The Original John’s Deli
“I get the Godfather a lot too, 5 different kinds of meat and I usually ask them to put tomato salad on top.”
“And I always get a side of gravy to go with it…rice ball kicker tops of the meal”
“Their signature sandwich – the roast beef with fresh mutz, gravy, and sauteed onions is a classic.”
The Original John’s Deli
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Roast beef with mozz and gravy always hits the spot! Get extra gravy on the side you won't regret it. The staff is friendly and the food is always great.
Came here to pick up their Signature roast beef sandwich for lunch and all I can say is that knowing that it has been hailed as the best sandwich in Brooklyn, I found it to be very underwhelming. For ~$10, you get a pretty big hero that will definitely fill you up. However taste-wise, it was just meh. The main problem I had with it was that it was rather bland and tasteless. With roast beef, it's a good idea to add a little tartness to the sandwich to give it an extra kick, such as with A1 sauce or balsamic. However, the gravy that they put wasn't sour at all so it didn't really add much flavor to the sandwich. As a matter of fact, I didn't think the gravy stood out at all. They don't really put a lot of mozzarella so I didn't really taste the saltiness of it either. Onions were alrightt.
As for the place itself, once you enter, it's like you've time travelled back into the 80's, with all the ceiling fans and vintage booths. They were even playing an 80's movie while I was waiting for my order. There were two guys making sandwiches and one of them was really nice while the other one sort of had a nasty attitude. All of the cashiers were really nice and pleasant though. This place is quite a travel to get to if you don't live in the immediate area so I would say to not make your way here just to try their signature sandwich because it really wasn't all it's hyped up to be.
monday special – hot pastrami sandwich with spicy mustard sauce on a pretzel bread. my mouth was literally watering for 5 mins after i took a couple bites of this heavenly sandwich. please try this if you're craving something salty and savory on a monday. the sandwich is not heavy at all.
Came here with friends since we were in the neighborhood (it is out of the way, after all) and had the roast beef sub with plenty of mozzarella, onions, and gravy. Very tasty and hearty, perhaps among some of the best roast beef sandwiches I've had in the city. It was messy however, but what sandwich involving gravy isn't? Just be aware.
As many can imagine, being out in these parts of Brooklyn, it is by no means pretty in terms of decor, actually there isn't much of it to speak of, but they make up for it in the product. Grab and go. I've yet to try any of the other items on the menu but I promise I'll be back, but I can't promise I won't order the roast beef again. It was that good.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MEAT!! The reputation alone carries John's deli but if the sandwiches and the quality of such begins to resemble that of the corner bodega, and the corner bodega prices are better (even though John's isn't bad) than what's the use coming here.
My son did get the iconic roast beef sandwich which was as anticipated. I've never been really disappointed with John's before and I'm sure I will be back but I'm concerned especially considering that I've seen others complain about the same thing.
I'll raise my score once I come back and see a sandwich which upholds the reputation of a deli with the best sandwiches as proclaimed.
Great service and no nonsense.
Lives up to the rep for great roast beef sandwiches. The rice balls with meat and peas are tasty/homie.
The attitude here is very much friendly Brooklyn.
Repeating customer now 🙂
I have been coming here for years and they have the best sandwiches!
The roast beef with mozzarella and their special gravy is great. The gravy is really dark and thick but it is so tasteful and really makes the roast beef sandwich.
The salads are amazing from here as well. I've tried the grilled chicken ceaser Salad and it was well worth the money. I have payed a lot for ceaser salads before and they were not worth it but from here it is. It's in this rectangular tin and it's pretty big and filling.
Another thing to try is there fried ravioli. They are really good and come with a side of sauce to dip them into. I usually get them if I am sharing food with someone.
I've also tried there grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers with oil and vinegar. It's so juicy and good!
But finally my favorite thing from here is the eggplant parm! I usually get it on a roll and it's so filling. They really load it up with eggplant to the point it's leaking out of the sand which sometimes.
If your look for a quick lunch in Bensonhurst I would defiantly recommend coming here you won't be let down. They also started delivering now. We order here from work and they are the fastest delivery we ever get!
Good Italian style Heros used to be pretty common while growing up, but seems the changing pallets and health conscious eating choices are more in tune with today's society.. Finding a hold out, old school joint that still makes a great submarine/bomber hero is tough, but a whole lot easier now I've found John's.. Usually, this is a 'heavy feeling' sandwich, with all the fatty meats, but seems John's wasn't for some reason.. Maybe it was the very thin slicing of the meats, the vinegar marinade applied into the bread, or the very freshly baked bread, I don't really know. Don't get me wrong, the meats were generously stacked, with nice roasted pepper strips accompanying them. I was stuffed after putting this sandwich away, so much so, I fell asleep in class afterwords.. They have quite an extensive menu, so I know I'll be back sooner than later..
Update 4-9-16.
Whomever I mentioned John's to, and knows about John's, the reply is the same – 'Did you get the Roast Beef??'
So after discussing it with fellow Yelper Davina, I found myself getting a serious Roasted Beef pang brewing for this sandwich. Today, found myself nearby, and ordered the Roast Beef Special, 'the way John's usually makes it'.. Half loaf Italian bread piled high with tender roast beef, then smothered in brown gravy, onions and mozzarella.. It was everything people have said and more.. What a sandwich, almost like an experience.. so good, it may be illegal in some states. IDK.. What I do know is the hot gravy permeated the bread and meat, so much it was like a warm semisolid of beefy goodness, with melted cheese on top.. You need to eat this slowly and carefully, sticking your head and neck way out over your plate, because gravy and onions ARE going to squirt out while you chomp down on it..
No food on shirt today
Usually I have some opinion on how to 'improve' a dish, or taste of something, but this sandwich is perfect is.. Although there are other sandwiches to discover here, I'm thinking it will be hard to try anything else other than this next visit.