Guercio's is possibly my favorite place to buy groceries in the city. Though I often make stops for other items at Wegmans and Lexington Co-op, Guercio's is almost always my first choice. They are a great resource for produce, fresh bread, imported goods and items from the deli.
Have you ever found yourself utterly starving while shopping? I must not be the only one based on the selection of pre-made, ready-to-go foods available at the Co-op and all major supermarkets.
At Guercio's there is no "dining room", panini or lattes. What they do offer is killer deli sandwiches at a shockingly low price. Sandwiches can only be ordered during typical lunch hours on weekdays, but that doesn't deter many based on the number of folks waiting patiently in line.
Roast beef, turkey, ham, capicolla, proscuitto, tuna salad, salami, bologna- those are just a few of the choices offered. Lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard, mayo, oil, your favorite cheese- all of the standard sandwich accompaniments are available. Better yet, they don't have trays of pre-sliced meat and cheese hanging out, no matter what kind of sandwich you order; they're going to slice everything while you wait.
Above is my lunch (and dinner) from yesterday. Approximately 6" in diameter and 4-5" tall, I imagine it would be difficult for most to polish one of these off in a single sitting. Here mayo, lettuce, tomato and Swiss are piled atop a mountain of premium Boar's Head turkey. Served on a crusty roll, can you imagine a better deal at a cost of only $2.75? My cohort managed a lovely roast beef version for only $3.25.
They've offered this service for years; I can't imagine that they'll stop anytime soon. So, even if you work downtown and usually brown bag it or eat in the company cafeteria, consider stopping by the next time there's a holiday or you're on an elective three-day weekend.
Guercio's 250 Grant Street Open 6a.m. - 7 p.m.