Martini’s Deli

Three stars for good service and Boar’s Head meats. I’m a downstater, so I’ve been trying to find a deli that meets a downstate standard. The rolls here are stale, the tuna salad is perhaps fresh but flavorless nonetheless, and the mac salad is desperately lacking vinegar. They also seemed to have pickles available but the meal comes with chips, no pickle. The menu doesn’t have nearly as many options as a downstate deli would but I forgive them that much because Capital Region delis generally don’t get enough business to justify grand menus. I must continue my search for a real deli in the area.

Food is ok — typical take out deli. Lines are long and help tends to argue among themselves. prices are high. Have given them many chances but think I am done.

Best deli in the area, hands down!!! They only use Boar’s Head meats, unlike Shaker Shed and other delis in the area.

Ma & Pa sandwich and catering place in the Shaker Pines Plaza, with weekday breakfast and lunch hours only (7:30−3 M-​F). There’s a small dining area with simple café chairs and YNN (or whatever that’s called these days) on the TV but it seems more tuned to the takeout and cater-​our-​working-​lunch-​at-​the-​office — style trays of sandwiches.
Our sandwiches were a little disappointing: the hot one was cold in the middle, as if it hadn’t really been prepared that fresh (even though it was made before our eyes), the cold one was literally cold as opposed to room temperature. Side chips are of the massive 0.75 ounce Wise variety, without other sides (pickle or deli salads) being standard, although some of the specials do come with salads included. The menu is very limited and features pretty standard sandwiches without a house specialty. You can get omelets (one of two) and some egg sandwiches at breakfast time, although they don’t open until 7:30. Note they use panini as their default bread, you have to specify something else.
Coffee was a bit of a disappointment as well: brewed instead of K-​cups (yay!) but thinly-​brewed and a bit tepid on both occasions we tried it.
Does not pass the Is It Really a Deli? test: very limited meats (8) and cheeses (5) — all the usual Boar’s Head; not in the sells-​by-​the-​pound business; salads are sold by container for consumption as opposed to by the pound; and there isn’t a pickle in sight.
All that said, perfectly fine for what it is, a sandwich takeout place, if you’re in the neighborhood. Prompt counter-​style service and no fuss. If you’re going a little further afield, the Shaker Shed just up Watervliet-​Shaker makes better standard-​style sandwiches and soups and a nicer eating area, and Positano’s off Route 7 has more gourmet-​style fare, at comparable prices, although you’ll wait longer there.

Excellent food! Huge sandwiches! Pleasant atmosphere! That about covers it all!

This is hands down the best deli in the area.
I got so tired of being ripped off by chain sandwich places that give you little meat and try to load it down with veggies and extras that I stopped going to them. And then Martini’s opens up.
Here are some of the comments I’ve heard during my visits there:
«How am I supposed to eat all that?»
«How am I supposed to get my mouth around that?»
«Holy cow, what is that?» — (This was looking at a half sandwich)
They use Boar’s Head meats, so I don’t know about the complaint that the ham was fatty. Ham is fatty. It’s ham. But it’s Boar’s Head so you know it’s good quality.
The tuna fish is freshly made and they pile it on. They pile the meat on all their sandwiches. Everything is good and if you get a sandwich on their «signature roll» you’ll probably be eating it for two days because it’s so big.
The soups are fresh made as well. The other day I had some Minestrone and it was the best I have ever had. So fresh. The carrots were cooked through but not waterlogged like a lot of soups you get.
Their breakfasts are really good as well. $ 4.95 gets you 3 eggs, toast and home fries. The home fries are moist and delicious. They give you enough food that if you buy breakfast, you’re probably skipping lunch.
They’re the new kid on the block. Give them a try. I’m sure you’ll become a regular.

Delicious homemade soups and baked goods, huge sandwhichs, terrific prices… WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE! Fantastic deli.