Cecil’s is a timeless place - today much the same as 40 years ago: crowded dining room, wonderful smells from the kitchen, friendly staff bustling about. And the food! Absolutely the best Rueben’s in Minnesota (my wife and I both enjoyed the veggie version today, which has been on the menu forever). Potato pancakes, blintzes, omelette, the salmon plate and other items have been enjoyed by family members. The side of potato salad that I had today was superb. And then there is the deli, which includes the most incredible selection of mustards I have ever seen (Lager Beer mustard!). Cecil’s is not to be missed.
Our second time getting take out corned beef sandwiches to eat on the road after a visit to St Paul. Picked up sandwiches after telling them to include mustard on the side as we wouldn't be eating them until the next day. First time no mustard. Second time after telling them they forgot it the first time (and being told they included it) NO mustard. Not that big a deal except the amount of corned beef on the sandwiches was pathetic: maybe 5-6 slices, not even as thick as a slice of bread. I don't mind paying a lot (as you do at Cecil's) for a good deli corned beef sandwich, but expect to get a 1 1/2 to 2 inch thick (at least) layer of C.B. as any big city (Chicago, NYC) deli would give you. The C.B. itself was mediocre at best, so even if the sandwiches were "deli sized" I doubt I'd want another one.
Great food !! Highly recommend !!
best reuben in the history of reuben’s!!
Cecil's is such a little hidden gem! We stopped to grab sandwiches on our way to a picnic with friends. Totally worth the wait and being a little late!! Such great food, completely kosher (I'm not Jewish, but respect to the owners for going the distance!), and AMAZINGLY YUMMY TREATS! Incredibly helpful and friendly staff; there was a guy behind the deli counter with a Brooklyn accent who was so patient and helpful despite the crazy-packed store. He even helped to take orders when the cashier was swamped with customers.I ordered an apple strudel thinking it would be "bar sized" and instead got THE WHOLE STRUDEL! ?? Our family of six + our picnic friends were more than happy to help me out. Incredible place with great food! Highly recommend this sandwich shop!
Cecil’s. This is the place to bring anyone who wants a Twin Cities experience. Hands down the best deli in the Twin Cities. All the traditions and quality of a solid Jewish deli without the tradition of being overpriced and overrated. The best thing about NOT being on the coasts but squarely in the Midwest. Staff and management are friendly, portions are generous and food is delicious. Try the traditional dishes or unique ones. The lox for two have give you a good sized portion. The hashwich breakfast sandwich, grilled crispy and comforting filling with a little bit of a creamy spicy sauce. The corned beef hash is perfect. The Ruben’s and Rachael’s with a great sauce and large portions of coleslaw and potato salad.
I got to Cecil's about 2:30 pm (so not their busy hours). Got seated in the deli and asked about internet (needed to check a few important emails before the end of the business day) and got their password. Ordered a bowl of Matzo Ball soup and a 1/4 corned beef sandwich. Tried several times to get on the Wifi. Could not. Manager came by and said I was on the wrong network. I was trying to get on "Cecils" not "Cecils Guest SLOW" ?????? He then said the router was in the basement and I probably would not be able to get on. (ummm what?? I asked if they had Wifi when I arrived and before I was seated). I asked for my food t be bagged up to go. I did not take home the Matzo ball soup as it was a very thin and tasteless broth with two VERY small matzo balls (also bland) and floating with fat. GROSS. then I headed out to the deli. The manager was manning his register (apparently so he could monitor both deli and restaurant staff and not doing much other than seating. I asked if I could pay my bill at the deli counter and he said most people did two transaction. When I said I preferred to do one, he grumpily said " then just go take it there and wait" There was ONE staff behind the bread/meat counter and three people waiting. When another customer asked the staff to take things to her car, he said sure. I asked if another staff would be covering? He said no and that he was off (it was 3:05 and he was supposed to go at 3pm). So we all waited for 20 minutes for the new staff. The manager (owner?) was nowhere to be seen. Finally a young staff showed up and got my order. Another older man came and just wandered around behind the register while he waited for her to finish so she could open the cash drawer and he could take the receipts out of the door and leave. The whole place was dirty, rundown, and sad. I got a 1/2 lb of corned beef and saw that the base under the slicer was piled with meat scraps and the girl helping me would catch meat in her hand as there was no place for it to fall. The floors were dirty in the eating area and I was over all quite shocked. I have been going there for years. It is sad to see how poor management and apathy have eroded what was once a legend in st. paul It needs an overhaul, a professional clean, an elevated menu, and a health inspection. The shlubby, unkempt, grumpy owner/manager needs to go. None of the staff seemed happy. Nobody smiled. It felt like a sad, grinding gutter ....great deli..........but no heart anymore.
Love this place! I ordered a turkey breast boxed lunch online and the sandwich came with chips, potato salad, a pickle, a brownie, AND a mint! Highly recommend :)
Good food - had a Turkey BLT which was delicious but muuuch smaller than I had expected. The store is really clean and has the widest variety of mustards I have ever seen. They have a whole restaurant in the back as well. Friendly staff! Will be back!
I was an avid fan of Cecil's going with friends or alone 3-4 times a month.l we often waited for seating on the weekends. The last several months though, it's like a ghost town. On Saturday I was the only diner and it took 20 minutes for someone to take my order. Despite being on the menu, I was told they don't make decaf coffee any more (some days the do - depends on the whims of the staff). Service is horrible. The food quality is about the same, but some days it's served tasteless and cold. I'm guessing the market is keeping them afloat. Sadly, this is my last visit. After a dozen or so attempts, the Cecil's that used to be no longer is.