The Scoop on the New Deli Next to Walgreens

From Food and Drink Magazine:
Profile
By Kate Burrows
Wednesday, 15 November 2006

Gandolfo's New York Deli says it offers an extensive menu and a friendly atmosphere that can't be found in just any sandwich shop.
Although Gandolfo's New York Deli's sandwiches have been voted Best of Utah by The Salt Lake Tribune nine out of the last 10 years, its atmosphere is what truly sets the chain apart from its competitors, says President Dan Pool. "This is a place where [customers] can go to hang out and spend time with people," he says. "It's a lot like a Cheers-style atmosphere, where we know everybody, and we try to make sure everybody knows us." The Lawrenceville, Ga.-based company offers an authentic New York deli atmosphere that was designed by former New Yorker and franchise founder Craig Gandolph. After moving to Utah and opening his first deli in 1989, Gandolph "started becoming homesick," Pool says. "So he gave all the sandwiches names that come from some of the best places in New York. People just loved it, because it was such a different concept from what was available in the state at the time. People found it interesting to have a true New York deli in Utah." The deli's inspiration and authenticity stems from Gandolph's great-grandfather Thomas Anthony Gandolfo, who operated a meat and vegetable stand in Genoa, Italy, in the late-1800s. Although the family name became Americanized, future generations followed in Gandolfo's footsteps and found success in restaurant management. Specialty SandwichesPool says the deli has few competitors in its markets. The company has 60 locations in 16 states, and the deli-style atmosphere is unique to sandwich shops around the country. "We feel like there aren't any other restaurants that can compete with what we offer," he says. "People can go into many shops and get a sandwich and chips, but they can come into Gandolfo's and get their sandwich on fresh marble rye or sourdough. Customers can get chips here, too, but they can also get pasta salads and fresh green salads -side dishes that most places don't offer. We also do breakfast and make homemade flavored cream cheese."
To see more: http://www.fooddrink-magazine.com/content/view/347/
and at http://gandolfosdeli.com/index.php