When the Pond Street White Hen Pantry closed in April 2010, most of us saw it as a huge loss - we…read moredepended on that store for late night emergency runs for staples like bread and milk and snacks/munchies, an emergency stash of pet food, morning coffee, and everything in between. I could not have imagined that the outcome of that sad day would be this wonderful shop.... it has all of the White Hen neighborhood goodness and so much more.
First, although it's not open 24/7, it's open very early (at 5 AM) and serves customers until 11 PM, so they are able to meet the needs of the early morning coffee bingers, late night food cravings, and everything you've come to expect from your neighborhood grocery-sandwich place..
You can get groceries - all the typical convenience store items - plus wine and beer, coffee, coffee, and more varieties of coffee, pastries and assorted fresh sweets, a couple of soup offerings, sandwiches (ready made or made to order), salads, and some of the best paninis in the Port City. I always get the roast beef panini (I think it's #6) and for the extra few dollars, go for the gold and order the large one. It's twice the size (literally) of the "half" for a very little bit more $$, and enough for two generous meals. In fact, it's so large, they actually wrap it in two separate packages. You can share with a lunch mate or enjoy it two days in a row. They heat up beautifully in the microwave too, btw.
Friendly, family owned and operated, if you patronized White Hen, you'll see some familiar faces. And when you need that pretzel fix, you can get that and a sandwich long after every other sandwich shop has rolled up the sidewalk in front of their doors.
I gave it a 5 only because that's the max you can give on Yelp. but if I could have, I'd have given them a 10. It was truly a delightful surprise to find the Pond Street White Hen reincarnated here!
