There are sandwiches you eat, and then there are sandwiches you think about days later. I found one of those at Otherside Deli.
From the outside, it is easy to underestimate. Inside, it is all focus.
The line moves with purpose, the kitchen runs like it has done this a thousand times, and the smell of house made pastrami hangs in the air like a promise. I ordered the Reuben and watched it come together layer by layer, stacked high and grilled just right.
One bite in and I stopped mid sentence. It is the kind of sandwich that does not need hype or flashy decor.
It just needs bread, meat, and someone who knows exactly what they are doing.
Authentic Philadelphia Roots
The owner, Derrick brought something to Austin that the city didn’t know it was missing. Growing up in Philadelphia, he learned what a proper deli sandwich should taste like.
That East Coast sensibility shows in every detail, from the way sandwiches are assembled to the no-nonsense approach to quality.
Philadelphia has a serious sandwich culture, where people have strong opinions about bread, meat ratios, and proper toppings. Bringing that standard to Texas meant not compromising on ingredients or technique, even when it would be easier or cheaper to cut corners.
The cheesesteak here earns praise from people who actually know what a real Philly cheesesteak should taste like, which says everything about the authenticity.
You’ll often find Derrick working right alongside his staff, maintaining that hands-on approach that keeps quality consistent. He’s not hiding in an office somewhere.
He’s there making sandwiches, talking with customers, and making sure everything meets his standards. That level of owner involvement creates a different kind of energy in a restaurant.
The Philadelphia influence extends beyond just recipes. It’s in the attitude: straightforward, unpretentious, focused on doing one thing exceptionally well rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
The Welcoming Atmosphere and Staff
Some restaurants feel like they’re doing you a favor by taking your order. Otherside Deli is the opposite of that.
From the moment you walk in, the staff makes you feel welcome, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. That warmth isn’t fake or forced.
It’s genuine friendliness from people who seem to actually enjoy what they’re doing.
The service moves quickly without feeling rushed or impersonal. Orders come out fast, even during lunch rush when the place fills with hungry customers.
That efficiency comes from a team that works well together and knows their system inside and out. Nobody’s standing around confused or overwhelmed.
Whether you’re a regular who comes in weekly or a first-timer trying to decide what to order, you’ll get the same friendly treatment.
The atmosphere itself is casual and unpretentious. This isn’t a place trying to impress you with trendy decor or Instagram-worthy design.
It’s a straightforward sandwich shop that puts its energy into food rather than aesthetics. For people tired of places that prioritize appearance over substance, that focus feels refreshing.
The Reuben That Started It All
People told me to get the Reuben before I even walked through the door. After trying it, I understood why it’s become the sandwich that defines this place.
The combination sounds simple enough: pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, griddled rye bread. But simple ingredients prepared with care create something extraordinary.
The rye bread gets toasted until it has a satisfying crunch on the outside while staying soft enough inside to hold everything together without falling apart. That balance is harder to achieve than it sounds.
The bread is substantial but not thick or doughy, letting the fillings shine without turning into a soggy mess halfway through.
What really makes this Reuben stand out is how each component complements the others. The tangy sauerkraut cuts through the richness of the pastrami.
The Swiss melts perfectly, adding creaminess without overwhelming. The Russian dressing ties everything together with just the right amount of sweetness and acidity.
Every bite delivers that satisfying contrast of textures and flavors that makes you slow down and actually pay attention to what you’re eating. It’s the kind of sandwich that reminds you why classic combinations become classics in the first place.
The Legendary House-Made Pastrami
Walking up to the counter, I noticed something different right away. The pastrami here isn’t ordered from some distant supplier or pulled from a package.
Derrick, the owner, makes it in-house from scratch, and you can tell the difference with your first bite.
The meat has that perfect balance of tender and slightly firm texture, with a peppery crust that adds just enough kick without overwhelming everything else. Each slice shows the telltale pink smoke ring that comes from proper preparation.
When it’s piled onto your sandwich, still warm and fragrant, you start to understand why people drive across town for this.
Making pastrami the traditional way takes time and patience. It involves curing, seasoning with a spice blend, smoking low and slow, and then steaming to get that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Most places skip these steps because they’re labor-intensive. But at Otherside Deli, that commitment to doing things right is what separates a good sandwich from one you’ll think about for weeks.
The fat content is just right, adding richness without being overwhelming. Some slices might be a bit fattier than others, but that’s the nature of real, hand-cut pastrami rather than the uniform processed kind.
It’s this authenticity that regulars appreciate most.
The Rowdy Roddy and Menu Variety
While the Reuben gets most of the attention, exploring the rest of the menu reveals other standouts worth trying. The Rowdy Roddy has become a favorite among regulars who want something with a bit more kick.
It’s a generous sandwich that lives up to its bold name with layers of flavor that keep things interesting from first bite to last.
The Italian sandwich surprised me with how well-balanced it was. Soft bread that doesn’t get soggy, quality meats and cheese, and that perfect combination of textures that makes you understand why someone called it the best sandwich of their life.
Sometimes simple preparations let quality ingredients speak for themselves, and this is one of those cases.
The chopped cheese offers something different, bringing a New York bodega classic to Austin with the same attention to detail as everything else. Even the turkey club, which could easily be boring, gets elevated through fresh ingredients and proper assembly.
Nothing feels like an afterthought here.
Menu variety matters when you’re trying to build a regular customer base. People want options when they visit frequently, but those options need to maintain the same quality standard as the signature items.
Otherside manages this balance well, giving people reasons to try something new each visit.
Drinks and Sides That Complement
The combo meals here include more interesting drink options than typical soda fountain selections. You’ll find organic teas and fancier soda brands alongside the standard Coke and Sprite options.
It’s a small detail, but it shows the same attention to quality that goes into the sandwiches themselves.
Dirty brand potato chips get specific mentions in reviews, and for good reason. These Texas-made chips have a devoted following, and they’re not always easy to find.
Having them available adds a local touch while offering something beyond generic mass-produced chips. The flavors are bold and interesting without being weird for the sake of being different.
Pairing your sandwich with the right drink and chips might seem like a minor consideration, but it affects the overall meal experience. A crisp, cold drink cuts through the richness of pastrami.
Good chips add satisfying crunch and salt that complements rather than competes with your sandwich. These details matter when you’re trying to create a complete, satisfying meal.
The combo pricing makes sense, giving you a complete meal without forcing you to calculate whether adding items individually would be cheaper. Sometimes straightforward pricing and good value matter more than complicated deals or promotions.
Location and Practical Details
Finding Otherside Deli is easier than you might expect given its strip mall location. The parking situation is surprisingly manageable, even during busy lunch hours.
That’s a real advantage in a city where many popular spots make you circle blocks looking for a space or settle for expensive parking garages.
The location might not look like much from the outside. It’s not in a trendy neighborhood or a beautifully restored historic building.
But that unpretentious setting keeps the focus where it belongs: on the food. Plus, the lack of premium real estate costs probably helps keep sandwich prices from climbing even higher.
Hours run from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon on weekdays, which is typical for a lunch-focused deli. Arriving before the noon rush gives you a better chance of getting your food quickly and finding a table if you want to eat in.
The steady flow of customers throughout service hours shows this place has built a reliable following.
Online ordering is available, which helps during busy times when the line might stretch out the door. You can place your order, grab chips from the shelf when you arrive, and pick up your sandwich without waiting.
That convenience matters when you’re on a lunch break with limited time.
Address: 1104 W 34th St D, Austin, TX 78705
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