First Carolina Delicatessen — Restaurant in Greensboro

I stopped by First Carolina Delicatessen during one of my DoorDash pick-up orders, and let me tell you—this place is calling my name! I’m definitely coming back one day to try their sandwiches because they look way too good to pass up. There’s just something about this deli that screams original. You can feel it the moment you walk in—it has that classic, authentic vibe that’s hard to find nowadays.

To top it off, when I read the reviews after leaving, it was like the cherry on top of an already great impression. Everyone seems to love this place, and now I completely understand why. The girls at the register were so nice and welcoming, which made the experience even better. I seriously can’t wait to come back and see what all the hype is about firsthand! If the sandwiches taste as good as they look, I know I’m in for a treat.

Update 1-25-25: First Carolina Delicatessen is a gem! I stopped in recently and ordered a build-your-own sandwich. My creation included ham, Swiss cheese, cherry peppers (they don’t have banana peppers, but trust me, the cherry peppers are just as good), salt & pepper, oil, lettuce, and tomato on white bread. It was absolutely delicious.

Every flavor in the sandwich was perfectly balanced—the savory ham and creamy Swiss paired beautifully with the fresh veggies. And those cherry peppers? Wow! They’re spicy as heck, but they add such a unique kick to the sandwich that I couldn’t get enough of them. The sandwich also came with a side of chips and a slice of pickle, both of which were nice additions.

One thing I love about this spot is the unique ingredients they offer, like the cherry peppers. I’d never heard of them before coming here, but now I’m hooked! I can’t wait to come back and try more from their menu. If you’re looking for a spot that offers fresh, flavorful food with a twist, First Carolina Delicatessen is a must-visit....

Perhaps one way to know if a restaurant is good is to look at who patronizes it. If people from all different walks of life eat there, then it appeals to a broad spectrum of tastes. This is certainly the case with First Carolina Delicatessen. I saw a highly diverse array of people enjoying lunch there—everything from construction workers to professionals to young and elderly couples to families to two women whom I believe walked in straight off the set of SNL’s “Coffee Talk”.

The ambiance inside is totally delicatessen sandwich shop, and they have a LOT of sandwiches (and more) to choose from.

I chose a split sandwich (comes with chips) and a side.

Rachel: essentially a Reuben with pastrami instead of corned beef, it was excellent. It had a generous portion of pastrami and sauerkraut, just the right amount of Russian dressing, and melted Swiss cheese. It was served hot on perfectly grilled rye.

Knickerbocker: knockwurst, sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and spicy mustard on pumpernickel. What can I say, except that everything was perfect and delicious.

Redskin potato salad: truly delicious, one of the best versions I’ve ever had. Perfect consistency, texture, and seasonings.

Sweet tea: ees ok

In sum, First Carolina Delicatessen is outstanding. It reminds me of a Jewish delicatessen I used to frequent with my late father in Miami. It was there that I was introduced to the wonderful world of true deli eating and the unique culinary treasure that is pickled tomatoes.

But, alas, that was in another time and another place.

I will sign off now.

I am getting a little verklempt...

I took my friend out to eat lunch and we chose First Carolina Delicatessen because other reviewers had indicated that the club sandwich was good. The first thing I noticed was the vibe of the place. Everyone, I mean everyone, who worked there was helpful, friendly, and smiling. My friend got the club sandwich, and I got the "Italian Sailor" sandwich, both coming with ruffled potato chips and a dill pickle spear. Both our sandwiches were delicious and toasted to perfection. We asked our server about the dessert selections and were surprised to find there were lots more things available than were even listed on the menu. My friend got a snickerdoodle cookie and I got the "Magic bar," both of which were delicious. The atmosphere is busy, but pleasant, the ideal mix of a small cafe and a deli. There were comfortable tables, booths and some covered outdoor tables and seats. We were very pleased with the quality and pricing of the food and...