Buffalo Rising Online

Feb 5th 2007, 7:04pm By hippiegrrl

Everyone knows if you are looking for great deli and/or italian cuisine in Buffalo, Hertel Avenue is the place to be. Romeo & Juliets, La Dolce Vita, Joe's Deli and North End Trattoria are just a few of the many great eating joints this street has to offer. Hertel is the home of the Italian Festival each summer, so how can you go wrong?

Working near Hertel gives us a myriad of choices for great lunch fare and today was no exception! I think I have, quite possibly, found the best panini thus far at Marco's Italian Deli. They are, after all, home of the original "Sangwich" so how could you not love the food? The Hertel Avenue location is one of three (Elmwood in Tonawanda & Maple in Amherst) delis where Marco's serves their fantastic panini, burgers and gourmet sangwiches. Marco's also serves authentic Italian cuisine at their Italian Restaurant on Niagara Street in Buffalo.

Today I sampled the "Maria Goumade", a grilled panini with turkey, pepperoni, ham, provolone cheese, red peppers, tomatoes, red onion and chili mayo for $6.99. The slight kick of the chili mayo was just enough to put this sangwich over the edge in terms of flavour. The turkey, ham and pepperoni work well together, while the cheese and veggies set off the overall taste. Big enough to fill you up, but not leave you so stuffed you need a cart to roll out on.

The other sangwich sampled today was the "special of the day", consisting of chicken fingers, mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegrette dressing, sans the sweet peppers which usually come with it. This combination sounds daunting but is definitely a perfect blending of flavours. The dressing really ties the sandwich together and the grilling seals in all the flavours. At $6.99 also, this sangwich is one to try, if it happens to be the special the day you visit.

Other sangwiches that sounded delightful were the "Uncle Guido" - Salami, hot peppers, marinated eggplant and mozzarella cheese for $5.99, the "Barbarino" - Turkey, roast beef, lettuce, onion, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella and mayo for $6.99 and the "Mustache Pete" - Prosciutto, eggplant, fresh mozzarella and tomato for $6.99.

Marco's also offers a variety of other deli treats such as antipasto, soups, salads, submarines and custom deli platters. On Friday's they do a Fish Dinner of Lightly Battered & Grilled Haddock with Cole Slaw, Bread and your choice of Potato Salad or Pasta Salad for $7.99. Hours of Operation are Monday-Saturday from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm, so be sure to stop by and pick up something to bring home for dinner. You will not be sorry because at Marco's they "make a sangwich you can't refuse."

Marco's Italian Deli 1744 Hertel Avenue 716-862-9117 Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm