Hand cut corned
beef since 1955
A Milwaukee institution on North Avenue. Hot off the steam table, cut by hand, piled on rye — with a kosher pickle, always.
Corned Beef
Brined in house, steamed, hand cut to order.
Pastrami
Peppered and smoked, spiced the old way.
Reuben
Grilled rye, sauerkraut, Swiss, Thousand Island.
Matzo Ball
Made every morning. It runs out early.
Cut by hand,
never by machine
Every sandwich is carved off the steam table when you order it. That is the whole trick, and it is why people drive in from Chicago for a pound to take home.
See the menuSame corner,
same knife
The building opened around 1903 as a butcher shop on Milwaukee's north side. In 1955 Jake Levin bought the deli from Ruben Cohen and it became Jake's. Levin ran it until 1969, when local investors — Bud Selig among them — took it on to keep the counter open.
“If you want authentic New York deli, this is the place to go. The Reuben sandwiches are piled high.”
“I have traveled the country trying to find pastrami as good as Jake's. There was no comparison.”
“Very reasonably priced for the amount of food you get.”
What's on the board
Also at the counter: the Rachel, Corned Beef Philly, Turkey Senator, and a pastrami dog on a pretzel roll.
Pastrami and turkey by the pound, rye by the loaf, soup by the quart — priced at the counter.
Made every morning and it runs out early. Coleslaw, potato salad, Jake's chips, and a kosher pickle with every sandwich.
Ordering and payment happen on Jake's own ordering page. Prices are taken from Jake's current online listings — confirm them with the counter before publishing.
1634 W North Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53205
Monday to Saturday, 10am – 6pm
Closed Sunday
(414) 562-1272
Trays & catering
Meat by the pound, rye by the loaf, soup by the quart. A day's notice for large trays — call the counter and we will sort it out.