Best Delicatessens In Detroit
1300 Porter St.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-2000
www.mudgiesdeli.com
Mudgie's is known around Detroit for having some of the best sandwiches, and it's located in Corktown. It has it all: happy hour, an "after 5" (5 p.m.) menu, brunch, and its menu is very varied. Try the Ivey (spinach spread, Havarti cheese, avocado, sunflower sprouts, lettuce, tomato and red onion on multi-grain bread, served open-face) or perhaps the Gutty (salami, pastrami, corned beef, beef brisket, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, garlic mayo, topped with a fried egg on a kaiser roll, served warm). If you're a vegetarian, fear not — Mudgie's offers a Tempeh Insanity sandwich ($11) which includes Tempeh, fried egg, avocado, pepperjack, maple caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayo on ciabatta bread; another option would be to go for breakfast and try Mudgie's egg dishes, too.
422 Detroit St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 663-3354
www.zingermansdeli.com
If you haven't heard of Zingerman's, you might be living under a rock. An Ann Arbor institution for more than thirty years, Obama has dined here when in town and it's a favorite with both UM students and Ann Arbor "townies." You can find the deli in the Kerrytown area of Ann Arbor, directly across from shops and more restaurants, and the cobblestone streets give it neighborly feel. Any of the sandwiches are good here, but try a corned beef sandwich. For instance, the classic #81, Oswald's Mile High, which includes Zingerman's corned beef and yellow mustard on Jewish rye bread, or perhaps #71, "Jimmy Wants Rosemary's Baby" including Rosemary-crusted Italian ham, handmade mozzarella, tomato, olive oil and red wine vinegar on sesame semolina. Be prepared for Zingerman's prices before you go — they may cause sticker shock — but know that the sandwiches and other foods definitely follow the "you get what you pay for" mantra.
247 S. Telegraph Road
Pontiac, MI 48341
(248) 681-5555
bronxdeli.com
The Bronx Deli has two locations — its original, in Pontiac, as well as a newer location in Farmington Hills. Its Pontiac location opened in August 2007, across the street from its now-current location. Choose from soups, salads, platters, sandwiches, desserts and more. Try the basket of garlic fries as side, and the #2, "Big Mouth Pastrami," which you can then customize by adding or substituting bacon, an Italian baguette or an onion roll for an additional charge. If you're feeling ambitiously hungry, try the "Marc's Meat Mountain" (Giant size, $34.99) which comes with 1.5 pounds of corned beef, oven-roasted turkey, turkey pastrami, and/or pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, Russian dressing and two pieces of rye (if you finish it, you get a free T-shirt and your picture on their wall). If you're feeling very lucky, then try for the Marc's Meatier Mountain Meal ($44.99) — if you finish it, it's on the house, but if not, you have to pay for it (the Meatier Mountain Meal includes two pounds of corned beef, oven roasted turkey, coleslaw, Russian dressing on rye, basket of fries, large potato salad, large matzoh ball soup and a fountain soda).
Related: Best Delis Around Detroit
3258 Orchard Lake Road
Keego Harbor, MI 48320
(248) 683-3344
Fans of Tony's Deli rave about the matzoh ball soup, potato pancakes and the "overstuffed" Reuben sandwiches, and it's known as one of the better delis in the Keego Harbor/West Bloomfield area. If you have a big appetite, go for the "tri-decker" sandwiches, which include three slices of white toast, as well as a huge amount of meat. The "overstuffed" sandwiches, ranging from corned beef to pastrami to a BLT, are also a good choice. Tony's Deli is located on Orchard Lake Road between Commerce and Cass Lake Roads.
6646 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
(248) 932-0800
www.stevesdeli.com
You can find Steve's Deli in the large plaza at the corner of Telegraph and Maple, but don't be fooled — it may be small, but its menu is large. Try one of the combination sandwiches (i.e. the #1, the Dinty Moore, or perhaps the #3, the classic Reuben) or maybe one of its overstuffed sandwiches, which are served on your choice of crispy rye, pumpernickel, pita bread, lavash or bagel. If you have a child or a picky eater with you, you can't go wrong with Steve's "burgers and franks" menu, ranging from four bite-sized sliders (your choice of beef or turkey) to two all-beef jumbo franks and rye bread. Don't forget the potato latkes and cheese blintzes, too.
