Harold’s New York Deli Goes Big on Pastrami and Portions

The public verdict

Harold’s New York Deli carries a 4.6 Google rating from 6274 reviews, and the available feedback presents a remarkably consistent picture. This is a theatrical, old-school deli experience built around huge portions, classic meats and a pickle bar that becomes part of the meal.

Reviewers repeatedly frame the restaurant as memorable rather than restrained. One traveler considered it an ideal stop while driving north from Baltimore toward New York, praising its convenience and outsized personality compared with a routine highway meal. Others describe finding Harold’s while staying nearby and leaving impressed by both the food and the professional service.

The unusual hotel setting also contributes to the restaurant’s character. It may not deliver polished surroundings, but public feedback suggests that many diners consider the spectacle and scale essential to the appeal.

What to order

Pastrami is the strongest recurring recommendation. Reviews describe it as juicy, tender and flavorful, with the expected profile of a classic New York deli sandwich. Corned beef also receives praise, though it appears less often in the supplied feedback.

The junior pastrami sandwich may be the more manageable entry point for diners who do not want to commit to the largest options. Even so, moderation is relative at Harold’s. Reviewers repeatedly warn that portions can feed several people or produce leftovers for days. Sharing is not simply practical here. It appears to be the best way to experience the menu without overordering.

Matzo ball soup earns specific praise for its rich, flavorful broth. A chocolate egg cream served in a frosted mug is another traditional deli touch mentioned positively. The pickle bar, with pickles, mustard, Russian dressing and coleslaw available to accompany a sandwich, adds variety and lets each table adjust the meal to taste.

Service and atmosphere

Service is one of the clearest strengths across the reviews. Staff members are characterized as friendly, attentive, helpful and professional. That matters in a restaurant where first-time guests may need guidance on portion sizes and ordering strategy.

The room itself seems energetic and informal. Its big-food spectacle makes Harold’s suited to groups, road-trip stops and diners looking for an experience rather than a quiet, carefully paced meal. At least one review mentions disruptive speakerphone noise from another table, so the atmosphere may depend partly on the surrounding crowd.

Value and caveats

Harold’s is listed at a moderate price level, but some reviewers still consider the initial check expensive. Portion size changes that calculation. Most dishes appear designed for sharing, and ordering as if each person needs a separate full meal can quickly create excess food and a steeper bill.

The pickle bar is generally praised, although one diner reported that the dill pickles tasted and smelled off during a visit. That isolated concern sits against a broader pattern of enthusiasm for the bar.

Taken together, the public feedback supports Harold’s as a strong Edison choice for pastrami, abundant leftovers and classic deli showmanship. The best plan is simple: arrive with company, ask about portion sizes and order less than instinct suggests.