There are fewer things in life more simply satisfying than strolling into my favorite Jewish deli, ordering a pastrami sandwich on rye to devour in three minutes, then washing the whole thing down with a celery soda. Maybe I’ll head back to the counter for a pint of whitefish salad and a babka to go.
Of course, I can’t sit down for lunch at my local deli right now, but I’m still craving those sandwiches. And salads. And babka. And… pumpernickel bagels slathered with cream cheese with salty lox and just a few slices of onion and tomato, now that I think of it. Luckily, there are delis and bagel shops around the country that are open for contactless pickup, or can deliver or ship the classics right to your door. Even if you’re not able to get food from your favorite shop, consider buying a gift card now to support the business for the long haul.
Please note – information published here was accurate at the time this was posted, May 26, 2020. Please double-check with the restaurant when ordering to make sure information is still up-to-date.
California
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_AwoLFJqVp/
This San Francisco shop’s several locations are open for pickup and local delivery, but if you’re not close enough you can still support them by taking a gander in the merch shop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVlI6mlA6A/
This LA deli is open for pickup, supplying their classic sandwiches as well as groceries.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xkGr0Dyn7/
Whether you’re local or across the country, you can get your hands on Langer’s deli fare, available for pickup, delivery, and shipping sandwich-making kits nationwide through Goldbely.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B53vHGwlSy3/
Daughter’s Deli is literally owned by the daughter of Langer’s Deli, which is a smaller version of the family business featuring their signature pastrami sandwich. Daughter’s Deli is currently open for local pickup and delivery.
Illinois
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAN0Ic6FW9t/
Open for local pickup and delivery, Steingold’s offers classic cold and hot deli sandwiches, freshly made bagels, and house-cured lox.
Operating in Chicago since the 1940s, Manny’s enormous sandwiches are as impressive as their merch shop (Matzah ball soup keychains! House-made horseradish mustard!). The deli is open for local pickup.
Kaufman’s Bagel & Delicatessen
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQv3wvxBLbY/
Currently open for curbside pickup, just-outside-of-Chicago Kaufman’s is home to mile-high pastrami and corned beef sandwiches and classic Jewish salads, not to mention freshly baked bagels and bread.
New York and New Jersey
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_N0AEXpX54/
The popular deli’s lower Manhattan and Brooklyn locations are open for local delivery and contactless pickup. They’re also offering nationwide shipping of care packages through Goldbely. You can also support Russ and Daughters by buying some restaurant merch or a gift card (the latter only available for use in person upon full reopening).
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_dKJqrJ-hm/
The New York City institution is shipping everything from Reuben-making kits to matzah ball soup throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as offering local delivery of their menu’s classic sandwiches, salads, and sweets.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_lEfIWFWZw/
Open for wholesale orders as of May 15, the Manhattan bagel shop will also ship a bagel-making kit and funky merch like tie-dyed shirts handmade by the staff. Gift cards are also available for purchase.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAK5kOAnEcG/
The Brooklyn deli and bagel shop are currently only taking orders for local pickup and delivery Friday through Sunday, but their online merch shop (shirts, hats, totes, gift cards) is open 24/7.
Known for their New Jersey Sloppy Joe (an enormous triple-decker sandwich popular throughout the northern part of the state) Eppes Essen is open for local delivery and curbside pickup.
Pennsylvania
The deli is delivering locally and shipping nationwide, so getting your hands on a Hymie’s Reuben is still totally possible.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuU3bvlDJmn/
Though you’ll have to wait to slurp a bowl of matzah ball soup under the warm neon lights of this deli for a while, they are open for local delivery.
Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
https://www.instagram.com/p/CALR4aAA4mX/
Known for their enormous Hamantaschen, this deli has been open since 1923, and nothing will stop them. They’re currently open 6 days a week for local delivery.
Texas
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_aWtw8lF4W/
Known throughout Austin for their New York-style bagels, enormous deli sandwiches, and latkes, Biderman’s (Far West and the Village at Westlake locations) is open for curbside local pickup.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAP-KqdAnGI/
Texas’s finest, and biggest, Jewish deli fare is available for curbside pickup and local delivery. Their portions are huge, so get excited to have leftovers, or plan to share your goods with a friend.
Washington, DC
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_FquqRBXhy/
The self-described “Jew-ish” deli is popular for their twists on classics, like brisket tacos, pizza bagels, black and white conchas, and challah sticky buns—if you’re near either of their DC locations, there’s a limited menu available for pick-up. There’s also plenty of cool merch for those who don’t live locally that want to support the deli.
This DC institution is known for its brisket sandwich and is currently open for pickup and delivery.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTZwjYbALvU/
The popular bagel shop, located just outside DC, is operating on a limited schedule for pickup.
