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    Downtown Deli

    3.4 (49 reviews)
    ModerateDelis, Salad, Sandwiches
    Open 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    a sandwich on a plate with pickles
    Thomas C.

    "Where a half is like a whole." It's the motto at the Downtown Deli, and it means exactly what it says: There is a pretty good chance that you'll get your money's worth, no matter the order. 25 years ago, in August 1989, Mike Orofino chose to invest in a small spot on Genesee Street to open Downtown Deli, the first of several locations bearing that name to come. Rick and Tom Prairie, two brothers, locals to Auburn, bought the Downtown Deli, Grant Ave from the Orofino Family in March of 2014. We are often in Auburn to visit a buddies coffee shop, so this weekend, needing some lunch beforehand, we decided to stop in with a couple of our friends for lunch. Walking in, the place is set up like an old school city deli. Menus up top on a board with specials written on chalkboards. They had many interesting combos, called their "star sandwiches" to choose from. My wife chose Paul's It Sure Enough (Reuben) - hot corned beef, melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian Dressing on toasted rye. My buddies went with The Michael Myers - smoked turkey, cheddar and bacon on a Kaiser roll with garlic butter, and Wills Home At Last - hot corned beef, pastrami, melted Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, coleslaw, on toasted rye, while I went for The Cuse, described as "hot and saucy" chicken cutlet, melted provolone and parmesan on a toasted sub roll. Sandwiches were made relatively quickly. All their star sandwiches come with a bag of chips and pickles. Apparently, they use Boars Head meats for their sandwiches. Everyone but myself got a half sandwich, which were indeed big enough to be a whole. I was also surprised to find my sandwich covered in marinara sauce, as for some reason, hot and saucy said to me it would be buffalo style. But, hey, I love chicken parm as much as the next guy, so worked for me. Prices were a tad higher it seemed than most delis, but nothing crazy. Everyone though, including myself, seemed to feel the same way...not bad, but not great. I also grabbed a Oreo Rice Krispy Treat from them, which I split with everyone, which was very tasty. Smothered in liquid marshmellow. So, here's the thing...they weren't bad. So I'd consider giving them another try. BUT the place was just filthy. Crumbs on the tables, flies around the lights. They had a huge pickle jar up by the counter full of full sized pickles, but the jar itself looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages. Their plastic silverware dispenser up front was covered with a thick layer of dust. There were plenty of employees there. I counted at least 6 between the counter and the back of the establishment, and other than us, there were only 2 more customers in the hour we spent there. No reason someone couldn't be cleaning or tidying up the space. If they'd clean up a bit, I'd consider going back and trying more from them.

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    11 months ago

    Excellent sandwiches-worth waiting for! Bread was fantastic and sandwiches made you feel like you "got your money's worth".

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    The food is always great! The staff are quite but never rude. It's never typically busy in the store the most I've seen is 4 other people.

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    11 months ago

    not what it used to be. bread is different, turkey is different, etc. have made special trips to Auburn to stop here, not anymore

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food is excellent but the prices have skyrocketed and the portions have been significantly reduced. Half a sandwich is now $9.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Every time I've come in, Downtown Deli has been amazing. Friendly staff and great food.

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    15 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Seriously impressed. Had the Cali on homemade focaccia and it was delicious. Will return.

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Second time stopping here when in Auburn, well worth it. Sub was big and good, friendly service.

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    It's been a while since I've eaten here. The restaurant was really cold, I'm not sure what the…read morereason was, but I kept my coat on as did other people dining in. I ordered a lunch special of 3 rolls which came with soup and a salad. The salad was very good.... fresh and crunchy with the delicious ginger dressing. At other places the dressing gets watered down and there's a puddle at the bottom of the bowl because the lettuce is not drained well. This salad was well drained and very tasty. The miso soup was hot and full of flavor. The rolls were excellent, and while not looking large, they had a decent amount of filling.,.just not a heavy layer of rice on the outside.. which I prefer. Service was very good.

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    Downtown Deli - delis - Updated July 2026

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