Once again it was a Friday, time for Neighbor Roy and me to go to lunch together. We decided on the Sausage Deli on Grant and 1st Avenue. It is a standalone building we have passed many times but never ventured in. We arrived at 12:30 PM and the place was not busy. That would change. By the time we left a half-hour later, the place was packed.

We ordered at the counter. There is no table service here. (That costs this place a full saguaro rating.) The menu is ample. We could order an Omar (The Breathtaking): salami, turkey, swiss, green peppers, chopped pepperoncini, onion, mustard, Italian dressing on an onion roll. Or a Ruben Goldberger: lean corned beef, swiss, mustard and kraut on rye bread. And several other choices. Or we could make our own to order.

Roy ordered a Grinder sub with assorted lunch meats, peppers and onions with potato salad. He also ordered hot tea, his usual drink.

I ordered a hot pastrami with cheddar cheese, mustard, mayo, on sourdough bread, and French fries. Plus a Coke.

Our orders came up quickly. After a couple of bites, I asked Roy how he liked his grinder. He said, “Well it’s a grinder”. It was so big, he couldn’t finish but half and took the remainder home for dinner. However, his “hot” tea wasn’t so hot. It was lukewarm. The staff explained to him that they make the tea in the morning and it just sits there at room temperate until someone orders iced tea and then they add ice. (That costs this place a half a saguaro rating.) He also mentioned that the potato salad was a bit dry.

Here are Roy’s comments: “Lunch at the long Tucson favorite–the Sausage Deli on Grant Rd. We arrived at noon, ordered from an extensive menu, I chose the Italian Grinder and a side of potato salad. I also ordered hot tea. The wait was short, a large meat-filled grinder with veggies arrived soon, it was excellent, the potato salad was a tad dry but good, the tea had been brewed early in the day and the waitress explained that they added ice as required during the day, unfortunately, the tea was not hot, just bland, I cannot recommend the hot tea, however the grinder was large and very good.”

My hot pastrami sandwich was delicious and my fries were excellent: thick, firm, and salty. I finished my whole meal.

All in all, it cost us $24.00. Not bad for a full lunch these days. We rate Sausage Deli three and a half saguaros out of five possible.

Sausage Deli
754 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 623-8182

Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm