The Original John’s Deli

Stopped in again today for a hero to take to the beach. Excellent chicken cutlet hero with red peppers & balsamic vinegar & oil. Hero was so big that we finished it for dinner ! Was definitely worth the ½ hr. wait. Busy place around 1:30−2PM, so if you’re in a hurry, keep driving. But if you want the BEST HERO in Bklyn, find a parking spot and enjoy !!!

This joint has really gone down hill since the new owners came. the food just isn’t the same

My husband grew up eating at John’s Deli. He says their roast beef sandwiches were to die for. Easily the best he’s ever had. He would force the last few bites down even if he was full because it was just that amazing, he didn’t want to waste a drop. However it seems like they changed ownership and the new owners have not stayed true to the old tradition of amazing roast beef sandwiches. It’s such a shame because they had something so great. Why change it? On his most recent trip to John’s Deli he made the following complaints:
*The bread was hard and crunchy. I am assuming it was toasted or stale. He said it really put a damper on his sandwich. The old owners always had warm, soft, and fresh bread.
*The gravy (arguably the most important part of the sandwich) wasn’t quite right. It tasted like it had been overcooked and under salted.
*The meat didn’t seem as high quality. It was a little on the chewy side.
*This complaint came from me. When he entered the car with his roast beef sandwich I immediately notice a really bad smell coming from his bag. Usually when he gets in the car with food it smells good and makes me hungry. Not this time. It smelled like burnt plastic. It was gross. We later found out it was burnt plastic. They wrapped the gravy cups in plastic and heat sealed the bottom like they do in the produce section at the supermarket. In my opinion they should find a better way to seal the gravy containers because that is not a smell you want associated with your food. My husband almost didn’t eat his sandwich because the smell inside the bag was so bad and the smell lingered on his gravy cup.
My husbands whole family always raved about John’s Deli and ate there frequently. None of them go there anymore and all say the same thing that the food «fell off». My husband is hoping that by me writing this review the new owners will take what was said by me and other customers into consideration and bring back the original roast beef because he really misses it. He will try back in about a month to see if there is any change. He is hopeful lol.
Lastly, I would like to say something I always found annoying that they actually are keeping is the tradition of screaming «subway» when a tip is dropped into the tip bar. I actually refrained from tipping because I didn’t want to hear it. So I propose that the new owners 86 the tradition of saying «subway» and bring back the tradition of making great roast beef sandwiches.

All i can say is, I cant wait to go back! food was perfect and the owner was really nice as well.

Sigh.
I really wanted to love this place. We got rice balls, potato coquettes, roast beef sandwich, and the chicken parm.
The best was the parm. And by best, I mean it was ok.
Rice balls: flavorless. Not even the marinara sauce could mask the dry consistency.
Potato coquettes: cold. No flavor. No love. I’ve made better with mashed potatoes at home.
Roast beef: looked awesome! But… Sauce was thick, like it had too much cornstarch, without that meaty au jus flavor that makes the sandwich go from good to great. Onions were meh. Meat tasted like it had been boiled.
Chicken parm: cheese and red sauce is hard to mess up. But if you told be it was from Quiznos I would have believed it.
Great Manhattan Special soda selection.
This is obviously a neighborhood staple. And should/​could be great. But everything we had lacked flavor, lacked care during preparation. We spend $ 40+ on something that was a disappointment. I can’t help but wonder if they are coasting on the history and love the neighborhood has for them instead of maintaining their food quality.
Go to Johns in Staten Island instead. It doesn’t disappoint.

I went here for the first time and really liked it. I had the roast beef was amazing. I can’t wait to go back again one day.

I’m a big fan of their eggplant parm. It’s so tasty and portion is good enough to make you feel full. I’ve also tired their signature roast beef and godfather heroes. I should say that roast beef hero was pretty good, but i was disappointed with my godfather hero because of the amount of the meat i got.

I Honestly love this place. The food is always good, comes out quick. I like everything from the roast beef to the chicken cutlets

Good Italian style Heros used to be pretty common while growing up, but seems the changing pallets and health conscious eating choices are more in tune with today’s society. Finding a hold out, old school joint that still makes a great submarine/​bomber hero is tough, but a whole lot easier now I’ve found John’s. Usually, this is a ‘heavy feeling’ sandwich, with all the fatty meats, but seems John’s wasn’t for some reason. Maybe it was the very thin slicing of the meats, the vinegar marinade applied into the bread, or the very freshly baked bread, I don’t really know. Don’t get me wrong, the meats were generously stacked, with nice roasted pepper strips accompanying them. I was stuffed after putting this sandwich away, so much so, I fell asleep in class afterwords. They have quite an extensive menu, so I know I’ll be back sooner than later.
Update 4−9−16.
Whomever I mentioned John’s to, and knows about John’s, the reply is the same — ‘Did you get the Roast Beef??‘
So after discussing it with fellow Unilocaler Davina, I found myself getting a serious Roasted Beef pang brewing for this sandwich. Today, found myself nearby, and ordered the Roast Beef Special, ‘the way John’s usually makes it’. Half loaf Italian bread piled high with tender roast beef, then smothered in brown gravy, onions and mozzarella. It was everything people have said and more. What a sandwich, almost like an experience. so good, it may be illegal in some states. IDK. What I do know is the hot gravy permeated the bread and meat, so much it was like a warm semisolid of beefy goodness, with melted cheese on top. You need to eat this slowly and carefully, sticking your head and neck way out over your plate, because gravy and onions ARE going to squirt out while you chomp down on it.
No food on shirt today
Usually I have some opinion on how to ‘improve’ a dish, or taste of something, but this sandwich is perfect is. Although there are other sandwiches to discover here, I’m thinking it will be hard to try anything else other than this next visit.

I love their sandwiches! Their appetizers are very good too. They have daily specials which is also good to look into. If you don’t know what to go with, you cant go wrong with roast beef sandwich with everything!

Wow, disappointed is all I have to say… This place use to have the best roast beef sandwich. I would drive out of my way to come here. Every since the new owner took over the sandwich has never been the same, where did the meat go??? Way to ruin a good thing… Now I just go to Lioni’s for a monster sandwich or the «Real «johns deli in staten island…
R.i.p Brooklyn johns deli

Best service in town! Roast beef special, special sauce on the side a MUST! Came across town to buy it.

Came here to pick up their Signature roast beef sandwich for lunch and all I can say is that knowing that it has been hailed as the best sandwich in Brooklyn, I found it to be very underwhelming. For ~$ 10, you get a pretty big hero that will definitely fill you up. However taste-​wise, it was just meh. The main problem I had with it was that it was rather bland and tasteless. With roast beef, it’s a good idea to add a little tartness to the sandwich to give it an extra kick, such as with A1 sauce or balsamic. However, the gravy that they put wasn’t sour at all so it didn’t really add much flavor to the sandwich. As a matter of fact, I didn’t think the gravy stood out at all. They don’t really put a lot of mozzarella so I didn’t really taste the saltiness of it either. Onions were alrightt.
As for the place itself, once you enter, it’s like you’ve time travelled back into the 80’s, with all the ceiling fans and vintage booths. They were even playing an 80’s movie while I was waiting for my order. There were two guys making sandwiches and one of them was really nice while the other one sort of had a nasty attitude. All of the cashiers were really nice and pleasant though. This place is quite a travel to get to if you don’t live in the immediate area so I would say to not make your way here just to try their signature sandwich because it really wasn’t all it’s hyped up to be.

Great food: consistently serving fabulous sandwiches (the original Hero King) along with hot plates.

monday special — hot pastrami sandwich with spicy mustard sauce on a pretzel bread. my mouth was literally watering for 5 mins after i took a couple bites of this heavenly sandwich. please try this if you’re craving something salty and savory on a monday. the sandwich is not heavy at all.

I have been coming here for years and they have the best sandwiches!
The roast beef with mozzarella and their special gravy is great. The gravy is really dark and thick but it is so tasteful and really makes the roast beef sandwich.
The salads are amazing from here as well. I’ve tried the grilled chicken ceaser Salad and it was well worth the money. I have payed a lot for ceaser salads before and they were not worth it but from here it is. It’s in this rectangular tin and it’s pretty big and filling.
Another thing to try is there fried ravioli. They are really good and come with a side of sauce to dip them into. I usually get them if I am sharing food with someone.
I’ve also tried there grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers with oil and vinegar. It’s so juicy and good!
But finally my favorite thing from here is the eggplant parm! I usually get it on a roll and it’s so filling. They really load it up with eggplant to the point it’s leaking out of the sand which sometimes.
If your look for a quick lunch in Bensonhurst I would defiantly recommend coming here you won’t be let down. They also started delivering now. We order here from work and they are the fastest delivery we ever get!

Not all its cracked up to be. Brooklyn has some great places to eat but this one didnt impress on my first visit. Came with some friends and we all ordered the roast beef sandwich with everything. Not bad but nowhere close to the best roast beef sandwich i have had.
Would have given three stars but expectations were high.

Roast beef with mozz and gravy always hits the spot! Get extra gravy on the side you won’t regret it. The staff is friendly and the food is always great.

I really like the food here, super fresh, high quality… But seriously? I order penne al vodka and pay 4 $ extra to add shrimp– and you have the audacity to put 4 shrimp in there!!! Lol good job. 1 $ per shrimp apparently…
Clearly you’re greedy and you lost half a star because of that, that’s not how you treat customers come on… Also you lost half a star because you don’t offer shrimp and calamari parm, and shrimp parm unless it’s Friday and you guys make it THE BEST so I’m upset that it’s only offered Friday’s :P

I love the food here. My sandwich of choice is a chicken parm hero and they make them to perfection,
That being said, the prices are a little too high for me to be eating here regularly. Also, there are 2 different lines to order, and that’s pretty confusing if you have a group that’s ordering different things. If you can streamline the order process, it’d be great.

This place is an institution billed as «the best hero in Brooklyn» My first time here I ordered the Italian combo which was excellent, but the proprietor told me 80% of his customers order the roast beef and mozzarella with sautéd onions and gravy, he would have recommended it if he knew it was my first time at John’s. So the next time I came back I was going to try the roast beef but the proprietor recommended the seafood sub which he only offers on Fridays.
This was an amazing choice, soft tender calamari with large fresh breaded shrimp, with heaps of cheese and a thick tasty red sauce on a fresh crispy Italian hero.
I highly recommend John’s for anyone craving a delicious hero for a reasonable price.

The ABSOLUTE WORST SERVICE!!!
I’ve been eating here since 1997 and ever since new owners came in this place SUCKS!
Skimpy sandwiches bad customer service rude cashiers acting like you doing them a favor by ordering food…
No Thank You
SUBWAY

Awesome roast beef hero! Definitely recommend coming here! Friendly and fast service. Really can’t go wrong!

Overrated dump! First of all the ordering process is confusing with one line that wraps around and branches into two, the service workers are rude and don’t communicate well, and the food is overpriced for thevlow quality one receives. You’re much better off walking past this place and going to Subway

Great service and no nonsense.
Lives up to the rep for great roast beef sandwiches. The rice balls with meat and peas are tasty/​homie.
The attitude here is very much friendly Brooklyn.
Repeating customer now :)

Came here with friends since we were in the neighborhood (it is out of the way, after all) and had the roast beef sub with plenty of mozzarella, onions, and gravy. Very tasty and hearty, perhaps among some of the best roast beef sandwiches I’ve had in the city. It was messy however, but what sandwich involving gravy isn’t? Just be aware.
As many can imagine, being out in these parts of Brooklyn, it is by no means pretty in terms of décor, actually there isn’t much of it to speak of, but they make up for it in the product. Grab and go. I’ve yet to try any of the other items on the menu but I promise I’ll be back, but I can’t promise I won’t order the roast beef again. It was that good.

Where’s the meat, mozzerella, onions and gravy!?? We came here with such high expectations with a nice big juicy sandwich stuff with roast beef thick slice of mozz filled with onions and gravy… It was not exactly what we thought it was going to be.
Ordered a ¾ … But was mistakenly give half, fine whatever. We opened the sandwich up and there was almost nothing inside. That part was a little disappointing. But it I were to judge on flavor alone… It was all there! Especially the taste of the gravy with the roast beef (which was not hot but luke warm… Probably from the place being so hot).
I would definitely come back and ask them to stuff my sandwich with the good stuff and order an extra side of gravy for dipping. And of course eat outdoors on their benches again since the restaurant is lacking all kinds of ventilation.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MEAT! The reputation alone carries John’s deli but if the sandwiches and the quality of such begins to resemble that of the corner bodega, and the corner bodega prices are better (even though John’s isn’t bad) than what’s the use coming here.
My son did get the iconic roast beef sandwich which was as anticipated. I’ve never been really disappointed with John’s before and I’m sure I will be back but I’m concerned especially considering that I’ve seen others complain about the same thing.
I’ll raise my score once I come back and see a sandwich which upholds the reputation of a deli with the best sandwiches as proclaimed.

Famous roast beef hoagies that have a reputation for a reason. Huge sandwiches on nice crispy bread with thick beef, cheese, and onions. These sandwiches give cheesesteaks a run for their money. The preparation takes some time, but all is forgiven when you dive into the delicious hoagie.

Had a ¾ths roast beef and shrimp parm… Food was amazing. The food was ehh a couple months ago but they are now back on the right game. Excellent food and I ordered ahead, so the food was picked up promptly.
Update: have been going every other day for lunch and everything is top of the line. In moving to Philly soon, so I’ll definitely be stopping by Johns when I come visit.

There is nothing more upsetting than feeling like the place you’ve been going to for years is run by shitty teenagers and a manager who doesn’t care about good customer service. That’s my feeling when I think of John’s now. I don’t care how delicious their sandwiches are! The manager and the staff have put me off to this place for good!
I ordered two ¾ heroes, the biggest sandwich size they offer, on Seamless. I got a chicken cutlet with tomatoes (extra .75c) and The Godfather. My boyfriends hero came out perfect when it arrived. My chicken cutlet on the other hand not so much. I noticed immediately that these ¾ heroes were not the same size. The chicken cutlet looked 3 – 4 inches shorter than my boyfriends. Upsetting that they got the size wrong, since the ¾ hero is basically double the price of the regular hero size. I decided to let it go since it was gona be a big ass hassle just to call and tell them but when I took a bite of my sandwich, I soon figured out that I was missing the tomatoes I paid extra for as well.
Basically it came down to this, whoever made my sandwich made my sandwich wrong. They grabbed the smaller bread and forgot to add my tomatoes. That’s fine! I’ll call them up and just have them refund me the tomatoes and the difference between the ¾ hero and the bread size I got! Right? Wrong.
I called twice, spoke to Beatrice and some other guy the next day and both times they said they would leave a message for the manager and have him call me when he was working next. It’s been over a week and nothing! I never got any call, any email or anything saying they were going to rectify the situation. Instead, I called, they tried telling me I was wrong and that all the bread is cut the same (I have pictures.) Or that the would give me a full refund (except I don’t want a full refund. I just want a refund for the difference cause I’m not gona pay for things I didn’t get!)
The things I’m asking for are NOT crazy and I’m completely justified in feeling like the management and the employees don’t care about service. If Beatrice and the other guy actually DID leave messages for the manager to call me back, then how come he never reached back out to me? If not to ATLEAST say, «Sorry.» I feel like I’ve been given the run around! I’ve always known that good service has never been a priority from the staff at John’s because it’s basically a bunch of high schoolers throwing your sandwich together and hoping you don’t hang around too long. Even in the store staff are curt and short with you. But the manager even?!? It’s ridiculous to me, seriously. No wonder the people are so mismanaged here because those who are in charge clearly don’t give a shit either!
Needless to say, I’m over John’s. And I won’t be going back.