What it is: Featured in a 2023 episode of Queer Eye, Dan Stein’s Jewish-Italian deli offers an impressive array of sandwiches front and center, along with coolers filled with all types of beer. A small section of to-go provisions might entice home chefs waiting for their lunch. Large crowds can form, along with multiple lines of patrons at various stages of ordering and eating—the touch of chaos adds to the charm. The space feels like a cross between a vintage record shop and a collectibles store. Beaten-up floors and a mishmash of “stuff” everywhere make the space feel honest and interesting.
Why it’s great: Stein’s dedication to stocking some of the best local, national, and international beers makes this a must-visit for beer aficionados in New Orleans. If the front coolers don’t entice you, walk back through the prep kitchen, out the back door, and into the courtyard. The door on the right opens up many more possibilities—the back room is stocked with even more liquid goodies and hidden gems. While you can’t actually drink inside Stein’s, New Orleans has liberal public consumption laws. Ask the front counter to pop open your bottle, and you can legally sip out front at one of the picnic tables while enjoying a bomb sandwich.
Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Friday; 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday; closed Monday
Address: 2207 Magazine St., New Orleans
Web: steinsdeli.com
