A group of folks have brought the flavors and feel of another New York style deli to the Roanoke Valley. Many people in the area have always thought of The New Yorker as Roanoke’s New York Deli, but now there is a new option in Downtown Roanoke. R.T. Smith’s, located on Campbell Avenue near the corner of Campbell & Jefferson, is serving up some of those popular sandwiches, meats, and baked goods for which delis are so well known.


I’ve been to R.T. Smith’s a few times, and my most recent visit was the best. I ordered the Reuben sandwich and a side of pasta salad. Instead of getting the typical sauerkraut on my sandwich, I substituted coleslaw – so I might have actually ordered a Rachel, but whatever. The sandwich came on toasted rye bread and consisted of corned beef (all of the meats are Boar’s Head), swiss cheese, coleslaw, and thousand island dressing. There was a generous portion of corned beef, which had a good salty, smoky flavor, but didn’t overpower the other ingredients. The cheese provided a tang, coleslaw added sweetness, and the dressing made it creamy and rich. There’s a reason so many restaurants serve their own variation of a Reuben or Rachel, and the version at R.T. Smith’s is a winner. My pasta salad was also very good, but they appeared to be going with a “less is more” approach with the serving size. The sandwich, side, & drink combo was around $9.00.

The menu features a number of other items I’m very interested in trying. They serve breakfast, including the classic “Bagel & Lox” combination, which intrigues me. They also offer various daily specials that are a bit more filling than the typical sandwich, such as a veal cutlet. And then there is the counter full of cookies, pastries, and other sweets that are quite tantalizing.

I appreciate that R.T. Smith’s is a New York Deli that is actually run by New Yorkers. I’ve had a chance to talk with two of the three owners and I love how they are working hard to make their restaurant an authentic New York Deli. They have many different items shipped in from New York and the menu is made up of New York favorites. It’s another feather in the cap of Downtown Roanoke’s restaurant offering. Now, you can grab an apple at the farmer’s market and walk over to R.T. Smith’s and get a taste of the big apple. 

Information:
R.T. Smith's Fine Delicatessan
10 Campbell Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA 24011
540.985.4524
rtsmithsdeli.weebly.com