The No. 5, which consists of pastrami, corned beef, cole slaw and Russian dressing on rye, is a favorite at Hobby’s Deli in Newark, which just reopened for the first time in more than two years. John Jones | For NJ Advance Media

Like many New Jersey restaurants, the iconic Newark sandwich shop Hobby’s Deli shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as the rest of the industry began to reopen in the summer of 2020, the Brick City institution bided its time and remained closed.

But after lengthy and costly renovations, the pastrami hiatus finally ended on July 28. For the first time in more than two years, Hobby’s Deli is back slinging the Jewish soul food revered in the Garden State and exalted as some of the best in the country.

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