Shapiro’s Delicatessen

Even though the location in Carmel has closed, they have now opened a location in the Keystone Mall. Hooray!

It is closing. No loss there. The downtown location is very good. The former location on w86th @ Township Line Road was very good. This one, not so good.

I hate writing this, but I really want this to be a help to Shappiro’s. I ate a small meal here with my parents quite a few months ago. I was very excited at the thought of eating here because I had remembered eating at the downtown location as a kid and loving it. However, my experience failed to meet my expectations. Honestly, I dismissed it thinking that my childhood memories overplayed reality. Then, yesterday, my wife and I rode our bikes here for breakfast. I again grew very excited! I was so looking forward to finding a quaint spot to make some memories with the hopes that this could turn out to be a common occasion for the two of us. Spoiler alert!!! This experience was the worst yet! I found the facility itself to be quite dirty and very… cheap. Not in reference to the price of the food, but in the atmosphere and overall experience. The price of the food was rather expensive. I was very disappointed all over again!
Then today, while we were out shopping, we got the urge for some coffee and cake. Based on our location, we could only think to come here for our cravings. I was very leery to try again, but their bakery goods looked really good from my previous visit, and the coffee wasn’t bad in the past.
I have come to this conclusion, there is not a person at this restaurant who cares about curb appeal, cleanliness, and exceptional customer service. You will not find ANY of these here. There were piles of dirty dishes on the patio tables and trays stacked full of dirty dishes outside by the door. There was a ball of old construction debris? (dirty wire) laying on the patio also. I noticed all of this and I didn’t even eat out there! I saw it from the car! The displays hanging from the ceiling, the rusty beat up newspaper dispensers, the drink coolers, and pacer posters all give a cheap feel to what could be the best spot in town! There was NOBODY at the register, and the servers behind the counter were more interested in holding down the counter than making sure we were served the freshest, most delicious food in town. It all looked like they were just waiting to close the doors and it was the middle of the day! The restrooms looked like a forgotten cellar. The tables were dirty. The ambiance only promoted my exit!
Again, I am only writing this in hopes that someone who can make a difference here reads this and decides to make a difference. I truly believe that Shappiro’s could be a major staple to this town and a familiar favorite of all who live here and love being here! But if this place doesn’t turn around, it’s headed for a great vacancy!

Food was bland, not really any flavor in the brisket and my wife’s turkey was watery and bland. The rye bread and the sourdough were both tough and had no flavor. the sandwiches range from $ 8 – 12 for ONLY a sandwich. It is cafeteria style, and bills are frequently as high as $ 50 for 2 people. The atmosphere is good, and staff is friendly. The food just didn’t cut it for the price. Portions are huge.

I visited this location on Saturday morning. I am from St. Louis, I read Good reviews on Unilocal.I decided to stop in to try some of their pastries based on reviews.
Unfortunately, my experience was not a good one. A man was in the process of slicing deli meat and I asked him if I should speak to him or another person in regards to getting something from the pastry case. He indicated that he could assist if I was getting something to go. I asked him to get three cinnamon rugelach. Much to my dismay he did not remove the gloves that he wore while slicing the deli meats and proceeded to pick up three cinnamon rugelach with the same gloves that he had been using. I don’t know why I didn’t say anything I guess because I was just aghast. Then I stupidly walked over to the register and actually handed him my money, don’t ask me why. And the most shocking aspect was that he left the gloves on used the cash register took money out and handed me my change which I took, all the while wanting to flee this establishment. My family was in line behind me. I turned and said, we’re going somewhere else.
So this very disappointing experience cost me a little under two dollars and I will tell you that I will never forget it.
Very disappointed!

I rarely give 2 stars, but we had a terrible time at Shapiro’s today when using their pick up system today. This is not a review based on their dining room experience and only a review for the Carmel location.
We used the online ordering system which was easy breezy. We actually live closer to the location downtown, but were visiting people up north and decided we’d rather get the food closer to our end destination. At the end of our experience, we decided we’d much rather go downtown and risk the food being a little on the cold side versus coming here again for a to go order.
I understand being short handed and Sunday lunch being busy. We opted to use the online ordering system to speed along the whole process. The location itself is super clean and inviting. Our troubles started when actually trying to pick up the food. Even after pre ordering our food, we had to wait for an addition 15 minutes in line to get up to the counter to even pick up our food. There was no separate line for those just trying to pick up their pre-​paid orders. The staff was doing the best they could. My husband and I thought this location operated like the downtown location and just walked up to the counter and were rather rudely informed by other customers there was a line (which we honestly didn’t realize and quickly moved to the end of the line after not being able to figure out where else we could get our order). It was an honest mistake and we didn’t realize there was a line due to the disorganization of the to go counter.
In the end, we were peeved at the flawed «to go» system once you step in to the restaurant. The food was excellent as usual, but had we known pick up was going to be such a hassle, we would have selected another place to get lunch or just gone downtown.

Very good Reuben! Bit pricey is the only bad part. Will go back

One word: PASTRAMI
Get it on their signature toasted light rye with flecks of caraway seeds. Swiss cheese a must (50 cent surcharge) with a smudge of dijon over yellow mustard. Dill pickle on the side (although not for me). The warm, juicy pastrami is thinly shaved with a deli slicer and generously piled on top of the bread of your choice. Making sure I don’t dislocate my jaw, the sandwich itself is wider than I can open my mouth.
At almost $ 12 for a full pastrami sandwich, I’d opt for the $ 8.50 lunch special of ½ pastrami sandwich and cup of soup. This way, I can have variety and tack on a side of their delicious German potato salad (it’s warm!). Also leaves me some spare change for one of their scrumptious desserts.
It’s not a place I would frequent because of the price, hence the 4 stars, but for Jewish deli serving kosher food — I can understand the premium. You’re getting a dang good olé’ quality pastrami sandwich smack dab in Indy.

«Cook good. Serve generously. Price modestly. People will come.»
A Kosher Joint serving the best. The Pastrami Sandwich is so big that you have to literally wear gloves to knock it out. Else it will knock you out with only one bite of tenderness wrapped in Toasted Rye with a slap of Mustard. The Pastrami just oozes the juices out and hands down it is the best Pastrami Sandwich State of Indiana has to offer,
In my list … I can proudly put this Sandwich among the 100 meals you have to eat before you kick the bucket.

This place is outstanding! The portion sizes are very large and the bakery is wonderful! The chicken noodle soup is so good! The location in Carmel is fancy and is just as good as the downtown location. Thumbs up!!!

Finally, a kosher deli North side of Indy. This is a great place for the monster sandwich and cake slices. They have my staple matzo balls and chicken liver. My Sunday breakfast won’t be complete without the lox plate on a garlic bagel.
The reason why it’s a 4 star instead of a 5 is the price. I’ve been to so many Jewish delis in West Hollywood and its cheaper than this place such as Canter’s Deli. Im a little surprise myself since cost of living in Indy is cheaper than LA. Maybe because its the only kosher deli in the area and getting a rabbi to bless the meat is more expensive here? I don’t know. Whatever it is, I’m happy that I discovered this little jewel right in my neighborhood.

3.5 stars, rounded up because it probably is the best corned beef sandwich **in Indianapolis, not giving it that title beyond the city limits** and because the staff was so very, very friendly.
I’m been recently spoiled with Hershel’s corned beef sandwiches out in Philadelphia, or else I would probably be raving about this one at Shapiro’s. As it stands, it’s a very good 4-​star corned beef sandwich … but not the best I’ve ever had. Nice portion of salty and briny meat on soft rye bread with a perfect amount of mustard. Would have liked a bit more moisture in the beef but that’s not saying it was dry — just not quite as moist as I’d wished.
Side dishes weren’t amazing. The asparagus was overcooked to death (2 stars) and the mac & cheese (which I didn’t personally try) got decent but not glowing reviews.
Desserts? Worth it! Giant snickerdoodle cookie was crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and among the best that I can remember. The raspberry bar had a very fresh fruit flavor and a buttery, crumbly crust. Both are highly recommended.

I’ve been a Shapiro’s fan since I moved to Indy from Chicago years ago. We used to drive downtown from our office on the far west side several times a year just to eat there. Later I belonged to the local chapter of a professional association that had our monthly meetings there. I always looked forward to my trips there and was sorry when our meeting location moved, I changed jobs, and I no longer worked close enough to visit regularly.
I went to their northside location on 86^th street a few times, but it never had the ambience of the downtown location. When they opened the Carmel location a few years ago, though, it offered a nice blend of Shapiro’s and Hamilton County — a more upscale eating experience than downtown, but with the same wonderful, slightly larger than life personality.
I run in there every month or two for a carry-​out corned beef on rye, but with mayo instead of their usualy mustard, which sometimes gets me a little teasing from the guys behind the counter. Hey, I grew up Irish Catholic in Chicago, I tell them. We like our corned beef with mayo. Get over it!
It’s well worth the trip and the teasing. The meat literally melts in my mouth, and the rye is to die for.
My family and I just dropped in for lunch today, and between us had a couple corned beef sandwiches (either get the half, or get the whole and take half home), a burger, and a beef brisket sandwich; mac and cheese; chocolate meringue and rhubarb pie; and carrot cake. Everything was yummy as usual.
I’m a professional woman and am not crazy about some of the creepy flirts who work at some counter restaurants, but the guys in the cafeteria line at Shapiro’s are a hoot. One today called me gorgeous and said he’d give me anything I wanted, and not only wasnt’ it creepy, it was absolutely delightful. His compliments were genuine, and his service was superb.
In general, I’ve found that Indianapolis is blander than Chicago in its ethnic dining experiences. Not so with Shapiro’s. If you’re in the area and like a good Jewish kosher deli, this is one of the best.

Ok folks, is the glass ½ empty or ½ full?
Problems:
This place probably hasn’t changed since the mid 1900’s.
Evidence submiited:
1a — Observation:
Don’t EVER try ordering online.
1b — Analysis:
Why?
a — Their «high tech» ordering web interface generates a fax (Really? A what?!?)
b — Nobody there ever looks at the fax machine for orders. (Ever!)
c — Funnily, they apparently receive some type of automated phone call that they ignore that tells them to look at the fax machine for an incoming web order. (Maybe Morse Code would work?)
2a — Observation:
Even calling them ahead doesn’t insure you of not waiting in line to pickup a phoned in order.
2b — Analysis:
Unreal!
a — Their carry-​out area deals with customer one-​at-​a-​time. Period.
b — Case in point:
1 — Last Sunday I phoned in an order. Seems simple right?
2 — They asked when I was arriving. LOL. More to come…
3 — Two 60’s something guys beat me to the door, end up in line in front of me
a — first old dude guy orders a side order of spinach. «If they have it». CSR makes the long trek to confirm they actually do have spinach left. When she returns he asks if they can pour red wine vinegar into it. CSR disappears, a few minutes later another CSR shows up holding a 2 gallon container of red wine vinegar to ensure this relic really wanted what he asked for. They argue a bit and finally agree. Original CSR returns, he asks for 2 orders of beef tongue off the hot bar that requires another time-​burning circuit to ensure they have it. She finally returns, and he then decides to order a pastrami sandwich and he wants to know his potato chip choices. They argue about what bread they have (what he likes that they apparently don’t have in stock).
At his point, I have one slug in the revolver that’s pointed at my head and I’m spinning it with fervor…
b — different CSR finally shows up, asks second old dude for his order. He wants 2 deviled eggs but is extremely concerned that liquid will drip out and mix with the creamed herring he wants. They tell him they are in separate carry-​out containers but he’s adamant he’s been told that before and that they have showed up together in the past. He then parades up and down in front of the cold cut case asking for «an 8^th of a pound of this and that».
At this point I’m wondering if these guys tunneled and escaped out of a local old folks home. Or perhaps a mental institution.
3a — Observation:
They have the best meatloaf on the planet and the portion is huge and comes with 2 side dishes. Their vegetables are few and bland, but their mac n cheese is a winner, has egg in the recipe and a crunchy exterior. Two can eat for $ 22. Great Sunday fare at a good price.
3b — Analysis:
I might get better carry out service if I fake a heart attack while in line or are wheeled in on a gurney asking for my last meal. They need to handle phone in orders differently as well as their carry-​out queueing process but also liable is the ancient clientele they attract and that’s not liable to change.
Give this place a shot. When you have an hour to kill.

They’ve got EVERYTHING…
Home made pies and cakes — simple and elaborate ones too.
Potato pancakes, stuffed green pepper, matzo balls, and huge stacked sandwiches built to order.
Plenty of parking and within easy biking from the Monon Trail.
Why I haven’t spent more time here I’ll never know.

LOVE IT. Shapiros is the real deal. The prices are above average, but the food is stellar AND they «serve generously». We usually take home enough to have lunch the next day.
Thin sliced Pastrami, on rye, with swiss and brown mustard, eeeeehaaawww! I love their mac and cheese and the servers ALWAYS give me extra «kosher brown» when I ask for it (the burnt top).
Too bad they moved north from the old 86^th st location. But a trip north is worth it.

This review is LONG overdue, damn. Growing up in Indy, Shapiro’s was always a staple… I have THE fondest memories of the old north side location at 86^th street across from St. Vincent’s. My mom ran a paper goods store in the same plaza, so lunch was a consistent thing. I actually don’t know if I realized it was a Jewish deli until moving to South Florida and realizing I could only get Dr. Brown’s at the Jewish delis around here.
Anyhow…I went to this location with a friend from Boston, and good Jewish boy, in between the Phish shows over the summer. To me, it was Shapiro’s: OF COURSE IT WAS DELICIOUS. To him, I think he was floored that we could have a good, legit Jewish deli in the heart of Indiana. I think we both got the ½ corned beef (ya gotta), his comment was that the corned beef felt like butter melting in his mouth. I have a hard time deciding if the bread or the corned beef is better. I had to have the mac n’ cheese – it is the eggy kind and oh so gooooooood.
And of course, we each got a Dr. Brown’s.

So good I had to Unilocal about the place as I sit here eating a piece of their chocolate cake. (Yes, they have free wi fi for geeks like me who carry their laptops around with them when they travel)
My friends insisted I go to Shapiro’s the next time I was in Indy — so that’s what I did! Actually, what I did first was look at their web site to check out a preview of their menu. I got hungry just looking at that.
I was so inclined to eat at Shapiro’s I didn’t even let time constraints or bad weather stop me.
So here I am sitting in a booth at Shapiro’s. I just finished my outstanding corned beef sandwich and bbq potato chips and am digging in to a slice of their AWESOME chocolate cake. Y-​U-​M-​M-​Y! Oh, did I mentioned they sell Dr. Brown’s here as well?!
Even though it is a bit on the pricey side, I would say it’s well worth it! The corned beef melted in my mouth like butter. An experience I’ve had only one other time. Oh, and as for the chocolate cake — it gets better with every bite!
The atmosphere is crisp and clean. Very nice for a cafeteria. Of course at this hour it’s barren here, but they seem to take pride in cleanliness so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
The staff that I dealt with were friendly and helpful.
I love that the first thing you see when you come into Shapiro’s is the desserts. These people know what’s important. :) And, there are many desserts to choose from. However, at the end of the day I took my friend’s recommendation and stuck with a classic — Chocolate cake. I guess I’ll just have to come back again and try the others. And trust me, I will be back here to eat again.

Cafeteria-​style dining at it’s best. Just grab a tray, watch your sandwich be made in front of you, point at another hot entrée, and proceed to fill yourself up into oblivion.
It seems to be a fact that delis are higher priced than comparable other eateries. Some judge by pure economics. Others place weight on the value gained from the expenditure. I am of the latter group, and I think Shapiro’s is money well spent.
The pastrami sandwich is piled high, and very well seasoned. The corned beef is equally delicious. Pair it up with some refreshing sweet tea, and you’re good to go.
So, if you’re looking for an extra-​value menu, look elsewhere. If you want real food that’s real food… come here.

I was a wee tot and lived in Indy back when President Ford was in office, and I remember going downtown with my dad to Shapiro’s. Fast forward 30 years to now, and I made a trip to Shapiro’s Carmel outpost which someone at the hotel I stayed at told me was similar to their downtown location.
Well…hm. Maybe I was on my nostalgia tour of Indy just a little too much. I wasn’t ready for cafeteria do-​it-​yourself service at sit-​down restaurant prices. A sandwich, drink, and some rather forgetful side dish of potato salad came to almost $ 20 – not the $ 12 I thought it was all truly worth. The sandwich was exactly as ordered… rye and corned beef and nothing else. Excellent. But… the sticker shock still wore on me for a while.
And what’s with the cashier calling me «baby» every two seconds? She did it to everyone moving through the checkout line. I walk up to her, she said, «How you doing, baby?» I asked her if the soda is refillable – «No baby.» I hand her the money, she said, «Thank you baby.» pause… «Here’s your change, baby.» I said my thanks. And here it comes: «You’re welcome baby. Napkins over there… baby.»
The last time I actually ate at a Shapiro’s, I practically was, a real baby!