Pastrami vs. Corned Beef: What’s the Difference? (And Where to Find Halal Pastrami Near Niles)
They sit next to each other in every deli case and get mixed up all the time. Here’s the simple version of how pastrami and corned beef differ — and which one you’ll find on our board.
They start the same way: the cure
Both corned beef and pastrami begin with a brine cure — salt, sugar and spices — that seasons the meat all the way through and gives it that rosy deli color. The “corn” in corned beef is an old word for the coarse salt grains used in the cure, not actual corn.
Corned beef: simmered and mellow
After curing, corned beef is typically boiled or simmered until tender. There’s no heavy spice crust and no smoke, so the flavor is clean, salty and beefy. It’s the meat behind Reubens and corned beef hash.
Pastrami: rubbed, smoked, steamed
Pastrami takes the cured meat further. It gets a thick rub of cracked black pepper and coriander, then it’s smoked, then steamed so it turns tender and sliceable. The result is bolder: peppery bark, smoky edges, deep flavor. Pastrami can be made from beef or turkey.
Side by side
| Corned beef | Pastrami | |
|---|---|---|
| Cure | Brined | Brined |
| Spice crust | Light or none | Pepper + coriander |
| Cooking | Boiled / simmered | Smoked, then steamed |
| Taste | Salty, mild | Peppery, smoky |
| Classic sandwich | Reuben | Pastrami on rye / hot pastrami |
Looking for halal? Here’s what we serve
If you eat halal, finding either one at a regular deli can be tricky. At Sandwishat, every meat is 100% halal, and pastrami is a house specialty:
- We Beef’in — halal beef pastrami, Swiss, Dijon and garlic aioli on focaccia ($14.49). The closest thing on our menu to a classic beef deli sandwich.
- The Pastrami Special — halal turkey pastrami with beef bacon on herb & cheese bread (6″ $8.99 / 12″ $14.99).
- The Sandwishat Signature — turkey pastrami with pesto on focaccia ($14.49).
Read more in our guide to halal deli meats.
Taste the pepper and smoke
Halal beef & turkey pastrami, made to order in Niles
Visit Sandwishat Subs & Deli
7882 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714 · 224-251-7178
Monday–Thursday 11 AM–11 PM · Friday–Sunday 11 AM–12 AM
Every meat we serve is 100% halal. Order ahead for pickup, get DoorDash delivery, or grab the $9.50 weekday lunch special (Mon–Fri, 11 AM–3 PM).