Guests at lunch in the J. Michael's Philly Deli dining room

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We're Hiring!

Here's your chance. If you like people and food, and want to work in a fast-paced, feel-good environment, J. Michael's is the place for you. We offer competitive pay, opportunity for advancement, flexible work schedules, and paid vacations for full-time staff.

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Cheesesteaks, Hoagies, Philly Dillies, Deli Classics

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Philly Cheese Steak

Philly Cheese Steak

Thin-sliced choice steak and sweet onions under melted white American.

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Ham & Cheese Hoagie

Ham & Cheese Hoagie

Ham and cheese on an Amoroso roll, lettuce, tomato, oil and vinegar.

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French-Fried Mushrooms

French-Fried Mushrooms

Breaded, juicy, delicious. Unbelievably good.

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Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Best grilled cheese in town. Rye, pumpernickel, wheat or white.

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Deluxe Philly Chili

Deluxe Philly Chili

Our award-winning recipe, topped with onion, diced tomatoes and cheddar.

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Serving the greater Wilmington area since 1979

Serving the greater Wilmington area since 1979

J. Michael’s opened their first store in August 1979 in the Hanover Center, the first shopping center in Wilmington (1956).

3501 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC
910-763-6466

About Us

Feature image

J. Michael’s opened their second store in June 2003 at the Monkey Junction intersection.

609 Piner Road
Wilmington, NC
910-332-555


Between both stores, we feed most of Wilmington and much of the Tri-County Area.

The crew that stayed

The crew that stayed

The Philly Deli’s most valuable asset is our staff. We opened in 1979 with a staff of twelve. Since then, our staff has grown to sixty. A number of people have made a career at the Philly Deli. Ten members have over ten years’ service. Of those, three members have over forty years’ service – all together, over 250 years of employee experience.

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Built on an Amoroso roll

Built on an Amoroso roll

Every cheesesteak and hoagie is built on a hearth-baked roll shipped down from Amoroso Baking Company on 55th Street in Philadelphia. The steak is choice, sliced thin and grilled with sweet onions and J. Michael’s own seasoning. Then covered with creamy, melted White American Cheese.

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The J. Michael's Philly Deli stamp: 100% Family Affordable, We Really Philly You Up, since 1979

100% FAMILY AFFORDABLE

Menu Specials

Every week the Philly Deli offers a different menu item on Special, at a 25% discount. It might be one of your favorite items, or it might be something you’ve been thinking about and just waiting for the discount. Whichever it is, be sure to take advantage of our weekly Specials.

See the Menu
Two cheese steaks packed in a takeout container
A cheese steak with fried mushrooms, coleslaw and a pickle wedge on deli paper
Booths and the order counter inside J. Michael's Philly Deli in Wilmington, NC
A hoagie on a split Amoroso roll with folded meat and cheese
The red front door and framed photographs at the J. Michael's entrance

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@jmichaelphillydeli

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What Wilmington says

Recent reviews, straight from our Google listing.

Eric Thompson

Eric Thompson

We've been coming to J. Michael's for well over 30 years. The food is ALWAYS spot on, the service is always great. After spending some time traveling internationally, one of the things on our list to get while we are back here was J. Michael's. Wouldn't miss it for the world!

David Gizzi

David Gizzi

Great Philly cheese steak. Great service. Clean bathroom

Diana Watkins

Diana Watkins

There is nothing better than there cheese steak I’ve even talked 3 others into trying there food see them Sunday

Jose Trejo

Jose Trejo

Their food is so good. It's been such a good price to. One of me and my family's favorite places to go eat. The ranch is so good and their pickles too.

steve c

steve c

This is my kind of place. It understands exactly what the game is, and delivers. Amari, was delightful and helpful. It's always nice to be in a restaurant where people working there. Don't give you the sense that you are putting them out. Some people try to overthink The cheesesteak. They try to take it into new ... new uncharted territories.. get the first one right, before you worry about that other mess. And j. Michaels KNOWS Philly cheesesteaks. They are not confused about what they need to deliver. I've wanted to go there for the last 10 years. Finally did it today. Very glad I did.

The J. Michael's dining room with wood chairs and guests at lunch

MEMBERS ONLY

The Fan Club

Members get birthday rewards and the perks we save for regulars. It is free, and it takes about a minute.

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Have you tried our
Healthy Menu Items?

Have you tried ourHealthy Menu Items?

By now you've probably heard of the delicious Authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwiches served here at J. Michael's Philly Deli, but did you know we also offer a full line of delicious, healthy options as well?

We have a great collection of salads to choose from, including the classic Chef's Salad and Chicken Salad, all made fresh every day in our Wilmington, NC restaurants.

Love our famous cheesesteaks, but trying to watch your waist and numbers? Enjoy all of your favorite J. Michael's Philly Deli cheesesteaks atop one of our fresh daily, made to order salads instead! It's a winning combination that is the best of both worlds!

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Healthy Choice Menu Options

Add Toppings to Any Salad or Sandwich.

Salads

  • Build Your Own Salad - Veggies

    Bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, banana peppers, sweet peppers, carrots, onions and jalapeño peppers.

  • Build Your Own Salad - Cheese

    American, Provolone, Mozzarella, Swiss or Shredded Cheddar.

  • Steak / Chicken Steak (Breast Meat)

    Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions (raw or cooked in). Michael's Special Seasoning!

  • Homemade Lo-Cal Chicken Salad

    5oz of chicken salad.

  • Dinner Salad

    Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, shredded carrots, cucumbers and croutons.

  • Chef Salad

    Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, hard boiled egg, meat and cheese rolls, bell peppers, olives, cucumbers and croutons.

  • Grilled Chicken Breast

Sandwiches

  • Grilled Chicken Sandwich

  • Veggie Burger

  • Veggie Hoagie (Cold)

    Bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, banana peppers, sweet peppers, lettuce, tomato, carrots and onions.

  • Veggie Grinder (Baked)

    Bell peppers, mushrooms, black olives, banana peppers, sweet peppers, lettuce, tomato, carrots and onions.

  • Choice of Chicken Salad or Grilled Chicken Salad

    Served on a roll or your choice of bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dishes are you best known for?

The one people drive across town for is the Philly Cheesesteak — choice steak sliced thin, grilled with sweet onions, buried under melted white American on a hearth-baked roll — and its Chicken Cheesesteak twin. Alongside it: our Grilled Cheese, the award-winning Philly Chili, and the whole Philly Dillies lineup — Steak fries, frips, and French-fried Fried Mushrooms, all of which arrive with our house Ranch Dressing

What type of cuisine do you serve?

We are a Philadelphia-style Deli, which in practice means Cheesesteaks and cold-cut Sandwiches built the way they are built up north. Our Hoagies come cold and our Grinders come baked, both on Amoroso rolls trucked down from Philadelphia. Around that Philly Style core we keep an American menu of burgers, dogs, salads and soups.

What services do you offer?

You can eat in at either Wilmington deli — Dine In is how most regulars do it — or grab it to go with Takeout and Delivery. We are a Lunch spot at heart, and we keep the grill going through Dinner too.

What areas do you serve?

We have two delis in Wilmington : the original on Oleander Drive, open since 1979, and the second one at Monkey Junction, open since 2003. Between both stores, we feed most of Wilmington  and much of the Tri County Area 

Two locations in Wilmington

Order ahead, or just walk in.

Map of J. Michael's Philly Deli - 3501 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC, 28403, US