G’s Dynamite Deli cooks up delicious sandwiches, soups and salads in South Austin
G’s Dynamite Deli is quintessential Old South Austin. Tucked away at South 1st Street and Oltorf, G’s unassumingly serves up delicious sandwiches, salads and soups.
Staffed with friendly people, decorated with crayon-colored, sandwich-inspired art and stamped with stickers from neighboring South Austin businesses, G’s is the perfect spot to grab a quick yet satisfying bite for lunch or dinner.
A Telling Menu
If you’ve ever been to a deli, you know a few menu items must be present: the Reuben, the Club, the ever-popular BLT. And while G’s Dynamite Deli offers all the classics patrons crave, the menu offers much more.
According to Deli Manager Marianne Ely, G’s opened its doors without a prearranged menu and without an idea of what the menu would—or could—become. “[When we opened], we gave free food to anyone who came in to see us,” shares Ely. The team wanted to figure out which combinations worked and which ones didn’t.
They also wanted to ensure the menu was an accurate representation of their South Austin neighborhood. Over the past five years, the deli has tweaked and changed menu items based on customer feedback and suggestions, ultimately creating a menu visitors desire, and successfully paying homage to the neighborhood.
Menu items like Caleb’s Club and Carly’s Hot Mess were both named after friends and family of G’s staff members. Even a few mechanics from Willie’s Service Center next door are proud sandwich namesakes.
The core menu—all three pages of it—hasn’t changed in over two years, but Ely says kitchen staff members are always creating new combinations which are often featured on the deli’s “Specials” board. While G’s is known mainly for stellar sandwiches, soups and salads can sometimes be found on the “Specials” board, as well.
These featured items are offered for as little as one month to as long as six. Ely says a sandwich’s life simply depends on how well customers receive it.
My Gold Medal Sandwich(es)
The Veggie Sandwich is packed with more than 10 veggies and comes on toasted focaccia bread
According to Ely, no specific menu item is more popular than another at G’s. I definitely have a preference: the Veggie Sandwich.
With more than 10 different vegetables layered between two pieces of toasted focaccia, topped with homemade Dijon mustard and my choice of regular or sun-dried tomato hummus, this choice is obvious for any veggie lover like myself.
The shaved carrots are crisp; the avocado slices are smooth; the bread is toasted to perfection; and the sweet ‘N’ spicy pickles add the perfect amount of crunch to balance the creaminess of sun-dried tomato hummus that’s overflowing from the sides. Simply put, there are few things I’d rather eat.
Meat eaters, fear not. I also favor the Hot and Melty Roast Beef and Provolone. This heated sammie comes with a hearty serving of roast beef and provolone, pesto mayo, homemade Dijon mustard, sweet ‘N’ spicy pickles, and a spring mix—a refreshing addition to any warm combination.
Other family and friend favorites include the Reuben, Carly’s Hot Mess and G’s Club.
Secret Ingredients at G’s Dynamite Deli
G’s Caprese sandwich with Miss Vickie’s chips
G’s uses the freshest ingredients, sometimes making a trip to the nearby H-E-B to pick out produce. Ely says doing so allows team members to smell, touch and feel particular vegetables, as well as ensuring produce arrives safely in the kitchen. Talk about dedication!
Bread is another differentiator at G’s, says Ely. While other local delis offer hoagie-style bread for the majority of their sandwiches, G’s has different styles of freshly baked bread. From marbled rye to herbed focaccia to jalapeño cheddar, it’s no wonder this business calls itself “the best thing since sliced bread.” With six different breads to choose from daily, one can hardly contest.
Simply Dynamite
Future plans at G’s Dynamite Deli include a food truck and Longhorn game day food and drink specials. For now, kids eat free on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
G’s is proud of its South Austin roots. And for Ely—along with the many customers she sees daily—G’s is more than just a sandwich shop. It’s a family.
Located at 2312 S. 1st St., G’s Dynamite Deli is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
@sbrugal wants to know:
What’s you favorite menu item at G’s Dynamite Deli?
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