10/1/23 Edit: The Empire Deli is under new ownership. The below review was from before they changed owners, and may not reflect the current menu or status of the restaurant.
I’m not the first person to sing the praises of Empire Deli, and I’m certain I won’t be the last. You’ve probably heard of Empire Deli. They were the subject of much praise early last year on the Greenville reddit. Then they went viral on reddit again late last year, after the management lambasted a critic on yelp that was upset because their order took longer than expected. Empire Deli had just gone viral after being featured on the Greenville Foodies facebook page for their fantastic eats, and they (understandably) were struggling to keep up with the new and sudden demand. Having worked in the service industry myself, I found the owner’s response to the unreasonable expectations cathartic, if not therapeutic, and I was determined to go see what all the fuss was about myself. In the process, I stumbled upon the best sandwiches in Greenville SC!
We showed up about 30 minutes before closing time (Empire is open until 6pm on weekdays), and fully intended to take the food to go in order to avoid making the staff stay later. Having overheard our concerns, the staff openly beckoned us to stay, and let us know that they weren’t in any rush and would love to have us eat-in if we had time. The folks behind the counter, which I’m assuming were owners by the pride they took in their food, were extremely nice and excited to have us choose from their wide array of sandwiches.
I’ve seen quite a few people recommend the Reuben, and since the sandwich has grown on me in recent years, I decided that’s where I’d place my benchmark. I had high expectations going in, and I can say that their Reuben exceeded them. I’m ready to call Empire Deli’s Reuben the best one in Greenville, and I was anxious to find out why it was so good. Their rye bread is toasted, and delicious. The Russian dressing was creamy and perfectly balanced (which made it no surprise when I found out they make their Russian dressing in-house). The sauerkraut was sourced by Empire and had a great fresh flavor while adding a satisfying crunch to the sandwich. Of course, they also make their own delicious corned beef. My wife, who normally isn’t a fan of Reubens, not only enjoyed her bite of mine, but kept asking for additional bites and confessed she’d probably get one herself next time we come (which of course we will)!
My wife had the Spicy Philly sandwich, complete with Chipotle mayo and jalapenos and loved every bite of it. The steak was well cooked and flavorful, the Swiss was imported, the bread had a good crust but the inside was soft and warm, and the Chipotle and jalapenos added just the right amount of heat. All in all, both sandwiches were fantastic and the sides were no slouch either. We asked about the curly fries and sweet potato fries, but they were already sold out for the day, a testament to their deliciousness, and a dangling carrot for me when I consider my next lunch foray. As it was, the regular french fries more than served their purpose, and in combination with their house fry sauce, are a contender for some of the best fries in Greenville as well; hot and crispy, not too greasy, with a satisfying crunchy shell.
Next time I’m on Haywood road looking for lunch, Empire Deli will be at the top of my list. There may be a line, but in this writer’s opinion, it’s worth the wait, and you can always order online in advance!
Looking for more of the best sandwiches in Greenville SC? Check out some of our other reviews!