Vote for your favorite grocery store deli!
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Stopping by the deli when you're at the grocery store is a convenient and inexpensive way to pick up fresh and delicious food. You can choose from a variety of meats and cheeses in the deli case and can often grab a sandwich or some soup.
These 20 grocery store delis — nominated by an expert panel — stand out as the best in the United States, whether you need a quick lunch or a party platter. Which grocery store deli do you like to shop at the most?
Vote once per day for your favorite until voting ends on Monday, September 2 at noon ET. The 10 winning grocery store delis will be announced on Thursday, September 12.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
Stopping by the deli when you're at the grocery store is a convenient and inexpensive way to pick up fresh and delicious food. You can choose from a variety of meats and cheeses in the deli case and can often grab a sandwich or some soup.
These 20 grocery store delis — nominated by an expert panel — stand out as the best in the United States, whether you need a quick lunch or a party platter. Which grocery store deli do you like to shop at the most?
Vote once per day for your favorite until voting ends on Monday, September 2 at noon ET. The 10 winning grocery store delis will be announced on Thursday, September 12.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
Stopping by the deli when you're at the grocery store is a convenient and inexpensive way to pick up fresh and delicious food. You can choose from a variety of meats and cheeses in the deli case and can often grab a... Read More
Best Grocery Store Deli Nominees
Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson // Getty Images
Arbor Farms Market
Soups and seasonal salads made from scratch every day, quality meats and cheeses, and breads courtesy of fine local bakers are what you can expect at the deli in Arbor Farms Market. Ann Arbor's original organic grocery has been at it since 1979.
Photo courtesy of Susan Vineyard / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Bashas'
Step into one of the 100-plus stores across Arizona and inhale the aroma of freshly fried chicken and brick-oven style pizza featuring a hand-stretched crust capped with gooey Wisconsin cheese. Bashas' deli is also known for its legendary made-to-order sandwiches and subs, and shoppers can join a loyalty sandwich program that'll get them freebies. Peruse the array of sides and specialty items, too.
Central Market
A total of 10 Central Market locations can be enjoyed across Texas, with delis serving up a fine selection of meats, cheeses, sandwiches, and special Lone Star State favorites like Central Market chicken in red mole tamales.
The Fresh Market
The Fresh Market is committed to offering a vast selection of natural and organic products. And that focus carries to the deli department, where shoppers can order deli meats, see natural chickens roasting, peruse specialty cheeses, grab some ready-made sides, and order party platters with sandwiches, wraps, and meats and cheeses.
Photo courtesy of TommL / E+
Gelson's Markets
The deli staff at Gelson's Markets are culinary professionals who build sandwiches to your specs, and some locations offer comfortable indoor and outdoor seating areas where you can nosh on site. Customers can also graze the globe with items like triple creme goat brie, fire-roasted Hatch chile guacamole, spicy Thai pasta salad, and more.
Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson // Getty Images
H-E-B
Wander into an H-E-B and just head to the deli for easy and tasty ways to assuage your hunger. There are prepared "Meal Simple" choices like rotisserie chicken salad with crackers, as well as pre-made sandwiches. You'll also find a plethora of meats and cheeses, dips, and party trays.
Photo courtesy of Dan LaGuardia Media
Heinen's Grocery Store
Heinen's set standards in 1933, opening Cleveland’s first supermarket across the street from their butcher shop. Still family-owned, the regional chain excels at deli department offerings, making their own deli meats on-site for over 80 years under the "Two Brothers" brand (you can still get founder Joe Heinen’s original baked ham). Shoppers also enjoy imported olives and antipasti items, salads, soups, sandwiches, and specialty cheeses.
Kowalski's Markets
This Minneapolis-St. Paul area grocery chain features a lavish spread of deli salads and deli meat brands that are free of antibiotics, nitrates, nitrites, hormones, and preservatives. Kowalski's deli also offers freshly made paninis, wraps, croissants, pretzel roll sandwiches, and gluten-free lettuce wraps. Stop by the soup bar to grab something warm to go with your sandwich.
Photo courtesy of baibaz // Getty Images
Kroger
At your local Kroger, expect the deli to be stocked with fresh meats, cold side dishes, specialty cheeses, and charcuterie cuts. Shoppers can also pick up party platters or grab a pre-made sandwich, wrap, or salad to go.
Photo courtesy of Meijer
Meijer
Grab your supply of sliced meats and cheeses from the deli case at Meijer. While you're there, you can pick up everything you need for an impressive charcuterie board, including specialty meats and cheeses, nuts and berries, garnishes, and crackers. And don't miss the array of salads on offer, from piña colada fluff to sesame noodle salad.
Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson // Getty Images
Metropolitan Market
Since 1971, food specialists from Metropolitan Market traverse the planet to find interesting items to stock next to grocery staples. Shop the deli and pick up impressive items for a mezze platter, freshly prepared hot guacamole for Taco Tuesday, and hard-to-find treats like fresh goat milk cheese with lavender and fennel pollen.
New Seasons Market
The deli department at New Seasons Market in the Portland offers a unique selection of fresh fare. With a focus on quality and seasonal ingredients, the grocer offers items from the deli case, hot soup, charcuterie, roasted chicken, and grab-and-go options.
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
Phoenicia Specialty Foods in Houston is a foodie's dream. The deli offers domestic and international meats like Raspini herbed ham, Hungarian pick salami, and cured dried beef Basterma. Try Bulgarian feta cheese, fresh mozzarella, and prepared items like pate.
Publix Super Markets
Publix offers fresh premium meats and cheeses from its deli case, and customers really go for the grocer's customizable cold or toasted subs created with the deli products. Shoppers also enjoy the fried chicken — available hot or cold — with more than 57 million pounds of it sold each year.
Photo courtesy of Hernan Caputo // Getty Images
Sedano's Supermarkets
Launched in 1962, Sedano's Supermarkets is a family business providing Latin grocery products in several dozen stores in Florida. The deli carries freshly sliced meats and cheeses, plus packaged items like Tropical Fresh white cheese for frying and Palacios' all-natural chorizo. Customers can also breeze by the deli for freshly roasted pork shoulder and fried plantains.
Photo courtesy of U. J. Alexander / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
ShopRite
No-antibiotics, nitrate-free deli meat and ShopRite's Fresh to Table program are just a couple of pluses you'll find at the grocery stores' deli. Shoppers are also offered compelling meals in a variety of grab-and-go options. How about vegan potstickers, eggplant parm, stuffed cabbage, or signature subs? ShopRite's Order Express empowers customers to order online and pick up their items without an annoying wait.
Sprouts Farmers Market
Go upscale at the Sprouts Farmers Market deli with duck liver mousse or pick up some cold cuts from the deli case, with several house-made meats to choose from. The Sprouts deli is also wildly popular for its well-priced made-to-order sandwiches.
Photo courtesy of Stew Leonard's
Stew Leonard's
Visit the deli section at Stew Leonard's and find meat and cheese staples, as well as items like buffalo chicken breast, fresh feta, and sour pickles. If you don't want to construct your own sandwich, pick up a prepared grinder, sub, wrap, or lobster roll.
Photo courtesy of LauriPatterson // Getty Images
Wegmans Food Markets
Wegmans' deli stocks its own brand of cheeses and meats like American-style Kobe roast beef, robust 24-month aged prosciutto, buffalo chicken, salami, and a line of sausages from Hungarian style to bangers. Their deli products can be enjoyed on their subs and sandwiches, while lavish grab-and-go charcuterie trays make entertaining easy.
Photo courtesy of Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods has a quality selection of deli meats and cheeses. And if you need an aged gouda or a nutty gruyere, there are certified cheese experts to guide you. Read the long laundry list of ingredients prohibited at the stores (over 300 and counting) or better yet, spend time just deciding upon which ready-to-eat sandwiches and soups appeal to you.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Carole Terwilliger Meyers has written articles for... Read More
Carole Terwilliger Meyers has written articles for numerous outlets, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Via, and Orbitz. She has been a featured guest on the Today Show and quoted in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Her favorite and most frequent destinations are London, NYC, and Hawaii, but she favors destinations in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lives and about which she writes frequently. Carole is a blogger--Travels with Carole; a website publisher--Berkeley and Beyond and Webcam Traveler; and an active freelance writer. You can follow Carole on YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Carole Terwilliger Meyers has written articles for numerous outlets, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Via, and Orbitz. She has been a featured guest on the Today Show and quoted in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Her favorite and most frequent destinations are London, NYC, and Hawaii, but she favors destinations in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lives and about which she writes frequently. Carole is a blogger--Travels with Carole; a website publisher--Berkeley and Beyond and Webcam Traveler; and an active freelance writer. You can follow Carole on YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50... Read More
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.