Best Deli Meats in the U.S. (with national distribution)

Best Deli Meats in the U.S. (with national distribution)
Note: All the best deli meats we have tried and that are sold at grocers nationwide are bold-faced below. (The categories of our favorite meats are in order, but the individual brands within each category are not, except where indicated:)

All below were tested 2016 unless otherwise indicated.
revised report 7 July  2018

Salami
tested 26 May 2018
IN ORDER:
Boars Head, hard salami B/B+
Oscar Mayer, cotto B
Boars Head, pepper B
Oscar Mayer, hard
Private Selection (Krogers/Smiths), hard B
Boars Head, Genoa C+/B-
Private Selection, genoa (Smiths/Krogers) C+
Heritage brand (sold at Smiths/Krogers) C/C+
Note: the best bologna we tried, Oscar Mayer Beef, goes here with a C-; however, when only bologna's were tested, among that category it rated a B+.
Boars Head, dry, blanco aoro C-

Deli Ham
Hawaiian from Eckrich (Winco) A
Hawaiian style from Archer Farms (Target) B/B+
Honey Smoked from Archer's Farm (Target B++
Black Forest from Sara Lee (Wal-Mart) B/B+
Maple Honey from Sarah Lee (Wal-Mart) B/B+
Honey from Birch Berry (Ridley's and independent grocers) B+
Black Forest from Wilson (Winco) B/B+ 

Brands of ham that did not make the "Top 7" above are listed below: 

Macey's and other independent grocers nationwide:
Honey Maple low fat from Dilusso (Maceys and other groceries) B
Black Forrest from Birchberry (Macey's) C
Smoked from Dilusso (Macey's) B-
Mini Pitt from Birch Berry (Macey's) C

Harmons and other independent grocers nationwide:
Deluxe S/C from Boars Head (Harmons and other groceries) C+
Smokemaster Beechwood Smoked (Harmons) C+
Black Forest from Boarshead (Harmons) C+
Tavern from Boars Head (Harmons) B-
Honey Maple from Boars Head (Harmons and Smith/Krogers) C/C+
Sweet Slice from Boars Head (Harmons) C
Peppenero Garlise from Boars Head (Harmons) C

Wal-Mart:
Virginia from Prima Della (Wal-Mart) B
Southwest Carving from Prima Della (Wal-Mart) C+
Tavern from Prima Della (Wal-Mart) B-
Black Forest from Hormel (Wal-Mart) B/B+
Virginia, water added, from Hormel (Wal-Mart) B
Black Forest from Prima Della (Wal-Mart) C
Honey from Sara Lee (Wal-Mart) C/C+
Off Bone from Prima Della (Wal-Mart) B
Cooked from Hormel (Wal-Mart) C-

Honey Baked Ham Stores nationwide:
Honey Baked Ham (Honey Baked Store) cold: B-, room temp: B

Winco and other major regional retailers: 
Honey from Healthy One B/B+
Virginia Style Deli from ? C+
Ham off the Bone from ? B-/B

Ridleys and other major regional retailers:
Black Forest from Birch Berry B-/B

Target stores nationwide:
Natural: Black Forest from Hillshire B/B+
Natural: Roasted from Hillshire B-/B
Natural: Applewood Smoked Uncured from Oscar Mayer B
Tavern from Archer Farms B/B+
Sweet Applewood Smoked Uncured from Archer Farms B-
Applewood Smoked Uncured from Columbus B-
Applewood Smoked regular from Columbus B-/B
Ham off the Bone, with no spices, from Archer Farms B-
Virginia brand, made in Iowa, from Archer Farms D
Black Forest from Archer Farms C
Black Forest from Applegate C
Wildflower Honey ham from Private Selections B-

Sample of Independent butchers and dairy distributors with hams, such as:
Payson Butcher Shop:
Ham from store C - - -
Winder Dairy:
Winder Ham B

Pastrami
IN ORDER:
Private Selection from Smiths/Kroger B
Beef pastrami from Prima Della (strong black pepper) (Wal-Mart) B-/B
Birch Berry (clove flavor) (Macey's and other groceries) B/B+, other test: C+B-
Redi Roast (Winco) C/C+ (an earlier test same week: B)
Round from Boars Head (Harmons) C

Bologna
24 May 2018
IN ORDER:
Oscar Mayer, beef B+
Bar S, beef B
Boars Head, mortadello (like bologna) B-/B
Oscar Mayer classic (chicken, pork, beef) B-/B
Bar S classic (chicken, pork, beef) C

Deli Roast Beef
THE "TOP 3" ARE IN ORDER:
Italian Roast Beef from Birch Berry (Macey's and other groceries) B-/B
Top Round from Charlie's Pride (Wal-Mart) B-/B
Londonport from Boar's Head (Harmon's and other groceries) B - -

Brands that did not make the "Top 3" are listed below:

Harmons and other independent stores nationwide
THESE 4 IN ORDER:
All Natural from Boars Head B-
Well Done from Dieticians Choice C++
Top Round from Dietician's Choice
London Broil from Dietician's Choice C+

Target:
2 IN ORDER:
Healthy Ones C+
Archer Farms C

Macey's:
Traditional from Birch Berry (Macey's) C/C+

Winco:
IN ORDER:
Healthy Ones B-
Italian B - - -
Bar M B - - - -

Smiths/Krogers:
IN ORDER:
Angus from Private Selection B-
Top Round from Private Selection B-
Angus from Heritage C-/C

Deli Corned Beef
IN ORDER: 
Boar's Head (Harmon's and other groceries) C++
Prima Della (Wal-Mart) C+
Archer Farms (Target) C/C+
Winco (large packages last a week) C

Best cheeses in the U.S. (with national distribution)

The Editor's Favorite Cheeses Ever

9 Feb 2022

BEST OF COLD CHEESES

3 Nov 2020

• in order

• THE 9 BOLD FACED are highest RECOMMENDED

• Of the hundreds of cheeses with national distribution, I've tested a couple hundred; other great ones likely are out there, but these are my favorites

• After this short list of 14 best cold cheeses is the same group of cheeses tested MELTED

A-

Trader Joes – Unexpected Cheddar (medium)

Sartoni – Raspberry Bella Vitano (by far the best of their Bella Vitano flavors – I tried them all) (available at delis nationwide plus Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Yancy's Fancy – X Sharp (NOT XXX Sharp: not as good) (at Sprouts chain)

B+

Somerdale – Wensleydale and Blueberries (Sprouts chain)

Clawson – Blueberry Stilton (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Somerdale – Wensleydale cranberry (national deli counters, plus Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Castello - Havarti (national deli counters, plus Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Lincet – Papaya Delice (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Castello Jalapeno Havarti (at Sprouts)

Sierra Nevada Jalapeno Jack (at Sprouts)

Clawson – Apricot Stilton (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Heber Valley Cheese - Wasatch Back Jalapeno (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Trader Joes – Danish Havarti

Sargento – Colby-Pepper Jack (Walmart and most markets)

BEST MELTED CHEESES

3 Nov 2020

All these are from BEST OF COLD CHEESES list above, in order, except where noted (several are not very good, but are very good cold):

• the 5 bold-faced are especially recommended

A-

Trader Joes – Unexpected Cheddar (medium)

B++

Yancy's Fancy – X Sharp Cheddar (NOT XXX Sharp) (at Sprouts chain)

B+

Castello - Havarti (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

B/B+

Somerdale – Wensleydale cranberry (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Sierra Nevada Jalapeno Jack (at Sprouts)

Castello Jalapeno Havarti

Sargento – Colby-Pepper Jack (Walmart and most markets)

Sargento Aged White Cheddar (NOT BEST OF COLD CHEESES)

B

Sartoni – Raspberry Bella Vitano (by far the best of their Bella Vitano flavors – I tried them all) (available at Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Sargento Sharp Cheddar (NOT BEST OF COLD CHEESES)

B-/B

Clawson – Blueberry Stilton (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Cache Valley Pepper Jack (NOT BEST OF COLD CHEESES)

Sargento Extra Sharp Cheddar (NOT BEST OF COLD CHEESES)

B-

Somerdale – Wensleydale and Blueberries (Sprouts chain)

Trader Joes Jalapeno Montery Jack (NOT BEST OF COLD CHEESES)

B- -

Lincet – Papaya Delice (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Heber Valley Cheese - Wasatch Back Jalapeno (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

C+/B-

Westminster aged 12 months sharp cheddar

Tillamook Triple Cheese (NOT BEST OF COLD CHEESES)

C-/C

Trader Joes – Havarti

C-

Fontal Caravaggio – Defendi Italy (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

C- -

Clawson – Apricot Stilton (Harmons in Utah – at the “cheese island”)

Editor's Note about American Cheese: 
The word process in cheese-making is mis-used, as all cheese is technically processed; however, saying American cheese is not cheese is like saying meatloaf is not meat. American cheese has less than 51% of cheese, just as meatloaf isn't all pure meat, but I love meatloaf if made right, yet I don't care for American cheese, which was started overseas over a hundred years ago. About a century ago Mr. Kraft perfected it in the U.S. and did a good thing, taking scraps of different types of cheeses that would have otherwise gone to waste and blending them together with other stuff. On the other hand, real cheese is nearly 100% cultured dairy and I personally prefer it much more, especially certain favorite brands of Colby, Colby-Jack, pepper-jack, and cheddar. For "real cheese," a lot of companies make mediocre-tasting cheese, even of those favorites I listed. Below is my list of favorites, in order:

Cheeses by category (with best-tasting categories in order):

Colby Pepper Jack

2020:

COLD:

Sargento B/B+

MELTED

A-

2019:
COLD:
Sargento B/B+

MELTED: not tested

Pepper Jack

2020
WHEN COLD:
A-

Sierra Nevada Jalapeno Creamy Jack

B/B+

Trader Joes Jalapeno Monteray Jack

TraderJoes Ogranic Pepper Jack

B

Sargento

Prima Della

SproutsMarket

Tillamook Hot Jalapeno Jack

B-

Rumiano ChipotleCheddar

Good & Gather (Target) (texture: C-/C)

C+

Rumiano (texture C-)

C/C+

Rumiano Chipotle Cheddar

WHEN HOT:

A-

Sierra Nevada Jalapeno Creamy Jack

B/B+

Trader Joes Jalapeno Monteray Jack

B-/B

Trader Joes Organic Pepper Jack

B

Sprouts  Market

Prima Della

B-/B

Trader Joes Organic

Tillamook Hot Habanero Jack

B-

Sargento

Rumiano (texture C-)

C/C+

Rumiano Chipotle Cheddar

C

Good & Gather (Target)

Rumiano Chipotle Cheddar

2019:

Prima Della (at Wal-Mart) A
Rumiano (at Sprouts) A-/A
Kraft (at many stores) A-
Archer Farms/Target (from 2016 test, fit here, right between Kraft and Sargento A-
Sargento (at many stores) A-
Organic Valley (at Sprouts and many stores) A - -
Private Selection (Smiths/Kroger's own brand) (tested in 2016: not given a grade but it ranked just below Sargento; likely B+)
Birch Berry (at many stores) (tested in 2016: not given a grade but it ranked just below Private Selection); likely B+
WHEN MELTED (rated in order, rather than by grade):
Organic Valley
Rumiano
Sargento
Prima Della
(the others not tested when melted)

Colby

2020

COLD:

C

Prima Della

MELTED:

C+

Prima Della

2019

COLD:

Archer Farms (Target's brand) A-/A

(separate test below:)
Rumiana B++
Prima Della B+
MELTED:
Archer Farms - not tested melted
Rumiano A-
Prima Della B+

Colby Jack
2020:

COLD:

B

Sargento

B-

Organic Good & Gather

C/C+

Tillamook

C

Prima Della

Good & Gather

MELTED:

B

Sargento

Good & Gather (Target)

B- -

Tillamook

C

Prima Della

C- -

Good & Gather

2019:

COLD:
Prima Della B
Kraft B-/B
Sprouts B-
Sargento B - - 
Birch Berry (at Ridley's and other groceries) B-
MELTED:
Kraft A - -
Sargento B - -
Sprouts C+/B-
Prima Della C
Birch  Berry (not tested melted)

MONTERAY JACK

2020

COLD

C

Rumiano

MELTED

B

Rumiano

Gouda
2020:

COLD

B

Rumiano

C

Finlandia

C-

Sargento

C - -

Sargento Aged

MELTED

C+

Rumiano

C/C+

Finlandia

C-/C

Sargento 

C- -

Sargento aged

2019:

COLD

Rumiano A/A+
Sargento C/C+
Archer Farms/Target (graded lower than Sargento, probably C)
MELTED:
Rumiano A
Sargento C-/C


CHEDDAR
Octo 2020 + 2019 August Tests: CHEDDAR, MILD, MEDIUM, AND SHARP CATEGORIES: 

MILD CHEDDAR

2020

COLD

B

Heritage (tested separately)

C

Prima Della

Rumiano

MELTED

B

Heritage (tested separately)

B-

Prima Della

C+

Rumiano (C texture, B flavor)

MEDIUM CHEDDAR

2020

COLD

B+A-

Trader Joes Unexpected Cheddar (crumbly)

C

Rumiano

MELTED

B-

Rumiano

Trader Joes Unexpected Cheddar

SHARP & EXTRA SHARP

2020

COLD

B

Yancy's Fancy Sharp

B-/B

Yancy's Fancy X-Sharp

B-

Kerrygold Aged Cheddar Sharp

Good  & Gather Extra Sharp

Yancy's Fancy XXX Sharp

C+/B-

Good & Gather Sharp

C/C+

Sargento Sharp

C+

Kerrygold Reserve Sharp

C/C+

Adam's Reserve New York Extra Sharp

C

Rumiano Organic Sharp

MELTED

B/B+

Yancy's Fancy X Sharp

B

Yancy's Fancy Sharp

B-/B

Good & Gather Extra Sharp

B-

Sargento Sharp

Kerrygold Aged 

B- --

Good & Gather Sharp

C+/B-

Kerrygold Reserve

C/C+

Rumiano Organic Sharp

C-

Adam's Reserve New York Extra Sharp

C- -

Yancy's Fancy XXX Sharp

2019

medium T Joes unexpected cheddar A-

Medium Novak's Vingage select cheddar, aged in WI 8 years B+

medium Kerry Gold aged reserve cheddar 12 mo B+

medium English Coastal Cheadar min 15 mo B/B+

mild: Archer Farms (in assorted pak) B/B+

Med Tillamook triple (1 sharp 2 meds) B

Kroger (texture C+, plastic like), B-/B flavor TOTAL: B

Trader Joes California mild, yellow B-

Sprouts California Milk mild cheddar yellow B-/B

Benner Valley raw milk ched cheese 3 mo min C++

Sprouts California Milk white ched C+

medium Trader Joes raw milk cheddar 4 months min C

LaClare goat raw cheddar (from Harmons) C-

med Trader Joes New Zealand original cheddar cheeese 3-6 mo C -

MELTED:

Medium: T Joes unexpected cheddar B/B+

Med Tillamook triple (1 sharp 2 meds) B

Benner Valley raw milk cheddar cheese 3 mo min B

Archer Farms (in assorted pack; plasticy tasting) B-/B

medium Trader Joes raw milk cheddar 4 months min B-

medium Kerry Gold reserve aged cheddar 12 mo B - -

Kroger (texture C+, plastic like), B-/B flavor TOTAL: C+

Sprouts California Milk mild cheddar yellow C/C+

Sprouts California Milk white cheddar C-/C

Medium Novak's Vingage select cheddar, aged in WI 8 years C-

Trader Joes California mild, yellow C-

medium English Coastal Cheadar min 15 mo C- -

med Trader Joes New Zealand original cheddar cheese 3-6 mo C- -

LaClare goat raw cheddar (from Harmons) D+

BEST SHARP and EXTRA SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE

Best Cold

Yancy's Fancy – Extra Sharp, aged over 12 months B

Black Creek – Extra Sharp B

Market Pantry Natural – Extra Sharp, White B

Kerrygold Reserve Cheddar grass fed, over 2 years, White B

Black Creek Extra Sharp, White B

Sprouts Market Corner B-

Sargento B-

Westminster Vintgage, 18 months, White B-

Kretschmar (in assorted pack) B-

Cache Valley C+

Tillamook (too dry) C+

Kroger C/C+

Yancy's Fancy (regular) sharp, aged over 9 months C-

Kraft C- -

MORE WHITES, NOT TESTED WITH YELLOWS

Simply Truth Organic C+

Archer Farms, Extra Sharp, White C/C+

Cabot Farmhouse Classics, Extra Sharp D+/C-

Trader Joes New Zealand grass fed, White D+

Archer Farms D

2019, cont.

Best MELTED CHEDDAR, SHARP AND EXTRA SHARP

Sargento B+

Cache Valley B/B+

Kretschmar B/B+

Kerrygold Reserve Cheddar grass fed, over 2 years, White B/B+

Yancy's Fancy – Extra Sharp, aged over 12 months B/B+

Tillamook (too dry) B

Market Pantry Natural – Extra Sharp, White B

Black Creek Extra Sharp, White B-/B

Yancy's Fancy (regular) sharp, aged over 9 months B-

Westminster Vintgage, 18 months, White B-

Kroger C+

Black Creek – Extra Sharp yellow, aged over 2 years C/C+

Sprouts Market Corner C

Kraft C-

WHITE SHARP CHEDDAR

Simply Truth Organic C+

Archer Farms, Extra Sharp, White C-

Cabot Farmhouse Classics, Extra Sharp D+

Trader Joes New Zealand grass fed, White D

Archer Farms D

earlier tests for Cheddar, mild, medium, sharp below:
COLD:
Private Selections/Target B++
Kroger B?
Separate, second test for all others compared:
Prima Della C+
Organic Valley C-
Sargento C
Rumiano D+/C-
MELTED:
Private Selections/Target (not graded for melted)
Sargento B/B+
Organic Valley C/C+
Prima Della C-
Rumiano D/D+

EARLIER TESTS:

Sharp Cheddar
COLD:
Archer Farms/Target B/B+
Second, separate test for those below:
Sargento B
Rumiano B-
Organic Valley C
MELTED:
Archer Farms (not graded when melted)
Rumiano B
Sargento B-
Organic Valley C/C+


Havarti

1 Nov 2020

COLD

B+

Trader Joes Creamy Danish

B-

Good & Gather (Target)

C+

Castello

Finlandia

MELTED

B+

Trader Joes Creamy Danish

B/B+

Castello

C++

Sargento

C+

Good & Gather (Target)

C-/C

Finlandia

2019
COLD:
Private Selections/Smiths B+
Separate, second test for all others compared:
Prima Della B+
Rumiano B/B+
Archer Farms/Target B/B+
MELTED:
Prima Della B+
Rumiano B/B+
Private Selections (not graded melted)
Archer Farms (not graded melted)

Medium Cheddar
COLD:
Rumiano B - -
Sargento C-
Applegate (at Target) C (tested in 2016, not with above 2) C
2017 test:
Krogers (no grade given but below Sargento; probably C-)
MELTED:
Sargento C+
Rumiano C
Applegate (not tested when melted)


Munster (rates just above Havarti when melted)

2020

COLD

B

Good & Gather (Target)

MELTED

Good & Gather C-

2017:
COLD:
2017 test:
Archer Farms/Target B/B+
Prima Della C-
Sargento C - -
Spanish brand at Wal-Mart: almost a tie with Prima Della; probably C - -
2016 test:
Archer Farms/Target B/B+
Prima Della B
Birch Berry B-
Applegate (at Target) C+/B-
Sargento C/C+
Gossner C+
MELTED: 
(test 2017)
Archer Farms/Target (not tested melted)
Prima Della C-
Sargento C - -

Baby Swiss
COLD:
2016 test:
Market Pantry (another Target brand) B
Prima Della B-
Boars Head (at Smiths/Krogers and many groceries in deli section) C+
Sargento (2016 test, with all other Baby Swiss brands receiving same grade as in 2017) C
Private Selection/Smiths C

Cheddar Jack
(2016 test)
Archer Farms B -
Land O Lakes B - -

Provolone
COLD:
2016 test:
Boars Head: their Domestic cheese (at Smiths/Kroger) C+
Birch Berry C
Sargento C-/C

Swiss
COLD:
2016 test:

2016 test, in order:
Boar's Head: their imported Switzerland Gold Label: C-
Prima Della C
Archer Farms/Target C
Kraft C-/C
Sargento C-
Private Selection/Target C-
Birch Berry C-
Gossner C - -

Parmesian
COLD:
2016 test:
Kraft C - -

OTHER CATEGORIES OF CHEESES, NOT PLACED IN ORDER OF ABOVE LIST:  

Hot Pepper Jack
COLD:
Sprouts C+

Cheddar Jack
COLD:
Archer Farms/Target B- 
Land O' Lakes B - - 

Cheddar-Mozzarella blend
COLD:
Sargento C/C+
MELTED:
Sargento C+

Exotic and soft Cheeses found in more elaborate deli's:
Note: Harmons and some other grocers also currently or have recently carried these samples, which are among thousands for sale worldwide, with distribution in the U.S. of probably several hundred. 

2017, July:
The top 7 are ranked in order. They are sold at grocer deli's such as the regional store Harmons:
1. Havartia Jalapeno - Castillo. Denmark. B+/A-
2. Fondal Caravaggin (like moist, creamy Havarti). B+
3. Wasatch Back Jack (with jalapeno, de arbol, green tomatillos) - Heber Valley Cheese, Utah. B/B+
4. Saint Angel - Triple Cream. Guriloteau, France. B/B+
5. 1 Le de France - Brie Bites Soft Ripened. B
6. Danish Fontina - Denmark's Finest. Denmark B-
7. Wensleydale Creamery, with cranberries. C+/B-

SOFT CHEESES AT SPROUTS (in order):
a. President. Brie. Soft ripened. C/C+ 
b. Pere Brie. 60% Double Cream (melted, it tastes better than Havarti Creamy Castillo) C/C+
c. Wicked River. Bergenost. Buttery triple cream. C
d. Pere Brie Triple Creme. C-/C
(also for sale at Sprouts is #5 best above: 1 Le de France.)

SOFT CHEESES NOT RANKED IN ORDER, sold at grocer deli's such as the regional store Harmons:
Raclette de Scey - semi-hard - Jean Perrin. France C
Havarti Creamy - Castello. Denmark C++
Champs Elysees Brie. France. C+
Supreme. France C/C+
Rougette. Champignon. Germany (soft bleu cheese) D
Cambozola Black Label. Champignon. Germany (like bleu cheese, soft) C - -
Amish Brie. Salem. Wisconsin. (soft, bleu cheese) C - - -
Fromage D/Affinois Truffle. Guilloteau. France. C-/C
Fontal Caravaggio. Defendi. Italy. C-