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There’s nothing more pleasantly American than an authentic delicatessen. The cozy interiors, the busy environment, and the smell of tasty food continue to delight our senses even today. Delis are overall magical and have neatly inserted themselves into the American dining culture. Now, they are one of the most popular and sought-after experiences by the average American.

Most delis are takeaway corners, while some are simple yet effective sit-down restaurants and cafes. Either way, delis are a great place to get some delicious and well-cooked food at an affordable price. This raises the question, what are the best delicatessens in the USA?

Top Delis in the USA

Katz’s Delicatessen in New York City

Katz’s delicatessen made its grand opening back in 1888 and went through some initial setbacks and name changes. Despite that, Katz’s has lived on to become one of America’s most iconic delis to ever exist.

This small yet chaotic deli gives an authentic feel of New York City and reminds you of films from the 80s. It is this tight yet larger-than-life feeling that gets New Yorkers to venture out into this little corner on the Lower East Side.

Katz’s deli is family-owned and practices responsible methods to give its diners the tastiest experience. Most delis will cure their meats for just about 36 hours, but Katz’s will do this for at least 30 days. Why? So that we can enjoy and taste the pure and delicious flavor preserved with great care. Just one of the many reasons why this traditional deli is loved by all.

New Yorkers highly crave their famous mammoth pastrami sandwich, a meal that has become infamous with time. What’s more, Katz’s makes sure to hand-slice the meats for all their customers, a well-appreciated personal touch. The place is always packed, so reach early and grab a paper ticket to secure your spot! Or, you could try finding a table in their dining area, but we don’t think you’ll have much success there.

Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Michigan

Zingerman’s dates all the way back to 1982, when they made their opening near the farmer’s market in Ann Arbor. They dazzled the crowd with their world-famous sandwiches containing some of the finest ingredients in town. Pastrami, olive oils, house-made liver, and farmhouse cheese, amongst some others. Needless to say, the special ingredients water the mouth of whoever steps into this iconic space.

They also stock a wide array of vinegar, smoked fish, exotic teas, and locally roasted coffee, one of their unofficial specialties. Most of the vegetables they use in their salads are sourced locally, which is always a plus point. Their wide selection of sandwiches and comfort foods will impress your tastebuds and leave you wanting more.

Zingerman’s has been around for three decades and has grown into a mini-chain of delis and restaurants. Although they have made an array of successful ventures, their original deli at the Ann Arbor farmer’s market will forever have a place in everyone’s hearts. After all, the cozy and busy little deli has been the center of many great dining experiences, some of which are yet to happen.

Langer’s Delicatessen in Los Angeles

Ever wanted to have a taste of LA? Well, now you can, with Langer’s delicatessen and restaurant. This popular Jewish deli was opened back in 1947 and is still running strong many decades later.

Their long-time loyal customers would argue that there’s no other sandwich like a Langer’s sandwich. In fact, they’ll insist and fight you on it, maybe even drag you down there just to prove a point.

Of course, their sandwiches do come from generations and generations of perfection. Langer’s deli has mastered the art of sandwich making and brings a wonderful and juicy combination of delicious textures and exquisite tastes. In some circles, their sandwiches are considered works of art. How’s that for quality?

Langer’s sandwiches are known to have precise thick-cut slices of amazingly tender and mouth-watering high-quality meat. While cutting their peppered brisket meat, they take extreme care to preserve the strong outer crust and produce extraordinary texture and flavor. Also, their Cole slaw with Russian-style dressing is a unique item that has won the hearts (and stomachs) of their many diners. Finally, their Kasha varnishkes and cheese blintzes are a wonderfully tasty treat that you just can’t live without.

Molinari Delicatessen in San Francisco

If you’ve ever wanted an authentic Italian-style deli experience, you must visit Molinari delicatessen in San Francisco. The key to their success? Their authentic Italian goodies and wonderful homemade products.

The deli has been bringing high-quality Italian cuisine to the heart of San Francisco since 1896. All their hard work and techniques paid off when they were ranked the second-highest-rated restaurant in December 2021.

Molinari brings you a menu of mouth-watering treats and Italian sandwiches that are worth your money. You’ll get whatever meat you want, salami, prosciutto, and mortadella; just name it, and they’ll have it! Not to mention the scrumptious dressings, salads, and veggies they top them off with. The best part is that the deli lets you choose between a custom-made sandwich or a well-crafted gourmet sandwich from their menu.

Besides the restaurant experience, you could also grab one of their many ‘made for home’ products, such as Molinari’s classic Italian sandwich combo. It includes juicy tomatoes, delicious imported pasta, and some heavenly Italian wine. Then when you get home, you can cook up a batch and enjoy a delicious Molinari meal right in your bedroom. Mamma mia, this is life!

Delicatessens in the USA

The word delicatessen comes from the German word ‘Delikatessen,’ which was brought over to the US by Jewish immigrants. Now, these delicatessens, or delis, are popping up everywhere in the world. The combination of cozy interiors with warm, mouth-watering food has always managed to attract crowds, and it isn’t any different with the delis of the USA.

As the dining and food industry grows larger every year, we can see the demand for high-quality delis and restaurants blow up through the roof. This gives rise to innovation and strife towards achieving excellence in the quality of deli meals. Do you know what that means for us? More delicious food!