Often times, the best and most memorable food experiences are found in the most unassuming locations. The Linden Store, located at 162 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA has been one of these places since it first opened in 1933. Of course much has changed since it first opened its doors, but the simple fact remains, good service, high quality ingredients, and a friendly atmosphere leads to a loyal following. As delicatessens go, The Linden Store provides its customers with good food, and a unique experience that you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
The Linden Store is a classic deli, with made to order subs, homemade soups, a variety of salads, and with a recent renovation, a wider selection of breakfast options. When you walk into The Linden Store, you are immediately hit with the smells of fresh bread, half-sour pickles, and the sounds of orders being shouted out. Unlike most local sub shops, everything is in view for the customers. There are 8-10 sandwich stations, each with a dedicated deli-slicer. Not only is each sandwich made to order, the components of the sandwich are freshly prepared for each individual order, including slicing of the deli meat. One of the “knocks” has been the lack of seating, but with the recent expansion, more counter space is available, and as the weather becomes nicer, the outdoor picnic tables increase the available seating. Lines often seem long, but with a large staff, and multiple sandwich stations, the wait is rarely more the ten minutes. An often used trick to beat the lines is to call your order in, and your sandwiches will be wrapped in their waxed paper blankets waiting for you when you arrive.
Although the reputation of the sandwiches at The Linden Store has created an ever growing cult following, the service truly brings people back. Every customer is made to feel like they are apart of something special. The owners, two brothers, strive to provide their customers with the very best. They are always at the store, and they work to connect with their customers with a quick “Hello,” or a casual conversation. It is clear all that work at The Linden Store take pride in providing their customers with a world class experience, which is saying something for a deli. If your order is not exactly as you expected, they will take care of you.
The menu at The Linden Store can be overwhelming, and often new customers are unprepared to order when they get to the front of the line. Yet, it is a safe bet to assume that the “regulars” will favor the “Linden Special,” which is made up of mortadella, salami, prosciutto, provolone cheese, tomatoes, marinated peppers and olive oil. Or the “Isabella,” with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, tomatoes and olive oil. And even with such creations on the menu, the staff will be happy to take custom orders as well.
A local sandwich shop doesn’t seem like a logical choice for a food blog that often focuses on higher end establishments. Yet, the quality of the food and service dictates that The Linden Store is deserving of such praise. The Linden Store is open Monday-Friday from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays from 6:30am to 3:30 pm.
