Unearth The Voyage
Blues City Deli turns an ordinary lunch into a full-on event. Tucked into Benton Park, this bluesy counter draws lines for a reason – po’ boys, sky-high pastrami, and messy-in-the-best-way muffulettas that hit like a celebration on bread.
If you want to order like a regular and walk out smiling, these are the picks (and moves) that make it happen.
1. The Tommy: A Local Legend With Serious Swagger
The first bite of the Tommy lands like a drum hit, bright, bold, and perfectly in time. You get layered Italian meats, provolone, and roasted peppers that taste like someone tuned them with a metronome.
The bread has crunch on the outside and a pillowy center that hugs the whole show.
I once split a Tommy on a wobbly table by the window and instantly stopped talking mid sentence. The zingy vinaigrette and pepper bite snapped everything into focus.
A little napkin juggling is part of the experience, and yes, that is a compliment.
Order it hot if you want the cheese to cozy up to the meats. Go cold if you like sharper edges and more pepper pop.
Either way, grab extra napkins and a bag of chips because the juices will try to escape.
Timing matters at Blues City Deli, so I hit the line just before lunch to snag a table. The staff keeps the vibe cheerful and quick, so the wait moves fast.
When the Tommy shows up, you will forget anything else you planned.
Locals love to argue which sandwich rules, but the Tommy always stays in the final round. It is hearty without being heavy, spicy without being harsh.
If you want the safest bet with maximum flavor, this is your opening move.
2. Creole Deluxe: Juicy, Saucy, And Flat-Out Joyful
The Creole Deluxe struts in with spicy charm and a thick New Orleans accent. The creole mayo sings, the meat stays juicy, and every bite delivers smoky heat without chaos.
It is messy in the best way, and the roll holds the rhythm.
A staff member once nudged me toward the Creole Deluxe when I hesitated at the counter. Best advice I got all week.
The first bite left a line of sauce on my wrist that I wore like a badge until the last crumb disappeared.
Ask for it hot so the spices bloom right up under the bread. You will taste pepper, garlic, and that mellow twang that keeps you chasing the next bite.
Chips with a sharp crunch make a solid sidekick here.
The deli hums with blues riffs while orders fly from the kitchen. Grab a seat fast if you see one, because this place fills up by noon.
The service is smooth and friendly, which keeps the energy upbeat even when lines snake outside.
Fans call this po boy a must, and I would not argue. It stays bold yet balanced, never tipping into gimmick.
If you want Blues City Deli at full volume, Creole Deluxe is your headliner.
3. 7th St. Sicilian: Big Flavor, Zero Nonsense
The 7th St. Sicilian walks a tightrope between bold and balanced and never wobbles. Salami and capicola punch through with savory swagger while provolone smooths the edges.
An olive bite brightens the whole thing, and it never feels heavy.
I remember scarfing this before a ballgame and wondering why stadium food bothers trying. The bread had just enough toast to keep the structure intact.
The oil and vinegar mingle like old friends, and every slice tastes intentional.
Ask for extra peppers if you like a little spark. Keep the add ons simple to avoid crowding the star players.
A cold soda and a bag of kettle chips make a great supporting cast.
Lines move fast, so do not let the crowd scare you off. The team here has timing down, handing plates with grins and speed.
Grab napkins and enjoy the trumpet blare of flavor in every bite.
Locals swear by this one for a reason. It is reliable, lively, and straightforward, like a good riff you cannot get out of your head.
When you want classic Italian zip, the 7th St. Sicilian delivers without drama.
4. Italian Beef: Dipped, Drippy, And Dreamy
The Italian Beef here is a juicy love letter to texture. Thin slices soak up the jus so deeply that flavor practically drips through the paper.
Add giardiniera for crunch and heat, and you will understand the buzz.
I got mine with a side of extra jus and spent lunch happily chasing drips. The beef tastes seasoned but not salty, tender without losing bite.
A little cheese can melt into greatness, though purists might skip it.
Order dipped if you want full-on savor. If you prefer neatness, ask for light jus and keep a firm grip.
Either way, napkins are non-negotiable and worth the mess.
The counter crew moves with calm, even when the line hits the door. Get there early for easier seating, especially on Fridays.
The place feels like a community hang, and that energy suits a sandwich like this.
Reviews calling it the best in town are not exaggerating. It is bold but not bludgeoning, rich without fatigue.
If comfort and excitement could share a roll, they would taste like this Italian Beef.
5. Muffuletta Magic: Olive Salad In The Spotlight
One glance at the muffuletta and you know the olive salad is the star. The chunky, briny mix blankets layers of mortadella, salami, ham, and provolone.
The round seeded loaf keeps everything sturdy and shareable.
I once took a half to-go and made friends with it over two meals. The flavors deepen as it sits, so leftovers are a pleasure not a chore.
No need to overthink it, just let the olives steer the ship.
This sandwich favors patience and clean slicing. Ask them to warm it lightly if you like the cheese a bit molten.
Pair it with a sharp pickle and you will be set for the afternoon.
Blues City Deli keeps the vibe festive, and this sandwich matches that mood. Between the brass on the walls and the beat in the speakers, lunch feels celebratory.
The crew treats every order like a priority, which keeps the line upbeat.
If you like variety in every bite, the muffuletta is your happy place. It is salty, savory, and snappy without tipping into harsh.
Bring a friend or keep it all yourself, no wrong answers here.
6. Reuben Rhythm: Pastrami Meets Tangy Crunch
The Reuben arrives pressed and proud, rye crackling while steam curls up. Pastrami gets center stage, richly seasoned and cut thick enough to notice.
Sauerkraut and Swiss keep the balance, with dressing tying up the groove.
I parked at a tiny table and finished this faster than planned. The bread-to-filling ratio felt dialed in down to the crumb.
Tang, fat, and toasted edges work like a small band playing in tune.
Ask for extra dressing on the side if you like to calibrate bites. Some days call for more sauerkraut pop, others beg for more cheese pull.
Either way, this Reuben does not get soggy or sloppy.
When the lunch rush hits, you will hear friendly names called across the room. Seats turn quickly, so hang nearby and swoop in when one opens.
Staff members keep the flow smooth, which means hot sandwiches stay hot.
If you crave a sandwich with structure and soul, start here. It tastes classic without feeling old.
The Reuben at Blues City Deli is what happens when details get respect.
7. Italian Bada Bing: Heat With A Smile
The Italian Bada Bing opens with a spark and never loses pace. Heat glides in from peppers and capicola, then mellows under provolone.
Oil and vinegar keep everything lively without drowning the roll.
A friend dared me to add extra hot peppers, and I absolutely did. The result was fire with manners, satisfying yet controlled.
You feel the warmth build, but flavor still leads the way.
Order this if you like your lunch to wake you up. It pairs beautifully with a cold soda and crunchy chips.
The bread refuses to wilt, giving the peppers a perfect stage.
The room always buzzes with conversation, and a sandwich like this fits the mood. Fast service means you can get in and out without rushing the fun.
If the line curves outside, that is just your snack preview.
This is the pick for people who chase vibrant, peppery kicks. It is cheerful heat, not punishment.
The Bada Bing proves spice can grin while it sizzles.
8. Thunderbird Turkey: Light, Warm, And Winning
The Thunderbird glides in warm and comforting without feeling sleepy. Turkey stays juicy, cheese melts into the edges, and the toast adds structure.
It is the kind of sandwich that disappears while you are telling a story.
Someone at the counter suggested I get it warmed, and that sealed the deal. The edges had a delicate crunch, and the middle stayed silky.
Nothing overwhelmed the turkey, which remains the hero all the way through.
Go simple with sides, maybe a pickle and chips. A light drizzle of sauce can lift it, but restraint keeps it balanced.
This is lunch that keeps the afternoon productive and happy.
Daylight pours through the front windows and makes everything feel brighter. The team calls names with pep, and plates land quickly.
If you spy a two top opening, slide in and savor the breeze.
Fans rave that it is the best turkey they have had, and I will not argue. It is honest, soothing, and quietly satisfying.
When you want warm comfort with a little shine, Thunderbird is your play.
9. Chicken Shack Ranch: Crunch, Zing, Repeat
The Chicken Shack Ranch hits the table like a friendly high five. The chicken is shatter crisp outside, tender inside, and seasoned just right.
Ranch brings cool zip that tames the crunch without muting it.
I grabbed this on a whim and could not stop nodding after the first bite. The bun kept shape while doing its soft, supportive job.
Every element stayed in balance, which makes repeat bites mandatory.
Ask for extra pickles if you love tang. A hot sauce packet on the side is a welcome twist.
Chips provide texture play that mirrors the chicken snap.
Blues posters on the walls keep the tone playful and relaxed. The staff checks in with warm smiles even when tickets stack up.
You will likely leave wondering when to come back for round two.
People call it a sleeper hit, and I agree. It is simple, focused, and wildly satisfying.
If you want crunch with character, this sandwich delivers on cue.
10. Red Beans And Rice: A Bowl With Soul
The red beans and rice taste like a slow afternoon made delicious. Smoky, savory beans hug tender rice, and a little heat lingers politely.
It is comfort in a cup and a smart way to round out lunch.
I have used this as a warm up before tackling a bigger sandwich. It never steals the show, but it sets the tone with steady flavor.
A sprinkle of green onion lifts the finish just enough.
Pair it with a half sandwich if you want balance. Or go solo and enjoy how it builds with each spoonful.
It is affordable, filling, and quietly fantastic.
The counter crew will hand it over piping hot, so give it a beat. Seating gets competitive near noon, but turnover is quick.
The music hums, and suddenly the day feels more manageable.
Fans know this side carries real depth. It is smoky without heaviness and seasoned without noise.
When you want a little soul to go, this is the move.
11. Cookies And Chips: The Perfect Exit Song
The cookie case is a finale that refuses to whisper. Almond joy and lemon white chocolate both deliver clean, sweet finishes.
They are soft without being mushy and carry bold flavor in small bites.
After one visit, I left with crumbs on my shirt and zero regrets. The almond joy cookie won the day with coconut and chocolate that felt balanced.
Lemon white chocolate tasted bright and smooth, a tidy palate reset.
Grab a unique chip flavor to lean into the deli mood. Kettle crunch adds rhythm to any sandwich here.
Chips and cookies turn a good lunch into a complete memory.
The register area moves quickly, so pick your dessert with intent. Staff will smile and nod at smart choices like they have seen it all before.
That small ritual is part of the charm you will carry out the door.
If you want a sweet goodbye, this is your move. Keep one for later and thank yourself mid afternoon.
Blues City Deli knows how to stick the landing.
12. Where to Find It
Set your compass for 2438 McNair Ave, St. Louis, two doors off the brick alley with the mural of a dancing trumpet. The deli sits under a red striped awning, easy to spot by the steady line and the sunshine hitting those glass cases.
Step inside and you will hear the slicer hum like a good chorus.
Weekdays get busy around noon, so aim just before the rush if you want a quick wrap. Parking is best on the south side after eleven.
Order at the counter, grab a fountain drink, and stake a small table by the window.
