Shapiro's is a longtime Indianapolis tradition -- it's a cafeteria-style deli that comes extremely close to a true NYC kosher-style deli. For displaced New Yorkers and locals who know a good deli, Shapiro's is a true standby for excellent house-made corned beef and pastrami, fresh bagels and breads, desserts and homestyle side dishes.

Since my family moved here from Long Island in the 1970s, Shapiro's has been a destination for great bagels and good deli food. It's a must-stop if you're near the original location just south of downtown or the new deli that opened in the north suburbs in the past year.

Even if you're just passing through town on the interstate, it's worth getting off at one of the downtown exits and making a quick pit stop for one of those huge sandwiches, a couple of pickles and a piece of pie or rugalach (sp).

Besides, where else in Indiana can you get a real hot pastrami or corned beef sandwich with a cold Dr. Brown's cream soda?

Check it out at www.shapiros.com

[This message has been edited by Pietro (edited 08-01-2003).]

Drive through Indianapolis on a regular basis, good to know being a deli food lover.

Willie -- it's well worth a stop, especially considering how this town is so dominated by theme-heavy chain restaurants. The downtown location is just south of the circle, walkable from many of the downtown hotels and office buildings, or a quick detour off the I-70 and I-65 exits. Parking is free in the lot next door.

For $10 or so, you can have a true feast at Shapiro's -- a huge sandwich (or a half if you prefer to sample different things), good matzo ball soup, latkes, pies and all kinds of other healthy eats. I always get some bagels to take home, too.

If you're in town a lot, let me know the next time you're here and up for a fat corned beef or pastrami on rye. Deli fans tend to have their favorites, but if you like the good Chicago or NYC spots, you'll like something at Shapiro's.

It was worth the stop. Was there today for an early lunch.

Had a corned beef/pastrami combo sandwich on rye so I could try both meats, also had a side of chopped chicken liver and marinated mushrooms.

The corned beef was good, the better of the two meats. Do they cook their own meats here? I ask the question because I went to the take out area afterwords to browse and buy a sesame bagel. In the deli case they had two rows of corned beef, one made from brisket and one from the flat. I used to sell deli meats and this is the first instance that I've seen corned beef offered from multiple beef cuts. They also had lots of Vienna products in the case (retail packs).

Bagel was good, but seeing as I just had some Montreal bagels a week ago, no place in the US would have come close to making the level bagel that Montreal does.

Glad you were able to try it out, Willie. Not sure about all the meats, but I believe the pastrami and corned beef are house-made. I usually prefer their pastrami, but the corned beef is pretty consistent in my experience. It's a beautiful thing on fresh rye bread with mustard and those big pickles.

FYI, my German-American father-in-law swears by their tongue sandwich. He also likes that chicken liver dish you mention. I've always enjoyed the bagels here -- they're WAY better than anything else available in Indy (mostly chain shops like Einstein, etc.).

The pies and pastries at Shapiro's are always worth taking home, too. Basic stuff like lemon bars and apple pie are great, but they also have good ruggelah (sp) and other baked goods that are hard to find around here.


[This message has been edited by Pietro (edited 08-07-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Pietro (edited 08-07-2003).]