Pastrami Queen (Boca Raton)
***** Pastrami Queen, 7132 Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, Florida 33433 (561) 391-8989.
My computer’s search engines tell me that “this” is the first review of Boca Raton’s newest “kosher-style deli”…so say hello to Pastrami Queen. Let me start by saying, that this joint has a pedigree history…that being, it is owned by the same family which owned/operated the famous (and I do mean famous) Pastrami King in Queens, New York and Pastrami Queen in Manhattan. Just so you know, over the years, I must have eaten in the two New York locations something like 50 times…the food was absolutely delicious and the portions enormous.
Last night, I gave the newest location a try…Pastrami Queen has only been open 1 week and based on my first outing, this restaurant has a shot to develop into a Boca Raton landmark. Pastrami Queen looks like an old New York deli circa 1960-1970…there are large take-out display cases and maybe seating for 60. The joint is still being “decorated” but it has a very warm-simple- neighborhood feel to it. Pastrami Queen’s menu is 7 pages long and is literally packed, with every “dish” that your little heart (and not your cardiologist’s) could desire…soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, knishes, potato pancakes, eggs, chicken/meat/fish entrees…like I said, you name it and this joint probably has it. Last night I “sampled” a meat platter of brisket-pastrami-corned beef which came with a side of french-fries ($14.99)…the meats were delicious and the fries gave Nathan’s Famous a run for the money…by the way, there was enough meat, cole slaw and rye bread to feed 3 hungry people. I also tried the roast chicken and sweet potato fries… they were also terrific.
Like I said before, this joint has only been open 1 week…but you wouldn’t know it. The wait-staff was efficient and the food was prepared exactly as ordered. I guess it doesn’t hurt having owners Gary and Denise in the “front-of-the-house” and Paul ( formerly Ben’s Kosher Deli’s dining-room manager) keeping a close eye on the kitchen-staff. Pastrami Queen hit the ground running…and the food is as good as the stuff that the New York joints served.
Although Pastrami Queen is basically a neighborhood deli, it goes the extra mile in the “food-presentation department”…art deco plates, fries served in cannisters lined with faux newspaper, fried chicken delivered to the table in buckets a la Colonel Sanders… matzoh balls the size of softballs.
Just so we are straight…Pastrami Queen is not and I repeat not, a “bagel joint”…it is a deli-restaurant. Pastrami Queen is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner 11am-9pm.
I am telling you…Pastrami Queen is going to develop an absolutely huge following…you now know about a terrific joint long before the masses do.
I went to the Queen today. My wife said the pastrami was excellent. I had the turkey. Pretty good. Definitely great for the pastrami.
Of course another good pick from jeff.
Another good find
I’ve heard some good things about this blog. cheers!
I’ve been waiting for PQ to open and got to it today for, what else, a pastrami sandwich on rye. It is the REAL DEAL. Delicious moist and warm, it was accompanied by a half sour and cole slaw that didn’t drip with dressing, just right. You know I’ll be back to try the corned beef and other deli specialities!
First Class Joint. Gary & Denise really know the business and have an eye for quality. Love to see this business take off. I love the Sinatra Channel playing Frank in the dining room. Makes me feel like I’m far away from Tamarac & Sunrise.
Nice to see a lot of Sysco boxes in the kitchen.
One of best delis thatI have eaten in Florida. Prices are okay. Oversized portions. Pleasant waiters/waitresses. This joint will give Ben’s and Pomperdale a real run for the money as to who is the best.
Ordered takeout from Pastrami Queen. My friends loved it. You are right the matzoh balls are huge.
Very nice people work there.
pastrami queen owners and staff happy new year.your food is one of a kind.wishing you mazel and continued success.we all love you!!!!
Took friends to Pastrami Queen a couple of evenings ago for dinner. It is as Jeff says – a typical New York Kosher(style) deli circa 1970. Having lived on Long Island for most of my life I grew up around such delis, and from experience I can tell you that this is the real deal. We all did sandwiches and I can tell you that the corned beef is very good, but the pastrami – fit for a king (or queen). The tongue looked fantastic, but my wife wasn’t sharing so I have take her word for it.
This place is a must for those of us who need a regular deli fix. I know that I’ll be back there before too long.
Just a note…. while the fries were ok, I wouldn’t compare them to hot fresh Nathan’s fries. Having gone to high school in the 60s in Oceanside, NY, the location of the first Nathan’s other than Coney Island, I’ve downed pounds and pounds of their fries, and nobody does it better!
pastrami queens sandwiches are the best,but as far as the fries go,i guess its a matter of taste.I thouht they were great.Hot,fresh,and crispy.yum!!!
Ate at Pastrami Queen last night for the first time with my wife and another couple. We got there about 7pm and the restaurant was packed. We had a small wait of about 15 minutes and were seated. The waitress immediately brought us some absolutely delicious cole slaw and sour pickles. As for the food, I had a pastrami sandwich on rye with french fries. Another person had a corned beef sandwich with a meat knish. My wife had a roast chicken entree and her girlfriend had a salad with chopped grilled chicken. We had two cream sodas and two coffees and split some chocolate chip mandel bread for dessert. The whole bill with tip was $66. The food was excellent. The waitress couldn’t have been nicer. The portions were nice and large. This restaurant which has only been around for a few months really seems to have its act together. I also noticed that during the hour or so that we were there that a lot of takeout orders were being picked up. One other thing, I see other comments about the french fries. Last night they were served in a paper cone, were piping hot and were crisp and delicious. As an old Brooklyn boy I am very familiar with Nathan’s french fries. Personally I think that Nathan’s fries are the best ever made. The fries last night were great and well worth the calories but Nathan’s are in a different league altogther. Just thought you’s like to know.
Like one of the other posters here I have tried every deli in South Florida. Ben’s, 3Gs, Two Jays, Pomperdale, Pickel Barrel, Mo’s, David’s etc. The new kid on the block Pastrami Queen is right at the top of the list. It reminds me of an old fashioned neighborhood Long Island Deli which I grew up on. Nothing fancy. Just big delicious sandwiches, soups, knishes and other old time favorites. I have eaten both its pastrami and corned beef sandwiches. The pastrami was great while the corned beef was just good. Matzoh ball soup awesome. For deli lovers like me, I suggest you give Pastrami Queen a try. You won’t be disappointed.
JeffEats: No question about it this Pastrami Queen is now the place to go for kosher-style deli. The food is excellent as is the service. I agree with many others here who say that it reminds them of the neighborhood delis that still exist in the five boros and on LI. I was raised on this kind of deli as a kid growing up in the Bronx. Just love it. One problem the hot dogs arent $.25 anymore and the Coke costs more than 5 cents.
Took food out from Pastrami Queen the other night. Had corned beef, brisket, pastrami, potato knishes and matazoh ball soup. The food was very good. I usually get food from Ben’s but decided to give this new restaurant a try. The food was just as good and was something like 1/3rd less. I guess that’s because Ben’s food is kosher and Pastrami’s is kosher-style. Whatever I’d rather have the savings in my pocket.
A few months ago another kosher style deli opened in Parkland called Essen My Deli. Very similar menu to Pastrami Queen’s. A family run business. I ate at Essen once and wasn’t impressed. I ate at Pastrami Queen and judged the food very good. Have you tried Essen?
once you eat at pastrami queen nothing else compares!!!!essen is garbage.
My wife and I ate at Pastrami Queen last night. The open faced hot turkey plate was super as were the French fries and matazho ball soup. My wife had a chopped salad for $7.95 that was absolutely huge and was enough to feed 3 or more. The combination of the turkey and salad was plenty for both of us. Veryfriendly owners and service. This is a great addition to the neighborhood.
There are 7 things wrong with Pastrami Queen. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The place should be open for breakfast and not just lunch and dinner. Food is delicious.
Had lunch at Pastrami Queen today. Outrageous pastrami.
Great find.
My wife and I gave Pastrami Queen a try. She had a off the bone turkey on rye and I had a pastrami on rye. We shared an order of french fries and a square Gabella’s knish. Everything was just delicious. The place is real neighborhood but they got to get some more color decorations on the walls. We will be back.
who cares about the walls.nice and clean restaurant,lovely owners and staff,and most important food like mama used to make.I just adore this place.
Hey jeffeats—showed up at Pastrami Queen last night for dinner. Place had a small 10 minute wait at 7:10pm. The takeout counter was also very busy. The food is wonderful. Had the signature pastrami and I couldn’t ask for a better sandwich. The menu is huge and there are tons of selections. No one will go away from this place without being stuffed. Very nice find.
tried it. liked it. will be back.
No question in my mind that this is the best NY style deli in this area. I have eaten in countless delis and Pastrami Queens’ pastrami and corned beef are far superior to the others. This is now my favorite. Thank you.
Since stores like Mr. Royal and most recently David’s closed in Boca Raton, there are very few places to get prepared food for the holidays.There are places like Ben’s and Poppies but their food was no match for Royals and Davids which were takeout onlys. Now we got Pastrami Queen. I have to tell you that I catered in food from Patrami over the Jewish holidays and the food was wonderful and the prices just right. This year I and the family are eating out for Thanksgiving but with all of the company coming from NY to visit I have been taking food out from Pastrami Queen to feed them.
This new kid on the block is terrific. Right up there with Mr. Royal and Davids.
Try this one out.
pastrami queen catered my thanksgiving affair.outstanding!!!my guests loved it.the queen will now be doing all my parties.thanks jeff,no one beats your tastebuds.
It was close but Pastrami Queen’s pastrami beat Ben’s by a nose in my taste test. Both recent sandwiches were delicious but Pastrami’s was slightly better.
Pastrami Queen is about 1/4 mile from my house. It is my new favorite deli. The pastrami sandwich is to die for.
This joint is addictive. I’m there something like once a week. Great pastrami.
Had a big takeout order from Pastrami Queen the other day. Can’t beat this one.
Ate at Pastrami Queen last night. JAMMED. Food was great. We are long time NY customers of Pastrami King, food was just as good.
Will definitely be back.
How can you tell if there is a connection to the NY location? There is no mention of a second location on the website and they have different menus.
matt: Just had a chance to read your post. Next time you are at Pastrami Queen, ask the owners as to the “history.” By the way, on one of Pastrami Queen’s back walls, there are a handful of framed newspaper/magazine articles about Pastrami King/Pastrami Queen’s relationship.
By the way, last Friday night I had dinner at Pastrami Queen and the food was terrific. I had a pastrami on rye and my wife had off-the-bone-turkey. The french fries and Coke made the meal just right.
Just thought I’d let you know, that owners, Gary and Denise have the Pastrami Queen running just right…the joint has the “atmosphere” of a real NYC deli.
Thanks for reading…
I saw the Pastrami Queen of Boca Raton referenced and nearby so I thought I’d try it. Glad I did. Very delicious food. Nice waiter (Jeff). Very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Two thumbs up.
pastrami queen is a wonderful place for lunch or dinner. it reminds me of a number of delis that are in nyc and on long island. very nice help and the food is very good. the menu is a bit more varied than ben’s i guess because ben’s is kosher and pastrami queen isnt.the food is far superior to the local bagel delis.
We had lunch here because of the 100% positive reviews on this site. You guys must’ve been smoking something funny before you went in. Service was super slow, waitress brought wrong food. Atmosphere is lousy, super loud even with only a few tables used. Rcvd 2 pickles each, 1 ok, 1 bad (looked like other tables thought the same). Fries, dark, over-cooked, old-oil, left half of them. Turkey club was fair, bit dry, bread no better than Publix. Open faced Brisket wasn’t hot, insipid canned gravy. Left most of it behind. Iced tea was actually very good, especially liked pitcher on the table, saved long waits for waitress to come by. Overall, too expensive and uncomfortable. No reason to go back, sticking to Too Jays or Flakowitz.
cathy boca: Just had a chance to read your post. I gather that you didn’t like Pastrami Queen. Based on my personal dining experiences and all of the positive comments that Jeff Eats has received, your “experience” seems out of character for this joint. I am quite familiar with both Too Jays and Flakowitz and there is no question that they are cheaper…but personally, I rate Pastrami Queen’s food far superior.
Anyway, thanks for reading…
cathy you are the one who must be smoking or didnt take your meds.are you sure you were even at pastrami queen?????food is beyond awesome,atmosphere is clean and very pretty,and my friends and i who have dined here several times have only heard positive comments around us.sounds like you are the insipid one, not the fresh gravy.you do belong at too jays and flakowitz right up your alley.maybe they will give you 20 free pickles sounds like you need it.gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me jump in here. I am 69 years old, born in Brooklyn but lived most of my adult life in Lawrence. Been in Florida for 11 years. You name the top NY delis and I have probably eaten there. Carniege (NYC), Stage (NYC), Sid & George’s (Brooklyn), 2nd Avenue Deli (NYC), Katz’s (NYC), Woodro (LI), Ben’s (LI and FLorida) etc. Not to mention FL’s Too Jay’s, Pomperdale, 3 G’s, Rascal House, Jerry”s Famous, etc . I have eaten in kosher and non kosher delis all over the NY area, not to mention all over the United States. Something about a hot pastrami on rye and a Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda that gets my blood flowing. For you kids out there, back in the day, most NYC neighborhoods literally had a deli and candy store on every other corner. There were none of these ridiculous Starbuck’s back then not to mention McDonald’s and Burger Kings. A small Nathan’s ff went for $.10 and a large was $.15. Different time when food wasn’t made in a micro wave. A small fountain coke was a nickel and penny licorice really cost $.01 a stick.
I recently started eating at Pastrami Queen and the deli meats, soups, chopped liver etc are as good if not better than the food made by the above list. If you know anything about deli, you already know that the meats sold in these so called bagel places is second rate crap. In my opinion PQ is the best deli in the Dade-Broward-Palm Beach area. Nothing fancy here just good delicious well prepared food.
jeffeats, heard about Pastrami Queen (and your site) from a group of guys who i have coffee with in the morning in the devlopment where i live.they said that that they have eaten several lunches and dinners and that the food was excellent. to make a long story short, had lunch with my son last week and the brisket and pastrami sandwiches were the best i have had in a long time. the word of mouth is starting to spread. i can just imagine how busy they will be when they start to advertise because i haven’t seen anything about them in any of the newspapers.
Was a long time customer of Pastrami King in Queens. Tried Pastrami Queen and it is great. Excellent food. Lovely owners. Reminds of the delis of my childhood in Queens. Highly recommended.
You and I met about a week ago and you recommended Pastrami Queen. Wife and I had a corned beef and a pastrami sandwich. Nothing great. I like Too Jay’s better.
its about time!!!!!have not had deli of this quality in many years.my wife, friends,and i were just blown away.even stuffed cabbage like mama used to make.the owners are just wonderful and loved joking with the staff.this joint is real hamish.wishing them much mazel and was so happy to see them so busy even in todays times.hope to see you for many years to come.keep up the great work.
JEFF: BEEN FOLLOWING YOU FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. YOUR TRACK RECORD IS REAL GOOD BUT NOT PERFECT. LIKE THAT SCULLY PICK WHAT A CRAP HOLE. THIS DELI QUEEN PICK HAS TO BE ONE OF YOUR FINEST MOMENTS AS THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS. MY WIFE AND I AND TONS OF OUR FRIENDS LOVE THIS PLACE. THE OWNERS ARE REAL NICE FOLKS AS ARE THE COUNTER PEOPLE AND WAITERS. BEFORE DELI QUEEN OPENED WE WERE REGULARS AT BEN’S AND POPPIES, BUT NO MORE.
EVERYONE SHOULD TRY THIS DELI AS IT REALLY IS THAT GOOD.
SG ORIGINALLY FROM QUEENS.
My wife and I enjoyed chatting with you last week at Matteo’s. Thanks for the Pastrami Queen pick, tried it and thought that the pastrami and ff were particularly good.
We are going to give Nino’s a try.
Once again thanks for the chat about some of your favorites.
Thanks,
Joe W.
yesterday four of us had lunch at PQ for the first time. delicious corned beef, brisket, pastrami,french fries and potato knish. not bad prices. store was very busy and service was slow. but we’ll be back.
Heard some nice things about this joint from you and others. My wife and I stopped by for lunch the other day and had corned beef and pastrami sandwiches and french fries. As good as any NY deli. By the way real nice folks run this restaurant. We will definitely recommend to others and will be back.
Food A
Pastrami A+
Service A
I USE TO THINK THAT POMPERDALE IN FT LAUDERDALE WAS THE BEST, BUT NO MORE. CAN’T BEAT THE MEATS AT PASTRAMI QUEEN. ALSO LOVE NINO’S A COUPLE OF DOORS DOWN.
jeff eats, been down here for about 22 years. as a native brooklyn boy i kind of think that i know a bit about ny style deli. places like too jays, flakowitz, poppies and every bagel store going imho sell crap. their food is not real deli. it is for the budget crowd. it is inferior food.
there are a few places that serve real mccoy deli in the dade-palm beach area. some that come to mind, pomperdale, ben’s and pastrami queen.
pastrami queen is the new kid on the block and has real good food. ben’s from my personal knowledge is hit and miss, their meats are good but the rest of the food is often lousy. pomperdale is always good.
just one guy’s opinion.
I’ve been living in South Florida since ’83 and the only deli that I found comparable to the quality of Pastrami Queen was back in the days when the Rascal House in NORTH MIAMI BEACH served pastrami that would melt in your mouth.
Since their demise, there have been some players but none with the consistent quality of Pastrami Queen. Hope that they do ’cause it’s far too pricey to fly up to the Stage or Carnegie Deli on 7th Avenue!