New York City is the kind of place that foodies love. Not only is it home to some of the best fine dining restaurants in the world (and some of the most famous), but it’s where you’ll find many of the most Instagrammable food trends, newest options for diet fads, pop up shops and destination holes-in-the-wall. There are several things that NYC is known for: from a good bagel to pizza and pretzels, every foodie has a New York bucket list. However, of all these things, there may be only one that is the most iconic food of New York City: the Deli Sandwich. A real New York Deli is the place where you can get a delicious pastrami sandwich, grab something to take home, or just get to know the locals. We’ve got two of the best for you to hit on your next trip.

Mile End Deli

Katz may be the most famous deli in NYC (and the oldest). However, Mile End Deli takes authentic Jewish deli food and gives it a Montreal twist, creating a deli that offers authentic sandwiches from both sides of the border. The smoked meat sandwich at Mile End is incredible, served on rye with mustard. While The Ruth Wilensky (beef salami and mustard on an onion roll) is a tribute to the iconic Montreal deli, Wilensky’s Light Lunch. Mile End Deli may be mixing things up a little (and it’s not kosher), but at its heart, this Brooklyn deli is all about tradition. The meat is dry cured and hardwood smoked, and the owners are passionate about doing everything the old-fashioned way, to get you the best meaty sandwich in town.

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Sal, Kris & Charlie’s Deli

This Astoria landmark may look like any other New York Deli, but it’s famous for sandwiches that pack a serious punch! While most traditional deli sandwiches are all about just a few simple ingredients (like pastrami and mustard on rye), Sal, Kris & Charlie’s Deli has a monster of a sandwich known as "The Bomb." This beast combines almost every topping you’ll find in the rest of their offerings: pepperoni, ham, salami, turkey, mortadella, American, Swiss, and provolone (and veggies, of course), all for under $10. This is not a sandwich for the faint of heart. It’s one that is definitely worth the trip to Queens, if you are looking for something a little bit different.

Of course, New York City has a deli on every street corner, so there are dozens of other options for those who want to try something different. Head to Loeser’s Kosher Deli for some classic Jewish eats, including a corned beef on Rye with Russian dressing, or try Pastrami Queen on Lexington for something a little more central. While there are plenty of New York institutions that are worth a trip to eat at, it’s always fun to try the neighborhood delis on the corner. See if you might discover the next best-kept-secret of a deli sandwich.

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