Neopolitan Deli & Restaurant: When it's Too Hot to Cook

This time of year, turning on the oven is often the last thing many people want to do. Sometimes even the thought of the stove can be too much. It’s those kinds of nights that the menu drawer was created for.

On a recent steamy July evening, I decided to give a shot. I went in to order, but took my food to-go. That way, I would be able to give the fairest review of how my food would arrive looking and tasting.

Looking over the menu options, I decided on a little bit of everything. There were starters, salads, hoagies, fresh turkey, steaks, roast beef, cold sandwiches, wraps, side orders, hot sandwiches, entrees and pasta. The menu prices ranged from $1.95 for soup to $8.95 for pasta platters.

I chose carefully, hoping to get a good variety of what “Neo Deli” had to offer. I went with an order of Fries ($2.50), an order of Buffalo Wings ($6.95), a Corned Beef Reuben ($7.95), a small Cheesesteak with fried onions ($5.95) and a small “Real” Italian Hoagie with oil, no mayo ($6.50).

Neo Deli had won Best of the Main Line for its hoagies and I had no choice but to try one. Plus, when you call something a “Real” Italian hoagie, you’ve left a promise out there that needs be fulfilled.

As I waited for my order, I took in the scene. The dining area had room for about 60. Faded sports paraphernalia hung on the old, blonde, wood panel walls; which matched the tables and the mauve and wood chairs. A television, tuned to USA sat atop the cold boxes against the far wall that were filled with beer.

Craft beers available to go went for $4 a piece or $3 each if buying a 6-pack. 

Neopolitan began to remind me of a deli where I once worked. A local neighborhood staple: no frills, but all the familiarity and friendliness you’d expect from a place that had been in business for 40 years.

When my order was up, I paid and was on my way.

I opened the first of two brown paper bags, finding my order of fries. As French Fries go, they were pretty lackluster. This run of the mill order of fries wouldn’t excite even the most avid potato fiend. A little salt and ketchup would do the trick, but if I knew then, what I know now, I would have opted for something else…possibly the jalapeño poppers.

I moved on to my grilled Reuben. I went with the corned beef, but there were turkey and pastrami choices as well. It was served in Styrofoam.

I have strong environmental opinions about styrofoam, but more importantly for a food review: tt makes things soggy.

Exhibit one was the bottom slice of my Reuben. The top slice was crispy, but upon picking it up, the oozing thousand island and sauerkraut seeped through the saturated bread. Luckily, sloppy doesn’t scare me and even though it was in a state of sog, it was mighty tasty.

Next up were my wings, for which I have a newfound love. There were 11 of them. Not 6 or 10 or 12. Eleven. Odd. They weren’t all quite coated in sauce, but I personally prefer a drier wing. Too saucy is too much for me. The meat came right off the bone and that sauce was finger staining good. Plus, the celery was fresh. Overall, a solid choice.

I moved on to my cheesesteak. The small roll was stuffed full of meat, cheese and onions. The meat seemed well seasoned, but upon further inspection I realized that it was the flavor of bits of burnt onions that I tasted: they’d seen better days. On the bright side, the cheese was completely melted into the meat, leaving no sign of its former sliced shape. But on the whole, this pick was definitely a letdown.

Finally, I arrived at my “Real” Italian Hoagie. Its looks perturbed me. The first few layers of meat were topped with the sweets, hots, lettuce, tomato and onion: pretty customary. But then, it was topped again with prosciutto and a second cheese.

Looks aside, my first bite revealed the truth. Its taste was spot on. The lunchmeat was fresh and the imported meats made all the difference. A total win amongst other less appealing choices I had made.

Overall, the service was friendly and everything I ordered was made correctly, which is key when ordering take-out. There’s nothing worse than getting something you didn’t order. Except maybe getting something you did order that had burnt chunks of onion mingling with your cheesesteak.

Name of Restaurant: Neopolitan Deli & Restaurant 
Location: 1022 Lancaster Ave. Berwyn, PA 19132
Phone Number: 610-647-2050
Hours: 

Monday: 7am - 9pm
Tuesday - Thursday: 7am – 10pm
Friday: 7am – 11pm
Saturday: 7am – 11pm
Sunday: 8am – 10pm

Basic menu pricing: $1.95 - $8.95
Do they take credit cards? Yes.
Additional Information: Eat In, Take Out & Catering
Website: tedmcgurk.tripod.com