The moment that sandwich lands on the table, you understand why this place has held its spot for decades. The Reuben here is the kind of sandwich that people plan their whole day around, a towering tribute to the art of deli making .
The corned beef is piled high, tender, and perfectly spiced, with just the right amount of fat to keep every bite juicy . Sauerkraut adds a bright, tangy bite that cuts through the richness without overpowering the meat .
Swiss cheese is melted into a golden blanket, and the dressing is creamy, tangy, and applied with a generous hand . That rye bread holds it all together, grilled to buttery perfection on both sides.
A spear of pickle arrives on the side, a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the whole affair. The atmosphere is simple and unpretentious, with the kind of bustling energy that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
Families crowd the booths, and the staff knows exactly who wants extra pickles. Minnesota does deli food right, and this spot proves that a classic is classic for a reason.
A Deli That Has Stood the Test of Time
Some restaurants open and close before a neighborhood even notices them. Cecil’s Delicatessen has been on Cleveland Avenue South since 1949, which means it has outlasted trends, recessions, and generations of changing tastes. That kind of staying power is not accidental.
The place carries a lived-in warmth that only comes from decades of loyal customers and consistent cooking. Four generations of family have kept the business running, and that dedication shows in the smallest details.
The counters, the layout, and the old-school deli case all feel like they belong to a different, slower era.
Visiting Cecil’s feels like finding a page from St. Paul’s past that nobody bothered to erase. The restaurant earned a spot on Food Network’s Family Restaurant Rivals, which brought wider attention to what locals already knew.
Cecil’s is not just surviving, it is genuinely thriving on the strength of good food and real tradition.
Highland Park’s Best-Kept Neighborhood Secret
Highland Park is one of those St. Paul neighborhoods that rewards slow walking and curious detours. Tucked along Cleveland Avenue South, Cecil’s fits into the area like it was always meant to be there.
The surrounding blocks feel residential and unhurried, which makes the deli’s modest storefront easy to miss if you are not paying attention. But the parking lot fills up quickly, especially on weekend mornings, which tells you everything you need to know about its reputation.
Locals have been making this part of their weekly routine for generations.
There is something grounding about eating in a place that belongs so completely to its neighborhood. Cecil’s does not try to be anything other than what it is, a reliable, honest deli that serves the community around it.
That authenticity is rare and worth going slightly out of your way to experience firsthand on any given weekday.
The Reuben Sandwich That Keeps People Coming Back
The Reuben at Cecil’s is the kind of sandwich that gets talked about long after the meal is over. Corned beef is piled onto fresh-baked caraway rye bread, layered with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese, then pressed until everything melds together beautifully.
The bread is baked in-house daily, which makes a noticeable difference in both texture and flavor. That caraway rye has a slight tang that holds up against the richness of the corned beef without getting soggy or falling apart. Every bite has structure and personality.
Visitors from outside Minnesota have called this the best Reuben they have ever eaten, and that is not a small claim. The Russian Reuben variation is also worth exploring, swapping in a creamy, tangy dressing for a slightly different experience.
Both versions reflect the care and consistency that Cecil’s has delivered to St. Paul for more than seven decades running.
Fresh-Baked Bread That Changes Everything
Good bread is not a small detail at a deli, it is the foundation of everything. Cecil’s bakes their rye bread fresh every single day, and that commitment sets their sandwiches apart from almost anywhere else in the Twin Cities.
The caraway rye has a firm, chewy crust with a soft interior that absorbs flavors without turning mushy. Customers often pick up an extra loaf to take home from the small grocery section near the entrance.
That bread at home the next morning is a genuinely good reminder of the meal you just had.
Baking bread in-house is labor-intensive, and most modern delis skip it entirely to save time and cost. Cecil’s has never taken that shortcut, and the result is something you can taste immediately.
The bread alone justifies a visit, even before you factor in the corned beef, the soups, or the house-made desserts waiting nearby.
A Menu Built on Kosher Deli Classics
Cecil’s menu reads like a love letter to Jewish deli tradition. Matzo ball soup, potato knishes, pastrami, and corned beef are all present, prepared with the kind of care that comes from decades of practice rather than a recipe card.
The Sasha sandwich, made with pastrami, fried egg, Swiss cheese, and a zesty sauce on caraway rye, has developed its own devoted following. The Chicago dog is another standout, seasoned and loaded with toppings in a way that feels authentic rather than imitative.
There is genuine range on this menu beyond just the Reuben.
Breakfast is also served, which makes Cecil’s a solid option for early risers exploring St. Paul. The bagel and egg sandwich has earned its own fans among regulars who stop in before heading to work.
Two visits to Cecil’s rarely look identical because the menu offers enough variety to reward continued exploration throughout the week.
Homemade Desserts Worth Saving Room For
Skipping dessert at Cecil’s would be a genuine mistake, and most first-time visitors figure that out quickly. The chocolate hamantashen, strudel, and black and white cookies are made in-house and have loyal fans who plan their visits specifically around them.
Lemon bars, gooey bars, and rice crispy treats round out the selection with a homey, unpretentious charm. The apple cobbler served warm with vanilla ice cream and walnuts has been called a meal-ender worth every calorie by more than a few satisfied customers.
These are not decorative pastries sitting under glass for show.
Dessert at Cecil’s feels like the natural conclusion to a meal that was already satisfying from the first bite. The baked goods carry the same quality standard as the sandwiches and soups, which means nothing on the counter is an afterthought.
Picking up a few extras to take home is practically a tradition among regulars at this point.
The Atmosphere Inside Feels Genuinely Timeless
Walking into Cecil’s is a bit like stepping into a diner that never got the memo about redecorating. The tables sit close together, the space is compact, and everything about the layout prioritizes function over flash.
That snug, old-school energy is part of what makes the experience memorable. There is no ambient playlist trying to set a mood, no minimalist design meant to suggest sophistication.
The atmosphere earns its charm through decades of use rather than interior design choices made last year.
One visitor described it as feeling like a diner from 1970, and that description lands accurately. The room buzzes with conversation from regulars who clearly feel at home, and that comfortable familiarity is contagious.
Sitting down in that space, even for the first time, carries a sense of belonging that newer restaurants spend years trying to manufacture. Cecil’s achieves it simply by being exactly what it has always been.
Staff That Makes Every Visit Feel Personal
Service at Cecil’s has a rhythm that feels practiced and genuine at the same time. The staff moves efficiently through a small, busy space without ever making you feel rushed or overlooked during your visit.
Regulars describe the team as attentive in a way that feels intuitive rather than scripted. Requests are handled promptly, and the overall energy in the room stays upbeat even during peak lunch hours on busy weekdays.
That kind of consistent service is harder to maintain than it looks from the outside.
There is a friendliness here that fits the neighborhood perfectly. The staff seems to genuinely enjoy the work, which comes through in small moments like a recommendation offered without being asked.
For a place this busy and this beloved, keeping that personal touch intact is a real achievement.
It is one of the quieter reasons people keep returning to Cecil’s year after year without hesitation.
The Small Grocery Section Is a Hidden Bonus
Beyond the dining room, Cecil’s operates a compact grocery and deli counter that deserves its own appreciation. Specialty mustards, house-made breads, sliced meats, cheeses, and pastries fill the small retail section near the entrance.
Picking up a loaf of rye bread or a container of coleslaw to take home extends the Cecil’s experience beyond the meal itself. The grocery area has a curated, intentional feel rather than the random assortment you might find at a typical corner store.
Everything on those shelves connects back to the kitchen in some way.
Spending an extra ten minutes browsing the grocery section before leaving is a habit worth adopting. You might leave with hamantashen, a jar of mustard, and enough rye bread to last the week.
That small retail component transforms Cecil’s from a simple lunch stop into a genuine neighborhood resource.
It reflects how deeply the deli is woven into everyday life in Highland Park.
Why Cecil’s Belongs on Every St. Paul Itinerary
Some places earn their reputation through marketing and some earn it through decades of showing up with good food every single day. Cecil’s belongs entirely to that second group, and the difference is easy to taste.
People drive from Nebraska, fly in from Arizona, and return annually just to sit down with a Reuben and a bowl of matzo ball soup. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident.
Any food-focused trip through the Twin Cities that skips Cecil’s is leaving something important on the table. The combination of history, craft, atmosphere, and genuine hospitality makes this deli worth planning around.
Open seven days a week from 9 AM to 8 PM, Cecil’s is accessible and welcoming to anyone ready for a real St. Paul experience.
Address: Cecil’s, 651 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul, Minnesota.
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