Carnegie Deli’s Pastrami and Corned Beef Are Coming to a Costco Near You

There may be no such thing as heaven on earth, but thick-cut slabs of smoked pastrami between homemade rye come pretty close.

In other words, landmark New York City delicatessen Carnegie Deli is bringing its world-famous meats to Costco shelves in early March. The deli recently announced a new Pastrami and Corned Beef Combo Pack, offering a well-rounded taste of its nearly 90-year legacy.

“Carnegie Deli is more than just a deli; it’s a New York institution and has been a cultural symbol of the city’s vibrant Jewish deli tradition since 1937,” Carnegie Deli Group CEO Sarri Harper tells Food & Wine. “We want Costco customers to feel like they’re getting a genuine taste of New York, a piece of our legacy, with every bite.” 

Founded in 1937, the Theater District deli was co-owned by restaurateurs Leo Steiner and Milton Parker and was situated just down the street from Carnegie Hall — hence its name. It enjoyed popularity among locals and celebrities alike for decades, until a glowing review in the New York Times in 1979 gave it wider acclaim, per NPR. Often considered a must-stop for visitors, Carnegie Deli was recognized for its nostalgic restaurant interior and sky-high stacked Pastrami sandwiches. 

Hitting 50 Costco locations across the Northeast next month, the combo pack will be available in stores throughout Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. The deli anticipates wider retail availability in the coming months, so if your local Costco isn’t included, a little patience might pay off.

The original Carnegie Deli closed in 2016, but the brand’s legendary sandwiches have lived on through a Madison Square Garden outpost and an online retail site. Before the closure, its Midtown location was a favorite of locals, tourists, and celebrities — its nostalgic gallery wall of famous visitors a testament to its cultural impact.

This launch marks the first time Carnegie Deli has offered this Pastrami and Corned Beef two-pack at grocery stores, bringing the deli’s most iconic cuts to the bulk retailer’s meat department. The combo includes two 12-ounce packages, which is just enough to recreate the deli’s ridiculously tall sandwiches at home. Even better, each 1.5-pound combo pack also costs just under $18.

As Harper tells Food & Wine, the deli prepares pastrami and corned beef using a unique blend of spices and a traditional family recipe. Its in-house Pastrami is brined, seasoned, and smoked using that family recipe, while the Corned Beef undergoes a curing process and simmers for peak tenderness. The Costco two-pack, we’re told, is no different. 

“We’re bringing a true New York deli experience to Costco customers by offering pastrami and corned beef made with the same quality and passion that goes into all of our sandwiches,” Harper explains. 

Now that’s something we’d raise a Rueben to.