Joe’s Deli

I really enjoyed the meal I just had. Our server Haley was very polite and professional. I ordered the Sweet Baby James wrap. I really enjoyed the food and left satisfied completely.
Some minor constructive criticism. The pickle on my plate was just sad looking, better to simply leave it off. The fries and chips were über salty (which I love), but it is perhaps too intense for the standard diner.

I don’t understand why a busy deli that makes sandwiches all day can’t serve fresh bread. I suspect they freeze the bread so it never has a chance to be served fresh. Today again a stale Costanzo roll. Really they deliver daily to local restaurants? Just gave them a last chance even asked the server to please give me a fresh crusty roll. No luck.

You ever hear of the expression that someone is «like a kid in a candy store»? It’s meant to describe a person that has an overwhelming craze fall over them that they have no control of. That’s the way I feel about sandwich shops, and Joe’s Deli certainly fuels that fire inside me.
(If I had $ 5 every time I was going to eat a sandwich then I’d have two sandwiches).
The only unsavory part about eating at Joe’s is having to choose which sandwich to get. Are you one of those nature loving, meat-​is-​murder types? Get a «Johnny Be Good» which has grilled veggies and herb cheese. Feel like being a kid again? They sell a sandwich called the «Lunchbox» which has bologna, American cheese and crushed Fritos. Are you a hoity-​toity, too cool for school, when you put your pants on you make gold records type? Grab a «Gills Tuna Monster» with tuna salad, cucumber, and alfalfa sprouts.
And these are only some of the options on the Cold Sandwiches section. There’s still a Specialty Sandwich section, etc. Tread carefully, my friend.

We recently lost a family member in Buffalo and wanted to send a tray of food to the family on very short notice. I can’t say enough about how accommodating the catering folks were, delivering the next morning at 8 am. I was told the bagels, scones and muffins were still warm and the fruit was delicious. It was just the right thing for the day of the funeral. Thank you for helping us send our love and for such delicious and comforting food at such a difficult time

Big fan of the sandwiches, especially the clubs. Looking forward to fall, and enjoying Joe’s tasty chili and soups again as well.

I’ve been to this Joe’s Deli location twice now. Their Hertel Ave. location is still a lunch time staple, encompassing the traditional deli-​style vibe, while the Elmwood location transitions into a nice place to relax in the evening.
Their draft beer selection is fantastic– I opted for CBW Rutherford B Haze. We sat inside right near the big windows looking out onto Elmwood (why oh why weren’t the garage door windows open on an 85 degree day?!). One thing I might recommend, is a revamping of their menu… not the items themselves, but visually, since they’re branding themselves as «more than an average deli», make your menu more appealing to look at! Not a big hiccup, just a suggestion.
I ordered my Joe’s go to sandwich, the Muffuletta and it was just as delicious as it was the last 5 times I’ve ordered it! The sandwich paired nicely with my craft beer. Overall, the vibe is really nice here– I might also add some light music to make it even more welcoming!

Whoa I don’t know what happened but I just had the worst beef on weck here just now. It was so dry I needed to go to Buffalo General for fluids. Not kidding.
C’mon guys would it kill you to add a little au jus?

I expected to walk into a place that looked similarly to the Joe’s Deli on Hertel, but it was completely different. Joe’s Deli on Elmwood is much more modern and in no way has a deli feel. Delis have counters you walk up to, see a billboard behind the counter listing their sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, etc and has a glass window as you walk down the line allowing you to get a visual of their pasta, potato and egg salads along with slabs of meat. It felt very diner-​y to me. They have a bar here and it is small, five available seats or so. I was pretty impressed with their beer list as they had a couple local breweries on tap. There is outdoor seating, seating inside with great big windows that stay open on nice days allowing you to have that outside feel without actually eating on their patio and then regular tables scattered throughout a pretty small dining area. The tables are a little bit on top of one another, making it difficult to move around the place without asking other people to push their chairs in for you to make a path. We were greeted immediately upon entering and were told to pick whatever table we wanted. Luckily there was one right by the front windows. They serve nice big waters here which I thoroughly appreciated. Their menu lists wraps and sandwiches and then has a section that I am not a fan of. They have a build your own sandwich and salad option. This bothers me because it complicates everything. Do you go with a sandwich that Joe’s Deli has crafted or do you take matters into your own hands and try and create something better then they have offered you. Being the indecisive person that I am, I don’t like having to create a meal. I like the work being done for me when I am dining out. Unfortunately, they do not have salads listed on their regular menu, only on their specials, so I am left building my own if I don’t find anything I fancy on their special menu.
They have a lot of different bread options; multigrain, rye, white, rolls, etc. All of their sandwiches and wraps sound amazing. We went with The Rex, which was a sandwich with grilled chicken breast, bacon, cheddar cheese, charred jalapeño and red onion relish on ciabatta. It was spicy, big and delicious. We asked for pasta salad on the side and the waitress told us she wasn’t sure if they were out or not. Instead of going into the kitchen to the check, she asked what we might have wanted in case they were out. We chose fries. She never came back out to tell us they had it or not so it was a surprise when the sandwich came out and had fries. I was surprised they were out of pasta salad at 11:30 am on a Wednesday. For special salads they were running a cobb and a salmon salad. I wasn’t feeling either so I had to make my own. I had a choice between romaine and field greens. I could add three MAIN ingredients which included items like: toasted nuts (but what nuts?), broccoli, red onion, carrots, tomatoes, croutons, cucumber. Then there was a $.50 cent upcharge for selected ingredients including: chick peas, egg, beets, sunflower seeds and others. Then you could add meat for $ 1.00. I did field greens, red onion, broccoli, carrots, chick peas, egg and grilled chicken. I wasn’t asked what kind of dressing I wanted but remembered to ask for one on the side before she left. I chose the greek. I wouldn’t recommend it, extremely vinegary and salty in my opinion. The salad was big and filling and for $ 8 I thought it was a good deal. Not the best salad I’ve had, but also one of the most affordable for the size so I was satisfied. I wish they created salads for their regular menu because they’ve come up with some AMAZING sandwich combinations I can only imagine what salads they could do. I was also surprised they didn’t have avocado listed on their list of items for the create your own salad. Everyone and their mother likes avocado now a days. Ultimately, the service was kind, food came out quickly and the meal was fairly cheap so I would definitely come back.

Joe’s Joe’s was a Deli that thought it was a loner
Something about Tuscon, Arizona
Something about California Grass
Get back! Get back and try the Hangover!
What to get: The Hangover Sandwich
What else: The Hangover Movie
And what else: The Hangover Will Be Spent In Jail if you expose yourself in this establishment. Unless they’re particularly impressed.
Joe’s Deli aka Chose Deli because this is the deli that you chose, if you’re smart. This is the second location of this Buffalo institution. The original is on Hertel Avenue and is a hands-​down ⁵⁄₅ typical innovative type of deli with amazing sandwiches and even more amazing naked people. Well, not so much the naked people but it’s definitely amazing.
Indiana is the name of the guy that started up the Jones Deli. He’s good friends with Spielberg and Lucas. I have no idea why.
First I have to talk about one of Buffalo’s best sandwiches: The Hangover. As you can see from the pictures, The Hangover is one of the most delicious sandwiches you’ll ever eat. That is, if pictures can depict such a sentiment. And oh, how they can, in this case. It’s the standout sandwich at the Hertel location (and there are many other good ones), and it repeats the feat here. Delicious thick-​cut spicy cappicola with a runny juicy slippery egg (minds out of the gutter) and all sorts of peppers and spices on it… the bun is fresh and fluffy and delicious. You can’t get a much better sandwich than this. Anywhere. Ever.
If you tell a lot of bad puns like I do, then you’ll love the Jokes Deli.
Marco’s on Maple (for their Sinatra — definitely not the other locations, which aren’t as good and don’t have the Sinatra) and Jonny C’s (for everything) are the two other awesome innovative Deli’s in town, while Sue’s NY Deli downtown has a great Reuben. But Joe’s on Hertel is right up there as one of the best in the city. I was delighted to hear that they were doing so well that they were opening up a second location on Elmwood Ave right in the heart of the «Village». Not as in the Village with the People in Manhattan, but the Buffalo version of it which is basically a young, energetic, but slightly fancy strip of eateries and nightspots near Buffalo State College.
If you just realized this is the best sandwich in town, then it’s By Jove’s Deli.
I could not believe how different this location is to the other one! It honestly is like being in a totally different business owned by different people. This one is so hipstery, is so quaint, is so cool. It is like a big house on Emlwood with a large airy front room that is essentially a built-​in patio. You step down to it and never would imagine you’re in the hustle-​bustle of Joe’s Deli (Hertel version). They have waiter service, a full bar, and are basically everything you would expect from a trendy café with medium-​to-​high prices.
If you’re trying to decide whether X person is guilty of Y at the court downtown, then you should go to Juror’s Deli instead.
Luckily, though — and this is key to the 5-​star rating — that despite the «fancy hipster Williamsburg» vibe that this location has going on, and despite the lovely breezy patio-​esque dining experience, the prices are still the same as the good-​value Hertel location. So you’re looking at between 7 and 9 for the sandwiches, and the only difference is, other than feeling like you’re in a bar-​and-​tea-​room, is that you’ll be leaving a tip for the friendly servers.
And if you’re big into a guy named Benny, then you should probably be eating at Joon’s Deli. Whereas if your face was scarred but you change your story about how it happened every 5 minutes, then eat at Joker’s Deli. And if you’re related to the late Robin Williams, then I recommend Jumanji’s Deli.
And by the way the old location on Hertel is better (in my opinion) because it’s more real and typical. But if you’re Indian, you may of course prefer this New Deli.
And if you’re me, you’d prefer a Nude Deli. But we can’t have everything. However if you want to try and have everything in one night, call me maybe.

I have been at Joes Deli numerous times with my friend and daughter and truly have to say there sandwiches are fabulous! They are very tasty and there sides are great also!
I definitely would come back to Joes Deli and Recommend it to everybody else!
Salut’!

Sadly, we have decided that we won’t be returning to Joe’s after our visit a couple of months ago.
We typically order the same sandwiches every time — the muffaletta. My fiancé would get it just as is, and I would order it with turkey.
With each visit, our food got progressively worse. Either the pickle we get would be all shriveled up and dried out, or the bread wasn’t «pressed» enough to get that nice crisp on the outside (and therefore would just taste soggy or stale). Ultimately, it was the severe lack of meat and/​or other ingredients and the old fries that did it for us. My fries were warm, but I could tell that they had sat around all day and they basically just re-​fried them to heat them up — NOT GOOD!!!
Hey, don’t downgrade the quality of your food just to save a few pennies. Raise your prices! I’d be more than happy to pay a little more if it means that I can get the muffaletta I so enjoyed the very first time we visited, each and every time!
First time we came here was only less than a year ago (September 2014), so it’s so sad that the place has gone seriously downhill in such a short amount of time.

I love Joe’s.
The staff is always friendly and attentive, you never have to ask to have your glass refilled if you’re drinking a pop and the sandwiches are ALWAYS big and filling.
I am a huge fan of the Cuban sandwich and its filling and tasty. My waitress last time I was there suggested their beef on weck, so I think I’ll give it a whirl next time I’m in.

I’ve been here twice and both times I’m not impressed.
My first was lunch with a friend; midday, midweek and the service took longer than expected for being a delicatessen. The second time was a late food grab with another friend.
My first visit here I ordered the Cuban, which after traveling the country for a bit has become one of my favorite sandwiches however this incarnation is not one of them. The honey mustard doesn’t balance the sandwich well so I found this usually savory sandwich lost in the attempt to add this sweet condiment.
My next visit, even though we discussed the failings of Sahlen’s ham I ventured to try the Muffaletta. This meal was a to-​go but since I live so close the minutes walk wouldn’t affect the meal. Upon getting home I opened the box to what appeared to be a full hearty sandwich, just very light on the french fries, disappointingly light. Crumbs of fries I would call it, scraps of what is left in the fryer basket.
At first bite my sandwich experience mirrored the prior experience. The deli meats, although shine bright by name have no flavor and the olive salad was very lacking. No depth, no flavor, all brine and not a good one. Because I was tired and hungry I finished it but didn’t enjoy it.
I have been back for a third time, this time for dining in and again experience a glacial pace for service. This time I had a Thanksgiving inspired sandwich which i will admit was better than the first two I’ve tried but still nothing to entice me back. I mean I will go back if I have to however if I can avoid it I will also prefer to do that.

I used to frequent this place often– both eating in and take out. But the last couple times I’ve been here I have noticed a serious decline in quality of food and service.
Food that is ordered comes with meat (as a vegetarian this is the most frustrating thing ever) or lacks chips/​fries. I have many favorite items on the menu that I am familiar with that have also been modified. I was told there is a new cook, but why would that change anything?
You’re better off going to Marco’s or Amy’s for a quality meal without the headache.

My boyfriend and I have gone to Joe’s for lunch on multiple occasions. Last week we placed an order for takeout. I got the fish tacos and asked for fries instead of chips. My boyfriend got the brisket sandwich special.
We were starving and couldn’t wait to eat. As soon as we got home we took our food out and I wished that we had checked before leaving the restaurant. They had forgotten to give me fries and chips came with the tacos instead. My boyfriends brisket sandwich was missing the bread (how do you forget to add bread to a sandwich?). We called back and they said we could come get the missing fries and bread for the sandwich. I feel as if they should have given my boyfriend a new sandwich though.
My boyfriend didn’t care for the brisket sandwich so he ordered the grilled cheese before we left to pick up the forgotten sides. He really enjoyed it. The fish tacos weren’t bad either. However, we won’t be ordering from here again for a while.

Not impressed. The menu has such amazing, inventive, and complex items for meat eaters but nothing for the rest of us.
I used the feel bad giving low ratings to places thy have good meat options but not veg, but no more. In order to be a good restaurant, you have to have good veg options.
I had the beet salad special which had pistachios and avocado, hold the feta. I was disappointed when I saw the avocado… it wasn’t haas, it was a California avocado, which has less fat, a less pleasant texture, and isn’t as expensive as a haas avocado. It’s like thinking you’re getting whipped cream and someone brings you Cool Whip.
I don’t like going out for salads but I didn’t want just another hummus wrap, either. Their weren’t any exciting veg options but I gave the place a chance because of some menu items they mentioned on twitter awhile back. I regret going at all.
Furthermore, we waited a long time for our water and a long time for our food. Maybe that was just a holiday anomaly.

Joe’s Deli is a mix of a couple ideas that you’d think might conflict, but in practice work out pretty well.
They have a full bar with happy hour specials, but it only seats six with minimal standing room. It works as sitting at the bar isn’t really a big draw from what I could see. It’s probably due to relatively early hours and a menu that isn’t tuned to that experience. It allows for a wide variety of beer, wine, and mixed drinks for those dining at tables and serves as a good way to offer takeout pickups without disrupting the main restaurant area.
The menu is mostly signature sandwiches and soups. This means your dining experience, although enjoyable, will probably be brief. The seating of chairs and small tables works well for a quick meal. I had a Cuban and fries and was on my way.
I would not suggest going for drinks at the bar with a group, but lunch with some friends/​coworkers could be fast and hassle free. You can even wash it down with a pint or glass of wine.
I’d like to see the menu decide if it’s just a deli or if it’s more. They offer a fish fry every day and advertise a weekly brunch, but pretty much everything else is served between two slices of bread.

Oh man, Joe’s is AWESOME! I can’t believe this was my first time here! The Northtowns definitely need a deli like this– great food AND ambiance!
I came here for lunch with my mom. We are both on a dairy restriction right now but she’s not taking it as seriously as I am. Ha! The thought of a grilled sandwich without cheese steered me away from ordering one, so I decided to go with the build your own salad. I got field greens with cucumber, tomato, and mushrooms ($ 5.75) and added chick peas (50 cents), sunflower seeds (50 cents) and chicken ($ 1). I got the wild berry vinaigrette on it and it was DELICIOUS!!! I was so pleased with my awesome salad!
Mom got the I Love Josie sandwich, a special. I took a bite and it was AWESOME! Carved turkey with stuffing, sage cheddar, and cranberry mayo on sourdough, grilled. The turkey truly was THE BEST turkey I’ve ever had on a sandwich. It was like for real carved from a turkey breast, not process lunch meat log. The stuffing was AWESOME too. Also maybe the best ever. The sandwich was also HUGE. She powered through most of it but what was left, I picked the turkey and stuffing out of. The turkey alone was just so freaking good!
She got fries on the side. I picked at one and it was AWESOME! It led me to order another side of fries which was a HUGE plate full! We took most home and my brother just devoured them… And said they are amazing!
So I’m completely sold on Joe’s. I wish I could eat here often and I will sooooooooo be back! The ambiance is great too. I LOVED the open windows in front on a beautiful summer day.

Joe’s Deli is a misnomer. You won’t find a traditional deli here, but instead you’ll find a restaurant and a bar with a fantastic beer selection and great food (if you order the right thing!).
I found the atmosphere sleek, fitting for a business lunch, a casual hang out with friends or even as a first-​date destination (low key, low pressure, good food and stylish). There’s no host/​hostess to seat you, so once you come in – I think you just take a seat. The guy at the bar might direct you.
I’m a big fan of the main dining room by the large half-​oval window overlooking Elmwood Ave, although it can get a little chilly right by the window during the winter time, so just be aware!
The menu is pretty enormous with sandwiches, appetizers, salads, specials and entrees. Definitely take a look at the specials menu.
My friend and I (the infamous Unilocal Elite, Patrick K!) tried two menu items: the poutine and the chorizo bacon mac and cheese, both from the specials menu. We chose to share these two items, which turned out to be the right choice as the portions were HUGE.
Our waitress was very friendly and asked if we’d like the two items brought out immediately or one after the other. Brought out one of after the other, the timing of the service was perfect and she brought us fresh clean plates every time.
The poutine rivaled my favorite french-​fry concoction from Amy’s Place (the veggie wet shoes!). I don’t know what traditional poutine tastes like (I’ve never had any in Canada), but their interpretation of it was divine. My taste buds were ecstatic and I got a lot of pleasure eating the gravy-​smothered fries with onions, cheese and meat. There was a lot of cheese baked over the top of the fries (which is great because I love cheese), but the real winner of the dish was the tender pieces of beef in the fries. They tasted very tender, as if slow-cooked…well seasoned and delicious. I love how the dish wasn’t overloaded with salt.
The chorizo bacon mac and cheese had a lot of flavor as well, but the overpowering tone of the dish was HEAT. Jalapenos, red peppers and I’m sure a bit of cayenne were mixed with the bacon and sausage. Delicious, but spicy!
Toward the end of our lunch, we had some leftover mac & cheese as the portion was huge. If you’re ordering an appetizer and an entrée and you’re coming for lunch, sharing is definitely recommended.
From first glance, the place is not very vegetarian/​vegan-​friendly. You can definitely order a grilled cheese or something and accommodate a vegetarian, but I didn’t see any creative menu items for them which was disappointing. Despite that, for meat eaters like myself… this place has some delicious food! Happy to see it pop up here in the last few months.

I am so enthusiastic about the opening of Joe’s Deli on Elmwood! For the past 3 years that I lived in the area, I drove up and down Elmwood Avenue gazing at the vacant space, hoping and wishing something would appear. Then finally one day I drove by and saw this newcomer (never heard anything about it opening prior). And then, after further investigation… a deli with a bar?! Indoor and outdoor seating?! Windows that open up garage door style?! This is awesome! (I have never been to the Hertel location so I have nothing to compare to, nor know whether they are similar or different).
Service: Everyone was friendly and walked around with a smile on their face, from the hostess, to the waitress, even to the friendly and talkative contractor working on the outdoor lighting.
Atmosphere: They re-​painted this place beautifully. There is a (smaller) bar inside where I saw some guys watching basketball. There are also tables inside with large open windows overlooking Elmwood Avenue. Then there is plenty of seating at the outdoor patio wrapping from one side to the other. On the way to the bathroom I also noticed a cozy «lounge» area where it looked as though a couple of medical professionals were waiting for take out.
Beverage: They have a drink menu! A deli with an alcoholic beverage menu… I am impressed. Some restaurants can’t even get their act together and provide their patrons with drink menus. I ordered the white sangria, unsure of the price since nothing was listed. Upon arrival of the check I noticed my drink was more expensive than my meal, at $ 7 something. I would have liked to see the drinks around $ 5 or $ 6 at the most since this is a deli and most sandwiches are around $ 7, but oh well.
Food: I had my eyes set on the Muffaletta since I checked out their online menu. It was a sandwich made of Ham, Salami, Provolone Cheese, and fresh homemade Olive Salad baked to a perfect crisp on an Italian Loaf. It was delicious! Better than I anticipated. For $ 7.35, it came with a pickle and a side of plain chips. My dining partner had the Hertel/​Colvin sandwich which was pastrami, roast beef, and turkey breast with Russian dressing and coleslaw on a rye loaf. It was hearty and delicious!
Overall, my first experience was even better than I anticipated. This may easily become one of my new favorite places! Welcome to Elmwood, Joe’s Deli!