For flavorful pastrami I'm giving Cecil's a 10 out 10. The place is hectic and confusing for our very first visit but I'm betting that repeat customers think nothing of it. I felt rushed into ordering and I actually missed getting a perfect pastrami grinder because I didn't find it on the menu until I got home. If you look under the heading "Our Favorite Sandwiches" you find many options including 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4 pound of pastrami and your choice of bread, including a kaiser role. The pastrami was delicious even though it tasted a little too salty. The servers were attentive. In the Deli area it was also hectic and their bread slicer was ten times louder than I've ever imagined a slicer could be. There isn't any need for me too look any further for a good pastrami sandwich but I'm sure I will. read more

Cecils - Russian Reuben (Pastrami, Sauerkraut and Thousand Island on Pumpernickel) with potatoe salad and dill pickle. - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Cecil's I ordered the Sasha sandwich for pick up and was blown away by how flavorful the sandwich was. The flavors mended so well and were so bold. I had the potato salad as the side and it was very good as well. I can't wait to come back and try more! Also, the atmosphere inside is super old school and just adds to the uniqueness. read more

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So grateful to the staff to seat us at 7:30 on a holiday night. Matzah ball soup x2, and chocolate cake to go were delicious and just what we were looking for. Thank you! read more

Hmph. Maybe I should have ordered something else. But the matzo ball soup is very basic. Two dense, kind of bland matzo balls in plain broth. A few shreds of chicken, maybe a speck or two of carrot. The matzo ball soup I got definitely did not look like the photos of ones other people got. $8.19 Update: second time - the chicken noodle soup was totally different, this time chock full of chicken and veggies. But my friend says her experience has been that it usually looks like the one with plain broth. But...then I got a Kaiser roll at the deli because I was still hungry. Fresh baked, chewy, yet light. Delicious. Then I got a chocolate chip cookie. Ugh, almost raw, I couldn't even eat it. But the hamantaschen cookie. Oh wow, it was so good! It had that light sandy texture that's so hard to achieve, and a big dollop of apricot jam in the center. Not too sweet, faint almond aroma, just perfect. So it was a roller coaster. Subpar soup, delicious Kaiser roll, awful chocolate chip cookie, then amazing hamantaschen. read more

Cecils - First time - matzo ball soup in plain broth. Not worth $8 - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Haven't been to Cecils in many years so glad to see it's still here. Service is still spotty, hit & miss so don't go if you're in a rush. But The food is really, really great. Love the Russian Rye & the lean corned beef. So good. Not many authentic Kosher Del's left in the upper midwest anymore. This is a good one. read more

Favorite Jewish Deli! We are very fortunate to still have Cecil's! Food is always excellent! Service is good! Casual, hustling ambiance to complete your experience! read more

Best coleslaw, soft salami, and egg bagels in the nation! The Reuben is also top notch!

Great deli and shop. It's like stepping into a time warp - in a good way. The Reuben sandwiches are great. And you can stock up on 4 different types of root beer in the way out as you walk through the shop. read more

A friend recommended this place for lunch during my time in St Paul, Minnesota on a Thursday afternoon late May 2024. Only thing crazy is the prices. I get that they're a small business but it was an eye opener to see a small deli like Cecil's charge $14+ for a sandwich combo. I was like wow, but I went with it. My friend claims he and his family eats here regularly, so it must be pretty good. I ended up picking up the tab for my friend and I, since he was driving me around that afternoon and was playing Pokemon Go as well. I also purchased a sandwich combo to go / for dinner that day, so I didn't have to think about finding something near my hotel. With that said, we arrived here around 3:45pm and the place was half full. We sat down and was here for about an hour or so having lunch and trading Pokémon. It was a fun time to be able to decompress after traveling to Minneapolis-St Paul from Honolulu. The service was good, casual, and friendly. On the way out, my friend treated me to desserts in the deli counter. It was cool to see brownies there so cheap. Ended up to be so delightful and sinful at the same time. It was a wonderful treat for the end of the meal. I ended up having Cecil's patty melt for lunch and ordered a tuna sandwich for dinner. Both were good and light. The overall experience at Cecil's Deli in St. Paul, MN was nice and good. A small little deli that is a nice place to have lunch or dinner. The only problem was that the inflation was evident and I probably could buy a footlong sandwich at Subway for a comparable price and get a little bit more food and value versus here at Cecil's. But trying new things and places is what it's all about these days. The restaurant was pretty cozy and clean. Reminded me of Cracker Barrel restaurants where they have a restaurant attached to a store. In Cecil's case, a bakery is attached to the restaurant. Kind of cute in a sense. After lunch, my friend treated me to some pastries that were called xxx. Looked interesting in the display case and ended up having 2 of the chocolate ones and 2 the strawberry ones too. Got those along with 3 of the brownies that were super cheap. For the most part though, it was just lunch here and take out dinner with desserts. It was a good selection with a chill vibe and a nice place to wind down after a long travel from Honolulu. And so, it's a cute restaurant that adds flavor to the local community. While the prices are a little high, it's a good place to chill if you're in the neighborhood. Recommended if you are. Stay for the desserts. Cecil's Deli is located in St. Paul, MN. It's physically located at 651 South Cleveland Avenue in a semi quiet area of town. They accept major Credit cards as well as cash, both the bakery side and the restaurant side. As far as parking goes, my friend parked on the road opposite to the restaurant. Best bet would be street parking where you can find it. Not sure if there was any parking that was apart of the restaurant. Not sure also about St Paul's public transportation system and whether or not you can get here from the airport. Best to get directions from the official public transportation system site, either the city has rail and / or bus options available to you. And so, if you like deli bunches and dinners and don't mind the above average pricing options, they have assigned for their menu, consider coming down to this restaurant in St. Paul Minnesota. Don't get me wrong, the food is delicious and quite refreshing, but it is above average for the price. The community said it was pretty darn good and I would have to agree, but involved for this. 4.0 stars for the overall experience and the service. 2.5 stars for the prices. 4.0 stars for the ambiance. Support local! B read more

Old-time deli and restaurant has a historic vibe. While the sandwiches and service were very good, I cannot recommend the latkes. I was expecting the usual crispy-edges mixture of shredded potatoes and onion. Instead we were served greasy dense discs with no shreds of any kind. I think they came from the deep fryer? Were they perhaps made with mashed potatoes? So disappointing. read more

Cecil's is an absolutely amazing spot to try for a good, classic deli. I always get the Reuben with a side of French fries and I'm never disappointed. It's cooked to perfection every time! The restaurant itself isn't ever too busy and all the staff are so incredibly nice. Typically if I'm ordering for pick up, I call and order since the online ordering isn't the best. I definitely recommend Cecil's to anyone looking for a solidly good deli! read more

Cecils - Reuben, French Fries - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Cecil's is a staple in my family and has been as long as I can remember. After all of these years, I'm realizing I've never eaten in the restaurant. We always just call in a phone order for soft salami, pepper jack cheese (just the best), and various types of bread, and just make our own sandwiches at home. They are perfect for traveling or adding to your brunch. Truthfully- whatever! So yummy! Their pumpernickel bread is one of my favorites. Always so fresh and soft. Calling in the order is seamless and it's always ready when we come to pick it up. Staff have always been friendly here. This place gets packed. There's a deli side with lots of yummy goodies to pick from like sauces and chips. To get into the restaurant, you need to walk through the deli and stop at the hostess desk. It's small spot, but don't let that stop you because then you'll be missing out on something so good. Parking is available on site and there's also street parking. Walking in you get a retro deli vibe and the smells hit you right away. Lots of staff bopping around as it's a busy spot. I've heard they have a great Reuben so I'll have so actually eat in the restaurant sometime. I'll be back soon! read more

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Food was very good but had a little difficulty getting the order right the first time. We will try again.

Cecil's Rueben is the best, service was fast, it has the ambience of a eating in the back of a deli but that's what this is all about. Classic taste, class service and classic deli seating. If you want the younger generation to experience a restaurant from back when you were a kid, then Cecils fits. read more

The food is delivered fast in the lunch pace. Had to buy a few things in the bakery too!

Want real Jewish deli? Unfortunately this is not it. I am from the NY/NJ area so I know of what I speak. I tried the pastrami on rye, my wife had the blintzes, and my son had the potato pancakes. The hot pastrami was dry and tasteless, the blintzes were small, and the pancakes had a funny taste like sesame.seed oil. The pickles they brought us were the kind you get in a standard deli. When we looked in the store they had Dietz and Watson cold cuts (not even Hebrew national). They had the real pickles (Ba Tampt) sitting in their cooler for sale. This is not even close to the real thing. If you want the real thing take a trip to NJ and go to Harold's. Very disappointed. read more

Pastrami on rye bread . Excellent sandwich as is the potato salad . Good service & enjoy shopping for rye bread & other delicacies ! read more

Wow. I already had some pretty high expectations for this place because I had heard from a couple of people that it really is delicious, but I was blown away!! You walk in and it's a deli/ grocery store with all the ingredients needed to make your very own fantastic sandwiches at home. If you look to the back of the store, there is an entrance that leads to the actual restaurant/cafe. It can be a little loud due to the meat cutter in the front of the store, but otherwise it was about halfway occupied with customers and very easy to find seating. They have mustard and spicy mustard on the tables for sandwiches. The server was so kind to us! I'm not sure of his name, but really so polite and friendly. Now for the food... Oh. My. Goodness. I could have cried real tears after having my first bite of the Shayna sandwich. No joke. I requested that they dry grill the bread so it was a little toasty, and I also ordered it with a side of mayo. PHENOMENAL! I had to try a bite of my friend's egg salad sandwich and it tasted like you were eating a cloud of egg salad on the softest bread. Really delicious; so much so that we had to get some extra at the deli to bring home for lunch tomorrow! The potato salad was good as well. We also ordered another Shayna sandwich to go, motzo ball soup to go, a toffee cookie, two packs of the zero calorie cream soda (OMG yum), mayonnaise, and some chipotle sauce. The menu is very large with so many fantastic options! They also have some vegetarian options. I can't believe this place has been running since 1949. We will absolutely be back, what a treat! Thank you Cecils! EDIT: did NOT enjoy the matzo ball soup. It was flavorless and not tasteful. read more

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Glad we got in when we did, there ended up being a huge line to get in. This place gets absolutely packed so come in early enough to beat the lunch rush! A cute Jewish delicatessen, quite a bit smaller than the ones I've become accustomed to in San Diego. Very small bakery section, has a deli for meats and cheeses which makes it a convenient stop for lunch and quick groceries. I had the Reuben and my mom ordered the Latkes. It was a great Reuben I must say, not as much meat as I'd have hoped for but the sandwich was tasty. Mom liked the potato latkes. Happy to come back to try other items from the menu sometime! read more

Cecils - Reuben - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Food was yummy! My fiancé got the Turkey Rueben and really really enjoyed it. I got the burger and. I liked it. The market was really cute and we left with some cookies that were so delish! Definitely would recommend!! read more

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Wonderful food and amazing atmosphere and the service was outstanding. I give them 2 thumbs up and 5 stars. read more

Cecils - Great food and amazing service. I can tell you how amazing the food is. - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Great spot for lunch! Classic sandwiches mad fresh from quality ingredients. Friendly staff and efficient seating. Warm and inviting vibe! Stop in for their Reuben's! read more

Cecils - Dining area - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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I come here so often they know me by name. I especially enjoy introducing my friends, especially international friends, to Jewish food. Everything is great. read more

Everything was as expected. The turkey Ruben was large and satisfying. The potato salad portion could have been larger. The hot cocoa was disappointing as it was made from an instant mix. Service here is always kind of slow and a little chaotic. The restaurant is always clean and tidy. Prices seem to have skyrocketed. $8-plus for a bowl of soup is ridiculous. read more

Growing up in New York as a Jewish American, there were plenty of good Jewish Delis to visit throughout the Northeast. Never had too much of a difficulty finding a place even when I moved to the Mid Atlantic. However, out in the Midwest, there are unfortunately almost no Jewish deli's. Cecil's is the only place I've heard about that's still around that is known as a Jewish deli, and ever since I've moved here, my Midwestern (non Jewish) friends all told me I had to try Cecil's because it's so good so I was super excited to finally try it a few months ago. I got my two favorites: a Reuben and a knish. I always sub the Reuben to be on a Kaiser roll if given the option which I was happy to be able to do here. The ordering was a bit strange because when I ordered a knish, the waiter seemed to be very confused as if they didn't have it. He had to go ask who I presume to be the owner about it who then confirmed they had it. That should've been my warning to cancel my request, but I love knishes way too much to miss out on this. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the wonders of a knish, I think it's the perfect Jewish for the Midwest palate. It is a savory flaky pastry that is usually filled with a mashed potato like filling. If done right, there is nothing better. Unfortunately, the knishes here at Cecil's were super disappointing for me. They didn't taste very fresh, and both the crust and the filling were super under seasoned. Although it looked like a knish, didn't taste too much like anything I've had growing up which was a bummer. The Reuben was better than the knishes, I'd say it's a pretty good Reuben, not the best but a solid one and I really liked the pickle it came with. Although not pictured, I also tried some of the matzoh ball soup which my partner ordered. That one was also pretty mediocre with a very flat flavor profile. The shop side of Cecil's is a bit better, I was able to purchase some of their onion rolls for sandwiches throughout the week which were great. As for Jewish delis go, there's really not many if any other options around the area to go so it's worth a try. But if Cecil's is the only Jewish food you've had, I recommend you try it in another city (preferably New York or LA) to really understand how good it can be. read more

Cecils - Reuben on Kaiser - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Cecil's is our go-to whenever we're craving homemade comfort food. We love their Matzoh Ball Soup, Ruebens, freshly-baked breads, and treats. read more

All the food I ordered was tasteless. Pickles were soggy and soft, had to add italian dressing on the pasta salad. barely any meat in the sandwich. It's dissapointing, since it's been good in the past. read more

Four of us went for dinner. Our experience was, as noted by others, very mixed. First the good news. The borscht and the Russian Reuben were very good. Their bakery goods also were very good, in particular the seeded rye bread, and their Hamantaschen. We ordered the matzo ball soup, expecting it to be at least as good as soups we tasted at the now extinct Lincoln Deli and the Crossroads Deli. Sadly, this was not the case. The soup itself was good, but the matzo balls were more like musket balls, hard, dry, and tasteless. We ordered the blintzes, again expecting freshly prepared tender ones such as the excellent ones one can get at the Good Day Café. Again, sadly, what we were served were four small-machine made logs of dense dough filled with a nondescript white cheese. These were certainly not freshly prepared from scratch. Service was very good. The ambience was pleasant, though the bare wooden benches along the wall of the restaurant should be padded. We won't be going back, at least not for dinner. read more

I've been a regular customer for over 40 years. Best Deli anywhere in the cities. Cecil's is also a great place for a casual lunch. If you want good Jewish deli food, go here. I live in Hudson Wisconsin but make the drive to pick up their cole slaw, corn beef, pastrami and breads. And a few desserts. read more

I have been to Cecil's a few times and each time the food is amazing and the service is great. When you walk in, you have to go thru the market to back where the restaurant is located. We got seated right away and were given menus. The menu is very large but they have many options. I ordered the egg salad sandwich with potato salad and got a side of fresh fruit. The egg salad sandwich is my go to. The restaurant is very clean and small so it is very relaxing to dine in. They also have take out with is convenient as well. They have street parking out front and on the side street as well. I haven't had a bad experience yet and I will be back again soon. read more

Cecils - Egg salad sandwich with potato salad and fruit - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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This place has the absolute best pastrami sandwich that you can get. I had the Russian Reuben and it was mind blowing and if you're ever in the area, it is a must stop. Also, the hamantaschen were phenomenal. read more

A quaint little deli serving traditional foods like Reuben's, Pastrami, and Matza soup. The service was fast and the atmosphere very traditional deli. The food was good, but at the price point for the portion size, little disappointing. read more

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Really delicious and consistent! Just terrific Reuben's and variations on the theme!

My favorite place for a vegetarian lunch under $5! I usually get the freshly made bagels (delicious but in true authentic deli nature they are best the day they are made), a half-pint of potato salad (the only potato salad I like!), and one of the brownies on the counter (the frosting on top is to die for--like a fudgy-fresh topping from a Cosmic brownie but a thousand times better). Nowhere else can you get such a great, handmade meal for such a great price! If you are a vegetarian eating at the restaurant instead of just ordering at the deli, the veggie sandwich is very satisfying. There is dedicated parking along the building that can be hectic but I have always been able to get a spot as a lot of times if you wait a minute someone will come out. The counter can be busy during peak times and especially during holidays but the employees are attentive and friendly. Will always be a customer! read more

I do not get the hype of Cecil's. My sandwich was expensive and not very good. You have to go through the kitchen to get to the bathroom (which wasn't very clean). I won't be back. read more

Cecils - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Excellent sandwich with excellent service! A sweet little dive doing excellent stuff! Loved the caraway rye bread so much, we bought a loaf to take home! read more

Cecils - Rueben with potato salad - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Piece of NY in St. Paul. It feels neighborly, it feels genuine, its tasty and comfortable . The service is what you would expect from a dinner. They are quick and to the point. Come eat your brisket/Roast beef/ Pastrami and go. Come back again next week, it will be the same. read more

It's an absolute institution, but I don't think we should overlook how much it cost for a carry out sandwich these days. The food is undeniably great, the service is good, but honestly the subtotal surprised me for a deli takeaway sandwich. This is the quintessential Reuben sandwich, and the ambience can't really be found elsewhere in the twin cities, and everyone in the twin cities should visit at least once. read more

Truly a Midwest experience. I tried Latkes, they were quite good with the apple sauce on side. The gentleman at the register is a character. Menu is very involved, they pretty much have everything popular in Midwest. Note: no non-dairy milk available, only creamers, keep in mind! read more

Cecils - Menu is very involved - Delis Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

We got take out from Cecil's to celebrate my Mom's 90th birthday, as she remembered this place from growing up in Highland Park long ago. Her go-to sammie was the corned beef and chopped liver, which brought a huge smile to her face. Mine too! read more

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