Florida isn’t exactly known for deli culture. Sunshine, yes. Citrus groves, sure. But pastrami that could make a grizzled New Yorker stop mid-rant and just… nod? That’s rarer than snow in Miami. And yet, tucked into strip malls, side streets, and converted gas stations are hole-in-the-wall delis where the bread is fresh, the mustard has bite, and the meat is stacked unapologetically high. These places don’t care about Instagrammable plating. They care about the sandwich. Here are Florida’s tiniest delis where unforgettable pastrami waits for anyone who knows to look.
1. Roasters ’N Toasters – Miami
Miami has a love affair with Cuban sandwiches, but Roasters ’N Toasters proves there’s room for East Coast deli tradition too. The place is small, packed, and unapologetically loud – just the way a deli should be. They’ve been slicing pastrami since the early ’80s, and it shows.
The meat is peppery, smoky, and impossibly tender, layered between rye that holds its ground without overwhelming. Order it with a side of their matzo ball soup and you’ll understand why this deli is still a local institution.
It’s the kind of place where you overhear conversations in three languages, where you come for pastrami but leave with stories. Miami might move fast, but Roasters is a steady heartbeat of tradition.
2. TooJay’s Deli – Palm Beach
Tucked in the heart of Palm Beach, TooJay’s is a Florida deli with unapologetic New York roots. The space isn’t sprawling—half the time you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with retirees, lawyers on lunch break, and families who know to order extra pickles…