Delicatessen destinations in Morris County
You can get most anything you're craving for lunch at Morris area delicatessens — sandwiches, homemade soups, chili, salads — even a good chuckle.
If it's a tuna sub and a laugh you're looking for, The Great Wazu in Parsippany is the place for you. Owner Joseph Daniele dishes heaping servings of both at the deli he's owned for nearly 30 years.
"I tell bad jokes to everyone," said Daniele, whose store is at 3036 Route 46 East. "I make it a point to have fun, and what happens is the customers get involved. I like to inject humor into the mix."
Paninis, club sandwiches, veggie burgers and classic deli subs and salads are all on the menu at The Great Wazu, which has seating for 110 in its dining room. It serves its subs on French bread, wheat bread, Kaiser rolls and multi-grain rolls. Boar's Head cold cuts, store-grilled chicken and homemade salads round out the menu. Several vegetarian choices are popular among the patrons, including the Summer Sandwich — cucumbers, Swiss cheese, cream cheese and mushrooms served on a sub roll, garnished with the works plus "just a wisp," of homemade fresh basil mayonnaise ($5.95).
But Daniele says his most popular item, by far, is tuna salad sandwiches. He estimates he sells close to 130 pounds of tuna every day and says three out of every 10 sandwiches he makes each day are tuna. "On a good Friday, we'll come close to 350 pounds of tuna," he said. "We bill our tuna as the best tuna on the planet."
Daniele makes his own hummus and mozzarella cheese every day, as well as all of his store's gourmet sauces. Homemade salads on the menu include Redskin Potato Salad, Macaroni, Coleslaw and Tricolor Pasta Salad.
"We're very, very fresh here," Daniele said, "I don't even know what a preservative looks like."
The Great Wazu offers party sub packages and other off-site catering options. Store hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Tel. 973-299-9813; Web: www.greatwazu.com
Other good choices for fresh ingredients and good service in Morris County include:
The Market Place, 182 Route 206, Flanders; (973) 448-1530; www.themarketplacenj.com
"We're a higher-end facility, more of your gourmet items,'' said Brian Gibbons, the chef and store manager there. "We take that attitude into most of our selections and products."
That's not to say a quick sandwich isn't readily available. "We're not a ham and cheese-type of deli, but if you want ham and cheese, of course we'll make you a ham and cheese," Gibbons said.
Now that the weather is warming, fresh, light salads are at a premium, and Gibbons delivers a minimum of 24 store-made salads each day. The selections changes often, he said, to keep the options fresh. "We're always making new things and seeing what's out there," he said. "We pride ourselves on being new and creative. People recognize that."
The Waldorf Cole Slaw is particularly popular, as is the Sesame Chicken Salad and the Cucumber Tomato Salad.
The deli, which serves Boar's Head cold cuts and store-cooked meats, is surrounded by a striking Manhattan-inspired market, stocked with gourmet products and a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, home-baked rolls, a gourmet coffee bar, fresh seafood and freshly-prepared entrees. It also sells liquor and recently added a wine-tasting machine for customers who need a little help with decision making.
A hot bar offers four soups daily and a patio seats about 48 people. The Market Place also does off-site catering.
The hours at The Market Place are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. They are also open on Easter Sunday, July 4, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
Piggy's Deli, Route 57 East, Hackettstown; (908) 813-3008; www.piggysdeli.com
Long hours, fresh, homemade food and a spacious, sparkling Hackettstown location make Piggy's Deli a popular choice for breakfast, lunch or off-site catering. Daily specials, homemade soups and salads and a large grill menu have kept the deli busy since it opened in 2008 in a smaller location just across the street.
Owners James (Jamie) Nichols and Don Warzecha have been in their new location for just over three years. The morning menu includes breakfast burritos and sandwiches, omelets and homemade spreads and bagels.
For lunch, choose from Piggy's famous Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwich ($6.95) Tuna Melt ($5.95), Italian Hot Dog ($5.95) or Sloppy Joe sandwich ($7.95). The deli features Boar's Head premium cold cuts. The most popular selections at the deli are its homemade Pulled Pork Sandwich and its store-made roast beef. The Three Little Pigs breakfast sandwich is a customer favorite. The colossal sandwich includes bacon, eggs, cheese, home fries, sausage and pork roll all on a Kaiser roll.
Homemade soups are a popular choice at Piggy's, even in warmer weather, said Nichols. "People like chili all year round," he said, noting that homemade Chili and Chicken Noodle Soup are available all year long. "In the winter, we have two more choices."
Piggy's also does a large off-site catering business for small and large parties, featuring everything from sandwiches to filet mignon and lobster tail. The staff will cook and grill on site for indoor or outdoor events.
Nichols' business philosophy is simple. "We hardly ever close," he said with a laugh. "We're dependable and we're always here." Store hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Artista Salumaria, 423 Main Street, Chester; (908) 888-2061; www.artistasalumeria.com
If you enjoy a high-quality Italian sandwich, Artista has what you're looking for. Though it offers a small seating area with two tables, Artista has a charming interior and offers food that will make you want to sit down and take your time.
"You get what you pay for,'' a recent customer commented, noting that the imported specialty food items might be considered a little pricy. Sandwiches range in price from $8 and $12 and include Italian staples like Chicken Parmesan and handmade pastas, cured salami, artisan cheeses, Panini, soups, antipasti, salads and desserts.
The owner, Kevin Corcoran, purchases meats, breads and produce from local, predominantly organic farmers and artisans. All cheeses are imported form Italy, France and Spain, and they also offer specialties like pancetta, culatello, prosciutto and soppressata. Dried beans and Italian kitchen staples like premium pastas, olive oils and vinegars are also for sale. A refrigerated case brims with pre-made dinners, ranging from about $8 up to about $20.
The salumaria also sells fresh ravioli and fresh pasta, made in-house.
The hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; closed Sundays.
Main Street Submarines, 187 Main Street, Madison; (973) 966-0876; www.mainstreetsubmarines.com
Offering outdoor seating and a huge takeout menu, Main Street Submarines is a popular choice for lunch. Offering a large selections of sub, salads, sandwiches and wraps, Main Street also sells pizza, Stromboli, calzones and burgers.
Sandwiches ranges in price from about $7 for a small chicken cutlet sub to about $15 for a large Corned Beef sub with pastrami, Swiss, Russian dressing and cole slaw. Sloppy Joe Sandwiches run from $7.75 to $9.99. Salads range in price from $3.99 for a basic tossed salad to $9.99 for Classic Caesar Chicken Salad.
Buffalo wings are on the menu daily (8 for $6.99). The daily menu also features club sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches. Every Tuesday, a large cheese pizza costs $6.45 after 4 p.m. The store is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday; 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Online orders may be places through the store's website.
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