My favorite deli in the Boston area. Whenever Reuben calls my name it's off to Michael's Deli I go!

I give Michael's 5 stars for the sheer high quality of the food ingredients alone, everything is excellent and fresh from the meats to the breads and cheeses. The Pastrami is amazing as is the Thorty Black and Gold, chicken salad and The Goat if you want something lighter. Love all the varieties of specialty sandwiches. Chase lunch with a sweet dessert knish heated up, you won't be disappointed. read more

Never will you have a better Reuben sandwich than at Michael's. Corn beef piled high, awesome Russian dressing, and fresh-made bread... hot damn, that's good sandwich. Also, they're the only place in Boston that knows how pickles are supposed to be done, and they have tremendous pickled herring. The Reuben gets five stars, but other things here can be a little inconsistent. I had a Pig Out Sandwich (roast pork, cranberry sauce, and stuffing on light rye) that I would describe as 'meh', and their cold sandwiches can vary greatly from day to day. Still, if you're a seeker of corned beef, look no further. The owner is there most days, and though he'll originally strike you as cantankerous/crotchety, he's actually a really nice guy, who'll treat you right once he gets to know your face. Try to hit the place at off-peak hours, since they've only got seating for about 12 people, and the lunch line is consistently out the door. read more

BEST KNISHES IN BOSTON. Hands down. It's not even close. If you don't believe me, you either haven't tried them or you don't know from knishes. I'm a vegetarian, so many of their foodstuffs are off the menu for me - I'm told they have great chopped liver and great roast beef sandwiches, etc etc. But I go here for their knishes, and that's worth it, and they also happen to have a great, NYC style egg salad sandwich. That is, overstuffed and overflowing, half a sandwich is all you need kind of sandwich. read more

Another Coolidge Corner hot spot so I had to come and check this place out since I never got around to it when I was in college. It's a good thing I went in starving because the sandwich was HUGE! I ordered the Sandy (Howie Carr show) which had turkey, herb cream cheese and apricot chutney. I put it on some toasted rye. My God it was fabulous. I ate half of it and saved the rest for what was sure to be a great late night drunken snack (had a wedding to attend that evening, after all). The sweet and salty flavors paired so well. It was definitely unusual but sometimes those make the best meals! What was also funny was that the owner/cashier person clearly didn't care if he offended anyone. A woman asked for a cup and ice for her not cold enough drink. He gave her a cup, no ice. And they clearly were not about to get along. But I suppose it's his place, he can run it as he sees fit. I'd love to go back and try more sandwiches. I'll just make sure not to order ice! read more

Michael's Deli - The Sandy - Delis Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

This place, no frills. Kick-ass pastrami, roast beef, and a simply-awesome whitefish salad. If anything, get the salad. It's so awesome, quite simply awesome. read more

Oh man oh man this place is the real deal baby! The option of half a sandwich? Perfect 3:00PM snack! But also...potato salad? Coleslaw? Absolutely. Have you ever gotten a sandwich and said to yourself, "why the fresh hell don't I have a pickle?" Well, I have. And this place...oh man. These pickles are not only included, but also crunchy PERFECTION! Writing this review made me hungry! And I really wish I could get some of this food right now! Do yourself a solid and get there asap. 10/10 read more

So you have to get the Thorty Black and Gold pastrami sandwich. Had my first one today (no hots on mine) and it was insanely great! Looked like just two folks working so hard to make some awesome food during a brisk lunch hour. Go here. read more

Heaping sandwiches and Pearl brand all beef franks make Michael's Deli a supreme lunch spot. Personally, I really don't like Michael (the owner). He is full of himself, is rather belittling towards his customers, and loves to make a point. His business makes up for this deficit. Those who work for him have always been friendly and make up for Michael's lack of social awareness. The deli itself has few tables, so be prepared to put your time in for a table if you are heading over there on the weekend lunch rushes. Michael's is not someplace where you'd sit and have a nice leisurely lunch and enjoy good company. Chances are another customer eagerly awaiting a table will promptly shoot you the hairy eyeball as you near the end of your meal. You are at Michael's to simply enjoy a magnificent sandwich and get on with the rest of your day (provided you don't eat yourself into the ground). Parking can be difficult since the deli is barely a block away from Coolidge Corner, so you'll have to be cut-throat. Recommendations: *Pickles *Pearl hotdog on a bulkie roll or challah with slaw and muenster *Hot corned beef on challah with muenster, mayo and a side of honey mustard for dipping. Note: the kinishes are "bleh," but I've never really met one I liked, and I suppose I never really acquired a taste for them. I'm not jewish. read more

The amount of roast beef on my sandwich was absurd in a very good way. I felt like my tummy was gonna explode after feasting on the deliciousness that was the roast beef rachel. And only 9 bucks. Not bad at all... read more

Michaels deli outdid themselves for a recent shiva we had. The deli sandwiches were not only fresh and delicious but beautifully prepared. Personally delivered by the owner Steve. And the pickles....the best! Highly recommended. read more

Mike's is definitely good, I mean everything is imported from NY! The knishes are just like I used to get in my school cafeteria (and thats a good thing!) but its probably because they come from the same supplier. So do you give Mike credit for a good deli or being a good importer? I'm not sure. Regardless, Michael himself is a super nice and funny, so even if you can't credit him for the amazing imported food, he's still a good guy. The reubens are fantastic even if they spell it rubin. (Although the bread should be a tad thicker- its gets very soggy very quickly) And of course I check to see if they have Snapple which they don't.....they did have Dr. Browns Celery Soda which made my husband's day. All in all this has to be one of the top choices you have when you're looking for lunch in Brookline. They also do a great job with catering, my friend gets the platters for football games every Sunday. read more

Favorite deli! Such great value for your money. Romanian pastrami, corned beef, and chopped liver are the only ones I've had so far, but they're too good to stray. Like 4 different kinds of mustard to pick from, lots of bread choices, plus the usual fixins. Not very many tables, but the crowd turns quickly, so eat there or take it home. AND they have Moxie! Oh, it's kind of hilarious how they ration the napkins (they give you one for your big, messy sandwich), but I'm over it :) read more

I couldn't care less about the service here, though I haven't yet had a bad experience. What I do care lots about is tuna salad. I'm a fan of tuna salad made with solid white, and not very gloppy, and that's how they roll at Michael's. Their tuna club is a dream come true. Don't worry about being harassed in regard to seating, just get your food to go (the inevitable wolfing and/or emotional outpourings over a sandwich are better reserved for privacy anyway). read more

i finally made it over to michael's the other week after months of biking right by it. I loved it straight off the bat because as you enter it smelled exactly like the delicatessen/bottega that I grew up going to back in Italy- the incredible smell of great cold cuts, cheeses and just that same type of style of serving (btw this place is NOT at all italian, i'm just comparing it to childhood memories...) the smoked turkey sandwich I had was not only huge but it was also amazing. Their honey mustard was unlike anything else I've tried with any meat and it all tasted so fresh. Also, the number of options you have are countless whether you want to get a 'signature' sandwich or make your own. I would highly highly recommend this place if you're on the go and if you want some great cold cuts in brookline! read more

Great sandwiches. Howie Carr (corned beef & beef briskey) and Rachel (spin on classic Reuben substitute with cole slaw instead of sauerkraut). Yummm. I would recommend calling ahead to pick up. It gets pretty busy in there. read more

Michael's Deli - Howie Carr togo - Delis Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

They can make a mean sandwich, but apparently haven't looked at a calendar and noticed it's 2019. Cash only? Come on. Go get a Square reader or something. read more

Alright, I am appalled that anyone would give Michael's Deli anything less than a perfect rating. The sandwiches? Out of this world, hit mine up with some cole slaw and russian dressing please! Large cucumber-like pickles are the perfect pairing with the fat stack of meet you receive nestled between bread that will make you melt. Three different kinds of potato salad, who could ask for more? Michael always takes your order and I have spent nine months of bi-weekly visits trying to coax a smile out of him. He's tough, but only because he knows better than you. This isn't the place to relax and read a book, in fact, there are signs posted specifically forbidding it. If you want to spend $5 and post up for three hours, there's a Starbucks across the street. Fall in line! Order, eat, and leave because there's a steady flow of customers who want to sit at your table. Listen, this place isn't for the faint of heart. But if you're looking for a deli, you'd be an idiot to go anywhere else. read more

I consider myself something of a deli-style food connoisseur, so trust me when I say Michael's is ON POINT with their offerings. I've had everything from a bagel with cream cheese and whitefish to a corned beef sandwich and side of coleslaw and I have yet to be disappointed by this gem of a deli. Their potions are monstrous, their food is fresh, and their service is fast and friendly. This is NOT a Jewish deli, but a Jewish-style deli with offerings like kosher hot dogs in their freezer and Knishes in their display cabinet. They offer sliced meats and deli sides to go or they have a sit down and eat menu. They also cater if you're looking for that. The place is cash-only so be forewarned but fear not, there is a Bank of America across the street if you miss the 15 signs that say "CASH ONLY!". They have some awesome surprises too like Halva candy and Dr. Browns soda cans, way to represent Michael's! If you're looking for some quick, tasty deli eats in the Brookline area, I highly suggest stopping in to Michael's Deli! read more

This review is dedicated to the glory of the old school deli, a true rarity in Boston. I've probably been here 100 times, so I'm not messing around when I say this is the best corn beef and the best turkey I've ever tasted. Out of this world!! I usually go for a traditional Rubin or a turkey off the frame with cheddar, Russian, lettuce, and tomato. You can't go wrong with the classics They also make delicious knish's with pastrami in them. And they have Dr. Browns soda, the best soda of all time! read more

This was my first time at Michael's Deli after living in Brookline for a couple of years, and following their Instagram account. My turkey sandwich felt quite literally *thrown* together with the most conservative squirt of brown mustard I've ever seen. I gave it a shot but.... won't be back read more

Terrific corned beef sandwiches and Rubens. BUT...no potato pancakes, no blintzes? Get on the ball, Mikey. read more

Love this deli, been going for years. Was 5 stat level (even though prices are a bit high), but alas, the last couple times I've gone the delicious pickles were way off. They didn't taste fresh and were extremely under-brined. Seems simple enough to fix, but we'll see... read more

EDIT: Leaving my original review for posterity, but I've since spoken with the owner, who has since spoken with his employees about the importance of food safety. This review has to do with the restaurant's food safety and customer service. I've gone to this restaurant many times previously. The food has been pretty good, for the most part. Yesterday, I ordered a bagel and cream cheese with nova, and I was very specific that that is all I wanted. This is because I am allergic to tomatoes, which often go on these sandwiches, and I wanted to be really specific about what I wanted on the sandwich. When I returned home to eat the sandwich, I saw tomatoes and onions and other toppings in addition to what I had asked for. When I called the restaurant today, the man who answered told me, "you shouldn't be eating out if you have an allergy". This is an extremely unsafe and irresponsible way to respond to their restaurant making a mistake regarding something like an allergy. If they are so laissez faire regarding food safety, I wouldn't trust them with other things. Additionally, when I picked up my sandwich yesterday, I saw a microwave behind the counter, above the food prep area. I hope they don't use that for food preparation. If I wanted microwave cooked food, I don't think I'd be going to a restaurant. read more

top quality sandwiches. This place is amazing. the sandwiches we had were : Mikes choice -- awesome roast beef and brisket Howie Carr -- great brisket and cornedbeef Rubin sandwich is great too prices seemed about $1.50 higher than they should be...but the quality is amazing so its fine. read more

The Rachel is awesome! Very nice staff. Tasty food. Kind of expensive for a sandwich, but they are superb. read more

Plenty of seating, an abundance of friendliness and AMAZING FOOD. Get the Reuben, obviously. The corned beef here is fresh and juicy and I've had my fair share, you know? The staff here is always super nice and the sandwich never disappoints. I've had soup, potato salad and a little of this and that here and it's just all wonderful. read more

THE BEST corned beef (Corned Beef Rachel) sandwich that I've ever had! Generous portion of meat with the right amount of slaw between two lightly toasted slices of bread. The potato salad was perfect with the sandwich. I've got to come back! read more

Michael's Deli - Corned Beef Rachel - Delis Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Very impressive sandwiches, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the corned beef. These guys are quick, well priced, and have a great smile on their face when greeting their customers. I can't wait to eat here again! read more

I'm a firm believer that good food doesn't make up for bad service and this place is a classic example. Basically in my experience the service is as bad as the food is good. If you're in the mood for a good Reuben and rude service then this is your place! And please, whatever you do, don't dare read or consider using a credit card at this place. Try it and you'll find out why! read more

Michael's Deli where have you been all my life? I don't know who Michael is but Steve introduced himself as the owner and he couldn't have been more personable. Their corned beef and the chopped chicken liver beats Zaftigs or Rubins by a mile. But what stole the show was believe it or not their tongue sandwich! I know, I know, sounds horrid right? I was squeamish when I heard my mom order it, but when I tried a little bit of hers OMG I had to get my own! It's sliced really thin, piled high, served warm, and tastes like the softest corned beef you've ever had. Don't even think about it, just try it and a whole new world will open up to you! They were out of rye and offered me the sandwich on challah which was a happy accident I think. That sandwich was even better on challah! I live an hour away but I can't wait to go back again. I wish they had more seating but who cares, just get a takeout and remember to bring cash. read more

A freaking delicious steaming hot corned beef on pumpernickel accompanied by an awesome pickle on the side. Cash only - I get it, but didn't know until I got there. That could have been a disaster if I was cash-free at the time of lunch! I will return....many times. read more

I haven't given Boston Jewish Delis a fair shot because I was convinced none of them would stock up to my home deli of Zingerman's in Ann Arbor. But when I heard the owner is a Michigan alumni, I figured I could give this one a go. The corned beef was absolutely delicious. In terms of taste I couldn't have asked for more. My only complaint is that I ordered the half sandwich and it also seemed like it was filled with half meat. For the price ($6) I really can't complain but it didn't look even nearly as full as the photos. That being said, I think it may be because I ordered the half sandwich and when I go back next, I'll order the full and see if it changes the amount. Service was great as well! read more

Imagine you put a cow through a wood chipper at 80 mph and caught it with wax paper. My roast beef was like that. Good sandwich but basically a yard sale on bread. Also, the guy that works the front, while being very nice, Appears to have no short term memory. It took far longer to take my order than to make it. And was in fact, not what I ordered at all. read more

Mike was ready to close the place up at 10 minutes before 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, yet he let us in and told us to take our time. The Reuben sandwich had about a pound of the freshest, best tasting corned beef I had ever had. The place is small, yet comfortable. I enjoyed the looks of the vintage display coolers. I also like any place where you can get a can of orange San pellegrino. do work baby! read more

I ordered the tuna melt but received a tuna sandwich instead so I was pretty disappointed. I should have pointed this out but chose to just eat it. The tuna salad was good--they use good mayonnaise and albacore tuna. The service was not especially friendly and I didn't love the atmosphere. They do have really good sodas--IBC rootbeer and DR. Browns. And they sell frozen blintzes. And I'll bet if I ate corned beef I'd be crazy about this place. read more

Such character!! Good meat. Great bread and bagels. Would go here again. Plenty of seating and there's a bathroom. Prices were very reasonable too. read more

Michael's Deli - Delis Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Nobody has written about Michael's chicken noodle soup? Ok, I will. It's like my mother's, except she doesn't live here. I would arrange for it to come out of my tap if possible. So warm and tasty on a cold, snowy Brookline weekend afternoon. I don't know what kind of experiences people have had with Michael, but mine have been delightful. He immediately recognized my Oklahoma accent as "not from around here," then proceeded to tell me his own Oklahoma story (everyone in Boston seems to have one) despite the fact it was lunch and the place was hopping. He's remembered me each time I've been in since. read more

Went there with my family this afternoon around 4pm, an hour before closing. The restaurant had a feeling as if the staff was recovering from a busy lunch, a side effect of running a kosher deli in Brookline. The staff was friendly and attentive to me when I walked in. Prices are a little high for the sandwiches, but I get it, they are doing business in a heavily populated area. That being said, this has gotten me as close to NYC deli as I can get without leaving the state. I'll be back. read more

Warning, stay away from the whitefish salad. Mike himself mixes it up from cocaine, nicotine, caffeine, and whitefish. It could be the worlds most addictive substance. I can't pass through Coolidge Corner without stopping by and picking up a pound for the road. And that lasts about a day. The corned beef and pastrami sandwhiches are huge and melt in your mouth delicious. The one thing keeping this from 5 stars is the bread. Mike, you GOTTA do something about the bread. Its not the best to begin with, and gets soggy the minute it hits the beef. Its the one thing keeping this from being in the annals of corned beef sandwich lore. Everything is homemade/mixed/smoked etc by Mike himself, and all the guys behind the counter are very friendly. I wish I was around there for lunch enough to become a regular. read more