The only kosher restaurant in New Mexico sits on the second floor of a Jewish center. To get lunch, you park in back and ring a doorbell.
I love that a pastrami sandwich comes with its own secret entrance.
That quirky spot has company. One deli on old Route 66 never closes, so a 3 a.m. sandwich craving is fully covered.
Another has been piling up subs and Italian groceries since 1970, which makes it older than a lot of the folks waiting in line.
I have a thing for food that asks for a little effort. A long drive turns the first bite into a reward you earned fair and square.
So I rounded up ten delis across the state worth the gas money. A few lean Italian, a few lean New York, and one leans proudly Polish.
I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them ends up on your weekend plans.
1. Tully’s Italian Deli
Albuquerque has been grabbing giant subs from this counter since 1970. That’s more than five decades of meatballs, and nobody seems ready to stop.
Tully’s Italian Deli works like a deli, a small eatery, a bakery, and a grocery store rolled into one. The whole idea is to bring the spirit of an East Coast Italian deli to the desert.
Start with the sandwich that carries a baseball legend’s name. The Joe DiMaggio stacks pastrami, ham, and genoa salami with provolone, shredded lettuce, black olives, tomato, and Italian dressing.
Hungry for something hot? The meatball sub uses beef meatballs made from scratch, and the eggplant parm sub comes with mozzarella and parmesan.
Much of the lunch menu is made in house. That includes NY style Italian sausage and the marinara sauces that tie it together.
Here’s a smart move for later in the week. Grab a frozen dinner like Chicken Marsala or Beef Lasagna and let tomorrow’s version of you say thanks.
The shelves deserve a slow lap too. You’ll find imported pantry goods, cured meats, cheeses, and dried pasta from Italy.
There’s even a butcher counter with meat order packages. Save room for a sfogliatelle, the flaky shell-shaped pastry that looks like edible seashell art.
Plan your trip for Tuesday through Saturday, since the deli closes Sundays and Mondays. A free lot makes parking easy, so your only stress is picking a sandwich.
Address: 1425 San Mateo Blvd NE a, Albuquerque, NM 87110
2. DG’s Deli
Thirty-one cold sandwiches sounds less like a menu and more like a dare. DG’s Deli has been handing out that dare near the UNM area since 1992.
And that number doesn’t even count the hot sandwiches. If you can’t decide, there’s a build-your-own option for the gloriously indecisive.
New Mexico flavor shows up in the Green Chile Philly. It loads sliced ribeye with mushrooms, green bells, onion, green chile, and white American cheese.
The Reuben is another headliner. Corned beef on rye is a deli classic for a reason, and this place treats it with respect.
Meats come fresh off the slicer, and you can buy them by the pound. Think pastrami, mortadella, capicolla, prosciutto, smoked turkey, and plenty more.
Bread choices go beyond basic too. Pick from hoagie, sourdough, rye, Kaiser roll, tortilla, flat bread, or gluten-free slices.
Early birds get a bonus. Breakfast runs weekdays from 9 to 11 a.m., with burritos, omelets, and bagels on the lineup.
Round things out with a scoop of Cajun macaroni salad or classic coleslaw. A cookie for the road is basically mandatory.
The music-themed interior gives the room some personality, and there’s free Wi-Fi if you linger. Planning an office lunch?
Catering covers boxed lunches, platters, and breakfast.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weekend cravings will have to wait, so time your road trip wisely.
Address: 1418 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
3. Los Toasties Deli Co
Look for the bright yellow awning set back from Girard Boulevard. That little splash of color marks one of the newest delis on this list, open since March 2025.
The backstory is a fun one. One co-owner is a New York transplant and the other is a native New Mexican, so East Coast bodega habits meet Burque flair.
The pastrami is smoked right on site. It lands on rye with Swiss, hot mustard, and pickles, which is exactly how a pastrami sandwich should behave.
Fans of Chicago-style comfort can order the Burque Beef Italian Beef. The chopped cheese, a New York bodega legend, also has a spot on the menu.
Spice lovers, meet the smoked turkey on jalapeño bread. Green chile, avocado, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato make it feel very New Mexico.
Don’t skip the house-made potato chips. Fresh-baked empanadas and daily specials keep regular visits from getting boring.
Morning cravings are covered too. A Pork Roll Egg and Cheese is a real Jersey-style treat you won’t spot on many menus out West.
Soups rotate through choices like Green Chile Stew, Roasted Carrot, and Creamy Tomato. Pair one with grilled cheese and call it a perfect lunch.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights. The roomy parking lot is a nice perk for such a small storefront.
Address: 3225 Girard Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
4. Red Rock Deli
Pierogi in the high desert? Absolutely, and they’re homemade at this Eastern European deli and market near San Mateo.
Red Rock Deli is part restaurant and part treasure hunt. You can sit down for a meal, then wander shelves stacked with goods from across the Atlantic.
The pierogi come in more than one style, including Russian pierogi. Stuffed cabbage rolls and traditional sausages round out the comfort food lineup.
Curious eaters should try the Polish menudo. It’s a fun twist on a word New Mexicans already know well.
Green borscht is another specialty worth ordering. If you’ve only met the red kind, consider this your chance to branch out.
Not every sandwich here leans European. An Italian beef sandwich also sits on the menu for anyone craving something familiar.
The market side is where time disappears. Imported German chocolate, European candies, Russian and Polish pickled goods, mustards, buckwheat, and fish fill the shelves.
You might not recognize every label, and that’s half the fun. Grab a few snacks to take home and call it edible souvenir shopping.
The dining area seats about twenty people, so it stays small and personal. Free Wi-Fi and a free parking lot make a stop easy.
Plan around the schedule, since the deli opens Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays are closed, so don’t drive over then.
Address: 2414 San Mateo Pl NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
5. Manhattan Avenue Deli
Ringing a doorbell for a pastrami sandwich feels like joining a delicious secret club. You park in back, ring the bell, and head up to the second floor.
Manhattan Avenue Deli lives inside the newly expanded Santa Fe Jewish Center. It opened in December 2024 and holds the title of New Mexico’s only kosher restaurant.
The kitchen runs under the center’s kosher supervision. The menu sticks to classic New York-style comfort food that’s tough to find anywhere else in town.
Hot pastrami on rye is the obvious place to begin. The Kosher Reuben adds corned beef, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut on toasted rye.
Matzo ball soup brings the cozy side of deli life. Knishes and golden-crisp latkes make great sidekicks for any sandwich.
Bagel lovers can order NYC Bagels n’ Lox. Because it’s kosher, the cream cheese is non-dairy.
Want something different? Try the falafel-stuffed pita or a chicken schnitzel sandwich.
Deli meat is sold by the quarter pound for home sandwiches. Kosher products are also available to take home, which is handy for anyone keeping kosher.
Lunch is the main event here, with short midday hours. Check the schedule before you go, since the deli closes on Fridays and Saturdays.
The center sits near downtown Santa Fe, so it’s easy to pair with an afternoon stroll. Just remember the doorbell trick.
Address: 230 W Manhattan Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
6. The Deli Barn
The 100% Black Angus beef gets roasted right in house, and so does the turkey breast. Both are prepared on-site rather than brought in precooked.
The Deli Barn sits on the outskirts of Santa Fe, away from the busy Plaza crowds. It calls itself a gourmet deli, and the scratch cooking backs that up.
Sandwiches, soups, sides, and desserts are made from scratch. That’s a lot of work for a lunch spot, and you can taste the effort in the idea alone.
The ham is applewood smoked and sliced in house. Fresh slicing makes a real difference on a deli sandwich, and here it’s standard practice.
Coffee is on hand for anyone who needs a lift. Pair a cup with dessert and suddenly lunch has a second act.
The setting is casual and comfortable. It works well for solo diners who want a quiet bite without fuss.
Kids are welcome, which helps on family day trips. The menu also leans into local specialty flavors, a fitting touch for a New Mexico deli.
Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up hungry. Dine in or grab your food to go if the open road is calling.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays are closed, so make it a weekday or Saturday mission.
Free parking in the lot or on the street makes stopping easy. That leaves more energy for choosing between beef and turkey.
Address: 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Suite B8, Santa Fe, NM 87508
7. Corner Deli
Booths, big sandwiches, and a tall glass of iced sweet tea make a strong case for a Las Cruces lunch break. This longtime spot on North Main Street serves all three.
Corner Deli keeps things refreshingly simple. Hot and cold sandwiches lead the menu, backed by meats, cheeses, sides, and salads.
Grilled subs are a big draw here. A toasty sub on a hot afternoon in southern New Mexico just makes sense somehow.
Portions run generous, so plan accordingly. Skipping breakfast before this stop isn’t the worst strategy.
Potato salad, pickles, and chips round out the classic deli plate. Add the sweet tea and you’ve got a lunch that feels straight out of a road trip movie.
The room is all about booths, which suits a laid-back meal. Slide in, unwrap your sandwich, and stay a while.
Need to catch up on email? Free Wi-Fi is available, so a working lunch is fair game.
The deli proudly offers a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ guests. It also has a gender-neutral restroom.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. That makes an early dinner easy if you roll into town late.
A free parking lot sits right there. Takeout and delivery are options if you’d rather picnic near the Organ Mountains.
Address: 2139 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001
8. KOKO Coffee/Deli/Carry-Out
Sandwiches here get made fresh each morning, and the deli cases are restocked several times a day. That’s a lot of hustle for a mountain town cafe.
KOKO Coffee/Deli/Carry-Out has served Taos for more than ten years. It mixes a full espresso bar with a deli counter, so caffeine and lunch share one roof.
Mornings start strong with breakfast burritos, breakfast bowls, and quiche. Flaky pastries sit in the case, tempting anyone with eyes.
Lunch brings sandwiches, soups, and salads with some creative twists. Grab-and-go sandwiches and wraps are perfect before a hike or a gallery crawl.
Plant-based eaters get real choices here. The menu includes full vegetarian and vegan options alongside standard deli sandwiches.
Gluten-free sandwiches are available too. Desserts include mousse, pies, and muffins, so save some room.
The vibe is quiet and relaxed, with free Wi-Fi for laptop days. When the weather cooperates, the outdoor patio is a lovely place to eat.
Dogs are welcome outside, so your pup can join the adventure. Kids fit right in as well.
Planning a party? KOKO caters specialty cakes and cupcakes for celebrations.
If you love cooking, the sister store Taos Cookery sits on Bent Street. Open weekdays from 7 a.m. and Saturday mornings, with Sundays off.
Address: 1033 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur # H, Taos, NM 87571
9. Gila Valley Deli & Bakery
Out where Highway 180 winds through the Gila Valley, fresh bread is a big deal. This tiny stop bakes its own white bread and slices turkey by hand.
Gila Valley Deli & Bakery sits in a small rural community in Grant County. The Gila National Forest is close by, so outdoor lovers pass through often.
Sandwiches are made to order, just the way you want them. Fresh bread plus hand-sliced turkey is a simple combo that’s hard to beat.
Pizza also comes out of the oven here. That’s a nice surprise in an area where restaurants are few and far between.
Breakfast and coffee are on offer for early starters. Fuel up before a day of hiking, fishing, or birdwatching.
Heading to Bill Evans Lake? This deli makes a handy stop for a quick meal before or after.
Service is takeout only, so think picnic rather than sit-down feast. The scenery around Gila makes a pretty great dining room anyway.
Visits tend to be quick, which suits road trippers. Grab your food, toss it in the cooler, and keep exploring.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday hours are shorter, ending at 3 p.m.
Mondays are closed, so plan your loop through southwest New Mexico with that in mind. A sandwich this far out is worth a little scheduling.
Address: 8409 US-180, Gila, NM 88038
10. Westend Donut & Deli
Midnight pastrami on Route 66? Totally doable, because this Gallup favorite is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Westend Donut & Deli does double duty as a bakery and sandwich shop. It’s the rare spot where an apple fritter and a deli sandwich can share one tray.
Bread is baked fresh, and it shows up in the sandwiches. The roast beef green chile sandwich comes on homemade wheat bread.
Craving something smaller? The 6-inch sub arrives on a homemade bun.
Pastrami fans can go for a Reuben. A turkey avocado BLT is another hearty pick for big appetites.
Portions lean large, so a road trip snack might turn into a full meal. Nobody’s complaining.
Then there are the donuts, which come in a wide variety. Apple fritters and banana nut bread are worth packing for the next stretch of highway.
The building is older, but the shop stays clean and friendly. It’s a classic Mother Road stop with no pretending to be fancy.
A free parking lot makes it easy for travelers to pull in. Dine in or take your order to go.
Driving across western New Mexico on I-40 at odd hours? Mark this one on your map, since the lights never go out.
Address: 3030 W Historic Hwy 66, Gallup, NM 87301