Lisa's Deli

Best fresh mozzarella… Anywhere!!!

Great, but very expensive

Went here the other day to grab food for lunch and the train ride home. Got two sandwiches, one hot with roast beef, a little gravy, mozzarella, and sauteed onions; the other with hot soppresata, provolone, tomatoes, a little balsamic, and roasted red peppers. Had a little problem communicating with the counter staff, but they were friendly enough and let me get a sample of the bresaola and mozzarella. The mozzarella here didn't impress me that much, pretty good but far from the best. Their bread on the other hand was perfect, not too dense not too light. The roast beef sandwich was bursting with beefy flavor, and was incredible. The soppresata was great too, although the soppresata itself could've had more flavor, but the roasted red peppers were excellent and the balsamic gave it a nice kick. They put chunks of provolone on the sandwich instead of slices, but I just took a couple chunks off and the sandwich was fine.

This place is the little Italian neighborhood deli perfected. If that is not what you are looking for superficial friendliness and fast service you should go to Chipotle. Sharp provolone is aged in the basement. Mutz is excellent. Prosciutto is perfection. Choice of breads from the local bakers is large though I am partial to Dom's. Cleanliness is not obsessively sought so by the end of the day the place can look a little rough. Same guys have been behind the counter for 20 years. If you are doing delivery or ordering on line you are missing the charm of making small talk with the guys behind the counter and hanging with your neighbors while your stuff is being made.

My wife and I ordered from Lisa's tonight. First of all, there is a $2.00 delivery fee, even though nothing is stated on the web site, menu, or over the phone when you ask for delivery. The food was OK, but when it was delivered, we were missing a side of fries. No big deal - we called and "Lisa" said she would send it out. Ten minutes later, "Lisa" called back and asked if we had found our fries in the bag. I told her no. She said that she would send a delivery guy out. After 30 minutes, I called to see where our fries were, and was told that the delivery guy was out delivering the food right now. Another thirty minutes later (now almost two hours after the original order), I called and got the "cleaning crew" who said that they do not work there. When I asked why they answered the phone, I was yelled at and the person said "Lisa's is closed - we just answer the phone to see if its the boss". Too bad ... you just lost a customer for good.