A deli (short for delicatessen) is a store or section of a grocery store that sells prepared foods, especially sliced meats, cheeses, and ready-made sandwiches. When your family picks up sandwich supplies at the deli counter, a worker slices ham, turkey, or roast beef fresh from large cuts of meat. Delis also often sell potato salad, coleslaw, pickles, and other foods you can take home for a quick meal.

Jewish immigrants brought the deli tradition to America in the late 1800s, opening shops in cities like New York where they sold traditional foods like pastrami, corned beef, and bagels with cream cheese. These original delis became neighborhood gathering places where people would sit at tables, eat sandwiches piled high with meat, and catch up with friends.

Today, you'll find deli counters in most supermarkets, and some cities still have traditional standalone delis famous for their enormous sandwiches and distinct atmosphere. When someone says “let's grab something from the deli,” they usually mean getting a quick, filling meal without cooking from scratch.