We've passed this place many times on foot and in our car. The exterior areas are spotlessly clean (in fair weather there are outdoor cafe tables and chairs). Potted plants decorate the exterior. The building is well-maintained and pretty (with a cool mural on the side-street side of the building).
Inside, cleanliness abounds. We walked in on a cold day and were overwhelmed with delicious smells. The sign calls themselves a deli, but they're more than that. Hot food is offered, cafeteria-style, and there are abundant salad and fresh cut fruit choices. An assortment of beverages fills the coolers which encumber the entire rear wall of the building. Several seating areas provide eat-in accommodation. We chose to take-out.
A hot pastrami sandwich with cheese was delicious. On good bread, the rather lean pastrami was heated on a flat-top griddle, then sandwiched in a very good-quality 12" grinder roll and toasted in a panini press. I couldn't stop eating it.
Potato salad was homemade and chock-full of peppers and boiled egg (just like my grandmother's). A shrimp salad was offered (I didn't try, but it looked wonderful). The menu displays the specials offered each day of the week -- these include yellow rice with peas, red beans, Pernil (roast pork shoulder), roast chicken, pork chops, "beef steak," white rice, and, of course, Mofongo. Available is the classic shrimp version of this dish, along with various "combo" Mofongos.
We can't wait to try out some of the other things (we only ate sandwiches). The place is open all day; with a delectable-looking cooked-to-order breakfast available in the mornings and, it appears, at lunch-time, when we were there.
The place is a bit out-of-the-way, but it's a "best-kept secret." They should really promote themselves better. The website shows the menu (consult it for daily hot offerings) -- but also shows a pre-renovation shot of the place with a modest grocery selection on shelves. They've taken that out, apparently, and are concentrating on the sandwiches and hot food.
Service is pleasant and re-assuring. They provided napkins and a fork for our salad -- some places forget this, especially when busy. We'll go back, and we invite you to come out to the East Side of New Britain and try it yourself. I think you'll be as pleased as we were! read more