Delawalicious

Beyond the nostalgia of red, white, and blue and a neon “OPEN” sign; the perfectly handwritten menu (on a chalkboard); and the adorable seating both inside and out, Delaware Ice Cream and Deli is more than just a “dairy bar.” It’s a full-blown eating experience packed into an unassuming and downright quaint little building.

There’s a surprisingly extensive menu including pizza, burgers, fish, sandwiches and, of course, hand-scooped ice cream. But you can’t go wrong with the Delaware Bay chicken sandwich — grilled chicken topped with melted cheddar cheese, sautéed mushrooms and onions, crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato served on a kaiser roll.

The Delaware Bay chicken sandwich is definitely a must eat, but then so is the Rueben in all it’s marble rye-corned beef-sauerkraut-Swiss cheese-Thousand Island magnificence. It’s a visual and victual masterpiece of sandwich artistry every bit as good as (or maybe even better) than it looks.

A side of waffle fries or macaroni salad is a worthy accompaniment for either, and the meal just won’t be complete without a scoop or two of ice cream. We’re especially partial to the praline pecan drizzled in caramel, but there are no wrong decisions here.

Actually, we don’t think there’s a wrong decision to be made at Delaware Ice cream and Deli. l