Deli 101: Your Questions, Answered

At Martin’s, there’s one thing we’ve learned working behind the counter: it’s that everybody has questions about the deli. How much turkey do you actually need? How long is that ham still good to eat? Good news: you’re not alone, and that’s exactly why we put together this guide. As your local deli in Metairie, we get these questions every single day, and we love answering them. So grab a coffee, and let’s talk deli basics together.

Did you know we’re more than just sandwiches and lunch? You can take home our delicious meats and cheeses right from the gourmet counter. Think carefully curated cured meats, artisan cheeses, and specialty picks that are perfect for building a stunning charcuterie board or elevating your next gathering. It’s a gourmet experience you can bring home, any day of the week.

But how do you know exactly what to get? That’s the tricky part, and we’ve got you covered. From how much to buy to how long it lasts, this guide walks you through everything you need to shop the counter like a pro.

Here’s something a lot of folks don’t realize: you don’t have to build a sandwich to enjoy the deli. Our gourmet counter is stocked with meats and cheeses you can take home the same day, no special order required.

Want a few things ready to grab and go? We’ve got pre-cut slices right in the gourmet section, carefully selected and packaged so you can pick up something special without the wait. This isn’t your traditional lunch meat counter where you call out a thickness and watch it run through the slicer. Think of it more like a curated shop within a shop: quality meats and cheese, and ready to take home. 

So whether you’re hunting for the perfect addition to a charcuterie board, building an elevated sandwich at home, or picking up something special for a weekend gathering, the gourmet counter has exactly what you’re looking for. And if you’re staring at the case wondering where to start, just ask. Pointing people toward their new favorite is our favorite part of the job.

This is probably the question we hear most. The honest answer is: it depends on how you’re serving it. If you’re making sandwiches for a family lunch, plan on about 1/4 pound of meat per person for a hearty sandwich. If you’re setting out a party platter alongside other food, most planning guides suggest closer to 2 to 3 ounces per person, and if the meat is going to be the star of the show, bump that up to around 4 to 6 ounces per person, according to standard charcuterie portioning guidance. When in doubt, come talk to us. We’ll help you figure out exactly how much to order for your crowd.

Nobody wants to toss out food, but nobody wants a sad sandwich either. According to the USDA’s FoodSafety.gov cold storage guidelines, opened deli meat should be used within 3 to 5 days when kept at 40°F or below, while an unopened package can last about two weeks. The same 3-to-5-day window applies to freshly sliced deli meat and cheese, per the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Our best advice? Buy only what you’ll use in that window, keep it in the coldest part of your fridge, and label the bag with the date. If you’re not sure it’s still good, trust your nose, and when in doubt, throw it out.

Charcuterie boards have become a real staple around here, and honestly, it makes sense. Metairie loves a good spread for game day, a wine night, or just because it’s Friday. For a solid board, plan on 2 to 3 ounces of meat per person if it’s an appetizer, and go for a nice mix of textures: something thin and delicate like prosciutto, something with a little more bite like salami, and maybe a smoked option for variety. If you’re building a board for a party, come see us at your local deli in Metairie, and we’ll help you put together a spread your guests won’t stop talking about.

At the end of the day, the deli counter shouldn’t feel intimidating. Whether you need a pound of turkey for the week or a full spread for twenty guests, our team is happy to walk you through it. That’s what being your local deli in Metairie is all about: real people, real answers, and really good food. Stop in and say hi. We’ll take it from there.