Jake’s Deli

A little pricey, questionable neighborhood, and long long lines bit but this is hands down the best corned beef in the country. People from all over the city flock to this historic and famous deli to get the best. Honestly, it’s worth every cent paid and you won’t be disappointed! Highly recommended!!!

Just get you some…
This is my favorite sandwich place, hands down, bar none. There is really no reason for me to not to sit down and enjoy my «corned beef, extra sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and some mustard plus some horseradish on the side». After all, I will likely get it a bit faster than the deli line, which is fine by me, because I WANT TO EAT IT NOW! If it is really cold out, I will have some matzo ball soup, otherwise I pass. I am reading some reviews with some whining diners, I am not understanding their complaint for the price of the sandwiches. Did they NOTICE the size of the sandwich and the large amount of meat inside before they gobbled it down? Did they not see the price of the sandwich before they ordered it (or, was it this huge shock when you pulled out your money… because the prices are very clearly listed there, as well as on the board up above where you order to go). If they are vision impaired, and that is why the complainant did not see the price before they chose to order it anyways, I will bet the top-​notch staff will help them out next time they come in, so they don’t have to go to a chain restaurant, get rubbery, icky tasting meat, and ¹⁄₂₀^th of it. Have you never had a Dr. Brown’s soda before, or seen how much it costs, even paying RETAIL? And, if you are WAITING, it is because this place is BUSY! The folks who take care of you are ‘slammin! So, don’t be rude, and wait your turn, because the people who work there CAN hear your disparaging comments you make. If you have something to say, say it directly, and only to a manager, and don’t be a ****. (jerk. yup, that is what that means. uh huh.)
Pops would come here with his buddies, back in the day, when he was a «tinman». See the movie, Danny DeVito plays my Pops. After he got sick, and I moved back home, I would call Pops before I left prison (I worked there… but gotcha, huh?) to bribe him (uh… encourage him to follow his medical regimen) with a Reuben. I sure miss my pops. I miss Jake’s a lot, also, as I’ve since moved about an hour away, and I generally only come by after they are closed. Le sigh.
Oh… and if Senator Kohl is there, say hi for me. He’s a real class act, a stand up guy. Besides being a decent politician for us working stiffs, I had it on good advisement that he would have his «peeps» see that «the help”(tee hee hee) was treated well, and tipped REALLY WELL, and he even remembered their names (no doubt whispered in his ear by his peeps… but still…)
PS Good for sharing, good for kids. Give them a portion of your sandwich, unless they are adolescent males, in which they can eat double their own weight. I’m a mom, I’ve seen it happen. For reals.

Sigh. I have been coming here for close to ten years. I would look forward to stops at Jakes for Pastrami on rye with a cup of cornbeef and cabbage soup. In my opinion, it’s THE only spot in the Midwest for NY style sliced pastrami and cornbeef sandwiches. That’s why I dug deep for the 2 star review.
Sadly, this place is now a shell of it’s former self. I had one of my worst dining experiences here today and it’s so very disappointing.
From the waitress that was so high that she could barely talk or take my order to the ridiculous wait times and lack of food. I don’t know where to begin! Seriously it was all bad. The food sucked too!!! I am convinced that nobody who works here cares anymore. It’s so sad. I want to love this place!!! RIP Jakes, I will goto Benji’s for my Milwaukee deli fix.

I really, really wanted to give Jake’s 5 stars, because the food is certainly 5 star delicious, but the one thing that held me back was the price. It is just a little expensive. I understand that the quality of the meat is out of this world, but some sandwiches are nearly $ 20. And they no longer come with a side.
Regardless, whenever I have friends or family in town, we go to Jake’s.

Wow. This place is just amazing. If you are looking for an amazing Jewish deli, look no further.
The place feels very much like a hole in the wall, but the food is fantastic. The menu is super simple, and the pastrami was wonderful. If I’m back in Milwaukee at any point soon, I will be returning to Jake’s.

I’ve written a review for the Grand Ave mall location, noting that the quality is totally inconsistent (and I stopped for lunch @ 12:30 a week ago and they were out of Corned beef AND Pastrami). Their meat is rubbery sometimes, dry others, and perfect other times.
Now for this location… I have been going here with my parents when I was younger, and now with my family, to get 1 lb of corned beef and 1 lb of pastrami, for 40+ years, for Christmas eve dinner. It’s usually really good from this location, although there have been a few misses.
But why I’m writing this review is because of their prices. A pound of corned beef is $ 26 /​lb and pastrami is $ 32 /​lb.
Just for the heck of it, I went on to Katz’s deli, you know the best Corned beef and Pastrami IN THE WORLD, in New York City, and their corned beef is $ 28 /​lb and Pastrami is $ 28 /​lb
Why is Jake’s selling their Pastrami for $ 4 MORE per pound then the BEST deli in the world that is one of the most expensive cities in the world?
Next year, I am not going to go to Jake’s to pick up the meat. I spent $ 72 today on the meats, bread, mustard, and pickles. For $ 30 more I can have it shipped from Katz’s and that’s what I’m going to do.

Easily the best corned beef I’ve had… wish I could bring myself to try anything else. Dine in or take it to go. Neighborhood isn’t the best but people don’t really bother you. I’ve been going off and on for 30 years.

Yes it’s expensive. And yes the neighborhood isn’t the best. They must be doing something right because they have been open since 1955. How many places have come and gone since then?! I had always heard about Jake’s but was apprehensive about going. After going 3 or 4 times now, I regret being tardy for the party. My favorite so far is the North Av Reuben which features corned beer, swiss cheese (if memory serves me right), mustard, kraut and thousand island on a toasted rye bread. The Senator turkey sandwhich is also great. I found out why it was named that on my last visit. Retired Senator Herb Kohl was dining alone enjoying his namesake sandwich. This isn’t a fancy place and it appears that most people take out. But if you want to eat in there is space for that, it’s just not fancy. Service is always friendly and quick.

A bit pricey for Milwaukee, on par with Manny’s in Chicago, but they offer a VERY good reuben or corned beef sandwich, tender and perfectly grilled, made by a friendly staff, with high quality meats, and a free extra pickle spear when I requested one. True retro décor, an interesting selection of sodas (there’s even a celery one) and it’s nice to see a small, privately-​owned, non-​chain restaurant surviving in the same spot for so many years. Check them out if you get a chance!

Yes the prices went up. A lot up. But the sandwich is hands down the best rueban or rachel that I’ve had. And not just in Milwaukee, in general.

I bought a pound of corned beef last month. Was the worst I and my family ever tasted!!! We have bought Jakes beef many times, and was very good. This time color looked awful, texture and taste disgustinging. Wrote in with comments and never heard a word back, NOTHING!

Jakes corned beef is by far the best I have ever had in Milwaukee. The meat is consistently tender and so delicious! The staff is always friendly and prepare the food correctly ever time. I would recommend anything on the menu. Corned beef, pastrami, hot dog, potato salad, coleslaw… it’s an extremely hard choice. You can’t go wrong. I would recommend stopping in today!!!

Very tender corned beef cooked in house. The sign outside says Kosher and the waitress said their food is kosher but my Rueben was served with cheese. Very good otherwise. If your looking for authentic Jewish food this is not it.

Jake’s catered lunch to my 175 person office today, and it was seriously phenomenal. Each lunch was boxed separately with chips, a cookie, a pickle and a whole sandwich. Some were warm and some were cold, but they were devoured.
Due to my lenten disability I had one option — the veggie. I was expecting a cold cut without the meat — what I got was heavenly. I was happy to feel warmth emanating from my box, and when I unwrapped the foil the aroma of seasonings and spices and smoke made my stomach rumble.
On my first bite I could swear I grabbed the wrong sammie — it was too flavorful and hearty for a veggie sandwich. I pulled it apart and found huge slices of squash and eggplant covered in spices, smothered in swiss cheese and stuffed with sauerkraut. What is this? A vegetarian reuben?! The humanity!!!
I quickly snarfed down the rest of the sandwich, tore apart the pickle and wait… what’s this??? A COOKIE! It was hidden under the deliciousness and surprised me. While my sandwich stuffed me, I haven’t tried it yet… but consensus around the office is that this is the best ‘work lunch’ we’ve had.
Two thumbs up!

This is a tough review to write. I’ve grown up on Jake’s and I’ve eaten at deli’s across the country and for years would argue Jakes corned beef is the best hands down ANYWHERE.
I’ve moved away and my first stop when I come back is always to Jake’s. I have heard the rumblings for a while that it isn’t the same.
Since the change of ownership a few years ago I would agree. My most recent visit this weekend everything unique and special about the place seems gone.
I suspect Herb Kohl and Bud Selig who were mainstays here are nothing but a distant memory. Now, you’ll get bad service and loud R&B/Hip blaring above.
The sandwiches are the same size yet twice the cost. I generally get a corned beef with Swiss and a Stuart cream soda. The sandwich use to be $ 8.75 and now it’s $ 14! I raised an eye, but didn’t walk because; after all it’s Jakes (so I thought). 2.50 for the soda.
This new guy and his staff have sapped the soul out of this place and the food just wasn’t the same. The crowds of people are less and less. The diversity of the customer has just about gone away.
I left disappointed because it was no longer special. It now just takes like any other decent deli you’d find anywhere.
Because of this, which normally would enthusiastically be a five star review, is now three. I’m sensing this institution of Milwaukee has passed away. RIP.

Went here at the suggestion of other Unilocalers, and, well, you guys kind of failed me on this one.
Yep, the neighborhood isn’t the best… go during broad daylight if that really bothers you. I live on the south side of town, but was at the courthouse, so that’s why I stopped in. I won’t be back to this location anytime soon; not worth the trip from so far away.
Like someone else said, this wasn’t the melt-​in-​your-​mouth, «OMG! This is good!» experience I was led to believe it was. About $ 20 for a reuben sandwich and a large bowl of matzo ball soup? C’mon, this isn’t a swanky restaurant, it’s a neighborhood deli! The matzo broth was very salty. The corned beef was tender, but no more flavorful than the stuff you can buy from the grocery and make yourself. Maybe you’re really paying for the old school atmosphere? Not helpful when your order is to-​go!
All I can say is to try it yourself, but be ready to pay an arm and a leg… definitely NOT a date place!
⁴⁄₂₀₁₅

Jake’s screams tradition and old-​school ethics… for the most part. I simply wish the place felt more like a deli. Everything was delicious, don’t get me wrong… the corned beef sandwich was awesome, I probably could’ve eaten two of them. But I wish they’d use plates and bowls and proper silverware instead of wrapping up everything to go in plastic containers and such, even if you’re eating in. I seriously had to spend several minutes unwrapping my soup and sandwich from yards of tin foil for no apparent reason. I guess that’s their prerogative but seems kinda strange and wasteful.
Jake’s is also pretty expensive. That’s often par for the course for delis like this but you wonder if they really need to rip you off on the soft drinks, etc. Nice place to get some lunch, however. Give it a try if you haven’t.

There is a lot of well deserved hype to this place. I was a little disappointed that this did not completely blow my sensory taste nerves from my convoluted brain. You can taste the nice ingredients but you can buy two five dolla footlongs for their premium deli sandwich. Jake’s is good but not a destination deli. I’ll stick to my own solid and cheaper destination deli (which is also in a safer location…)
TLDR: this is a short review, just read it

Sandwich melts in your mouth! They have a deli style set up on one side and a small dine in area on the other. The deli side is where you can watch them making your order and cut the meat. They even have their salami hanging! This place is known for their pastrami and corned beef. They have a combo sandwich where you can get 2 meats on one sandwhich. I go with the pastrami and corned beef and let’s just say it’s amazingly tasty. I go at least every week now. A friend tried the senator yesterday which is turkey and avocado, he said it was amazing also. Tried the combo with pastrami and salami also amazing. The dining area is pretty small and gets very busy around lunch time so come early if you have a group. Their potato salad is delicious and the Jewish dumpling style soup is some of the best soup I’ve ever tasted. It was like a chicken noodle soup with this dumpling which wasn’t your usual dumpling.

Best sandwich I have had in years. I had the corned beef rueben with potato salad and cole slaw. I was with two other people and everything we ate was absolutely fantastic. Cannot say enough abou this place.
If I had to use 1 word to describe the whole experience… food, service, location… it would be AUTHENTIC.
Loved it.

You know how sometimes you just crave a corned beef or pastrami sandwich? Happens to me daily. Just gotta have it.
Lo and behold, during a recent trip to Milwaukee I became crippled with the notion.
Pulled out my trusty Unilocal application and plugged in just that. Saw the glowing reviews and bolted out the hotel.
Pulled up and was like «wtf am I»
Circled again and decided to brave the neighborhood. Thats how bad the craving was.
Upon walking in I immediately noticed the wafting aromas I associate with food comas. A lot of the ordering and waiting is kind of a blur until they called my number. All I have now is tunnel vision. Its me and the damn sandwich, just staring at eachother. Survival of the fittest.
I ate it like it was my last meal on earth. It was delicious.
I will absolutely return. Its cheap. Its fast. It makes my stomach happy… and I like to make my stomach happy.

Yes, that’s right. Jake’s Delicatessen gets FIVE stars from me. Why, you ask? The pastrami dip. I know everyone comes here for the corned beef but the pastrami dip is where it’s at! Best sandwich I’ve ever eaten in my life. So good I could eat one every day and never get sick of it. The chicken noodle soup is also a must-​order. Top off the meal with a black cherry soda and you have, quite possibly, the perfect meal.

Great food. This is NOT a Deli. They have sandwiches, soup, meat by the pound, and that is it. Grab an EXTRA LEAN sandwich, and a side of potato salad — you will be happy and full.
Ok, I have had corned beef in Queens, Skokie, New Jersey, and everywhere, and this EXTRA LEAN corned beef kicks some city butt. Well worth a lunchtime visit. I learned years ago from my buddy in Queens that Extra Lean is the only way to go.
The setting. This place is perhaps the only thing in the area that has not changed in 70 years. The area at North Ave and Fondulac Ave. was once the heart of a vibrant Jewish community in the city — different than the community near N. Old World Third street (now MLK). Flash forward from the 1960s and decades of white flight, and urban renewal (bulldozing buildings was «renewal») and you have the scene around Jake’s.
The deli was a deli back in the day, but isn’t really one anymore, but this said the potato salad kicked ass.
Don’t be afraid you kids from the suburbs! They have an armed guard to protect you. This place is great for families, and anyone wanting to try a place that reflects on a different time — yet has super high quality simple food.
The line can be long at lunch time for take out. I prefer to sit in the booths where Herb Kohl and others have been known to sit. Excellent feel.
A real Milwaukee gem. Must visit in my book. Several VIP owners — when the place was going to close — decided to keep it open and change nothing. I am glad they did!