Dave’s Deli is the newest addition to one of the plazas in Storrs center. This Italian deli is the perfect destination for all grinder and sandwich needs. (Julie Spillane/The Daily Campus)
Dave’s Deli is the best restaurant in Storrs Center that you didn’t even know existed. The small sandwich place, located next to DP Dough, specializes in making giant grinders. These grinders are sold in two sizes, eight inches or 16 inches. Dave’s sells a wide variety of different sandwiches from classic cold cuts to toasted steak and cheese. They also offer many combinations of salads and other sides.
I decided to give the unrecognized deli a shot and try it out for myself. I was pleasantly surprised with what I discovered.
Despite visiting right around dinner time, the deli was almost completely empty when I arrived. This might be due to the fact that Dave’s is somewhat difficult to spot from the main road.
Once inside, I was greeted with warm and welcoming service. The atmosphere of the deli was clean and modern. The menu was written entirely on a chalkboard which gave me some coffee shop vibes.
Upon inspecting the menu, I was surprised at how many sandwich options they were offering. There was a total of twenty different grinder options between the “cold sub” list and the “hot sub” list. The complete menu is available online.
I decided on one hot sub and one cold sub. I got the chicken parmesan grinder and a smoked turkey sub. Both sandwiches greatly exceeded my expectations. One aspect of the grinders that stood out right away was how well put together they were. Nothing is more annoying than a sloppily made sandwich that falls apart in your hands while you’re eating it. It was clear that the Dave’s employees were experts at evenly spreading the toppings so that the sandwich remained intact.
Another highlight of Dave’s Deli was the sheer size of the grinders. Not only are the sandwiches long to begin with, but the Dave’s employees are very generous with the amount of meat and other toppings they add. This makes for an extremely filling sandwich that feels worth every penny that you spend.
Without a doubt, the best part of eating at Dave’s Deli was the freshness of their ingredients. The smoked turkey sub in particular had one of the most delicious cold-cut combinations that I have ever had.
The only complaint I could have had about my trip was the amount of time it took to make my sandwiches. It took a little over a half an hour to make them, which is much longer than other deli restaurants that I have been to. After discovering the quality of the grinders I received though, they could’ve taken all the time they needed.
I would highly recommend you take the time to find Dave’s and try out their sandwiches for yourself. It is essentially a higher quality version of Subway for around the same price. They also offer the option to check out the menu and order online at their website.
Typically, when I think of getting great food in Storrs Center, a few places come to mind right away. Blaze Pizza, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Mooyah Burger, Insomnia Cookies- the Mount Rushmore of food establishments in Storrs Center. I think it’s about time we carve out space for another name on that list. Dave’s Deli.
Rating: 4.5/5
Matt Souvigney is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at matthew.souvigney@uconn.edu.
