Midcoast Maine’s Deli Celebrated as One of America’s Best

An iconic sandwich shop in the Midcoast recently received national praise for being the "Best in Maine."

The folks over at the legendary magazine Reader's Digest, recently put together a list of the very best delis in America. The magazine hooked up with the foodies at Taste of Home to determine the top spot in every state.

For Maine, the site chose the incredibly popular Big Top Deli in Brunswick. The shop has been a crowd favorite in the college town ever since it opened in 1996.

Big Top is a delicious mix of deli classics, Maine favorites, and fun creations. And like any true deli, Big Top is open early with a full menu of breakfast sandwiches and New York-style bagel options. I mean, who doesn't love a nice piece of lox in the morning?

Brunswick is a perfect location for Big Top, especially considering its demographics. It's home to Bowdoin College, which means a lot of hungry kids are always running around. Plus, the community is a hub for tourism, especially with Route 1 slicing right through. Is there anything better than grabbing a delicious sandwich before heading up the coast or to a local beach? It should be no surprise how many great restaurants ended up in Brunswick. The town was built for it, and Big Top Deli beautifully fits right in.

Here is an excerpt from Reader's Digest about why they chose Big Top Deli to represent Maine.

Maine's weather ranges from mild to downright freezing, and Big Top Deli in Brunswick is the perfect place to warm up with a hot sandwich, whether you're in the mood for a Philly cheesesteak or a cheddar melt. The breakfast sandwiches—which are served all day—are also a customer favorite.

Listen, if you can nail a breakfast sandwich, then you will be a local favorite forever. People love a good breakfast sandwich, and Big Top has some legendary ones. \

No frills, delicious food mixed with friendly service are certainly the characteristics of what separates a good deli from an amazing one. Clearly, Big Top and its ethos have done it right for nearly three decades now. It's a representation of what is great about Maine.

There is something for everyone at Big Top Deli. There's even a vegetarian menu for those who don't need a pile of meat on their sandwich. That is quite a nice option to have, especially at a place known for burgers, dogs, and classic deli favorites.

Congrats to Big Top Deli on this national recognition. Here's to more small Maine businesses getting the recognition they deserve.