungry visitors happily occupied at lunch.
If you love pastrami and downtown energy, this is the Columbus stop that makes lunch feel like the main event.
8. Scotty’s Cafe, Columbus
My first visit to Scotty’s started with the intention of grabbing breakfast and somehow turned into a long relationship with their deli side.
Tucked among the comfort food, you will find corned beef and pastrami that locals mention with the same affection as their favorite brunch plates. I like to order a hot pastrami sandwich at lunch, then promise myself I will “eat lighter tomorrow,” a lie I happily repeat.
The room feels like a neighborhood living room, full of regulars greeting each other while the grill sizzles in the background.
Scotty’s Cafe lives at 2980 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43209, a cozy east side spot known as much for omelets and pancakes as for serious sandwiches.
By the time the last crumb of rye disappears, Scotty’s has usually convinced me that a deli counter and a breakfast griddle belong in the same room.
9. All The Best Delicatessen, Dayton
Dayton’s All The Best Delicatessen is the kind of place that strolls into the deli scene and confidently suggests it might be the best.
Their pastrami sandwich shows up thickly sliced, nicely marbled, and stacked between rye with just enough dressing to keep things interesting without drowning the meat.
The first time I tried it, I caught myself doing that quiet head tilt of approval that usually only happens when fries are unexpectedly perfect. All The Best leans into the full deli experience, from matzo ball soup to big bowls of soup and bright pickles on the side.
You will find it at 5940 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH 45429, where the red-and-white plates, deli counter, and knishes immediately set the tone. If you like your pastrami with a side of Dayton pride, this spot absolutely earns a dedicated road trip.
10. Roman’s Deli, Toledo
Roman’s feels like the kind of tiny deli where the building may be compact, but the sandwiches clearly did not get that memo. Their menu leans hard into corned beef and pastrami, promising some of the best in town right on the front signage and social pages.
I ordered a hot pastrami, and the first bite delivered that unmistakable deli comfort: salty, savory, and just fatty enough to feel indulgent. The staff here treat regulars by name and newcomers like future regulars, which is dangerous if you live anywhere within lunch distance.
This family-run favorite sits at 526 Jackson St, Toledo, OH 43604, not far from downtown’s core. By the time you finish your sandwich, you will understand why people talk about Roman’s like a local secret that somehow never gets old.
11. Original Sub Shop & Deli, Toledo
The first clue that Original Sub Shop & Deli takes sandwiches seriously is right in the name, and the second is the menu.
Their Reuben uses pastrami or corned beef with sauerkraut, Swiss, and dressing, and the pastrami option turns that classic into a smoky, tangy, very shareable mess.
I like grabbing a stool, unwrapping the warm sandwich paper, and letting the smell of grilled rye and pastrami do the talking.
The place feels casual and artsy, the kind of spot where you could show up in paint-splattered jeans or office clothes and fit in either way.
You will find this long-running favorite at 402 Broadway St, Toledo, OH 43604, where the brick building and murals give it instant personality. If you want pastrami with a side of Toledo personality, this little sub shop delivers exactly that.
12. Carl’s Deli, Cincinnati
Carl’s Deli in Hyde Park is the sort of place that looks small from the outside and then somehow contains half the neighborhood at lunchtime.
Their pastrami sandwiches are built on fresh bread with meat sliced in-house, which gives every bite that just-carved texture and flavor. I like to pair mine with potato salad and then wander over to nearby Hyde Park for a slow walk that pretends to be exercise.
Carl’s sells grocery items and local products too, which means you can leave with dinner ideas and tomorrow’s lunch covered in one stop.
It sits at 2836 Observatory Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208, with a narrow interior lined by shelves, coolers, and a busy deli counter. If your idea of happiness is a thick pastrami sandwich in a neighborhood deli that feels well-loved, Carl’s checks every box.
13. J & W Sandwich Shoppe, Norwood
J & W Sandwich Shoppe is the kind of old-school counter that looks humble until you read the menu and realize you have decisions to make. Their legendary New Yorker stacks pastrami, Swiss, and mustard on rye, and it tastes like the blueprint for how this combination should work.
The first time I bit into one, I found myself doing a little seated victory dance that probably amused the regulars. The shop’s vibe is relaxed, with handwritten signs, quick service, and a steady stream of locals grabbing double-deckers and subs.
You will find it at 2004 Worth Ave, Norwood, OH 45212, basically part of Cincinnati’s sandwich brain. If you are chasing classic pastrami flavors at very friendly prices, J & W deserves a permanent pin on your Ohio map.
14. The Pickled Pig, Cincinnati
When a deli names itself after curing and preserving, you know someone in the back is taking meats very seriously. Their pastrami shows up deeply flavorful, with that peppered crust and smoke ring that tells you it spent real time in the smoker.
I once ordered a pastrami sandwich here and spent the whole meal debating whether I preferred the edges or the soft center slices. The menu rotates specials and builds, but pastrami keeps finding its way into stacked creations that feel both comfortingly familiar and a little playful.
The Pickled Pig sits at 645 E McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH 45206, a small spot in Walnut Hills that focuses on house-smoked meats and creative sandwiches. If you like your pastrami with a side of chef creativity and neighborhood character, The Pickled Pig is where you should park your appetite.
15. Izzy’s Elm Street, Cincinnati
Izzy’s on Elm is one of those places where the menu reads like a love letter to deli history, written in sandwich form.
Their pastrami lineup includes the Pastrami Delight, Pastrami on a Pretzel Roll, and a Pastrami Reuben, all served with Izzy’s trademark potato pancake and pickles.
I remember sitting by the window with a Pastrami Reuben, realizing halfway through that this might qualify as both lunch and dinner. The meat is sliced thin, piled generous, and paired with dressings that complement rather than compete.
The downtown location sits at Izzy’s Elm Street, 800 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, just a short walk from Fountain Square.
If your idea of a perfect Ohio pastrami experience involves history, hearty portions, and a downtown view, Izzy’s Elm Street belongs firmly on your must-try list.