'MP Stop & Go' in Irvington Is Not Your Typical Neighborhood Deli

A take-out-only deli called "MP Stop & Go" has been introduced in Irvington by chef Michael Psilakis; the deli is located just around the corner from his Greek-inspired restaurant MP Taverna. It is not your typical neighborhood deli.

Psilakis exhibited great resourcefulness and daring when he competed in the BBC America television series "No Kitchen Required," shot in 2012 mostly in remote parts of the world. In his newest venture, he demonstrates that even a small neighborhood deli can be different and well, almost creative.

Principal lunchtime products offered by the new establishment are artisanal sandwiches and special salads. Prepared in advance, the sandwiches and salads are put on display before the doors open for business. For customers preferring not to buy a previously prepared lunch, Psilakis offers a few options.

Carried out by the deli personnel at the direction of the customer, the options  include: (1) choosing proteins available at a sandwich bar, (2) adding toppings and dressings to salads at the salad stand, and (3) ordering a prix-fixe, three-course meal having a number of hot food choices plus a beverage.

Details about the pre-packaged sandwiches and the options follow:

Ready-for-takeout sandwiches:

1. From more than 20 different artisanal sandwiches, the deli decides daily on about eight to offer to its customers
2. Typically the mix of sandwiches includes turkey, chicken, roast top round of beef, ham and/or cheese
3. All sandwiches are pre-made
4. The daily selection is displayed in a glass showcase
5. The assortment changes daily as sandwiches rotate in and out
6. When choices sell out, the kitchen provides the deli with backups (which may not necessarily be exact replacements)
7. Sandwiches start at $5.75 and typically cost $7 or $8.

Salads: pre-packaged (ready off-the-shelf) or create-your-own

1. Pre-packaged MP Salad. Romaine, tomato, red onion, bell peppers, olives, cucumber and feta cheese
2. Pre-packaged Mediterranean Chickpea Salad. Young greens, chick peas, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, herbs, olives, grilled onion and bell peppers.
3.  Create-your-own Salad. Chose from an assortment of the following: fresh Pullman loafs made with organic flower, wraps, proteins, spreads and toppings—assembled by deli personnel at the Sandwich Bar.

Hot-food, prix-fixe lunch (tax is included in the $10 cost):

1. Customers pick three items and a beverage
2. The meal is prepared by an order taker
3. Items available include hot food, soup, salads and light dessert (such as cookies)
4. Beverages include a 20-ounce fountain soda or coffee
5. Payment is made at the cashier

The food available at the deli is prepared by the same chef and kitchen staff that cook for MP Taverna. Understandably, some luncheon items are dishes also appearing on the MP Taverna lunch menu.

A daily rotating list of soups includes roasted tomato orzo and basil; Middle Eastern spiced yellow lentil; and broccoli and cheddar.

At breakfast time, made-to-order, freshly baked goods and packaged items are available (see more details below).

Typical breakfast offerings

1. Whole Egg Slider on a Martin’s potato roll with cheese, ham or bacon
2. Egg White Wrap with cheese, bacon, ham, turkey or chicken
3. Panini Toast. Have with peanut butter and seasonal jam, whipped butter and sea salt
4. Packaged Greek yogurt
5. Fresh-baked muffins and pound cake
6. Kobrick Coffee Co. coffee, Harney & Sons tea and Naked Juice Company beverages.

Psilakis has three other restaurants and a fourth is on the way. Kefi and Fishtag are located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and MP Taverna (has same name as the Irvington restaurant) is in Roslyn, Long Island, NY. The restaurant opening soon is in Astoria, Queens.

He was a co-executive producer and one of three competing chefs in the BBC America television cooking series “No Kitchen Required” which premiered in April, 2012 and went into reruns in 2013.

The deli is directly across the street from The New-York-City-bound track of the Metro North station. Free parking is available in the lot opposite MP Taverna. Enter the lot from Bridge Street.

An extensive catering service offering American, traditional and reinterpreted Greek, Italian and Mediterranean dishes in half-trays, trays and containers will be covered in another Patch article in preparation. Catering orders can be placed with the deli cashier.

MP Stop and Go is located at the One Bridge Street complex and is open Monday to Friday; it is closed on weekends. Breakfast is served from 6 to 11 a.m. and lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash only is accepted. For more information, call 914-231-9319. www.michaelpsilakis.com/mp-taverna-irvington