A new sandwich shop brings deli classics to downtown Cary. What to know
.JPG "A new deli offering Reuben and pastrami sandwiches is open in Cary.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Pastrami Tom’s opens in downtown Cary, offering classic deli sandwiches.
- Menu lists half sandwiches from $10, burgers from $14.50, salads and soups.
- Downtown Cary sees multiple recent openings and another restaurant planned.
Another locally owned restaurant opened recently in downtown Cary.
Pastrami Tom’s East Coast Deli & Grill is a new concept from Tom Scheidler, a Cincinnati native who has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 45 years, and his business partner, Tridib Paul.
Scheidler has worked as general manager and operating partner of popular chains such as TGI Fridays, P.F. Chang’s and Bonefish Grill, he told The News & Observer in a call. He also owned a now-closed Chapel Hill restaurant, Top This Roast Beef, Burger and More.
For almost a decade, he has owned the catering company Top This Catering, which has served local sports teams including the Durham Bulls.
Scheidler has also provided meals for 55+ communities, and noticed that many of them came from the Northeast.
“I wanted to create something for them,” Scheidler said. “A lot of them come down here and can’t find the food that they experience up in the Northeast.”
Pastrami Tom’s prides itself on quality, but doesn’t offer the humongous portions diners would find at a quintessential Jewish deli in New York.
Chef Eddie Passiglia, who is from Long Island, leads the kitchen at the new restaurant at 312 W. Chatham St., according to the restaurant’s website.
Pastrami Tom’s is a family business. Scheidler’s son and daughter both work at the restaurant, his son cooking in the kitchen and his daughter running the cashier and social media presence, and doing administrative tasks.
Pastrami Tom’s menu
Sandwiches, which come with a customer’s choice of side, star at Pastrami Tom’s, where customers can find the classic deli offerings: Reubens, Rachels, roast beef, Cubans, Italians and chicken cutlets among them. Diners can also build their own sandwich. A half sandwich starts at $10.
“If you say New York deli, you’re pretty much committed to corned beef, chicken cutlets and pastrami, and that’s really about it. Saying the word ‘East Coast’ offers a lot more variety to the people,” Scheidler said. “And if somebody wants to come in six days a week, then our menu gives them that opportunity.”
Burgers, including a vegetarian option, are on the menu, priced at $14.50 and up.
The restaurant also serves salads ($9-$13) and soup ($5).
For sides, Pastrami Tom’s has house-made crinkle-cut fries, potato salad, pasta salad, macaroni salad, chips, sweet potato fries and fresh fruit ($3-$4.50).
Diners can finish the meal with “Grandma Madge’s” Ice Cream Pie, a sweet treat in honor of Scheidler’s late mother, Maine whoopie pies or banana pudding foster for dessert ($4.50-$5.50).
“I just can’t believe the variety that people are ordering,” Scheidler said. “It’s a very, very good mix. It’s not just one thing that people are coming in for.”
New restaurants in Cary
Pastrami Tom’s, which hopes to expand to more locations in the Triangle, is not the only restaurant to open in downtown Cary in recent months.
The popular barbecue joint Lawrence Barbecue moved from Boxyard RTP and opened last year in a new building on Cedar Street.
Last month, The Refreshery, a locally owned juice store and cafe, opened in the Meridian East Chatham building.
And still to come this year is Lloyd’s Full Service, a new concept from the hospitality team behind The Durham Hotel and The Mayton, moving into a former 1950s service station at the corner of Chatham and Academy streets.
This story has been updated to include our conversation with Tom Scheidler.
This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 4:02 PM.
