Florida’s 9 Tiniest Delis Serving The Most Unforgettable Pastrami

Florida might be known for its beaches and theme parks, but hidden among the sunshine state’s attractions are some remarkably small delis serving up giant flavor.

What these hole-in-the-wall eateries lack in square footage, they make up for with mouthwatering pastrami sandwiches that keep locals and tourists coming back.

Let’s explore nine pint-sized pastrami paradises that prove the biggest flavors often come from the smallest kitchens.

1. Roasters ‘N Toasters – Miami

Squeezed between flashy boutiques in Miami’s bustling shopping district, this cozy nook barely fits ten customers at a time.

Magic happens when thinly-sliced, pepper-crusted pastrami meets their house-made rye bread. Regulars swear by the “Miami Special”, pastrami piled high with tangy slaw and signature mustard that perfectly balances the meat’s richness.

2. TooJay’s Deli – Palm Beach

Nestled in upscale Palm Beach, this pocket-sized gem has been smoking pastrami to perfection since 1981.

Family recipes passed down through generations create a tender, flavorful experience that melts in your mouth. Despite only having space for about 15 diners, weekend lines stretch around the corner for their famous “Palm Beach Pastrami Stack” served with crisp pickle spears.

3. Larry’s Giant Subs – Jacksonville

Don’t let the name fool you. Larry’s Jacksonville location is actually one of the city’s tiniest sandwich shops.

Crammed into a converted newsstand, what Larry’s lacks in elbow room it delivers in flavor. Each pastrami sandwich features meat smoked for 14 hours, sliced paper-thin, and piled onto artisan bread with Larry’s secret spice blend that locals absolutely adore.

4. Lenny’s – Clearwater

Measuring just 400 square feet, Lenny’s might be missed if you blink while driving past.

Founded by a Brooklyn transplant who couldn’t find proper pastrami in Florida, this hole-in-the-wall now attracts pastrami aficionados from miles around. Owner Lenny hand-trims each brisket before applying his signature 12-spice rub and slow-smoking it over hickory wood for incredible depth.

5. Wolfie’s Rascal House – North Miami Beach

Squeezed between high-rises on Collins Avenue, Wolfie’s serves nostalgia alongside phenomenal pastrami.

Vintage photos line the walls of this shoebox-sized deli where customers often rub elbows at the cramped counter. Wolfie’s time-honored recipe uses a three-day brining process before smoking, resulting in pastrami with perfect fat marbling and a peppery crust that snaps with each bite.

6. Pastrami Dan’s – Naples

Occupying a converted beach shack no bigger than some walk-in closets, Pastrami Dan’s has become a Naples institution.

Salty sea breezes mix with the intoxicating aroma of freshly steamed pastrami as beachgoers queue up outside. Dan’s signature sandwich features pastrami brined in a secret family recipe for 10 days, then smoked over applewood before being stacked on marble rye.

7. The Pastrami Project – Orlando

The shoebox-sized food stall specializes exclusively in pastrami creations.

Started by a former theme park chef who wanted to showcase authentic deli traditions, the tiny space barely fits three employees. Signature pastrami undergoes a labor-intensive 15-day process involving specialty spice imports, precise temperature control, and hand-slicing that results in transcendent texture.

8. Ronnie Pastrami’s Deli – Pinellas Park

Ronnie’s might be Florida’s smallest deli at just 220 square feet!

What began as a retirement project for a former New York butcher has become a cult favorite. Ronnie’s pastrami sandwiches feature meat cured in-house for two weeks, smoked daily over cherrywood, and served on bread delivered fresh each morning from a local bakery.

9. Mott & Hester Deli Co & Catering – Tampa

Inside a vintage trolley car permanently parked in Ybor City, this quirky deli measures just 180 square feet of serving space.

Founders Mike and Sarah renovated the historic trolley while preserving its charm. Pastrami here gets a Florida twist, brined with citrus notes before being smoked over orange wood, creating a uniquely Sunshine State flavor profile that pairs perfectly with their house-made mustard.