Harold's New York Deli Menu 2026: Legendary NJ Portions

Harold's New York Deli is famous for absurdly massive portions -- it's arguably the restaurant's defining characteristic. A standard pastrami or corned beef sandwich is typically stacked 5-6 inches high and weighs well over a pound of meat. Most diners plan to either share an entree or take half home. Even the soups and sides arrive in much larger portions than a typical restaurant. The matzo ball soup bowl is often called a full meal on its own.

Harold's New York Deli has two New Jersey locations: one in Edison, NJ and one in Parsippany, NJ. Both serve the full menu with the same legendary huge portions. Check haroldsnydeli.com for current addresses, hours, and phone numbers, as hours can vary by day and season.

Harold's is known for three things above all: (1) enormous portion sizes that make sharing practically mandatory, (2) classic NY deli meat -- especially pastrami and corned beef piled high on fresh-baked rye bread -- and (3) legendary New York cheesecake that is served in slices so large they function as a separate meal. The deli has a warm, old-school atmosphere that feels like a time capsule of a 1950s Manhattan delicatessen.

Both start as beef brisket cured in a seasoned brine, but they diverge from there. Corned beef is cured and then boiled or steamed -- it's tender, moist, and lightly seasoned, with a briny flavor. Pastrami is cured, coated in a spice rub (typically black pepper and coriander), smoked, and then steamed. The result is smoky, peppery, and richer than corned beef. At Harold's, both are piled on rye with mustard in quantities that are, frankly, unreasonable -- and that's the point.

Harold's does not publish a full price list online. Based on publicly available reviews and customer posts as of 2025-2026, deli sandwiches at Harold's are typically in the $20-$30 range for a classic pastrami, corned beef or brisket sandwich. This reflects the enormous portion size -- you are effectively getting 1-2 full meals worth of meat. Hot entrees and dinner plates generally run $20-$35. Confirm current pricing directly with the restaurant, as prices change without notice.

Most longtime customers and reviewers say yes, emphatically -- with the caveat that you need to understand what you're paying for. The per-pound value for the quality of house-cured meat and house-made dishes is strong. The portions are so large that sharing one sandwich between two people is entirely normal, effectively bringing the per-person cost in line with a fast-casual lunch. If you order a single sandwich solo and take half home, that's two meals from one order. The cheesecake alone is routinely described as among the best in New Jersey.

Yes -- matzo ball soup is one of Harold's flagship dishes and a must-order. The soup is made with a slow-simmered, golden chicken broth and features oversized, fluffy matzo balls. The bowl version arrives with two large matzo balls, noodles and chicken, making it a complete meal. Many diners order the cup as an appetizer and still find it generous. It is the kind of matzo ball soup that is frequently cited as the best in New Jersey.

Harold's dessert menu is anchored by its famous New York cheesecake -- dense, creamy, served on a graham cracker crust, and portioned in the same oversized Harold's fashion. A single slice is routinely described as larger than most whole restaurant desserts. Beyond cheesecake, the deli serves black-and-white cookies (a NYC institution), rugelach, rice pudding and other classic Jewish bakery items. The cheesecake is also available whole for takeout, making it a popular choice for parties and events throughout central New Jersey.

Yes -- Harold's offers takeout on their full menu, and both locations are popular for pickup orders. Catering is also available, which is a natural fit given that Harold's portions are already designed to feed a crowd. The whole cheesecakes, tray orders of pastrami and corned beef, and large-format soups make Harold's a go-to for office catering, family gatherings and events throughout Edison, Parsippany and greater Middlesex and Morris County. Contact the restaurant directly at haroldsnydeli.com for catering inquiries.