If you’re spending the day sunning on the beach or boating on the bay, you’re bound to get hungry. Pack a picnic with sandwiches from one of these coastal eateries. Make sure to include napkins—some of these beauties take two hands to hold!
Arena’s Deli & Bar has been stacking sandwiches high since 1990. There are locations in Lewes, on Route 1 in Rehoboth and in downtown Rehoboth. Try the Hungry Kayaker—a delectable combination of turkey, roast beef, melted provolone cheese, tomato, sweet peppers and balsamic vinaigrette on a toasted torpedo roll.
Touch of Italy also has several locations, including restaurants in downtown Lewes and on Route 1. The hero sandwiches are made with freshly baked semolina bread. Vegetarians can fill up on a sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil, while meat-eaters can sink their teeth into the Italiano, made with mortadella, salami, capicola, provolone and extra virgin olive oil.
Olive & Oats by Azafran now occupies the intimate downtown Lewes space that previously housed Patty’s. One of the signature sandwiches here is the Café Panini, which includes Serrano ham, olive tapenade, marinated goat cheese and basil on Italian bread. Or, opt for a Mediterranean wrap filled with hummus, cucumber, roasted peppers, olives, tomatoes, baby greens and salsa verde.
Between Lewes and Rehoboth, Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli reaps honors for its fat sandwiches. They’re so big that two people can happily share one. There are selections with two meats (try the chopped liver and corned beef), three meats or up to eight meats (tongue is an extra $4). The deli features egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, whitefish salad and chopped liver salad. Buy some black-and-white cookies for later, too.
Longtime patrons of Lori’s Café in downtown Rehoboth Beach swear by the chicken or tuna salad. A half-pound of chicken salad is mounded between bread with blue cheese, Granny Smith apples and almonds. Only Albacore is used for the tuna salad. Also, veggie options abound.
Just up Baltimore Avenue, Frankie & Louie’s is the place for a quick Italian fix. Pick up a sub with top-quality meats—including prosciutto, sopressata and Genoa salami—and don’t forget the Italian cookies.
In Bethany, beachcombers pick up sandwiches at Surf’s Up on Garfield Parkway. If you want to eat right away, choose a hot selection, such as a cheesesteak or cheeseburger sub. Cold subs are either 11 or 15 inches. You won’t walk away hungry.
In South Bethany, McCabe’s Gourmet Market has been satisfying appetites since 1986. Choose from a wide range of proteins, including turkey tarragon salad and chicken walnut salad. Then pick your toppings and choice of bread (croissant, sourdough, baguette, rye, bagel or seven-grain batard).
Fenwick Island folks pop into Ocean Side Pizzeria Subs & Steaks for hot and cold subs and sandwiches. Selections include homemade shrimp salad and chicken salad. Turn any small sub into a wrap.
