PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Nestled in the heart of the newly remodeled Esplanade at 24th Street and Camelback, The Little Pickle Jewish Deli is dishing out authentic East Coast flavors. What began as a pop-up has blossomed into a low-key favorite brick-and-mortar in Phoenix’s Biltmore area.
“It turned out to be a really big success, which was very flattering and humbling,” said founder Rick Phillips, who runs the deli under 151 Hospitality alongside partner Peter Hearn. Together, their pop-up even appeared on Jaime’s Local Love in 2023.
What began as a pop-up has blossomed into a low-key favorite brick-and-mortar in Phoenix’s Biltmore area.(Arizona’s Family)
The atmosphere is as inviting as the food, with a community table for coffee and laptops, and a nod to New York’s iconic delis through vibrant artwork and a Wall of Fame honoring the greats.
From morning bodega-style egg sandwiches to lunch staples like the famous pastrami Reuben or house-roasted turkey, every dish is simple, soulful, and done right.
The restaurant features a nod to New York’s iconic delis through vibrant artwork and a Wall of Fame honoring the greats.(Arizona’s Family)
“We’re offering hot pastrami, hand-carved out of a steam table, egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad. Sounds basic, but it’s really not. It’s just very simple and delicious and done right,” Phillips said.
The approach is deliberately unpretentious. “These are non-recipe recipes,” Phillips said, evoking childhood memories of simple tuna sandwiches made with mayo and celery—no fancy add-ins needed.
Every dish is simple, soulful, and done right.(Arizona’s Family)
And as to the rather cute name? Phillips says the name came straight from the heart.
“My mother used to call me her little pickle, and when my daughter was born, I called her my little pickle. So when it came to naming this deli, it had to be The Little Pickle. It just felt spiritually correct,” he said.
Whether you’re craving a pastrami-laden Reuben or a bagel with lox, you can’t go wrong to hit this place up for breakfast or lunch.
The Little Pickle Jewish Deli is dishing out authentic East Coast flavors.(Arizona’s Family)Little Pickle
Location: 2525 E Camelback Rd #120, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Hours:
- Sunday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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