Atlanta’s deli scene is anchored by a small number of genuine institutions that have maintained the traditional delicatessen format over multiple decades, serving communities with fresh-cut meats, house-prepared salads, and the kind of generously built sandwiches that define the American deli tradition. The city’s most celebrated delicatessens draw from the New York-style Jewish deli tradition, with house-cured and smoked pastrami, hand-rolled kettle-boiled bagels, and preparations that honor the original Eastern European immigrant deli culture. The General Muir at Emory Point has raised the profile of Atlanta’s deli category with culinary technique that brings artisanal quality to pastrami, bagels, and deli standards, while institutions like Reuben’s Deli and Goldberg’s Fine Foods have served Atlanta’s appetite for deli classics for decades.
When evaluating a deli in Atlanta, the quality of the in-house preparation is the most telling indicator. A genuine delicatessen cures and smokes its own pastrami and corned beef rather than purchasing pre-made commercial product, and the difference is evident in the depth of flavor and the texture of the sliced meat. Bread should be baked daily, as day-old rye loses its texture. Deli staples like potato salad and coleslaw should be prepared in-house rather than sourced commercially. A properly built Reuben should have the corned beef steamed before serving to restore its moisture, and the sauerkraut should be drained and balanced in proportion to the meat. Delis that maintain a complete preparation operation, including house smoking, pickling, and baking, represent the fullest expression of the deli tradition.
Top Deli Companies in Atlanta
1. The General Muir
Address: 1540 Avenue Place, Suite B-230, Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone: (678) 927-9131
Website: https://www.thegeneralmuir.com
Founded: 2013
Services:
- House-cured and smoked pastrami
- Hand-rolled and kettle-boiled bagels
- Full breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch service
- Dinner service Wednesday through Sunday
- Espresso bar with Dancing Goats coffee
- Full bar with wine, beer, and cocktails
About: The General Muir was established in January 2013 at Emory Point, bringing a modern American take on the classic New York Jewish delicatessen that emphasizes hand-crafted preparation from first principles. The restaurant cures and smokes its pastrami in-house and hand-rolls and kettle-boils its bagels daily, producing deli staples at a quality level that has earned it consistent recognition as one of Atlanta’s most important dining institutions. The Avenue A, featuring smoked salmon with grapefruit, avocado, red onion, cucumber, dill, and schmear on a house-made bagel, represents the restaurant’s approach of honoring deli tradition while incorporating fresh, thoughtful ingredient combinations. The General Muir operates as a full-service restaurant with breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner, extending beyond the deli format while maintaining the deli as its culinary foundation.
2. Reuben’s Deli
Address: 57 Broad St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 589-9800
Website: https://www.reubensdeliatlanta.com
Services:
- Over 100 menu items
- Classic Reuben, pastrami, and corned beef sandwiches
- Fresh-baked bread daily, never frozen
- Downtown Atlanta location
- Lunch service for the downtown workforce
- Catering for corporate and event clients
About: Reuben’s Deli has operated in downtown Atlanta for over twenty years under owner Claudio Furgiuele, who has maintained a singular commitment to quality through bread baked fresh daily and never frozen, and meats prepared with consistent care. The deli has earned Top Ten Deli in the United States and Best Deli in Atlanta recognition, and its over 100 menu items make it the most comprehensive deli operation in downtown Atlanta. The location on Broad Street places it within walking distance of Atlanta’s major downtown offices, courthouses, and government buildings, making Reuben’s a daily lunchtime institution for thousands of downtown workers. The deli’s multi-decade track record in a demanding downtown location speaks to the consistency that has built its loyal regular clientele.
3. Goldberg’s New York Bagels
Address: 4383 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30342
Phone: (404) 256-3751
Website: https://www.goldbergsbagels.com
Services:
- New York-style bagels baked fresh daily
- Full deli menu with breakfast and lunch
- Classic deli sandwiches and deli salads
- Multiple Atlanta metro locations
- Catering service
- Breakfast and lunch service
About: Goldberg’s New York Bagels has established itself as one of Atlanta’s most recognized deli and bagel operations, serving fresh-baked New York-style bagels alongside a comprehensive deli menu that spans breakfast and lunch. The restaurant has become a neighborhood institution in Sandy Springs and the northern Atlanta suburbs, building a loyal following among Atlanta diners who grew up with New York deli culture and among local residents who have adopted the format. The combination of fresh bagels and a full deli menu makes Goldberg’s a one-stop deli destination that covers the full range of what an American delicatessen should offer. Multiple Atlanta metro locations extend the concept’s reach across the northern suburbs and intown neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a deli and a standard sandwich shop?
A: A full-service delicatessen prepares many of its components in-house, including curing and smoking meats like pastrami and corned beef, baking bread daily, and making deli salads from scratch. A sandwich shop typically assembles sandwiches from purchased ingredients rather than house-prepared ones. Atlanta’s best delis, including The General Muir and Reuben’s Deli, make the preparation process a defining part of their identity. The deli format also typically involves a display case of prepared foods, sliced-to-order meats, and a broader menu than a focused sandwich shop.
Q: What should I order at an Atlanta deli for the first time?
A: At The General Muir, the house-made bagels with cream cheese or smoked salmon and the house-cured pastrami on rye are the essential first orders. At Reuben’s Deli, the signature Reuben sandwich — corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye — represents the classic deli experience. At Goldberg’s, the fresh bagels with cream cheese or a deli sandwich on a fresh bagel are the core experience. Each deli’s strongest preparations reflect its house-made components, so ordering the menu items built around those preparations gives the best introduction.
Q: What does a deli meal cost in Atlanta?
A: At The General Muir, breakfast and brunch plates run $14-$22 and deli sandwiches at lunch are $16-$24. At Reuben’s Deli, sandwiches are $12-$18 with sides adding $3-$6. At Goldberg’s New York Bagels, bagels with cream cheese are $5-$8 and deli sandwiches are $12-$16. Catering services at Atlanta delis are typically priced per person and available for corporate and event orders with advance notice.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s deli scene is led by The General Muir’s artisanal house-cured and house-baked approach at Emory Point, Reuben’s Deli’s multi-decade downtown institution, and Goldberg’s New York Bagels’ multi-location presence in the northern Atlanta suburbs. Each represents a distinct dimension of the American deli tradition. Contact these establishments directly for hours, catering inquiries, and large group ordering.