The Gourmet Deli is a Cranford institution that is almost 50 years old. That is quite the achievement for any small, non-franchise business nowadays so that alone tells you something about this traditional style deli. I grew up in Brooklyn surrounded by this style of deli and they are quickly becoming harder and harder to find, so I was happy to check it out. The exterior of the deli is a bit deceptive. From the outside it almost looks like it's a hole in the wall, but when you walk in you realize there is an entire dining area with plenty of tables and chairs to the right, with the deli counter on the left. Behind the counter is a large fridge unit with the bold logo of my favorite cold cut brand: Boar's Head (there's a sign in the window too). That is one surefire way to get my business. There were a couple customers ahead of me but boy, they move quick here! They were quickly taken care of and I put my order in: turkey and swiss with tomato and mayo on whole wheat bread. Yeah, it's not the most exciting sandwich in the world but it's one I enjoy. I also snagged a couple drinks from the drink fridge across from the counter. I took this order to go. About fifteen minutes later I was munching on the sandwich and it was perfect. It held together well (sandwich structural integrity is very important in my book) and everything tasted fresh. There was a good amount of meat and cheese and I appreciated that. I was very happy with my first experience at The Gourmet Deli and I look forward to going back! read more

No one does it better than New Jersey when it comes to Italian delis being the greatest culinary show on Earth -- a wonderland of sights, sounds, and especially smells. Located on Alden Street in Cranford, this establishment has been serving the community since 1976, and my colleague and I have come as first-timers yesterday to The Gourmet Deli. They offer fresh mozzarella, homemade pasta, and sandwiches. Greeted by Dominick, the owner, we had the entire deli to ourselves, and our assorted sandwich platter and Greek Salad were ready for us. Their bread was fresh, the meat and cheese were superior quality and more than sufficient, and it was very tasty. As an added bonus, we got a sampling of his famous signature Angel Hair Garden Salad, which was to die for and alone was worth a trip, which we can recommend. read more

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Great fresh food, I go there all the time for many years . There's far to many good places that I go back to

If you want a delicious sandwich, salad, wrap or any type of lunch food in the deli or for home delivery we highly recommend the Gourmet Deli at 41 Alden Avenue in Cranford, NJ. Much of the food is personally prepared by the friendly owner Dominick LaMantia using fresh ingredients and his "secret recipes" and is truly spectacular. We give the Gourmet Deli a rating of 10+, awesome. Try it we guarantee you'll like it. We will see you there. read more

The Gourmet Deli truly is a one stop shop for your catering needs! We recently hosted a party with a mix of adults and kids and everyone raved about the food! We ordered a sub platter, chicken fingers, fries, and their angel hair pasta salad. The owner is always so nice to work with too. Highly recommend! read more

Simply put: this place absolutely rules. It's a classic! How could you not love a legitimate Italian deli? The owner, Dominick, has been doing this for decades and still cares about every single order that leaves his counter; everything is made with fresh ingredients and love, and it's all good, but I recommend the Chicken Cutlet Special sandwich. I hope this place sticks around for decades to come. Cranford institution. read more

We were having a small little family birthday party for my oldest daughter in the middle of the week. so her son/my grandson & I baked her a homemade birthday cake, but for a fun and delicious supper we knew we had to call upon the Gourmet Deli of Cranford to make it simply Perfect. So we ordered 3 of their Delicious Specialty sandwiches to share and a platter of chicken fingers that are most definitely the Best in the State, and maybe the world. Then, I had it personally delivered to my home by Dominick himself ! What makes this establishment so unique and memorable is that we ordered our selections the last minute and The Gourmet Deli beautifully prepared our late order with personalized delivery and included a sample of their Gourmet Angel Hair salad, on the house, as well. We were so very honored for such spectacular service and delicious food that made our little celebration so memorable. We highly recommend The Gourmet Deli for all parties, events, or last minute delectable Italian cooking and fabulous deli delights. I cannot Thank The Gourmet Deli and Dominick for making a Thursday evening event awesome and wonderful. Until Next Time! Thanks For Everything, Adele E and family read more

Great food, great service consistently. Chicken cutlet with mozzarella sandwich always hits the spot but everything is great.

Racist Owner!!! I signed up for the email subscription almost 15 yrs ago when I started working at my job they send you daily specials and they pick a winner of the day for free lunch and I have been going here for lunch occasionally throughout the years . The owner always been short with me or made me uncomfortable every time I went there but he never did or said anything to me until today. I happened to go there to pick up my free lunch that I won on Friday. When I walked in there was one customer already there being taken care of so I stood there waiting to be serviced. Another guy walked in after me and the owner asked the guy that walked in if he could help him completely ignoring me while I was in front of him at the counter. The guy pointed to me and said she was here first. I told him what my order was and my name and stated I won a free lunch. He asked me for the paper ( which I never had to show prove of just tell them my name) but something told me to bring it today. He left my food on the counter and wouldn't even bag it for me until I asked him too then he looked at me and said this will be your last time getting free lunch from here because you aren't a regular customer!!! I told him I've order there plenty of times for myself and even sometimes with my coworkers and he said I didn't. I will NEVER support you guys again! read more

Sandwiches are delish!!! Service was quick and efficient. Will definitely go back when in town again !!

Yummy food, fast service, and friendly people! Great variety for any meal of the day! I need to make it back for their live music brunch on Sundays! Hear it's great! read more

The Gourmet Deli - bacon and pancakes - Caterers Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

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10 STARS ***** BEST DELI IN THIS COUNTY PERIOD. The World's Best Chili beef or turkey. Owner Dominick will make you anything not on the menu. Great selection of food and snacks. Everything is fresh and clean by an owner that cares and remembers your name. Great football and sports Sunday Food and sandwich platters that will blow your mind. Has Boars Head cold cuts-worlds best no fIllers and no preservatives taste fantastic. Nice sloppy joe sandwich with fresh cool coleslaw roast beef or other, with Russian dressing all over it - nothing better Try the flounder stuffed with crabmeat on Friday at lunch time with a lemon butter wine sauce-Damn good. Wow. Very light and tasty. Reheats well. Ps don't forget the fish and chips. Outstanding and not jut a kiddie meal. This is real with malt vinegar like it serves in London. And nice fresh salad bar. I am Lou T. A town resident who eats here often cause foods great. Yes that angel hair pasta is worth the rise from anywhere. read more

This is a great deli. The angel hair pasta is the best and the people great. My daughter lives in Cranford and recommends them and uses them for all her catering needs read more

In a word....terrific. Great people, great food, and great fun with live acoustic music on Sunday Mornings. Happy to have found this spot. Plenty of municipal parking in back. Located in a lovely downtown shopping area. Plenty of interesting choices on the menu besides all the typical favorites. I hear they also do catering. Try them. You won't go wrong! read more

This place has good sandwiches & good service. Parking nearby can be difficult, depending on the time of day. read more

The Gourmet Deli - Chicken salad $7.99/pound - Caterers Near Me - Cranford, New Jersey

Huge menu, freshly sliced/shaved meats, speciality glass bottled sodas, and fresh deli faves (like marinated mozzarella balls). Delicious Turkey Joe! Fresh sliced turkey, swiss cheese, perfectly seasoned cole slaw, and creamy russian dressing on marble rye. The sandwich is a sky high double decker cut in 3 ways. So, yeah, massive. Deli guys are super friendly, very attentive, know locals by first name, and are super personable. read more

Great deli and great people. Dom always makes sure to say hello to his customers. Sunday morning brunch with Joanie should also not be missed. read more

I grew up in Cranford, and as such have grown up with the Gourmet. Over the past fifteen or so years, every major celebration in my life (confirmation, high school graduation, college graduation) has been catered by the Gourmet. I feel like the owner, Dom, is a distant cousin. Lord knows, I see him more than I do most of my family members. The sandwiches are top notch, as are the hot foods. The service is fantastic, and with the expanded seating (there's a whole room attached with tables and a dessert case) you can stop in for a quick bite while walking around Cranford's lovely downtown area. When I come home, I make it my business to stop there. read more

I came here for the first time today. The folks were very friendly and helpful. Restaurant was quaint and clean. They had a nice variety of sandwiches and different plates. I got a pulled pork sandwich that was pretty good. Since it was my first visit, the owner also gave me some angel hair pasta salad that was delicious. I'm definitely coming back here. read more

Got a Honey Turkey wit white and yellow american everything on it on a sesame Italian bread....BANGIN!! Will be back!!!

Charging an extra $0.50 fee to put shredded lettuce on a sandwich is enough of a turn off for me!

While this is my first time going to the gourmet deli, I've had a taste of their famous "angel hair pasta salad" at catered events before. EVERYONE at the parties raved about this pasta and at first I was a little hesitant on trying since I'm not particularly a big fan of arugula. However, the second I put the noodles in my mouth, my taste buds exploded from the flavors. It is dressed with a light vinaigrette and it contains such a well balanced, appetizing, unique flavor that perfectly compliments the angel hair and the bitter element of arugula. I was hooked immediately. This is the kind of pasta that you will dream of the next time you have it. Fast forward to my actual visit to the shop, the owners were really nice and welcoming and they genuinely seemed to care about you as a customer. They gave me a small container of the angel hair pasta from my yelp check in. Overall, I had a really good experience and will definitely be coming back to try some of their sandwiches as well. This is an excellent place for a quick lunch if you are on the run. read more

I am cursed by the need to sustain my living body with food and with being an awful lazy cook. But I am blessed to live within walking distance of the Gourmet Deli! I have fallen in love with their Italian subs, all made with the freshest meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, perfectly balanced dressings, and GREAT bread! The atmosphere is friendly and familiar - I have not yet dined in or partaken of their hot menu, so expect me to update this review in the future. read more

Great sandwiches, and the angel hair salad is so delicious. Great local deli.

I'm sure the food is really good. But I called a couple weeks ago to get information on placing a catering order. I needed the order on a Sunday. They happily said they will be open till 1 and would be able to have the order ready. So I planned out my order and gave them a call again. Then I was told they are not open on Sunday's during the summer and it has been that way for years. The person I spoke with didn't even apologize for the mixup. This left me frustrated and annoyed. They need to communicate with all staff so this doesn't happen again. Clearly there are worst things than needing to find a new restaurant to cater food. But for anyone wondering,they are not open on Sunday's in the summer. read more

Good deli with really good coffee's nice place to sit down in the mornings very nice staff my bagel was good and nice atmosphere the owner tries hard I can see that read more

This used to be one of my favorite places. I have gone here for over 20 years but today was the last time I will ever go. I ordered 2 whole turkey subs. They were out of rolls, no problem, I don't mind these things, I am easy going about whatever bread/rolls needed. Well instead they charged me for 5 half sandwiches. Where they got the number 5, I will never understand, considering 2 wholes equal 4 halves. So I ended up paying almos $35 for 2 subs. That is RIDICULOUS!!! read more

Not as good as I expected. Chicken sandwich was average, nothing special about the bread. A few tables to sit inside, but really needs a makeover, cluttered and disorganized. Salad bar glass cover not clean. Free angel hair pasta salad just ok, not as great as all say. Staff extremely friendly and customer service oriented. One issue, older gentleman behind counter, not sure if he worked there because he had an HVAC maintenance shirt on, but he was standing there speaking with customers as he sneezed and did not leave to wash his hands, I needed a side of mayo and went to the other side of the store just to avoid him helping me. Will I be back can't say for sure, maybe take out. read more

I live on Staten Island but recently started a summer class not too far from this deli and found it while looking for something quick but still of good quality (I don't eat at fast food restaurants). The first time I came in I had no idea what I wanted but Allison was at the counter and helped me figure it out. She was super friendly and patient with me. I eventually ordered a chicken parm hero and got a free sample of their angel hair pasta salad from my yelp check-in. The sandwich was great but the angel hair salad! Let's just say I've been back pretty much every day that I have class since then. The owner Dominick has also been there most of the times I came and he's very personable and friendly too. I want to try other items on their menu before my class ends this summer but that salad has me hooked. Hopefully I get tired of it soon so I can order something else. read more

Live for their pasta salad & I hate cold pasta salad. Whenever you need simple sandwiches & salads catering it is a no brainer!!!

I think i am addicted to the angel hair pasta salad. A great side to bring to a bbq. Usually made with fresh basil and radiccio. The dressing is so light and refreshing. It's making me want to have some right now. I've gotten roast beef from him as well and they are delicious. read more

I've been to many family events that were catered by The Gourmet Deli and the quality of the food is always excellent. The hot food is perfect & the unique salads are delicious! read more

The Gourmet Deli is the best deli in Union County. All the ingredients are of the highest quality. Dom, owner of the Deli, refuses to lower his standards or raise prices for an extra buck. He's truly in it for the customer. The service is phenomenal; you will never wait more than 10 minutes to place an order in store (call in orders are instant), and whatever you order will always surpass your expectations. Most importantly, when you walk into the Deli, you actually feel like you're in a deli. As a lifelong resident of Cranford, I have a fetish for small, traditional businesses, and I am tired of corporate chains popping up everywhere. It's an establishment worth supporting. Don't believe me? Just try it. It's across the street from Saint Michaels Church. I recommend the chicken cutlet special on a wrap. read more

I have to come here more often. I've been living in Cranford 5 years and have been here 3 times. I'm embarrassed. The sandwiches are always fantastic and the help goes out of their way to accommodate you. Today, I stopped in to buy some sandwiches for a long road trip. We had a #33 and a couple of other really tasty turkey sandwiches. I got behind a big family placing an order to stay and the gentleman behind the counter swiftly fulfilled my order before he took care of the big group. That was a first class move. He's won my business and my daughter has already asked when are we going there for breakfast before school. read more

Always a great meal here. Staff is friendly. Owner is there almost all the time. One of my favorites is the chicken cheese steak with spinach and roasted peppers! Angel hair pasta salad is awesome. Nice salad bar. Tons of room to sit down and eat. Biggest bacon egg and cheese you will get for the money! read more

This is by far the best lunch spot in town. The owner and staff always make you feel welcomed. The variety is great. You must try the angel hair pasta salad, it is amazing. We have also used them for multiple catering events and come away more and more impressed each time. If you are in the area definitely give it a try. My favorites. Chicken Cheese Steak. Chicken Cutlet (breaded) Special, Pin Stripe Pub Sandwich. The owner Dom is very personable and has me trying something new everytime I'm in although it's hard to stray away from my favorites. read more

Made us a delicious 6ft sandwich for my sons baptism party. It was great all around! Highly recommend them

The Gourmet Deli is all around excellent. The food is always fresh and delicious. They have the best Bruschetta by far. I have ordered many catering dishes from them over the years as well. The presentation of the platters is always beautiful and our guests absolutely love the food. I can't say enough good things about the Gourmet Deli and I can't thank them enough, especially Dominick, for making my life a little easier over the years by providing such delicious food. I highly recommend the Gourmet Deli! read more

I went on a Friday afternoon at lunch time, so it was understandably a bit busy. Still, there were only six people in line and it took 20 minutes for me to get a sandwich. The sandwich itself is nothing special, but I was most disappointed in the service. One staff member in particular literally snapped his fingers at me and told me to hurry up when I was handing him my drink and chips to put in the sandwich bag. He mumbled what sounded like broken English as he rang me up, tapping his hand on the counter impatiently as I filled out my debit card receipt. This is no way to treat a customer. He was extremely rude and convinced me to never go back to this place again; it was anything but a "Gourmet" experience. read more

Great food, great prices, great service!!! First time I was there. They asked if I had been there before and brought us free angel hair garden salad. It was excellent. Made me wish I ordered that. read more