History

The Iconic Deli Sandwich That Served As John Lennon's Last Meal By Creshonda A. Smith Nov. 7, 2025 6:00 am EST

In the final hours of his life, John Lennon enjoyed a meal that was as quintessentially New York (even though we Clevelanders might have a thing or two to say about that) as the city itself. He savored a corned beef sandwich from the legendary Stage Deli in Midtown Manhattan. This establishment was known for its towering sandwiches and celebrity clientele; the Stage Deli was a cultural landmark that had been serving classic deli eats since 1937. According to James L. Dickerson's book "Last Suppers: If the World Ended Tomorrow, What Would Be Your Last Meal?," Lennon stopped by the deli on December 8, 1980, hours before he was tragically killed outside his re

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