Detroit-- best corned beef or pastrami sandwich?

Question

Just what is the best corned beef sandwich in metro Detroit? I've been to numerous delis in the metro area, mostly in Dearborn, to sample corned beef, but I haven't tasted any as good as the Star Deli in Southfield (24555 W 12 Mile Rd on the SW corner at Telegraph next to Starbucks). It's a hole in the wall--take out only.

I don't remember if I learned of the Star Deli first from a post by chowhound Cheri or from my neighbor when, at her son's Bar Mitzvah, I inquired as to what is the best Jewish Deli in the Detroit area, but I am thankful. Just as what makes a good burger is the beef, not the bun, cheddar, or grilled onions, so what makes a good corned beef sandwich is the corned beef, not the rye, swiss, or slaw. The corned beef at the Star is not the least bit chewy--it crumbles when you bite.

Oh yes, I've been to Zingermans, and their corned beef sandwich is good too. But I'm waiting to hit powerball before I return.

Answer

Hey barkis. I, too, am familiar with the Star Deli, and while it's certainly no slouch, the corned beef at Stage & Co. in West Bloomfield (on Orchard Lake Road a bit south of Maple) is the best I've had. It's *not* inexpensive, either: my corned beef on Jewish rye with cole slaw and Russian dressing runs an eye-popping $11. Plus tax and tip. And yes, that is an outrageously high price. I fully admit this, and yes, it bugs me. Adding to that is the pretty lousy service the place has. I don't go there often.

BUT! You knew I wouldn't leave you hanging out to dry, now didn't you? Anyway, the best idea is not to go to the actual original deli in West Bloomfield, but to go to one of the satellite locations that they have in a few of the local malls, like Somerset Collection for example. There's one in their food court area. I don't like to shop there, but hey: they do have Stage & Co. in their food court, and it's hard not to go. BEST OF ALL: the same sandwich that costs $11 at the West Bloomfield location only costs around $7 at the Somerset Collection, and it's just as good. It really is a cut above any other corned beef I've ever had. Star is good, but Stage is better for sure.

Give it a try and tell me what you think. I'm betting you'll "see the light," so to speak. ;)

Answer

The Star is pretty damn good (I used to go there when I worked nearby, and miss it) and I am a big fan of Lou's Deli. It has lots of locations but the "flagship" is at 6 and Wyoming, near Marygrove College. NO ambiance and bulletproof glass, but great sandwiches.

Answer

Just a vote for Steve's at Telegraph and Maple here ... haven't tried the corned beef, but their pastrami can rival anybody's.

No argument on Zingerman's stratospheric prices, but they do have an unusual related food that the other places don't have: Montreal Smoked Meat. It's cured like corned beef and smoked like pastrami, I believe. Very tasty.

Answer

When in Ann Arbor, my husband and I have an ongoing lunch debate, which usually ends out in two sandwich stops. Zingermans for me, smoked turkey, tomato avocado, munster, Honeycup mustard on grilled challah at $12...and Angelo's (next to the med school) for him, grilled thick-sliced pastrami piled with sauteed onions and swiss at $6 giving him change left over for two loaves of raisin bread...which he grudgingly shares as french toast later. We both know he gets the better sandwich, but I'm addicted to the Honeycup mustard buzz.

Answer

No love for Deli Unique in West Bloomfield Hills? It's been years since I was there, but their sandwiches were wonderful at the time (sinfully good rye bread)...

Answer

Star Deli , best place I know of in Detroit unless you drive down to Wigleys and cook it yourself and slice it and make your own sandwich , which you should really do sometime .

Answer

Yesterday, I ate at the Onion Roll Deli at 11 Mile and Woodward in Royal Oak. GREATTT corned beef, and plenty of it. I had it with mustard and swiss on Grilled rye. Heavenly.

Answer

Bode's in Plymouth serves awesome corned beef. They corn their own meat and it's great. The place is very, very plain. It's on Main Street by the RR tracks. Ask anyone in Plymouth and they'll give you directions. No pastrami, just corned beef.
Bob

Answer

Samuel Hoffmans in Clawson for pastrami. Corned beef is so-so

Answer

Steve's Deli is what youre after. Real Jewish deli the corned beef is moist but not all fatty and chewy, the matzoh balls are light and fluffy and the broth has tons of flavor, the ruggalah is to die for...super clean and bright inside its located at Telegraph and Maple. Bon Appetite

Answer

Former Detroiter here, now in New York, who grew up eating at the Stage (old location, in Oak Park), Lou's on 6 Mile, Lefkofsky's in the Broadway Market, and the Nosherie (now the Bread Basket). I'm a pastrami man. Tried Stage & Co. about five years ago for the first time in a while and was just appalled at the food and the service. Would NEVER go back there. The less said about it the better. 

The best pastrami sandwich in Detroit through the nineties and up till it closed in the past couple years (not sure when, exactly...in fact, I'm not entirely sure it's closed, but I think it is) was one that hasn't been mentioned: Mr. Fofo's, on Second about a mile north of the Fisher Building. An African-American-run establishment serving a sublime Jewish pastrami sandwich on Jewish rye with yellow mustard. The biggest, the tastiest I've had anywhere. Blew away all local competition as well as the offerings at Katz's, the Second Avenue Deli, and the Carnegie in New York. Fofo's also had excellent desserts: fresh-baked fruit cobblers, banana pudding, the tallest cakes you've ever seen.

I have never tried the Star; I will vouch for Steve's, which is probably the only one I'd bother with these days. And I've been dying to try House of Reuben since a trustworthy friend told me about it not long ago.

Cheers,
M

Answer

I am a former Detroiter now living in Arizona. I can't find a decent corned beef sandwich, or rye bread, here to save my life. My DH, DS and I ate at a deli the other night and I had a corned beef sandwich. It was just good, not the o m g good that I grew up with at Bread Basket and Stage (and does anyone remember Katz Deli, down the street from the original Stage in Oak Park?) I was trying to describe to my DH how fabulous the rye bread is back there, double-baked, w/ that thick, crackly, crunchy crust. Here, the rye bread is all soft and soggy, w/ caraway seeds. So sad. So I'll continue to live vicariously through all of you till I can get back there.

Answer

eph mcnalys

Answer

Al Famous Deli on Woodward about two blocks south of 14 Mile in Royal Oak is definitely in the running. Al Winkler has been in the deli business for at least twenty-five years and he knows it well. Both the corned beef and the pastrami are top notch.

Answer

Also not yet mentioned--to my amazement--is the Vineyard on Northwestern between 13 and 14 mile. Better than Star, IMO and only a tiny bit short of Zingerman's quality. Prices are 75% of the latter's for about the same sized sandwich.
For reubens, the city's hidden gem is Hy Grade Deli, 3640 Michigan Ave. (just a few blocks west of Tiger Stadium. A bit of a sketchy neighborhood but I've never had a problem there. Don't bother looking at the menu: come for the reuben. Order the reuben. Return a different day for another reuben. Drink plenty of red wine in between to have a prayer of handling the cholesterol.

Answer

I have to say one of my favorites is Plaza Deli on Norhtwestern. They actually know what kreplach is! Does anyone know when Katz's on 9 mile closed? Anyone remember Brother's at Northland?

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Plaza Deli
29145 Northwestern Hwy, Southfield, MI 48034

Answer

I've been to more than a few of the suggested places in this post. I've found them all to be good to great in the corned beef/pastrami area... 
One place not mentioned that I've been going to for years is on Orchard Lake - just north of Commerce. It used to be called Embers - now remodeled and called Tony's Deli. Do yourself a favor and give this a try! Your choice of lean or regular corned beef - Jewish rye that is a meal in itslef. ALWAYS fresh and hand sliced thick. The breakfast choices including corned beef / pastrami omelettes are sinful. Matzo ball soup and mushroom barley are amazing. And unlike Zingermans, you don't have to have hit the lottery to eat there. I'd be interested in anyone elses opinion of this place - as it's overlooked in favor of the more well known places.

Answer

I'm surprised to have not seen talk of Front Page Deli, near One Stop Kosher Food Market on Greenfield. I thought it was quite good. Pudge's on Rochester Rd. also serves a decent CB sandwich using Sy's meat.

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Front Page Deli
24810 Greenfield Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237

Answer

Going to give props to Uncle Harry's in St Clair Shores. Was there yesterday and et a "Half & Half." Great Corned beef on one side of a rye sandwich, great Pastrami on the other side. And they have Dr. Brown's sodas too.

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Uncle Harry's Deli Restaurant
21809 Greater Mack Ave, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080

St Clair Restaurant
1438 Saint Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114

Uncle Harry's Restaurant
18768 West Rd, Woodhaven, MI 48183

Answer

Hey, you guys forgot Steve's Deli! It's at 15 & Telegraph, tucked in the far south end of the strip center. Best there is without flying to Manhattan.

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Steve's Deli
6646 Telegraph Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

Answer

I stopped by Ellen's Bakery & Cafe in Keego yesterday and tried their reuben - not a classic
reuben. It was on an onion roll. It was a very good onion roll, but unexpected and an unwelcome
edit of the ingredients.

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