Manhattan Deli Delivers Hefty, Distinctive Sandwiches

The public verdict

Manhattan Deli carries a 4.8 Google rating from 1249 reviews, and the sample feedback supports that enthusiasm. Diners repeatedly emphasize substantial sandwiches, quality ingredients and combinations that feel different from standard deli fare. Several describe it as a top choice for deli sandwiches in Des Moines.

This is framed by reviewers as a bustling lunch operation rather than a leisurely, all-day restaurant. Even when the shop is packed and the line grows long, service is described as quick. That efficiency matters because multiple accounts suggest the deli’s popularity is visible as soon as customers arrive.

Sandwiches lead the way

The sandwiches receive the clearest praise. One diner found the No. 6 hoagie generously filled with turkey, with a light dressing that allowed the other flavors to come through. The Thursday special also appears more than once in the feedback. Reviewers identify it as a Grinder, praising its large serving of sausage and well-seasoned flavor.

The NY Pastrami earns an especially enthusiastic write-up. That account highlights soft marble rye, flavorful pastrami, pickles and mustard, suggesting a straightforward sandwich where bread, meat and sharp condiments do most of the work. Across the examples, fresh bread and abundant fillings are recurring strengths.

Sides should not be ignored. Macaroni salad drew standout praise from one first-time customer, while another reviewer noted that the sides complement the sandwiches well. Soup and a pumpkin bar are also mentioned as available additions, though the supplied feedback offers less detail about them.

Value and expectations

Listing data places Manhattan Deli in the budget-friendly category, and one review expresses surprise at how much food came with the Thursday special. Still, value perceptions are not unanimous. Another diner felt that a larger order containing sandwiches, sides, soup, dessert and drinks became expensive for two people. The useful takeaway is that a sandwich-focused lunch may feel economical, while adding several extras can change the final impression.

Portions appear generous, particularly when it comes to turkey, sausage and pastrami. That helps explain why the deli’s sandwiches are so often discussed in terms of satisfaction as well as flavor.

Planning a visit

Public feedback places the deli on Ingersoll Avenue and notes limited parking in the rear lot. Reviewers also describe lunch-focused hours, typically ending around 3 p.m. Those details make timing important. Arriving earlier may help with parking and the line, though fast service appears to keep busy periods moving.

Taken together, the ratings and reviews make Manhattan Deli a strong candidate for anyone seeking a filling, traditional American deli lunch. The strongest evidence favors the Thursday Grinder, turkey-packed hoagies and NY Pastrami, with macaroni salad as a promising side.