Aunt Tillie’s Deli & Pub serves Portland deli classics

The public consensus

Aunt Tillie’s Deli & Pub holds a 4.7 Google rating from 336 reviews, and the available feedback points to a dependable formula: classic sandwiches, attentive service and an unpolished setting with plenty of personality. Diners repeatedly describe the staff as friendly and the food as fresh, flavorful and generously filled. The deli appears especially well suited to a relaxed lunch rather than a polished restaurant outing.

Reviews also present the business as part of the broader appeal of its location. It sits in an older strip-mall complex in Portland’s Hollywood District, above or alongside an antique mall and several quirky shops. That setting gives a meal here the potential to become part of a casual afternoon of browsing, although the deli itself remains the main draw.

What to order

The turkey club is the clearest recurring recommendation. Reviewers praise its combination of turkey, bacon, avocado, tomato, thin red onion and shredded lettuce. One regular customization replaces the standard bread with a lightly toasted French roll, while smoked turkey is mentioned as a flavorful alternative to the regular version. These details suggest a sandwich with plenty of texture and enough flexibility for diners who prefer a different bread or turkey style.

A Reuben also receives positive notice, though it appears less often in the supplied feedback. More broadly, diners describe the menu as a source of familiar, classic deli sandwiches rather than experimental combinations. A pickle wedge served alongside the sandwich earns its own small note of appreciation. Milkshakes are mentioned as another old-fashioned option, while the pub side offers beer for those who want something beyond a standard deli lunch.

Atmosphere and service

Aunt Tillie’s is consistently characterized as super casual, friendly and full of old-school charm. The space includes a small bar top, a beer selection and video poker toward the back. That mix makes it feel like a neighborhood deli and compact pub in equal measure. It is not presented as fancy, and the older strip-mall surroundings are part of the experience rather than something disguised by modern decor.

Service may be one of its strongest assets. Multiple reviewers emphasize warm treatment, attentiveness and a welcoming manner from the people working there. Combined with favorable comments about value, that hospitality helps explain why the deli inspires repeat orders and enthusiastic recommendations.

The verdict

Based on public ratings and review patterns, Aunt Tillie’s looks like a strong choice for a satisfying sandwich in a setting that feels distinctly local and comfortably informal. The turkey club is the safest first order, particularly for diners who appreciate crisp shredded lettuce, avocado and bacon in a substantial deli sandwich. Pricing is best described as mid range, with reviewers expressing strong satisfaction about value.

The modest surroundings and presence of video poker may not suit anyone seeking a sleek dining room or quiet café mood. For classic sandwiches, friendly counter service, a beer and a bit of Portland character, however, the evidence is notably consistent.