Whether you are cruising around the countryside or traversing the city streets, you are never far from a good old fashioned deli in Vermont. Sandwiches, smoked meats, artisanal cheese, and maple products are the usual suspects, but you never know what you will find on the specials board. Come along as we explore the top delis in the Green Mountain State.
Nestled in a historic building on Old Bennington, Elm Street Market is committed to ensuring every product is the freshest and best. The menu offers options like The Monumental (London broil, deluxe ham, lettuce, tomatoes, green bell peppers, red onions, and dill pickle with the house Italian dressing) and the Southshire Shrimp (Cajun spiced shrimp, lettuce, sprouts, and chipotle aioli on a pretzel roll). Plus, there are gluten-free and vegan options. Every sandwich is made with care, and, by all accounts, the staff is friendly and attentive.
A specialty grocery store and deli, Al Ducci’s offers authentic, fresh made Italian foods for takeout. Get hot and cold sandwiches, like three meat Italian combo or Genoa salami, lasagna, or eggplant parmesan. You can also find Italian broccoli rabe, house-made sausage, hard to find cheese and hand-tossed Sicilian pizza with fresh mozzarella. Best yet, ask for the house tiramisu.
Established in 1986, Noonie’s is now owned by Jonathan Wish. Featuring house-made pastrami, roast beef, you can still order the classics, like the Noonie's BLT (bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, fresh mozzarella, and garlic basil mayo). Or maybe you'll opt for the more spicy offerings, like the "Bernie Sanders-wich” (grilled buffalo chicken, sriracha mayo, jalapeno, banana peppers, melted blue and pepper jack cheeses, lettuce, tomato, and onion).
Chef Paul Michael Brinker of Rumney's Deli offers local American comfort food with quality ingredients. Breakfast sandwiches and paninis are made to order and feature Dietz & Watson deli meats, and fried mac & cheese bites will fill you up for the day. But check out the chicken tenders, hand breaded and made fresh to order. Brinker says that his original creation of roasted cauliflower with Aleppo pepper and roasted crimini mushrooms is the most popular.
This farm-to-table deli is owned by Stefano Coppola, who has a degree from New England Culinary Institute. Using premium meats and cheeses produced locally and baked bread from La Panciata, “everything that can be made in-house, is.” The corned beef and apple-caraway sauerkraut on the reuben is a local favorite.
At Zoey’s, they believe the “dining experience can be creative and flavorful without being a budget-breaker.” Offering made to order sandwiches, salads, and wraps, like the sesame chicken wrap (chicken, lettuce, tomato, walnuts, and sesame dressing), this deli knows how to spice up lunch. Plus, every order comes with a handful of their house made potato chips.
With daily soup specials, plus their famous beef & bean chili, this deli is bent on fresh. Their signature dishes feature the usual suspects of barbecue pulled pork and mac & cheese but also a few surprises, like pork pot stickers (wrappers filled with ground pork, peas, cabbage, and smothered in a honey ginger glaze) or vegetarian spring rolls.