Bachetti Brothers on Kirkwood

Bachetti Bros. sandwiches come with a side of salad and the dessert of the day. (Credit: Jessica Bratton)

If asked, you could probably name your Top Five favorite places to dine in Delaware without thinking too hard -- the lunch spot you frequent once a week, the place to people watch, the best steak, all might help make or break a place your list (they do for us).

But a question: Do any eateries in your Top Five ever surprise you? Do you ever walk into one of your favorite local spots, or any popular dining destination in Delaware, and get surprised by what you find?

We'll go out on a limb here and venture a guess that, no, you get what you've come to expect. And that's fine. Sometimes it's the comfort of knowing you'll get what you're used to that makes you keep going back.

But every once in a while we like to be surprised. And last week we were somewhat astonished by a long list of deli sandwich, wrap and panini creations at the very popular butcher and gourmet meat shop, Bachetti Brothers.

We'd passed by their location in the Midway Plaza on Kirkwood Highway probably a million times. And, like many of you, we've been to several parties over the years that have featured Bachetti's catering and meats.

But the idea of stopping in for a lunch to go? It had never crossed our minds before, so we were surprised when we saw the 76 different concoctions and combinations on their menu (which you can download at bachettis.com. Each, for just $5.95, comes with a side salad and dessert of the day. We chose five and headed back to the office for a desk lunch.

Atop our cardboard box filled with sandwich containers was the soup of the day we picked up, 12 ounces of their potato and cheddar ($2.60). Though it seemed more like a broccoli and cheddar, bright yellow in color and full of broccoli chunks, there was also plenty of potato in the creamy and hearty stew.

The menu is broken up into six panini sandwiches as well as a litany of subs and hoagies, a majority of which are named after the capitals of each of the 50 states.

A sucker for the salty goodness of a hot pastrami or corned beef sandwich, I chose the Sardinia (or the P2, the second panini on the list, if you're ordering over the phone). Piled high with corned beef and cole slaw, the grilled rye sandwich dripped with 1000 Island dressing and oozed with melted Swiss.

Our veg head went with the Sicily (or P1), a panini assembled with tomato, zucchini and mushroom, with basil oil and meunster cheese, served on ciabatta bread. She admired the thick, fresh tomatoes and mushrooms, while the meunster cheeses added a little zing.

Another winner was the Springfield, an in-house-roasted porkette and mozzarella sandwich we can already hear Homer Simpson salivating over. Great basil, garlic and oregano flavors dominated, interspersed with roasted red peppers and olive oil on a garlic kaiser roll.

Our resident tuna sandwich expert insists that it's difficult to find one that isn't overly saturated with mayo, but he was very happy with his Augusta, served with sharp cheddar, lettuce and tomato on marbled rye.

An "all-around good and overall tasty tuna sandwich," as he called it, came on fresh rye, with a trace of onion that gave the tuna texture and a little extra kick. And the mayo took a back seat to the rest of the cast, back where it belongs.

Furthering the surprise element was the little side of macaroni salad and chocolate pudding that accompanied all our sandwiches. Though both change daily, it's a nice touch to cap off your lunch with something sweet.

Insider tips: Gourmet Market

Aside from the meats and cheeses, Bachetti Brothers features homemade dips, spreads and bisques made from scratch.

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