If you are looking for a TV show to stream or binge-watch, you might have come across Deli Boys.
The American comedy series premiered on March 6, 2025, and has enjoyed a mostly positive reception, with most of the audience praising it as a good show. But is Deli Boys worth watching?
Below is a detailed review of the TV show, from the plot to the cast, what people are saying about it, where to watch it, and more.
What is the plot of Deli Boys?
Deli Boys follows the story of two Pakistani-American brothers whose lives change after the sudden death of their father.
Mir (the hardworking brother) and Raj (a party boy) are thrust into the dark world of drugs and crime when their multimillionaire father passes away. Unknown to them (and the rest of the family), their father amassed his wealth by running a drug empire.
Mir and Raj soon take over running the drug business with the help of Lucky, one of their father’s closest consiglieres.
However, running a criminal empire is not easy, as they must keep their illegal activities secret from their loved ones. In addition, they have to escape the attention of the authorities who are hot on their trail while navigating the danger that comes with running a drug empire.
Who are the cast members of the TV show?
Deli Boys features Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, and Poorna Jagannathan in the lead roles.
Asif Ali portrays Mir Dar, the hardworking of the two brothers, who is a devoted son and eager to impress his father. He is an American actor (mostly famous for his comedic roles) and has been featured in several productions like Wrecked, Mr. Robinson, and WandaVision.
Saagar Shaikh portrays Raj Dar, a pothead who likes to party and is content to live off his family’s wealth. He is an American actor of Pakistani descent who has only recently gained recognition in the entertainment industry after appearing in Ms. Marvel and The Marvels.
Poorna Jagannathan portrays Lucky, Mir and Raj’s father’s close confidante and the brothers’ new advisor. She is an American actress and producer of Indian descent, famous for her roles in The Night Of and Never Have I Ever.
Other notable cast members of Deli Boys include:
- Brian George as Ahmad, another consigliere who is seeking to lead the Dar’s criminal empire.
- Iqbal Theba as Arshad “Baba” Dar, Mir and Raj’s father, and the head of a criminal drug empire.
- Alfie Fuller as Prairie, a hipster Afrofuturist who is Raj’s shaman and girlfriend.
- Alexandra Ruddy as Agent Mercer, an ambitious FBI agent investigating the Dar brothers.
- Kevin Corrigan as Chickie Lozano, an Italian crime boss.
- Sofia Black-D’Elia as Gigi, Lozano’s daughter.
- Tim Baltz as Director Simpson, Agent Mercer’s boss, and the regional director of the FBI.
- Zainne Saleh as Bushra, Mir Dar’s fiancée.
- Sakina Jaffrey as Seema, Bushra’s mother.
- Amita Rao as Nandika, a cosplayer from a messed-up family who has a crush on Raj.
How has Deli Boys been received?
Deli Boys has been well received by the audience, with mostly positive reviews.
The TV show has a rating of 7.2/10 on IMDb, with most viewers praising it for its comedic nature. One user describes it as “A spicy heist of comedy and chaos” with “fresh and frenetic crime-comedy that’s as unpredictable as it is entertaining.”
The reception is also positive on Rotten Tomatoes, where the TV show has a score of 96% on Tomatometer (professional critics’ reviews) and 84% on Popcornmeter (collective audience review).
However, Google User reviews are somewhat divided, with the show only managing a score of 64%.
A significant portion of the reviews is overwhelmingly positive, but some users have left negative feedback, particularly regarding the show’s portrayal of South Asian culture and the Islamic religion.
“Once again, terrible writing and disgusting “representation” of Muslims. This is like peak millennial cringe humor with multiple racist and stereotypical jokes inserted in insulting Desi culture and Muslims.”
Where can you watch the TV show?
Deli Boys is a Hulu original series. You can watch all 10 episodes of the first season on the Hulu streaming platform.
You can also enjoy the TV show if you have purchased any of the Hulu bundle packages, such as Max on Hulu, the Disney+ Hulu bundle, the Disney+, Hulu, and Max bundle, or the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundle.
Is Deli Boys a good TV show to watch?
Deli Boys is a good TV show to watch, especially if you are a fan of dark comedy.
The show has a well-written script with several hilarious moments, starting with the opening shot, where the Dar brothers are chasing after a guy (on the streets) who is only in underwear and socks with a paper bag over his head.
Some of the comedy is over the top, though, like the scene where Mir and Raj’s father dies after a stray golf ball strikes him.
Some users might find the violence and criminal elements of the show distasteful, but as you will soon find out, most of the characters in the show are not exactly hardcore criminals, which makes the show all the more interesting.
The Dar brothers’ clueless enthusiasm in their pursuit to run a criminal empire and the chaos they create is especially comical. For example, there is a hilarious scene where the two are cutting cocaine in their underwear.
Another comical take on crime is the “cocaine chef,” who creates his signature mix by cutting cocaine with cardamom. There’s also the scene where an FBI agent, on her first raid, takes a selfie with her shocked targets.
However, Deli Boys is not just a comedy series. The TV show also explores deeper themes, including immigrant life, family dynamics, racism, love, and more, making it an engaging show to watch.