north st. deli

Fast · Fresh · Delicious

Day 522 You better work

I have heavy eyes this morning. Not the best encouragement when you have to smash out a lunch rush on you ones. I’m in a bit of a workaholic state of mind at the moment. I guess it’s better than being an alcoholic but when you’re checking your emails at 11pm, one must admit they have a problem.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac + preserved lemon rice

Courgette · tomato + basil pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Chickpea, carrot, lemon + ginger

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Asiago cheese, onion relish + tomato

Day 521 Snails pace

I slept amazingly well yesterday but today i’ve been so inefficient with my tasks. I’m behind on everything and this makes Mother irate. People talk and I listen, then suddenly 15 minutes has gone and I’m scurrying to catch up. I know it’s my fault, but hey ho.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Leek + dill rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Mushroom, bean + chorizo

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 520 Baked goodness

Mother and I worked all weekend long. We made it a little more entertaining by stopping at different bakeries on our various errands. Now i’m feeling heavy because of my baked goods consumption. This week is looking busy but dribbled with social outings so it should be a fun one.

Salads:

Thai coconut chickpea curry

Red pepper rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Lentil · potato + paneer concoction

Soup: Lightly spiced sweet poato

Sandwich: Chorizo, peppercorn pecorino, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 519 Peace and quiet

I think it scares people more when I don’t say anything. I’m good at socialising but that doesn’t mean I like it, so when my battery is running low I take a backseat and let the rest of the world make noise. Turns out, people don’t have much to say unless prompted to do so.

Salads:

Turmeric roasted courgette + lentils

Rainbow rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Salad n tings

Soup: Spiced chickpea

Day 518 Work hard, play hard

I went into a robot like state for yesterday’s rush. I either knuckle down and get the job done or everything and everyone will distract me. My face might have looked angry but I assure you I had a great time. Summer living has got me in a daze, these late nights are becoming a habit.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Ginger + lemon rice

Black olive, leek + tomato pasta

Fresh Bulgur wheat salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Cooked ham, bacon, Provola cheese, chilli relish + tomato


Day 517 Keep steppin

I need new shoes. I’m walking with a slight bop at the moment and I don’t want anyone to think I’m imitating onscreen gangsters. My feet have gone through so much in the past week and they’re starting to give up on me. Flip the script my mind’s telling me yes but my body’s telling me no.

Salads:

Aubergine + black bean in black bean sauce

Pickled ginger + miso rice

Mushroom + chorizo pasta

Jackfruit egg noodle salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Day 516 Stay in, go out

Yesterday I stayed in. Amazing homecooked middle-eastern inspired dinner and Stranger Things. I woke up this morning happy as Ainsley Harriet. Today will be a little different. Dinner in Herne Hill then a spot of basketball. Should be a great night.

Salads:

Indian spiced lentils

Aromatic rice

Roast squash + tomato pasta

Cheesed potato salad

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Fontina cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 515 That good pain

What a weekend. My back hurts, my knees are on the brink of dislocating but god it was a great weekend. It’s looking to be another toasty week but I intend to take it easy. Then again, things never go according to plan do they?

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Lemon + herb rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Thai coconut curried lentils

Soup: Roast squash, rosemary + potato

Sandwich: Parma ham, Manchego cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 514 Scorcher

It should be a great weekend. Next week is set to go back to average temperatures so I intend to pack as many activities as possible into the next 72 hours. I’m currently in a docile state as I’ve had minimal sleep but I will turn the A/C on in the deli and smash this heated Friday.

Salads:

Rainbow lentil

Sweet chilli · garlic + lemon rice

Broccoli · cashew + rocket pesto pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Napoli salami, Ermesenda cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 513 Shine on me

I didn’t even bring a jumper to work today, this is the weather I live for and I plan to take full advantage. Basketball after dark yesterday, picnic tonight, picnic and a rave tomorrow. I am gonna spend every ounce of energy I have in my body.

Salads:

Black eyed bean + roast squash

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Chorizo ragu pasta

Fattoush styled salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Day 512 Old town

So many familiar faces came through the door yesterday, it was such a wholesome scene. Stepping into the deli is like being in someone’s living room. Some sit in the corner and pout about the lack of ‘professionalism’ while others get into the village vibe.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Spinach + herb rice

Smokey aubergine pasta

Miso noodle salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Roast lamb, Pecorino pepe, Red onion, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 511 It's been too long

Today is the busiest catering day we’ve ever endured but there is something more important in my life than sandwiches today. My Turkish queen is coming back to ends all the way from Australia. I have not seen her in the flesh for 4 YEARS. I can’t even.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Sumac rice

Pea, spinach + cashew pesto pasta

Surimi potato salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Day 510 Rude

So I woke up at 11am yesterday and dragged myself out the house for a leisurely walk with my dog. Headphones in, sun shining, my boy trotting away, bliss. Then some ugly old hag started calling me a cunt and wishing death on my dog because he was off lead. She should take note from Moose and mind her damn business.

Salads:

Yellow Chickpea curry

Lemongrass · ginger + lime leaf rice

Leek · tomato + black olive pasta

Sausage · white bean + potato salad

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Fontina cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 509 Social living

June is going to be a very social month for me. Technically I’m always social, I have to be. I probably talk to over 100 people a day. I’ll admit that sometimes I wish I was a quiet person and I have tried many time to be so, but I just can’t keep my mouth shut.

Salads:

Roast pepper + white bean

Leek + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Red lentil, ginger + tomato

Day 508 Melting pot

Growing up in London puts you in this weird bubble. So many cultures and traditions living within close proximity to one another. Teaching one another about different ways to life. I think it’s benefited me greatly because i’m open to different opinions and flavour sensations. You may view the deli as ‘a lot’ but to me it’s normality. Get into it.

Salads:

Coconut curry with mung beans

Ginger + turmeric rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Cumin roasted tomato + potato

Sandwich: Chorizo, smoked mozzarella, onion relish + tomato

Day 507 On the mend

We were exhausted yesterday but we knew that the people needed their spicy goats and quiches, so we marched on. It was painful. The delirium was real, I can’t say I remember much about yesterday. Everyone was asking us questions and we had to summon every inch of consciousness we had left to provide answers.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Lemon + chive rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Bulgur wheat salad

Soup: Indian spiced veg

Day 506 No sleep

Yes, my weekend was incredible. However I crossed borders in the early hours today and the counter crew have been at the deli since 4am. We have not slept but we are ready to serve…perhaps not with a smile. Just know deep down somewhere inside, we’re happy to be here.

Salads:

Black beans + aubergine in black bean sauce

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast vegetable Pasta

Cheesed salad

Soup: Chickpea, cauliflower + tomato

Sandwich: Speck ham, Manchego cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 503 May the odds be in your favour

I don’t think my phone is listening in on my conversations and it obviously can’t read my mind however, the algorithms are against me. Why am I being shown so many videos about hellish airport experiences?! My nerves are sky high. If I seem distant today it’s because i’m coming up with a game plan for my return flight being delayed. Come rain or shine you will have the deli on Tuesday.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + chickpea

Tofu + soya rice

Roast squash pasta

Chicken pasta bake

Soup: Borlotti bean + tomato

Sandwich: Speck ham, Fontina cheese, jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 502 Delayed

I’m going to fly for the first time in 3 and a half years this weekend. We’re busy enough at work that my mind is occupied with other things but TikTok and Instagram keep showing me clips of heavily delayed flights and i’m getting nervous. As a pessimist, my brain is telling me to bring a sleeping bag so I can nap comfortably in the airport.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Lemon + chilli rice

Chicken ragu pasta

Teriyaki noodle salad

Soup: Cauliflower · potato + turmeric

Day 501 Short week

It’s a three day working week and i’m so anxious. Me and my stupid self have packed so much work into these three days I could cry, I could actually cry right now at my desk but Fergie told me a long time ago ‘big girls don’t cry’ so I won’t. Can’t wait t see if I pull it off!

Salads:

Paprika beetroot + bean

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom + spinach pasta

Paneer + lentil concoction

Soup: White bean, spinach, chilli + garlic

Sandwich: Roast lamb, minted yogurt, chilli relish, bombay mix, red onion + tomato