Sonoma County’s local deli heroes
For the Love of a good deli
Got a favorite deli sandwich? Is there a special combo you order above all the others? We’d love to hear about it. As restaurants shut down again, I’m turning my attention to the old standard take out king, my favorite deli sandwich. My preferred sandwich treat, when I’m feeling adventurous and filled with curiosity, is going into small, independent local marketplaces, the kind with the delis in the back, and seeing what’s on the special menu. Sometimes I ask the counter help what the local favorite is and then just ordering that. I’ll say to the counter help, “What’s cookin’?” They always look up and smile.
Here in Sonoma County, we are blessed with dozens of local independent marketplace delis. Some have stepped up and become local hero’s, serving their delicious lunches during the recent tough times. This story is for them, our local deli heroes, who make our day in the most unexpected ways, serving us delicious meals swiftly and with a passion for flavor. You deli workers haven’t gone unnoticed. We appreciate every one of you. You keep us rolling on down the road with happy smiles and full bellies.
My pick for the top hot deli sandwich in Sonoma County is…. Summer’s Market & Deli, 557 Powell Ave., Healdsburg. The Smoked Pastrami Special, on a heated soft roll with Cole slaw, is simply divine, filling, and super rewarding. The tender and juicy smoked pastrami has just the right sweetness while the coleslaw brings biting freshness. It’s warm, gooey, smokey, chock full of vegetables and it feels like home, only better. While there are a dozen local favorites at Summer’s, the Pastrami Special, is in fact, special.
The top cold deli sandwich in Sonoma County can be found in … Occidental’s Bohemian Market, 3691 Main St., Occidental. The Monster Sandwich! The Monster is all that its name implies, and more. Bursting with a medley of deli flavors, mixed meats, good cheese and an explosion of vegetables, this is a special meal for the road. What sets this Rock of Gibraltar of a sandwich apart is the heaping pile of cold shredded lettuce that lifts and envelops the meats and is barely contained in the bun. What a meal. Served with a giant heaping of West County optimism and cheer from the counter, too.
Close seconds…
How could one choose between Lazzini’s Market and Deli’s The Godfather trip tip and Lombardi’s #7 - Killer Joe’s tri-tip sandwiches? Oh my gosh, it’s too close to call. Lombardi’s (3413 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma) tri-tip is boldly carried forward by an assertive but not too-hot horseradish sauce that is unique and spectacular. The sandwich oozes the creamy horseradish that compliments the BBQ meat. Lazzini’s (3449 Bennet Valley Road, Santa Rosa) trip tip is sheer perfection - a classically rendered sandwich made by pros, highlighted by bright (softly flavored) purple onions and their homemade BBQ sauce. The Godfather is a special sandwich, indeed.
Dave’s Market, 320 West 3rd Street, Santa Rosa. Here I ordered my own favorite concoction and they produced it with spectacular results in no time at all. One bite and I knew I was home. Dave’s has been passing sandwiches over that counter for over 30 years, and it just gets better every time. I know they can make exactly what I want. My best sandwich? Roast beef, smoked cheddar, sun-dried tomatoes, lettuce, onions and Italian dressing on a roll. Dave’s nailed it. Dave’s Market always nails it. Vibrant with the sun-dried tomatoes, piquant with the Italian dressing, a filling and multifaceted sandwich. Did you say, “But what about Dave’s Ice Cream, too?”
Shelton’s Natural Foods Market. 428 Center Ave., Healdsburg. I want everything in the whole store wrapped up in a bun. It’s all good here. Shelton’s features vegetarian sandwich fare that is sublime as well as meat filled, too. The Tuscan will give you a twist with its Kalamata olives and sun dried tomatoes bursting forth. I usually stick with the Sonoma Special ‘cause that’s what I do. You simply can’t go wrong with the turkey, pepper jack and avocado combo. It’s like the ingredients at Shelton’s Market are just better, and you know what? They are. Still, at every marketplace deli, from Speers to Berry’s, Diekmann’s, Broadway Market and Fircrest, all up and down Sonoma County, at every corner store, I’d like the workers to know that I appreciate them. Give them a smile. Tell them a story or two if they have the time. It’s an endless sea of soft rolls, mayonnaise, and strangers with hungry faces for those artisans of the mustard spread. They need to know we care. I sure do.
So, we’re still wondering at the Sonoma Gazette, “What’s cookin’?” What’s your favorite sandwich and where do they make it right?
