Some of the best meals in North Carolina hide behind plain storefronts you might walk right past. I almost did, until the smell of toasted rye and warm pastrami stopped me in my tracks.
Inside, I found a family-run deli where the owner greets you like an old friend and the sandwiches are stacked high enough to need two hands. If you love food with a story and a price that won’t ruin your weekend, this little spot is worth the drive.
A Northern-Style Deli in Downtown Cary
Tucked into suite 103 at 312 W Chatham Street, Pastrami Tom’s sits right in the heart of downtown Cary. From the sidewalk, it looks like a simple storefront.
Step inside, though, and you’ll find a full-blown deli built around piled-high sandwiches, crisp sides, and friendly faces.
Locals like to joke that Cary stands for the Containment Area for Relocated Yankees. Fittingly, plenty of transplants from New York, Philly, and Boston say they waited years for a true deli like this one.
Now it’s here, and word has spread well beyond town.
The menu covers classic Reubens, pastrami on rye, beef on weck, Philly cheesesteaks, Cuban sandwiches, burgers, salads, and a kids menu. Breakfast runs in the mornings too.
For anyone who has been missing that old-school deli feeling somewhere in the Triangle, this counter on Chatham Street may be the answer you’ve been hunting for.
Tom, His Family, and a Long-Awaited Opening
Folks in downtown Cary peeked through the windows for months before the doors finally opened. When opening weekend arrived, early guests said the wait was absolutely worth it.
Owner Tom Scheidler, a man originally from Cincinnati, runs the place with real family energy. His daughter manages the deli, and visitors notice his kids helping behind the counter.
One guest summed it up simply: you can tell it’s a family business that’s happy to be part of the community.
Here’s a story that shows their heart. After one early visitor received a disappointing sandwich, Tom reached out, explained that a bad meat shipment had arrived from a supplier, and invited him back on the house.
The second visit came with extra meat and a check-in from Tom’s daughter. That guest left completely won over.
Follow-through like that is rare, and it’s part of why people keep coming back.
The Reuben Everyone Talks About
Ask regulars what to order, and one word comes up more than any other: Reuben. One fan even nicknamed it the marry me Reuben, which tells you plenty.
Picture thick slices of marbled rye grilled until golden and crisp outside but still soft inside. Between them sits tender corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss, and a creamy Russian dressing with a little zip.
Guests praise how balanced it feels, loaded with meat yet never sloppy.
You can swap in pastrami instead of corned beef, too. Want something extra?
Order it Tom’s way with smoked pepper bacon jam, which one visitor called smoky, sweet, and wildly delicious. Every order also comes with a dill pickle spear, a tiny detail that makes the whole plate feel like a classic deli lunch.
If you only try one thing on your first trip, this sandwich is the safe bet.
Thin-Sliced Pastrami on Rye
Purists, this one’s for you. Sometimes the simplest order says the most about a deli, and Pastrami Tom’s passes that test with flying colors.
Build your own sandwich and go old-school: pastrami on rye with mustard. Visitors describe the meat as sliced nice and thin, tender, and full of flavor on toasted rye.
One former New Yorker said thin-sliced pastrami is hard to find around here, which made this a real treat.
Several guests boldly compare it to Katz’s Deli in Manhattan. One person who moved from New York eighteen years ago said he’d waited that long for a great deli.
Another fan simply called the pastrami the real deal.
A standard serving is about 6 ounces. You can upgrade to extra meat at 9 ounces or double meat at 12 ounces for an added cost, perfect if you’re the hungry type.
Beef on Weck and Other Regional Favorites
Ever heard of beef on weck? Fans of Buffalo, New York, sure have, and they’re thrilled to spot it in Cary.
The sandwich features tender roast beef on a kummelweck roll, and you can add horseradish for a kick. One returning guest chose the horseradish and said it brought good heat without overpowering the beef.
It’s one of the most mentioned items on the menu.
The regional tour doesn’t stop there. The Philly cheesesteak earns steady praise, along with a chicken cheesesteak and a chicken cutlet classic.
The Cuban sandwich is another favorite, and one regular likes it with chipotle mayo rather than deli mustard.
Roast beef lovers should eye the Ultimate Roast Beef, which one guest said tasted like thick cuts from a real roast, paired with horsey mayo. Hot and cold Italian subs round things out nicely.
Sweet Surprises Between the Bread
Not every standout here is about cured beef. A few sandwiches lean sweet and savory, and they’ve earned loyal followings.
Meet the Rachel. It layers oven-roasted turkey, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island, cran-orange relish, and coleslaw on toasted multigrain bread.
One fan orders the half size, which is still plenty filling. Fair warning: it’s a little juicy, so eat it right away.
Then there’s the forest melt, which a late-lunch visitor called incredible. The patty melt also gets nods from repeat diners, and a turkey sandwich won over one wife who doubted a place with pastrami in its name.
Burgers show up big too. One guest described a giant cheeseburger with buns stuffed with fresh vegetables.
There’s even a lobster roll, which caught the eye of a customer watching orders head to tables. With so many options, working through the whole menu becomes a fun goal.
Sweet Potato Fries with a Twist
Here’s a side that steals the spotlight. The crinkle-cut sweet potato fries are among the most talked-about items on the entire menu.
What makes them special is the dip. Guests mention apple butter served alongside, and others describe a cinnamon sugar butter sauce they couldn’t stop eating.
One visitor called the fries magical and said the dipping sauce was truly unique. That same person claimed they’d drive three hours for the meal, which fits our road-trip theme nicely.
The sweet, warm flavor pairs beautifully with a salty, savory sandwich like the Reuben. It’s that classic balance that keeps every bite interesting.
Regular fries are available too, and one guest said theirs came hot, fresh, and plentiful even during a packed lunch rush. Still, if you see sweet potato fries on the board, most regulars would gently nudge you toward ordering them at least once.
House-Made Chips and Hearty Sides
Chips made in house? Yes, and they’re good enough to order on purpose.
Guests rave about the homemade potato chips, and one even said they beat other places that claim the same thing. Rosemary parm chips are another option, and Tom once brought a guest a complimentary dipping sauce to go with them.
The sides menu goes deep. The red skin potato salad is described as peppery and well-seasoned with tiny bits of celery.
Coleslaw tastes fresh, and macaroni salad fits right in with the deli vibe. Want something lighter?
Cut fresh fruit is available, and visitors say it’s a nicely chosen mix.
For a fun throwback, try the ambrosia salad with marshmallows and fruit. One regular orders it as a light, fluffy finish after her sandwich.
Portions are a good size, so sharing a couple of sides at the table works great.
Morning Plates from 9 to 11
Early birds, rejoice. Breakfast is served daily from 9 to 11 AM, and it’s quickly becoming a reason to visit on its own.
Jersey transplants will spot a familiar favorite: the Taylor ham, egg, and cheese. One guest called it the best since moving to the Triangle, with plenty of ham, crispy edges, melty cheese, and piping-hot delivery.
The breakfast potatoes earn praise for their crunch.
Feeling fresh instead? The avocado toast on sourdough comes with little tomatoes, a touch of lemon, over-easy eggs, and a sprinkle of cheese.
One visitor admitted she now dreams about it. Bagel sandwiches are on offer as well.
Don’t skip the yogurt parfait, which one fan called the best around, with thick yogurt, fresh fruit, and crunchy granola. Coffee is poured during breakfast hours only, so grab a cup before 11 if you need it.
Whoopie Pies and Banana Pudding
Save room. Seriously.
Dessert at Pastrami Tom’s comes with a little extra love.
Whoopie pies are a favorite, and guests say Tom brings them in specially all the way from Maine. One family received them as a surprise gift and described them as rich and delicious.
That’s the kind of small gesture people remember long after the meal.
Then there’s the banana pudding foster. One visitor urged everyone not to leave without it.
Another said Tom personally brought his banana pudding to their table to try while sharing the personal touches behind his cooking.
These sweets feel like something from a family kitchen rather than a chain bakery. Whether you order a treat on purpose or Tom surprises you with one, ending a big sandwich lunch on a sweet note just feels right, especially on a cozy winter afternoon.
Black-and-White Walls and Table-Side Hellos
Walk through the door and you’ll see a short line, a big counter, and a roomy seating area off to the right. The space feels clean and bright, with minimalist black-and-white decor.
Look closer at the walls. Photos of New York, Philly, and Boston hang throughout, giving relocated Northerners a cozy taste of home.
Still, the real atmosphere comes from people. Tom often visits each table to chat, check in, and share stories about his food.
One guest watched him tell a little girl he had a surprise waiting once she finished eating. Staff members get praise for being attentive, welcoming, and fun to chat with when things slow down.
Families fit right in, thanks to a kids menu with five options, including chicken fingers. Couples, solo lunchers, and homesick Yankees all seem to leave feeling like regulars.
Hours, Prices, and Parking Tips
Planning a trip? Good news: the deli opens every day at 9 AM.
Monday and Sunday hours run 9 AM to 4 PM. Tuesday through Thursday, doors stay open until 7 PM.
Friday and Saturday stretch to 8 PM. Breakfast runs 9 to 11 AM daily, and you can call ahead at 919-377-2106 or check pastramitoms.com.
On price, one guest noted a Reuben ran around $18. Visitors generally describe the portions as generous and the value as good, and half sandwiches give lighter eaters a budget-friendly option.
Extra or double meat costs more.
Parking is the one common hiccup. Regulars say it can feel tight at peak lunch hours, so many visit during off times or order pickup.
One Saturday guest noticed the crowd thinned out around 2:30 PM. Service stays quick even when busy, so don’t let a line scare you off.
Why the Drive Pays Off
So, is it worth crossing the state for a sandwich? For plenty of hungry North Carolinians, the answer is a happy yes.
You get towering Reubens, tender thin-sliced pastrami, beef on weck, and sweet potato fries with dips people dream about. You also get something harder to find: a family that genuinely cares, from Tom’s table visits to his daughter checking on your meal.
No deli is perfect every single day, and even this one had an early hiccup with a supplier. How they handled it, though, says everything about their standards.
Pair your visit with a stroll through downtown Cary, especially in fall when the weather turns crisp. Come hungry, grab a pickle, and maybe a whoopie pie for the road.
Chances are, you’ll leave already planning which sandwich to try next time.
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