The Atlanta Voice visited NY Deli to try some of the sandwiches on the menu at what is being called Atlanta’s first authentic New York-style bodega.
Isaiah’s review:
Stepping foot into a bodega for the very first time can be a little daunting with so many options in your face; however, the smell of chopped cheese and other food items immediately makes your stomach rumble.
I had the Protein Blast, which comes with almond milk and offers your choice of vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry protein flavor. I got the banana and vanilla flavor, and it is so good, and perfect for an after-gym protein shake or just a pick-me-up for the day.
I also ordered the Chelsea sandwich, which features roast beef, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo.
Let me tell you, and I’m not exaggerating. This is good food. I was thoroughly impressed by how fresh everything tasted and how good it looked. It has just enough spice to it where it’s not too spicy but not too bland either. 10/10.
For a first-time trip to a bodega, this is a convenient place to go to pick up good, quick food with great quality and service. The atmosphere is amazing, spacious, and friendly. I recommend NY Deli & Juice Bar to anyone looking for good, authentic NY-style bodega food.
Donnell’s review:
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the bodega was a staple in my life. When I heard about NY Deli on Memorial Drive on the Stone Mountain side of I-285, I knew I had to check it out. The business is being billed as the “Home of the Halal Chopped Cheese,” and I wanted to grab a chopped cheese and see if it tasted like the chopped cheese sandwiches I used to get from the bodegas back home.
Walking into NY Deli on a cool Friday morning, it felt more like a diner than a bodega. The restaurant was clean, spacious, and featured booths along the windows, with easily visible menus overhead. The bodegas of my youth were not always well-lit, never clean, usually had a cat running around, and did not offer as many sandwich options as NY Deli does. There is also a salad section and a natural juice section, where customers can order drinks.
Now, for the reason I jumped on I-285 in the first place, the chopped cheese. Served on a soft hero bread, the chopped cheese was a 10/10. The beef was expertly seasoned and combined with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. I’m definitely going back to pick up another one sometime next week. I highly recommend it for New Yorkers looking for an authentic chopped cheese.
Non-food takeaway: On Friday morning, just before noon, the bodega was packed with people from New York, and that made me happy.
For my juice selection, I tried the mango sunrise, which is made primarily of mango juice and was very good. It’s $9.99 for a small, and even though I enjoyed the drink, I don’t think it’s worth the price.
NY Deli is worth a visit for those interested in trying their first chopped cheese or some of the other sandwiches on the menu, including “The Chelsea”, “The California”, which is grilled chicken with mozzarella cheese, roasted peppers, and ranch dressing, or “The Harelm”, which is chicken, American cheese, bacon, spinach, and mayo.
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