Palmer Downtown Deli

I’ve been here a couple of times for lunch. The first time I had a Panini that I thought was quite good, and huge (and came with a huge pile of potato chips.) However, it took a long time to come out. As in, my coworker got her salad, and about a half hour later I got my sandwich. The staff here seem friendly, but also seem really frazzled whenever I come in, which in turn kind of stresses me out.
The second time I came here I had a veggie wrap that was pretty terrible. It was described as having a good mix of veggies with a lemon dressing. What came out was a pretty small wrap; totally soaked in this OK lemon dressing. It came with a bag of chips that I quickly ate while again while away for my meal. I admit that I eat a lot, but I was so hungry afterward that I then bought gelato. The gelato looked good, but I think they store it at too low of a temperature/​not properly as it was not soft as gelato often is. I would recommend the hot sandwiches, and my coworker seemed like her salads (and the salads came out pretty quick.)

This place is really nice and the food is decent. About 8 months ago they started a delivering service but they don’t any longer. Wished they still provided that service.

Nothing too special about this place. Your typical hole in the wall deli inside a convenience store. You can take it or leave it. The sandwiches are pretty normal, you can probably make one better at home. There is some fried foods available for purchase on a daily basis, but you’ll have to call ahead for it if you want something fried on the weekends. There is a large selection of beverages, with coolers running all along one wall and around the back side of the building. There is a small eat in area that is usually clean and empty. The service is hit or miss. I have stood at the deli counter with 3 other people and waited almost 5 minutes just to be recognized with the «be right there» greeting. Like I said, you can take it or leave it.

Driving from Anchorage to Valdez, Palmer is the last stop where a fair number of services are available. Before heading into the wilderness we wanted to find a place that served homemade baked goods and avoid the poor fast food found on the main road. We thought Palmer Downtown Deli was going to be that spot. Meanwhile, it didn’t live up to our expectations.
Most true delis bake their own bread or bring in fresh bagels and other baked goods from nearby delis to make up for it. The importance of the name deli is getting fresh sliced meats, cheese, breads, etc. The breads looked and tasted like something purchased at Costco. The bagels were wrapped into Saran Wrap and looked like something you’d find in the bread section at the grocery store. Rather than eat poor quality, repackaged baked goods (at what’s suppose to be a deli) I went with a turkey panini. It was fine. A grade up from what you’d get at Subway, for sure, but not deli quality.
They do a lot of coffee/​tea here, too. When I walked in I was the only person who was ordering. One table of two was waiting for their drinks. And, it still took nearly 15 minutes for my drink (a simple hot chocolate) to be made. Get this: they made the wrong drink.
I think this place has the potential to be a shining star in Palmer, but service has to improve, wait times need to decrease and bringing in fresh goods is a must. I’m not bashing this place in any way, rather stating facts. The sandwiches are average and there’s nothing wrong with them. But, you aren’t going to be impressed like you would with a true «deli».

I had the French dip and my companion had the roast beef panini. Both were fantastic. Service was very friendly and helpful and the wait for the sandwiches was pretty short. Would definitely go back.

Great stop… family friendly for even the youngest. Healthy options as well as sweet or savory treats. Was perfect for our group of 12 people.

Way overpriced! Stopped in for lunch ordered the chicken salad sandwich. For $ 11 got a smear of chicken salad on grocery story 9 oat bread some lettuce, tomato slice and onion. The side was a tiny paper cupof macaroni salad. Place was recommended by a friend, very disappointing. Should of went to Subway.

Good sandwiches but so pricey it’s not worth it. Forty buck lunch for two people. Gives Palmer a needed sandwich shop. Nice place to sit and read.

I like this place for a quick casual lunch. Great soup and sandwich. Love the Gelato. The staff is friendly, coffee is average. Parking is never a problem. Did I mention the soup and sandwich? Yeah. It’s good. Good supply of specialty sodas and beverages too.

I had a bad sandwich today. I ordered a½ chicken salad on whole wheat with potato salad as the side. I got a whole chicken salad on some hard and stale bread other than whole wheat. The really special touch was ½ was made with the end of the load and the chicken salad was spread on the heel side. That did make me laugh. The potato salad was really bland today too. More salt and pepper would have helped. Hopefully they just had a bad day. That bread was just inedible though.
The chicken salad was barely present and covered up with wilty lettuce and tomato. I am so disappointed. This used to be a great spot for lunch and the chicken salad was my favorite.

Oh, no, Mr. Wizard, what happened to our beloved Palmer Downtown Deli? Lunch today was a shadow of what it has been on many previous visits. Although the menu is the same, the two sandwiches my husband and I had were totally different than we have had in the past (many times). Our sandwiches showed up before my husband had even paid the bill at the counter — Huh?- my Southwest Turkey Wrap was a lettuce, sliced turkey, and a couple black beans rolled up in. Whole heat tortilla. What happened to the good dollop of corn, black beans, avocado & aioli sauce this wrap used to have in it? Serious scrimping on ingredients seems to be underway, and the taste bland and, frankly, boring. We hope this is an anomalous situation, breaking in a new cook, or something similar, and not an indication that we have lost our favorite place to eat in Palmer to new ownership, making major cost-​saving changes to what was a fine deli.

I’m not sure what happened to the deli. It had been a few months since our last trip here and a lot changed with the food and staff. My husbands normal Italian was not even close to they way it used to be prepared. This time it was two slices of bread and literally three small pieces of meats with their sauce. It used to be on a hoagie and packed full of yumminess.
My chicken wrap was half the size it was and mostly lettuce and dressing. We kind of felt invisible. My sister, I and another patron stood at the cash register for about 2 – 3 min before we were even noticed and there were plenty of them standing around. I get better service at McDonald’s. And more food. Maybe they were having an off day but we won’t be going back. The amount we spent for the food we received wasn’t worth it.

Great cute little place. Very nice staff. The wrap was good but could have used a little more sauce and the sandwiches were great. I wanted my husbands sandwich! Chips were great. Huge choice of drinks. Good price for what you get. I have zero idea why Unilocal gives it three $ signs! Its only one. I want to go back for their gelato! I’d come back if I’m ever back in Palmer! Very nice inside also.

My husband and I were in town visiting from Seattle and stopped at this place on our way back from the Reindeer farm. We split the Italian and sandwich, and it was delicious! They also serve chai lattes with Tiger chai which is one of the best. Nice, casual environment with a lot of seating. I would recommend this place for a great lunch spot!

My husband and I paid a visit to Palmer Downtown Deli on a Sunday a few hours after they had opened. The inside seating was packed so we chose to eat outside on the sidewalk. I ordered the Reuben panini with a side of potato salad and my husband ordered the Dagwood, also with a side of potato salad.
The food arrived in under 20 minutes, which was acceptable since they were fairly busy. My Reuben was delicious although the bottom side of the panini was a bit on the soggy side, possibly from the abundance of sauerkraut but wasn’t so soggy that I had a hard time eating it. The potato salad was good and tasted like they made it in-​house as opposed to buying it pre-​made. My husband’s Dagwood sandwich (named after the character Dagwood in the Blondie comic strip) was delicious although a little messy.
The price was a little steep, $ 30 for two sandwiches and two drinks from the cooler. I actually double checked with the cashier to make sure she had the right order but overall worth the price tag. Hubby and I will definitely go back if not for a sandwich but to try some of the tasty gelato they had available.

First off, this place is not 3 dollar signs like Unilocal suggests. They need to change that. The menu items range from $ 8-​$ 13. Second off, HOLY CRAP THIS PLACE RULES. The Cuban sandwich is one of the best I’ve ever had (though I switched out the horseradish pickles for dill pickles since I don’t like horses or radishes). My girlfriend had the salmon salad sandwich and the French onion soup. Both were top notch. The french onion soup was flavorful and not super salty like french onion soup can be sometimes. Afterwards, we had some gelato which was REAL gelato and not some phony gelato like a lot of ice cream places claim. This gelato was soft, airy and flavorful. I am so glad we stopped here to eat. This is one of the best restaurants we’ve experienced in Alaska. The staff was cool and super friendly. The cashier was über hot (I can feel my girlfriend’s slap approaching) and down to earth. What a great place! Bravo!

Great sandwiches. Service can be slow when they get busy (and they do around lunchtime) but I can’t think of anything bad to say about the food. I like to meet my wife for lunch here when we are both free. It’s a little bit pricey, but welcome to Palmer… Expect to spend almost $ 30 on a lunch for two.

Nice deli. Very clean and neat interior. It was wonderful just a tad expensive. A wrap and sandwich was over $ 23. That being said I had a salmon wrap that was wonder fun but my daughter’s ham cheese and swiss bagel sand which was awesome.

The Palmer Downtown Deli has been open since January 2011, and I’m glad I stopped in yesterday for some food. Everything is made from scratch here, and it is delicious! My chicken panini had perfectly steamed artichoke with tomato, provolone, and pesto on freshly toasted ciabatta bread. For dessert, I shared a slice of tiramisu that was quite tasty as well. The wait for the food was a bit long, especially since there was no one ahead of us… I would avoid coming for the lunch «rush,» but the food is seriously good! I’d call ahead and pick up at the deli even. Can’t rush good food…

Great new deli in downtown Palmer. Stopped in last week for lunch and then again on the weekend with some friends. Nicely renovated, lots of seating including a big comfy couch in front of the fireplace.
Staff is friendly and helpful. Atmosphere is relaxed. Everything on the menu from breakfast items, to deli sandwiches, salads, paninis, wraps, gelato, flatbread pizza, bagel sandwiches, espresso and desserts. Most items made to order.
Hubby and I split a 12″ flatbread pizza with chicken, pesto, artichokes, spinach & mozzarella. Delicious. Nice super thin crust. Perfect amount of toppings. Second visit had a panini with a side of coleslaw. Menu board said coleslaw is napa cabbage and radicchio — seemed to be only red cabbage and carrots, but was fresh, crisp, and tasty anyway.
Right now they are open 7 – 7 Monday — Saturday. I read in the paper they may expand hours eventually on Friday & Saturday nights. I think they definitely should in the summer.