There are many small businesses that line downtown Market Street, each with their own individual charm. From second-hand shops to a variety of food options, there’s something for everyone, and with the weather finally starting to cool off it’s a perfect time to take a walk around and try something new.
The Spot Hometown Deli is a relatively new restaurant, having opened in April of 2023. It’s located at 28 South Market St., nestled between Funk Brewing and Advantage Chiropractic.
The Spot is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. during most days, except for Sundays—during which it’s closed all day. On Saturday, it is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to its website.
There is an extensive variety of options available to order, including several types of salads, soups and of course a host of sandwiches, so it’s safe to say most people will be able to find something they enjoy. Each sandwich can be customized with swapped or additional ingredients down to the type of bread. A full menu of sandwich options is available for those who would rather order off of a menu, with customization available.
While the full menu is available on the deli’s website, you cannot order directly from the website. Instead, directs users to TouchBistro, a third-party ordering site.
The process of ordering online was mildly confusing, since selecting nearly any menu item caused lengthy customization options to appear. The customization menus were several sections long, some of which seemed to have minimum selection requirements despite my assumptions that certain ingredients were already included on the item I was ordering.
Once I ordered, the confirmation email listed a 20 to 30 minute time frame for my order to be completed and ready for pickup, a wait I expected at prime time for dinner. However, a full ten minute range, I had hoped for a follow-up notice once the food was actually finished. This, unfortunately, was not the case.
The location has a few small tables set up for those who want to dine in. However, the dining area isn’t very large, and the layout didn’t give any of the tables the impression of privacy. I went at around 6 p.m. for dinner, and while there may have been an empty table or two, the busyness and openness of the dining area left me feeling more comfortable taking my food to go.
Even so, the decor offered the deli the appearance of a local, family-owned shop and it felt comforting and inviting.
I had settled on the Caprese Spotwich—a bagel sandwich with mozzarella cheese, tomato pesto, tomato and balsamic vinegar. The order also came with a side of wavy potato chips.
The meal itself, not including a drink, was about $14, and with tax and a tip, I ended up spending around $17. I felt as though the price point was a little bit expensive, although The Spot does offer a 10% discount for Elizabethtown College students and staff who show their school-issued ID at checkout.
Overall, the food was quite good. The ingredients were fresh, blended well together and the salty crunch of the chips balanced out the meal well.
A few of the other menu items also looked appealing, like the Chopped Italian Wrap, but for the price, I’m not convinced I’ll be going back soon. For now, I’d prefer to stick with Folklore’s Mister Geppetto panini—similarly priced, if not a bit less at $13, with a tasty smoothie to go alongside it.
