This place has been on my list for a few years now. I actually saw a Tik Tok about a New York implant to Des Moines and this is where she goes to get a taste of "home." It definitely didn't disappoint. I shared a pastrami on rye with deli mustard & onions with my husband. We also tried the pickles, along with potato and macaroni salad. Everything was delicious! My youngest daughter had a turkey sandwich on a roll and she ate the whole thing. They have a grocery section and desserts too. We also tried a traditional "black n white cookie" from a New York bakery and it was delectable. This place is definitely an experience and I highly recommend. read more

See all

Came in for a pastrami and some conversation with the Rabbi. Both were excellent, I would definitely come back for the pastrami.

Today was our first visit here. The owner was so welcoming and sweet since my husband wasn't sure what sandwich he wanted. He said his sandwich was amazing, and loved the pickle. I got matzo ball soup that he even offered to warm up even though we ordered to go. We bought some bread to have later with dinner. It was wonderful and we will definitely be back. read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - Matzo ball soup - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

We enjoyed our food so much we came back twice on our trip. We had the falafel platter and my grandmother thought it was wonderful. The hummus was so delicious. I had the cabbage rolls and matzo ball soup. It was the perfect comfort food for a cold day. On our second trip my grandmother got potato kugel and kasha knish with a side of coleslaw. She said it was wonderful. I ordered the Ruben and a side of pickled cucumbers. I could eat this every day. The service is wonderful. The Rabbi was very friendly. I highly recommend. read more

See all

We had a sweet experience here stopping while we were driving through the city. The rabbi was so kind to us and the hot pastrami sandwiches were just what we needed (there is sadly not a Jewish deli where we live). Would definitely love to see others support this unique establishment with so much character! Great place to enjoy a warm soup or other comfort foods (for my husband just like his mom makes). :) They also have Bamba and other Israeli snacks. There is a lot of parking behind the restaurant. read more

I had the chance to order delivery from Maccabee's today. It's been years since I've ordered from here... Too long. Today I ordered their signature sandwich. This is how their menu describes it: "The Maccabee $15.99 There's no messing around here... the Maccabee is 1/2 pound of meat! Our famous corned beef and roast beef, piping hot, the way you like it." Whenever I get a sandwich from here I almost always have a feeling of buyer's remorse. The sandwiches are a little pricey when compared to chains... Is that price worth it for a 1/2 pound of meat...? Then I bite into the sandwich and all is forgotten. So good! So fresh! Yes it's worth it! A lot of the time you get what you pay for and Maccabee's Kosher Deli serves quality! With inflation being the way it is right now I'm not sure you can help having a little bit of sticker shock, but take a few deep breaths, find your happy place, and place your order. I'm a big eater, but I have a feeling most "normal" people could stretch these sandwiches into two meals. Just add a side... Shop local! Order a sandwich here. You won't regret it! read more

See all

Kosher deli - if dining in, sit at table and someone will come take your order. Otherwise you can walk to deli counter and order. Note there are some tables, but not many. There is a grocery store inside. I have never been here before, so I tired sampling of foods. Potato latkes Matzah Ball Soup Roosevelt sandwich Mini egg rolls read more

See all

Stopped in the other day for the first time, the owner is very friendly and happy to have a chat! Food was excellent, and the shop itself has wonderful authentic quality to it. No theatrics , just a great place. Would recommend to anyone! read more

First time and for sure not the last!! A warm welcome for first timers. The food was wonderful. Rabbi came over and visited with us. He is quite amazing. Not sure why I never been here before. He has a large selection of kosher foods and wines. He make to order sandwiches and other delightful things. A dine in area is available. read more

Ok Weird couple of days And a trip to the lottery Enough for lunch lol Ok I have wanted to go here for years Glad I took the time to find this place A bit off my normal route for Sam's run But not too far out of the way Ok first things first Parking best for out back Take the alley south of the building for that Prime time visit for lunch Well a quiet walk in and tables etc Setup with stuff to buy Breads books etc. I was friendly greeted by the rabbi A bit of guidance on food And I was set with a nice to go setup With a couple of black and whites Yea they are a thing here! Ok corned beef on swirl rye Nice small portion Potato salad Sour pickle Spaghetti kugle? Different but good And a couple of large black and whites Flavor was different on everything Had that parve kosher thing going on In a good way. You can tell they love what they do Sometime I would like to get in to dine in with them and try everything I should to have grabbed bread to go. That can be the next trip. Now that I know where they are located Yea I will be back for another religious experience! Out the door for under 40 bucks read more

We were looking for some good Jewish deli sandwiches and we found them. This was the ONLY Jewish deli in DesMoines. The owners were super friendly. Best service in the area. The food was fresh and tasted amazing. The bread alone is truly heavenly. This is much more than a deli however. They have a ton of kosher food items to buy in the back of the store. Kosher wines, kosher meats, kosher candy and more. Couldn't ask for anything more. I will be back. read more

See all

Great place for a traditional Jewish deli style sandwich. I got a hot pastrami in rye with a deli pickle and potato salad. Great lunch! The owner came out and spoke with me. Originally from New York, he knows good food and bread! read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - Hot pastrami on rye with Pickle Sour - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

After almost four years living in this state I finally made it to Maccabee's Kosher Deli to satisfy that Jewish Deli craving. I was NOT disappointed! If you have never been then you need to put it on your list. This is the ONLY Kosher deli in the state and it is a gem There is nothing fancy about this place. But the love in which this food is prepared shines loud and clear. First off the sandwich was HUUUUGE. Easily could have been split between my husband and I. But I am perfectly happy that I have my lunch for tomorrow. The bread is homemade. STOP. Yes, homemade Kosher MarbleRye bread and it was so fresh and delicious. The corned beef was so tender as to melt in your mouth! The half sour pickle was a crunchy delight and made the perfect accountrement to my Rueben. The slaw was crunchy and delicious with just the perfect balance of vinegar and sweet. I hate overly sweet coleslaw and this was none of that. The matzoball soup will make you cry for a Jewish mother. The fresh dill really magnified the flavor of the chicken and it was piping hot! On a cold Sunday, it was the perfect addition. We sampled a hot spinach knish that the Rabbi had just taken from the oven. DELICIOUS! By the time we bought some Kosher wine and shopped the grocery store we spent as much as a fine dining experience and couldn't be more satisfied. The service by the kind hearted rabbi was an experience to be savored. He also tells some of the best Jewish jokes. Please support this local establishment. We need more authentic places like this. It took me back to many of the NY and Brooklyn deli's I used to frequent on my trips to the Big Apple. The prices at first might give you a bit of sticker shock. It's pricey compared to a commercial deli. But the $16.99 sandwich here is easily $30-$35 dollars in NYC. It's kosher and made with love. Nuff said. Just GO. read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - Spinach knish fresh from the oven - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

Excellent food. Great service. High value. Highly recommend You will love it every time read more

Thanks to an Elite Yelp event I got to try a Roosevelt sandwich! It was so delicious! I was looking forward to it all day. I stopped by after work and boy, I wasn't disappointed. It tasted so fresh and had really good quality ingredients like yummy rye bread, tasty turkey, pastrami and vegetables. It tasted like it was made with care and was so much better than those cheap restaurant chain sandwiches. I'm really glad I stopped in today and I'll definitely be back again. The sandwich was so big that it's almost big enough for two people to share. I had to have my husband help me eat it and now he's a huge fan, too. We're already thinking about stopping in again soon. The place isn't huge but it's roomy enough. There's a cozy seating area in the front of the restaurant if you want to dine in. The place has a cool old school deli feel and open kitchen area behind the counter so you can kind of see your sandwich being made. There's also a store area where they sell chips, pop and some religious items. So you can look around while you're waiting for your sandwich to be made. I love it! The service was great and the the man who made my sandwich was very friendly and was wearing a face shield. The place was also very clean. I also love that this place is close to where I live and i can't wait to try some other sandwiches. Give them a try if you're looking for a tasty sandwich. read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

Let me first start by saying that since we moved from the East Coast to Iowa we have truly struggled to find a good Jewish deli. For those of you not familiar with the art and craftsmanship of a sandwich from a Jewish deli, all I can say is you have no idea what you were missing. Maccabee's Is everything that we have longed for since moving to the Midwest. From the perfect slices of rye bread to the pastrami that was absolute juicy perfection this was what we have come to love from a quality deli. For those of you that have the mistaken belief that a sandwich is a sandwich, come out of the darkness and into the light and experience true artisan perfection and a comfortable atmosphere. Also if you like coffee, snag a little bag of the Turkish coffee like I did. I made it this morning and it was off the charts good!!! read more

See all

We came here on a Sunday afternoon and were welcomed right away by several people. It was a cozy spot with various kosher grocery items. My boyfriend got a pastrami on rye with deli mustard, onions, and Mayo. I got the pastrami and Turkey on rye with deli mustard and onions. Both were great and fresh. The baklava and potato latkes were a great addition to our meal. We had a nice conversation with the Rabi before heading out. read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - Pastrami and Turkey - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

There are several corporate delis in town. A couple of local delis. And then there is Maccabee's. I've had a couple of the best sandwiches I have ever had here. Tried the pastrami burger this time, it was ridiculously good. I've had the corned beef, I've had the pastrami, all superb. We've had the latkes, we've had the knishes. Amazing. We've brought challah home, so tasty! Plus it's a kosher grocery store. Then you'll get to talking to the Rabbi. He is one of the sweetest, chattiest people I have ever met. He kind of takes every moment as a teaching moment, and it's marvelous. This is one of the best places in town ... really, go get yourself a sandwich. read more

Such a lovely kosher deli in the heart of Iowa! It isn't just a deli, it's a mini Jewish cultural center full of groceries, cold and hot eats, snacks, and books! Owned by a rabbi and run by local Jews who are kind and loving to all, it's a fun lunch spot. read more

See all

Amazing Pastrami Sandwich on marble rye with deli mustard and all the fixins! This sandwich was huge see the pics. The pastrami was thinly sliced and piled high and aside from being Kosher was packed with flavor added a pickle on the side, crunchy and the brine was good. But let's talk about Rabbi Jacobson, a super friendly and kind man was very helpful and informative of the many Jewish food and drink offerings within his establishment. Lots of food items direct from Israel. The shoppe was warm and inviting a few tables for dine in. Definitely going back for more of these tasty sandwich meats! New lunch spot! read more

See all

I went on a Wednesday at 12:15. I had the Roosevelt sandwich, a side of macaroni salad, a pickle and a diet black cherry Dr. Brown's soda. The star of the show was that sandwich! It was on a marble rye bread. I don't care for rye, but that sure didn't stop me from enjoying that sandwich. Next time I'll ask for a different bread. The pastrami was excellent. Pastrami is not something I've eaten very often, but trust me, I'll be back for another one of those sandwiches. Service was good, nice friendly people. There is a little grocery area, a gift section and a table for dine in. There's not a lot of room for dine in, but it's open. Staff was wearing masks. This is close to my place of employment, so I'll be back often. read more

See all

I came here for a Yelp Elite event on Wednesday afternoon about 3pm. The place wasn't too busy, which was great as it gave me time to check out the shop and chat with the guy behind the deli counter. They have tons of wines! Some are buy 3 get the 4th of the same value free. Some of their desserts looked delicious. While here, we ordered the Roosevelt sandwich and I have to tell you when I took my first bite, the first words out of my mouth were "oh my goodness, where has this been all my life?". The sandwich was amazing and worth the stop. It puts so many other deli sandwiches to shame. I also ordered one of their cabbage egg rolls. It was great once I added some salt and pepper. The potato salad was also delicious. If you're in the Drake neighborhood, head west a little ways and stop by and grab a bite to eat. I will be a returning customer! read more

See all

What a great kosher deli. The place is filled with all your kosher needs. Today I got the Roosevelt sandwich.....well modified.....I am not a fan of pastrami (all the paper is not my thing) The Rabbi was more than happy to switch it to cornbeaf. I also grabbed a potato knish. Growing up grandma made knishes and taught me, so I always love to try others. I also saw a sign that says they have challah French toast on special on Sundays. Fresh challah is always a delight, but as French toast, it's delicious. I will have to come back to try this. read more

See all

My family and I had an excellent experience and excellent food on Friday, October 6th. First of all, the youngest worker helped us with our order. When he heard we were from New York, he wanted to be sure to give us the best service. One person in my party made sure to tell him how we wanted our pastrami. He would say shaved and she said, no, thin. He was also very patient with another person in my party. She was unsure of what she wanted. He even gave her a taste of pastrami. She loved it. All of the food was delicious and generous portions. Another person even enjoyed the celery soda that they normally don't get around here. Thank you very much for an excellent lunch and all of the help! read more

Great kosher stop! Awesome sandwiches and shir! Complete selection of kosher wine and snacks. read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - My kid waiting for her French fries - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Food was not great. Ordered the specialty sandwiches that were supposed to be served hot. They came out cold deli cuts. When told the guy just looked at me. Another sandwich that we ordered came wrong and when told the guy argued with me that I was wrong. Service was a 0/10. Never coming back again. read more

Being the "gadzunta fresser" that I am, I felt it was my duty to inspect and sample the delicatessen! It's the real deal and I was not disappointed! Friendly staff, tasty food and reasonably priced! I'll be back! read more

Fantastically friendly welcome and very tasty white fish sandwich to back it up. Good to have a kosher stop over in the neo shtetl of Des Moines. read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

Stopped by for some sandwiches. I asked for the 2 most popular and surprised my husband. They did not disappoint. We loved them! They were gone in minutes. I love that they are open on Sunday! read more

See all

Maccabee's Deli is truly a hidden gem. As one of the only outposts for homemade kosher food in Iowa, I knew this restaurant was going to have to be my establishment of choice for dining out while on a recent visit to Des Moines. Needless to say, I was not disappointed and the experience has me longing for them to open a branch closer to home in South Florida! The deli itself is very unassuming; it's located in a small standalone building in the suburbs of Des Moines. Inside is fairly small, but there are enough places to sit for a small crowd, and the back doubles as a miniature kosher dry goods market. The management, Rabbi Jacobson and his family, were incredibly friendly and welcoming. I easily got the impression that they care about each patron not just as a customer, but as an individual, which is rare these days. The food was amazing. The two times I ate there, I ordered the Maccabee sandwich and the Roosevelt sandwich (respectively) - both on fresh focaccia bread with "the works". Both were piled high with a generous portion of meat, and were served with deliciously crunchy sour pickles. The only problem with their sandwiches is that you'll need lots of napkins to enjoy them! I also tried their egg roll and French fries, which were very good as well. Overall, Des Moines is lucky to have a place like Maccabees, and I'm really looking forward to my next visit. Go check them out! read more

Stopped in here for a Yelp elite event and picked up a Roosevelt Sandwich and also an egg roll and potato kugel. This deli has a little of everything in its isles and meat cases. The sandwich was delicious! Very flavorful with great bread and meat combinations. The egg roll and kugel were bland for me and lacked flavor. Perhaps this is my fault for warming them in the microwave. The owner runs the place and is very talkative and friendly. I'm excited to try the other available sandwiches. read more

See all

Hands down the best sandwiches in Des Moines. Service is immaculate, usually just the owner working and he's awesome. Overall it's good vibes in the deli, peaceful and relaxing. read more

Great service and absolutely wonderful corned beef and rye bread! Ordered in bulk for a holiday gathering.

Terrific people and sandwiches. Our first time there and they made it clear there were no strangers in their deli. Cannot wait to return.

Top tier customer service is what you'll be greeted with upon entering the only kosher deli in Iowa. They also sell Kosher grocery items so I took some time to peruse those shelves before settling on potato latkas and The Roosevelt sandwich from the deli. The latkas were delicious and reminded me of my Mom's potato cakes she makes from leftover mashed potatoes. The pastrami sandwich was really good, the only thing I would change is the dark rye, next time I will get it on the traditional rye bread. Overall I would say great small local deli I'll be back and I would definitely recommend giving them a try. Checkout the hours before heading over I don't think they are open too late into the evenings. read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - Latkas - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

I just moved out to the area from north jersey and I truly miss massive corned beef/pastrami sandwiches. This place does not let down at all. It's quaint, yet the owners truly make you feel like you're part of their family. I ordered the Maccabee speciality sandwich. It was absolutely incredible. Every bite just melts. The Bread is homemade and its springy and doughy with just the right crunch. The meat, wow, it just melts in your mouth. It's like the spent all night cooking it. Perfection. Give this place a try. read more

Maccabee's Kosher Deli - Maccabee Sandwich - Delis Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Wow wow wow! We were just passing through Des Moines and boy am I glad we stopped at Maccabee's. Rabbi Yossi was vivacious and super friendly--and made the most delicious, smoky whitefish sandwich on toasted poppyseed focaccia with fresh, flavorful tomato, lettuce, and onion I've ever had. My partner had the hot pastrami on rye with deli mustard, and I tried it too-- so meaty and well balanced, not at all greasy like they can be sometimes. The knishes were hearty and comforting. Thanks Rabbi! We'll be back next time! read more

Fabulous food and then some! I was driving from Michigan to Denver, craving a non-fast food sandwich. Found Maccabee's. Stopped in and was beautifully surprised! A rich cultural gem in the heart of Des Moines. My turkey pastrami sandwich was DELICIOUS. Also had fresh crisp cole slaw - not at all goopy - and tasty potato salad. Plus a tasty dessert. Best of all, Rabbi Jacobson is lovely. Had a great conversation about all sorts of meaningful things while he was putting my food together. I will be coming here again whenever I'm in Des Moines. Fabulous food, human, and a rich cultural experience!! read more

Everything was delicious and the Rabbi was really nice. Service and food were outstanding. Thank you for remembering what service is, being kind read more

I love this deli -- especially enjoy the sandwiches & the service is excellent. The rabbi is a great conversationalist & quite friendly. It also has grocery items & books and miscellaneous products. read more