G&R Deli

G&R has made Italian sandwiches on Williamsbridge Road since 1978, and on weekends the line for them runs out the door of the narrow shop. Shelves of tomatoes and dried pasta line the walls, cured meats hang behind the counter, and plenty of customers leave with pints of sausage and peppers for Sunday dinner along with their heroes.

The deli has more recently drawn crowds for a meatball cone, but the reason to come is the classic Italian hero, built by people who have done it for decades. The Famous Bronx Godfather layers just about every cured meat in the case with sweet sun-dried peppers; any straightforward combination of salumi, provolone and peppers is a safe bet. Take a pint of sausage and peppers home for later, and pick up a jar of tomatoes or a bag of imported pasta while you wait — the shelves double as the neighborhood pantry.