Full sandwiches
Fresh bread and stacked fillings make the sandwiches substantial without necessarily feeling heavy.
Rascals Deli
Al Safa
Rascals Deli is an American-style sandwich shop in Al Safa with a relaxed, old-school deli atmosphere. Reviews point to substantial sandwiches such as the pastrami and chicken katsu, plus notably good fries and coffee.
Reputation Score
4.6
★★★★★
740 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Great fries
The curly and hand-cut fries are repeatedly praised for being crisp, fresh and satisfying.
Strong menu
The Philly cheesesteak, French Dip baguette and Katsu Sando were each described as well executed.
Deli atmosphere
The American old-school interior, natural light and spacious layout give the shop a distinctive, casual setting.
Coffee nearby
The bakehouse across from the deli is useful for coffee, pastries and bread after your sandwich.
Warm service
Multiple dine-in reviews describe attentive, welcoming service, including help choosing menu favourites.
Spacious setting
One visitor found the shop beautiful, spacious and full of natural light, though seating comfort was not perfect.
Tips for a Better Visit
Try pastrami. For a first order, consider the pastrami sandwich; reviewers describe it as generous, crispy and juicy, though preferences vary.
Add sauce. Pair the curly fries with spicy mayo or ask for ranch, as sauces were repeatedly mentioned as part of the appeal.
Visit off-peak. Saturday night was reportedly quiet with quick seating, so an off-peak visit may help avoid delays.
Check bakery. Leave room for something sweet or coffee and walk across to Rascals Bakehouse after eating.
Allow time. If taking away, allow extra time: one visitor waited 20 minutes for a pastrami sandwich on a quiet Sunday.
Check parking. Look for nearby street or RTA parking, but allow time to search because availability can vary.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Wasl Square , Block 7
Al Safa 1 - Al Safa, Dubai
| Mon | 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Tue | 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Wed | 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Thu | 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Fri | 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Sat | 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Sun | 7:30 AM – 10:30 PM |
Popular Mentions
Pastrami sandwich
The pastrami is one of the deli’s most discussed orders, with reviews praising its generous filling, crispness and flavour combinations.
Chicken katsu sandwich
The chicken katsu is praised for combining crispy, juicy chicken with soft bread and fresh toppings.
Spicy Club
The Spicy Club stands out for its crunch, presentation and repeated recommendations from regular customers.
Common Concerns
High pricing
Several customers consider the prices steep for the portion size, making it feel more occasional than casual.
Delivery issues
One long-term delivery customer reported smaller, less satisfying orders, limited ranch portions and poor phone support.
Food safety
One review alleged mould on the food and a subsequent food-poisoning incident; this is a serious isolated report worth noting.
Uneven timing
A takeaway customer waited 20 minutes for pastrami while later arrivals were already eating.
Hard parking
Parking can be difficult to find at busier times, despite other reviews mentioning nearby street or RTA parking.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Rascals Deli is an American-style sandwich shop in Al Safa, built around generously filled sandwiches in a casual, old-school setting. The pastrami sandwich, chicken katsu, Philly cheesesteak and Spicy Club are the clearest starting points in the reviews. The menu is broad enough to make choosing difficult, but the Hot Italian and Rascal also receive strong mentions.
Sides matter here. Curly fries and hand-cut fries are often praised for being crisp and fresh, with spicy mayo or ranch adding to the appeal. Breakfast is another draw, with the breakfast sandwich and pastrami muffin mentioned alongside good coffee.
The bakehouse across the street is handy for pastries, desserts and bread after your meal. The shop is spacious and bright, with a relaxed deli atmosphere, and service is usually described as welcoming and attentive. Saturday night was quiet in one account, although a takeaway customer waited 20 minutes for pastrami while later arrivals were already eating.
Parking is available nearby according to some reviewers, but another found it difficult to secure. Price is the main recurring reservation: several customers feel portions are expensive for casual visits. Delivery feedback is mixed, and one serious review alleged mould on food and food poisoning, so that isolated report should not be ignored.