A Detroit deli is stuffing a full pound of corned beef and Swiss cheese into a giant egg roll. D Motown Deli on Gratiot Avenue also serves a footlong version, along with corned beef sandwiches piled high on onion rolls.
The family-owned shop has been around since 2001, serving Reubens, pastrami, and other deli classics. Its menu also includes deviled eggs, banana pudding, and peach cobbler.
The giant egg rolls may get your attention first, but the sandwiches are just as important to this place. And there’s a reason the way this deli prepares its corned beef gets people talking.
A Gratiot Avenue Deli With a Big Following
Gratiot Avenue is one of Detroit’s oldest main roads, and it runs right past a deli that has drawn a steady crowd. D Motown Deli sits at 3750 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, a short drive from downtown and Eastern Market.
The spot focuses on deli classics with a Detroit personality. Corned beef is the headliner, but pastrami, roast beef, and Reubens share the spotlight.
The menu also stretches into soul food territory with gumbo, deviled eggs, and homemade desserts.
I find the location part of the appeal. It feels like a neighborhood place, not a tourist stop, even though people drive from other parts of Michigan to eat here.
Some visitors mention coming after appointments at nearby Henry Ford Hospital.
The deli holds a 4.4 star rating on Google Maps from more than 1,200 reviews. That is a lot of opinions for a sandwich counter, and most of them circle back to the same subject.
Corned beef comes up in hundreds of those comments. Before getting to the famous sandwich, though, it helps to understand how this deli handles its meat, because that detail shapes everything else on the menu.
Shaved Thin Instead of Sliced Thick
Most delis slice corned beef into thick strips. Here, the meat is shaved very thin or chopped fine, and that style is the first thing many people notice.
Fans say the thin cut makes each bite tender and easy to eat. One longtime deli traveler wrote that thick slices can turn chewy, while this version stays soft.
Others prefer a classic slice and say so plainly.
I like that the deli sticks with its style instead of chasing everyone’s taste. Knowing about it ahead of time helps set your expectations.
If you picture a tall stack of fluffy, finely cut meat, you will be ready.
Corned beef is the top item by far in online comments, with pastrami close behind in second place among meats. Both get the same thin treatment.
A practical tip for first timers is to try a mixed sandwich. Some people order corned beef and pastrami together, which lets you compare both meats in one meal.
The meat is only half of the sandwich story, though. The bread that holds it all together has a small fan club of its own.
The Onion Roll Gets Its Own Fans
Soft bread matters when the meat is piled this high. At D Motown Deli, the onion roll is a common pick, and it shows up again and again in customer comments.
One visitor called it the softest bread they had ever tasted. Another ordered a medium corned beef on an onion roll with cheese and mustard and said it stayed soft even after the drive home.
You can also choose other breads, like white or rye. Opinions on the bread vary more than opinions on the meat, so the onion roll seems like the safest first choice.
Sandwiches come in different sizes, which helps if you are not sure how hungry you are. A medium is a good starting point for most people.
Toppings are simple and classic. Swiss cheese and mustard are popular, and coleslaw is an option too.
One customer ordered a sandwich called the Humdinger with coleslaw on an onion bun.
Pickles also come along with many orders. One surprised diner joked about how many pickles showed up with all that corned beef, which tells you portions are not shy.
Corned Beef Rolled Into an Egg Roll
Here is a menu item that makes people do a double take. The corned beef egg roll wraps deli meat and cheese inside a crispy shell and fries it.
Many diners say this was their favorite thing on the menu, even over the sandwiches. One person said they had never tried a corned beef egg roll before and loved it right away.
Size is part of the fun. A recent customer called in for the Jumbo Egg Roll and said it was big enough for two people to share, with leftovers to spare.
Smaller egg rolls are available too. One visitor mentioned a special with two small egg rolls and a slice of cherry cheesecake, which sounds like a smart way to sample more of the menu.
I would order at least one egg roll on a first visit. It shows how the deli likes to play with Detroit favorites, and it travels well if you take it to go.
Calling ahead also works. That jumbo order was ready about fifteen minutes later, which makes this an easy pickup choice for busy days.
Reubens and Russian Dressing
Ask a Detroiter about sandwiches and the Reuben will come up fast. It is one of the most mentioned items at this deli after plain corned beef.
Russian dressing is a big part of the conversation. A couple who drove more than two hours to visit said the dressing was good alongside their tender meats.
Here is a helpful detail. The way the Reuben is built may not match every classic recipe you know.
One customer said they had to ask for sauerkraut and were surprised by the bread and cheese they got.
My advice is simple. Say exactly what you want when you order.
If you like rye toast, Swiss, and sauerkraut, list them all clearly so there are no surprises.
The same goes for dressing. If you want it on the side, double check it when you pick up your food, since busy days can lead to mix-ups.
One happy customer bought two Reubens to go and used the corned beef to make a skillet dish at home. That says something about how far a pile of this meat can stretch.
Gumbo and Soul Food Side Dishes
A deli serving gumbo might sound unusual, but it fits right in at this Detroit spot. The menu mixes classic deli food with soul food comfort.
Gumbo gets regular mentions from customers. One recent diner ordered corned beef, gumbo, and cake, and said everything was good.
It makes a hearty side for a cold Michigan day.
A safety note is worth sharing. The gumbo contains shrimp, so anyone with a shellfish allergy should be careful and check their order before eating.
Deviled eggs also show up in customer comments. They are a familiar side at family gatherings, and they pair nicely with a heavy sandwich.
Chili and fries are on the menu as well. Options include chili cheese fries and garlic parmesan fries, though feedback on those sides is more mixed than on the meats.
I like how these choices make the deli feel rooted in its community. It reads less like a copy of a New York deli and more like a Detroit kitchen with its own habits.
Save some room, though, because the dessert case has quite a following.
Banana Pudding and Homestyle Desserts
Sweet treats at a sandwich shop can be an afterthought. At D Motown Deli, desserts like banana pudding earn their own praise.
One excited customer said they could not stop eating the banana pudding. Cakes come up often too, with almost twenty mentions in online comments.
The lineup reads like a family cookout table. Customers have mentioned peach cobbler, cherry cheesecake, and 7Up cake.
One diner said the peach cobbler was spot on.
Not every dessert wins everyone over. One person found their slice of 7Up cake a bit dry.
That kind of mixed feedback is normal, and it gives you a reason to try a few and pick your own favorite.
Here is a planning tip. Desserts make great take-home items, so you can grab one for later if a big sandwich fills you up first.
I would aim for the banana pudding on a first visit, since it gets the warmest comments. Sharing a couple of desserts with a friend is another easy way to taste more without overdoing it.
Social Media Helped Spread the Word
Plenty of people first heard about this deli on a phone screen. Customers often say they found it through Instagram or TikTok videos.
One visitor said the videos kept popping up for months before they finally went. Another said they saw it on social media and on TV.
A name that comes up in these stories is Angel, who appears in the deli’s videos and is sometimes seen at the shop.
That kind of online buzz brings new crowds. Some first timers say the food matched the hype, while others felt it was good but not life changing.
I think it helps to go in curious instead of expecting perfection. Online clips show the most exciting angles, like towering sandwiches and egg rolls sliced open.
Still, the attention shows how a neighborhood business can reach far beyond its block. People now drive in from hours away to try it.
One customer even bumped into an old friend there whose family had been coming for years. Online fame and longtime regulars seem to share the same counter, which brings us to what the room is like.
Friendly Counter Service and a Clean Room
Fast service matters when the line stretches toward the door. Many customers say the team here moves orders out quickly, even on busy days.
One Saturday visitor described a packed counter but said the staff kept things moving. Another waited about fifteen minutes during a rush and felt that was fair.
Cleanliness comes up often too. Several diners called the space very clean, which is always nice to hear about a busy food spot.
The mood gets warm comments. One person described laughs, smiles, and positive Detroit energy.
Another called the setting family friendly, which helps if you are bringing kids along.
Of course, a busy counter can lead to small mistakes. A few customers mentioned wrong sides or missed requests.
Checking your bag before you leave is a simple habit that can save a trip back.
I like that the feedback on the staff is so steady. Food draws people in, but friendly service is often what makes them feel welcome.
Timing your visit can make that experience even smoother, and that is where some practical planning comes in.
Smart Timing for Your Deli Run
Daytime is when this deli shines. It opens at 10 a.m.
Monday through Friday and at 11 a.m. on Saturday, and it closes in the early evening. It stays closed on Sundays.
That schedule means this is a lunch spot more than a dinner stop. Noon can get busy, with one customer describing the lobby as packed at that hour.
Ordering ahead is a smart move. People mention calling in or ordering online for pickup, and their food was ready when they arrived.
If you have special requests, write them clearly. Then check the order before you head out, especially for dressing or cheese choices.
Takeout works well here. Several customers ate at home and said their sandwiches stayed fresh and soft.
Leftovers are likely, given the portions.
I would plan a weekday visit just before or after the lunch rush. Grab a corned beef sandwich, an egg roll, and a cup of banana pudding.
That mix covers the deli’s biggest strengths in one bag. It also shows why a small shop on Gratiot Avenue keeps drawing hungry people back for another round.
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