delis
The Frugal Foodie’s Guide to Charleston’s Best...
by CHRISTINA D’ANTONI
Dell’z Deli
photos by Christina D’Antoni, Charles Nguyen and Leah Sutherland
1-A Cannon Street I had heard from friends that Dell’z Deli was a small place, but I didn’t realize how small till I stepped inside. With one foot in the door, I found myself standing at the pick-up counter next to a man chowing down on one of Dell’z oversized wraps. He greeted me and we began talking like old friends. He told me that “everybody likes the Lwwa Chic Ha, but I get the Beach Bum with tofu. The Turkey Goddess is great too.” As I try and decide, a woman’s laughter booms over the reggae music. As I look up, I see a grinning woman with braided hair pulled back. I didn’t have to ask, I knew she was Dell. Dell Grayson decided to bring her healthy cooking from Kansas City, Missouri and start her own place in Charleston. Dell’z Deli offers salads, wraps, pitas and more all prepared with fresh ingredients and vegan/ vegetarian options. As she showed me albums of her favorite customers, I felt the love she puts into the deli. You can feel it in the music, on the colorful signed walls, and with the customers you sit next to at the counter. She told me, “I have to keep doing something I love.” With a newly opened juice bar around the corner and a sit-down restaurant in progress, I believe her. Dell’z Deli is the perfect getaway when you need a break from stressful college weeks. Make sure you don’t pass up its tiny storefront, you’ll be sorry you did.
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the yard