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Dayton has plenty of famous restaurants, but some of the best lunches in town come from small counters that never make the big lists. These are the places where regulars know the menu by heart and newcomers usually stumble in by accident.
This list covers seven delis around Dayton and Kettering, from a German-leaning sandwich shop on Troy Street to an Italian market on East Stroop Road and a retro arcade counter downtown. Save it for your next lunch break, Saturday errand run, or weekday road trip into the Gem City.
1. Charlie’s Deli & Catering, Dayton, OH
Plenty of people drive past 429 Troy Street without a second look. That is a mistake, because the small deli inside has been quietly making some of the city’s most dependable sandwiches for a long time.
Charlie’s is a no-frills counter-service spot, and it leans into a German twist you will not find at most Dayton sandwich shops. Shelves carry German pantry staples and specialties, and the German potato salad is a menu favorite worth ordering as your side.
The sandwich list goes beyond basic turkey on wheat. Look for the Deli Sub, the Uban, and the Gatlinburger, which comes with sharp cheddar.
Homemade soups round things out on cooler days.
Prices sit in the budget range, often around $10 or less per person, which makes it an easy weekday habit. Service tends to move quickly, too.
Plan around the schedule. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM and closed on weekends, and free parking is usually easy to find.
Catering is also available if your office needs a lunch spread.
2. Jerardi’s Little Store, Dayton, OH
Peters Pike is not where most people expect a great sandwich. Jerardi’s Little Store sits out on Dayton’s north edge, and its unlikely location is a big part of why it stays under the radar.
Inside, the shop offers a large lineup of deli sandwiches along with plenty of freshly made salads. It is a privately owned operation with a staff that includes chefs, so the food leans a step above a typical grab-and-go counter.
The shelves also carry a wide wine selection and a solid range of other beverages. One unusual extra sets it apart from every other stop on this list: you can book a private chef-prepared meal in the shop’s private dining room.
For everyday visits, think takeout. There is no dine-in seating for walk-ins and no public restroom, so it works best as a quick stop.
Expect roughly $10 to $20 per person.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM, with Sunday and Monday off. A free lot makes pulling in simple.
3. DiSalvo’s Deli & Italian Store, Kettering, OH
Transplants from New York and New Jersey often ask where to find a proper Italian deli in the Dayton area. In Kettering, the answer usually points to a small market on East Stroop Road.
DiSalvo’s pulls double duty as a sandwich counter and an Italian grocery. You can pick up authentic pantry staples for Sunday dinner, then grab lunch for the ride home.
The big draw is the build-your-own Italian sandwich. Instead of choosing from a fixed board, you put together your own combination at the counter, which is rare around here.
It is a quick-visit kind of place, and delivery is available too. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, with Friday open until 7 PM.
It closes Sunday and Monday.
Friday afternoons tend to be the busiest stretch, so a Thursday evening run can be calmer.
4. Tony & Pete’s, Dayton, OH
Need a sandwich, a bag of local goods, and a bunch of fresh flowers in one stop? Downtown Dayton has exactly that on East 3rd Street.
Tony & Pete’s is an old-school sandwich shop with a modern grocery corner. The deli counter serves classic-inspired cold cuts on fresh, local bread, plus salads and sides.
Menu standouts include the Turkey Pesto, the Italian Beef, and a Spicy Pasta Salad. A half sandwich and side combo keeps things lighter, and the full vegan and vegetarian menus make it an easy pick for mixed groups.
The shop also stocks grocery staples, produce, and products from local Dayton makers. Families are welcome, kids are well served, and free Wi-Fi helps if you are working through lunch.
Open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM, it is one of the few stops here that serves seven days a week. Outdoor seating is available, and parking is a mix of free and paid street spots plus a paid lot.
Most meals run about $10 to $20.
5. Canal Street Arcade and Deli, Dayton, OH
Few delis let you follow a BLT with a round of classic video games. That combo is the whole charm at Canal Street Arcade and Deli on East 1st Street.
The sandwich board is wide and a little playful. Picks include the Kraut Rock, a Hari Curry sandwich, a classic Turkey & Cheese, and a BYO Sandwich option for picky eaters.
Sides like potato salad and everything bagels fill out the menu.
Vintage arcade games line the space, and there is outdoor seating when the weather cooperates. Ordering is counter style, with fast service and seating inside.
The late hours set it apart. It opens at 11 AM daily and stays open until midnight Monday through Thursday, 1:30 AM on Friday and Saturday, and 11 PM on Sunday.
Weekend evenings get crowded. For a relaxed lunch, weekday afternoons are a better bet, with meals usually in the $10 to $20 range.
6. All The Best Delicatessen, Dayton, OH
Pastrami fans in the south suburbs have a strong reason to head down Far Hills Avenue. All The Best Delicatessen brings New York-style and Jewish deli classics to the Dayton area.
The Pastrami Reuben and the Traditional Pastrami Sandwich lead the menu. Turkey Reubens, tuna melts, potato pancakes, and a pickle plate keep the lineup true to deli tradition.
Save room for dessert. The seven-layer cake and signature cheesecake are part of the draw.
Unlike most counters on this list, it covers breakfast through dinner. Weekday hours are 11 AM to 8 PM, and weekends start early at 8 AM.
Families will find high chairs and a kids’ menu, and free parking is usually plentiful. Expect about $10 to $20 per person, which is fair for a deli plate this size.
7. The Local 937, Dayton, OH
St. Anne’s Hill is one of Dayton’s most charming historic neighborhoods, full of old homes and quiet streets. Right in the middle of it, on East 5th Street, sits a small shop that works as the area’s go-to lunch stop.
The Local 937 serves wraps, sandwiches, snacks, and ice cream. Its deli-style subs put a fresh spin on familiar favorites, and the shop supports local makers.
It feels like a neighborhood hangout more than a destination restaurant. Dogs are welcome outside, which suits a walkable area like this.
Ordering is flexible, with takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery available. Free lot and street parking make a quick stop easy.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM. Pair a visit with a stroll through the historic district and grab an ice cream for the walk.
