What is the perfect Deli food?

[snack_pack85]

I am thinking of opening my own deli in the future and I was wondering what kinds of food you all would expect to see at a deli counter. I was thinking of a variety of different sandwiches, hearty pasta dishes and salads. I also have a ton of T&T dessert bars and cookies I'd have a seperate case for. I'd serve iced teas and brewed coffee as a well as some specialty coffee drinks.

I want to know what your favorite deli's have that make you keep coming back. Thanks!

 

[smoke king]

The Stage Deli.......Pastrami, and the Sweet/Sour Cabbage soup. Yum!!

 

[PanchoHambre]

a really good Reuben!

There is a deli in my hometown that is a Perfect NY deli their board is full of great sandwiches... but I almost always get a reuben (and reubens have russian dressing not mustard!) unless its summer then I get turkey with swiss and coleslaw w/russian I never can find a deli that makes me happy outside NY

my advice is keep it fresh... slice meats when the sandwich is ordered no pre slicing (yuk)... and simple... people want the classics have good slaw and red potato salad... rice pudding and good pickles....something made out of jello

if its an italian deli I get the Italian Combo.... proscuitto, salami, ham, pepperoni , cappicola provelone lettuce tomato salt peper oil vinegar... on Italian bread... oh they hate when you order it but its so good... or a mozzarela tomato sandwich but only if they have good fresh mozzarela and excellent tomatoes.. oil vingear some fresh basil...cant be beat.

master the BLT!

a good soda case is key too.... dr browns (and equivalents) is a must... not just coke, pepsi etc

its all about understanding the sandwhich assembly they are all different... are you making hoagies, po boys, wedges... they are different... bread is important too... god fresh bread

If you are looking for ethnic variety... the vietnamese make a mean bbq french bread sandwich with fish sauce & jalepenos on french bread... amazing... and the buttery sandwiches on cuban bread at latino delis are great...

If you are serious about opening a deli travel a bit ..... visit real neighborhoods in cities... the best vietnamese sanwhiches I have had were in houston's vietnam town... the best jewish deli & Itailain deilis in the Bronx and other NY neighborhoods (not Manhattah) and Cheeseseteak and Hoagies are Phillies domain (they are sublime here even from street carts) these are places I lived they do what they do well...Cheesesteak in NY or Itialian Deil in Houston or PoBoys in Philly never really pass muster... they just dont get it right... I think everywhere has a good sadwich its about knowing how it all goes together.

 

[pdswife]

Soup! I need a good bowl of soup with my sandwich. Please.

 

[buckytom]

wow, pancho nailed it!

and the king and pds's suggestions are right on as well.

ya gotta have good tuna and chicken salad too.
and the bread. good bread is key.

now, if you're gonna do an authentic ny thing, gross everyone out and serve tongue.

 

[Lefty7887]

Soup! I need a good bowl of soup with my sandwich. Please.

Ditto for soup.

 

[GhettoRacingKid]

Got to agree with the good sandwhiches.

A nice simple board or what ever with the name and whats in it. It makes it easier to order and easier to make so the employees and customers have an easy time

Keep it good with good quality products,

There is a rocking italian deli in Hoboken that i love going to (M&P's)

they make a sandwhcih called "C" Its rocking flat out. Ham, Pepporni, Porsuttio, Cappolla and fresh Mutz and I get roasted peppers on it. Excellent meats. the posuttio is imported and is the best ive ever had.

ohh Pickles. I got to have a pickel with my sandwhich.

 

[JoeV]

A nice simple board or what ever with the name and whats in it.

NOT! Any deli worth its salt has a menu with so many items on it that you need 2.75 reading glasses to pick your choice. I agree with the pickles. Nice, big garlic dills to go with my hot pastrami on marbled rye and an iced tea. Urp!

 

[buckytom]

hey, you could name the different sandwiches after us!

we could have a thread for members to suggest the ingredients for our namesake sandwiches.

of course, gw's would have to be loaded with turkey...

 

[GhettoRacingKid]

my eyes arent that bad but man the lists and lists and lists of sandwhichs are amazing sometimes and yeah the signs do get small.

alot fo the places ive been in that i liked especially drunk at 2am have 8X11 sheets of paper printed per sandwhich and its just plastered all over the shop. could spend hours looking and attmpting to read it.

Im lucky ive been in alot of larger delis.

 

[Jeekinz]

Everything Pancho said.

I like to get a pickle with my sandwich. Also, don't go putting 2 slices of meat on there either, I don't like sandwiches you can slip under a door. Good bread is a must. Hot pastrami and good salads.

 

[GB]

When I think of a deli I think of sandwiches. The ingredients have to be top notch and that includes everything from the bread to the meat to the mustard or other condiments. Skimping on any of these things will keep a deli from being great IMO. When I think of a deli I think of NY Jewish deli so things like bagels and bialies, fishes like whitefish and sable and lox are a must as well.

It is all about the quality of the ingredients though.

 

[Lisar]

My fav deli sandwich is a ham a cheese in pita bread. Thats my fav. But the deli I go to makes their own bread so I think that has alot to do with it.

 

[Lefty7887]

When I think of a deli I think of NY Jewish deli so things like bagels and bialies, fishes like whitefish and sable and lox are a must as well.

It is all about the quality of the ingredients though.

I grew up I Brooklyn NY and we had the ablsote best Jewish delis in the world. I really miss the great sandwiches and knishes I used to get there.

 

[GB]

I grew up I Brooklyn NY and we had the ablsote best Jewish delis in the world. I really miss the great sandwiches and knishes I used to get there.

I was born in NJ and had tons of family in NY. I think I send more time in NY then my home growing up. I miss those knishes and stuffed derma and all the other great stuff!

 

[snack_pack85]

WOW thanks for all the feedback. Definetly some things I hadn't thought about before like imported meats (which seems like a no brainer now) and lots of pickles. Keep em coming these ideas are really wonderful!

Thanks again,

Eva

 

[Bigjim68]

I've often thought that a make your own, sandwich bar would work. Charge by the pound. Any deli must, IMO, have the best ingredients. and, yes, sliced fresh. Homemade pickles, a selection of top quality mustards.

 

[RobsanX]

There was one deli in my hometown that I used to go to just for their egg salad sandwiches. The eggs were chopped to about 1/8", and there was not too much mustard or mayonnaise. Delicious!

 

[Lefty7887]

On the salad side of things I would do a zesty cole slaw, a personalized mac salad and the same for the potato salad they have to have your touch to give them your signature taste. The deli across the street from my house growing up had a unique potato salad that I loved and I am not a big fan of potato salad as a rule.

 

[Lisar]

I've often thought that a make your own, sandwich bar would work. Charge by the pound. Any deli must, IMO, have the best ingredients. and, yes, sliced fresh. Homemade pickles, a selection of top quality mustards.

The make your own sandwich thing is a great idea however you have to worry about sanitation issues then. I personally would not go into a deli where I made it myself like that. I am germ phobic though.