Little Deli & Pizzeria pairs thin crust with deli classics

The public-review picture

Little Deli & Pizzeria carries a 4.8 Google rating from 2484 reviews, an unusually strong signal for a casual neighborhood restaurant. The available feedback suggests that its appeal rests on two related identities: a thin-crust pizzeria with Northeast influences and a compact deli known for substantial sandwiches.

Longtime customers describe it as a reliable neighborhood favorite, while diners with New Jersey connections frequently recognize something familiar in the slices, setting and overall feel. The restaurant appears especially suited to takeout, although limited indoor and outdoor seating makes eating on-site possible when conditions cooperate.

Pizza earns praise, with some consistency concerns

The pizza draws enthusiastic comparisons to New York and New Jersey slices. Reviewers repeatedly praise the thin crust, and one diner singled out its chewy, gluten-rich character as the strongest part of the slice. Pepperoni and margherita also receive positive mentions, while another review calls it the best pizza that diner had found during three years in Austin.

Not every pizza report is as convincing. Critical reviews describe slices that seemed only partly reheated, with an unpleasant cheese texture. Another longtime customer argues that more recent pies can arrive undercooked, thicker than expected, overloaded with cheese and structurally fragile. Taken together, the reviews indicate real upside but some variability in bake and texture. Diners seeking a crisp, rigid slice may want to temper expectations, particularly during an inconsistent service.

The deli counter may be the stronger draw

Several reviews suggest the sandwiches are at least as important as the pizza, and possibly more dependable. Corned beef, pastrami and chicken salad all receive direct praise from a repeat customer of more than a decade. The pastrami sandwich earns another emphatic endorsement for its size, fresh rye bread and accompanying coleslaw.

The Reuben is also mentioned positively as part of a larger shared meal. Feedback on the supreme Italian sub is more restrained: one diner found it decent but preferred the version at another Austin shop. That comparison does not erase the deli’s broader strengths, but it reinforces the impression that Little Deli is best approached for corned beef or pastrami when sandwiches are the priority.

Setting and verdict

Little Deli is small. Public reviews describe roughly half a dozen indoor tables, with additional outdoor seating that is more appealing during Austin’s milder seasons. Most customers appear to order takeout, and the simple pizzeria-deli atmosphere is part of the charm for diners seeking a Jersey-style experience rather than a polished dining room.

The overall case is strong: excellent public sentiment, budget-friendly positioning and a menu that works for both slice seekers and deli sandwich fans. Pizza consistency is the main reservation. For the safest first order, the review patterns point toward pastrami or corned beef, with thin-crust pizza added for the full picture.