Basil and Prime — Local services in Town of North Hempstead

Sal at Basil and Prime isn’t just making sandwiches—he’s creating edible masterpieces. This man is the heartbeat of Mineola’s finest Italian deli, and let me tell you, his skills in the kitchen and at the counter are unmatched.

From the moment I walked in, Sal’s impeccable customer service made the experience unforgettable. (He’s pretty hot too) (i hope he’s single) He greeted me with the kind of warmth and enthusiasm that instantly made me feel like family. Somehow, he juggled a line of hungry customers, grilled paninis, wrapped sandwiches, and restocked the fresh mozzarella—all while cracking jokes and giving each person his undivided attention. It was like watching a maestro conduct an orchestra of meats, cheeses, and condiments.

Now let’s talk about his sandwiches. Sal doesn’t just layer cold cuts—he builds culinary symphonies. My turkey, provolone, and roasted red pepper wrap was so perfectly balanced, it brought tears to my eyes. The mayo and mustard ratio? Absolute perfection. And don’t even get me started on the crispy chicken cutlets. Every bite was like a love letter to Italian food.

But Sal’s skills don’t stop at sandwiches. His quick wit and humor elevate the experience to another level. One time, after handing me the most beautiful chicken parm hero I’ve ever seen, he said, “Careful—this sandwich might make you come back tomorrow.” Spoiler alert: I couldn’t wait to return.

Sal is a deli icon, a customer service superstar, and the reason I’ll keep coming back to Basil and Prime every chance I get. If you haven’t had the privilege of meeting Sal and tasting his creations, you’re missing out on one of life’s greatest pleasures. Sal, you’re a legend—never change.

Here’s to...

I drove by today a little after 6pm and was very happy to see they were still taking in customers. A big sign said they had just open this past Wednesday and I was excited to see what was inside for what initially appeared to be a nice addition to the area.

Upon entering, I was presently surprised by the large selection of freshly prepared food and fresh meats. This clean and nicely layed out store was accompanied by multiple very friendly staff asking how they could help and then being even more gracious when I placed my order. I ended up buying a pound of Lobster Salad, Artichoke Salad, Sliced Mangos, Pork Kabobs, Beef Pinwheels and a few jars of specialty pickles, asparagus and Chimmichuri sauce. A nice man (sorry I'm bad with names) shook my hand and thanked me for stopping in as I was leaving - a nice touch to accompany the rest of my nice but brief shopping experience.

To quickly comment on the food, it has been amazing so far - the very fresh and perfectly prepared lobster salad, artichoke salad and sliced mangos are gone and I look forward to the pork and beef tomorrow. My expectations for tomorrow's meals are very high given what I have tasted today.

I'll be back in the near future with more time to explore the various options available.

Do yourself a favor and stop in to take a peek. My only concern at the moment is that I'll be limited to a weekend customer as I think they close at 7 on the weekdays - unfortunately a little too early after my commute home from work! I however am already looking forward to...

If you’re not eating at Basil and Prime in Mineola, what are you even doing with your life? This place is prime in every sense of the word—pun absolutely intended. From the moment you walk in, the aroma of freshly baked bread and the sound of meat sizzling on the grill hit you like a warm hug from an Italian grandmother. And let me tell you about Sal, the sandwich wizard/cashier extraordinaire. He’s got the hands of an artist and the humor of a dad at a barbecue. If sandwiches were art, Sal would be the Picasso of prosciutto.

The menu is stacked (just like their sandwiches), and Sal’s creations? Legendary. This guy could make a PB&J and somehow turn it into a Michelin-star experience. Plus, he’s quick on the register—seriously, his cash-counting skills are faster than my metabolism after eating here. The vibe? 10/10. The food? 11/10. The jokes Sal makes while you wait? Priceless. So, if you’re in Mineola and you don’t swing by Basil and Prime, you’re missing...