St. Patrick’s Day is coming, which means it’s officially corned beef season (but let’s call a spade a spade… if you’re doing it right, corned beef season is year-round).
But, while everyone rushes to the same old spots for their annual reuben fix, real ones know that Central Ohio has some seriously underrated corned beef sandwiches hiding in plain sight.
From thick-cut hunks (yes, hunks) of juicy goodness to towering, jaw-unhinging stacks, these are the three corned beef sandwiches you need to try before March is over.
Valter’s at the Maennerchor
976 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
I will never stop talking about Valter’s. At this point, I should probably just change my email signature to Valter’s Evangelist. But listen, when a place makes corned beef this good, you spread the good word. The fact that people STILL haven’t heard of it or been to it yet means my work is not done.
Their reuben is the stuff of legend. Thick-sliced, slow-roasted corned beef that’s so tender and juicy, it practically melts in your mouth. And I’m not just saying “thick-sliced” to be dramatic. This is corned beef served in hunks. You know, like a chunk, but sexier. A HUNK of corned beef.
Layer it up with their homemade sauerkraut, melted Swiss, and just the right amount of 1,000 Island dressing, and you’ve got a sandwich you will be thinking about in the middle of the night. I assure you.
Uptown Deli & Brew
41 N State St, Westerville, OH 43081
I first discovered the magic of Uptown Deli & Brew after a twilight golf round at New Albany Links, where I finished bogey, triple bogey, double bogey and needed to emotionally recover via sandwich therapy. And let me tell you — this place delivered.
Their corned beef is sliced thin but is loaded with flavor, and they serve it up on three different sandwiches, so you’ve got options:
- The Reuben: Classic rye, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss, Russian dressing. A timeless masterpiece.
- The State & Main: Rye, corned beef, pastrami, coleslaw. A little extra flair for the people who like their corned beef with company.
- The Corned Beef & Rye: The name says it all. Sometimes, simple is best.
Whichever one you go for, you’ll be biting into some of the best (and most underrated) corned beef in Ohio.
Frenchi’s Deli
18 E Hudson St, Columbus, OH 43202
If you’ve ever had the legendary corned beef sandwiches at Slyman’s in Cleveland, buckle up…
Frenchi’s is bringing that same energy to Columbus.
If you haven’t had Slyman’s, just know that these sandwiches are the kind that require strategic jaw unhinging to take a proper bite.
Frenchi’s corned beef is slow-cooked to perfection, piled sky-high, and served on deliciously airy rye bread. You can customize your sandwich with different sizes and toppings, or go for one of their specialties like:
- The La Tour Eiffel: Corned beef, pastrami, and roast beef. Because why stop at one meat?
- The Le Sandwich Du Chef: Steak, chicken, and corned beef. A flavor overload in the best way possible.
You might not expect a French deli to have some of the best corned beef sandwiches in the city, but life is full of surprises, and this is one of its best (and most flavorful) ones.
Final Verdict? Try Them Before March is Over.
Whether you’re a corned beef connoisseur or just looking for a St. Patrick’s Day sandwich that actually delivers, these spots deserve your attention.
Did we miss one? Send us a note!