Open Wide: Pastrami Goes Extra Big at Deli by Chele's New Spot at The Podium

(SPOT.ph) Since its inception in 2020, Deli by Chele has consistently been on the rise. It started out as an online endeavor selling charcuterie, preserves, bread, and more—but the folks behind famed fine-dining establishment Gallery by Chele did not stop there. They also started having pop-ups at major malls throughout this year. In fact, if you went to Rockwell just in the past month, you might have caught a glimpse of their first permanent store in the Metro. Yes, it seems the people behind the brand have found that Filipinos have a penchant for deli-style sandwiches, with their famous Pastrami Sandwiches making waves and constantly being a best-seller. Armed with this knowledge of the demand, Deli by Chele launched another branch—no less than their flagship store—at The Podium in Ortigas.

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Check out Deli by Chele's Flagship Store at The Podium:

At first glance, Deli by Chele's store looks like the quintessential high-end New York deli. Muted neutral floors, matte pastel green tiles on the walls, and a clean, crisp white countertop are welcome sights in this spot. The combination of colors in the interior design makes the store feel cozy enough for guests to sit and hang out while waiting for their orders.

While waiting for their orders, diners can watch from the counter how their sandwiches are prepared and see the pastrami cutting process themselves. But if you're like us, who like to leave the chefs alone to do their magic, you could spend the waiting time browsing their extensive collection of drinks, pastries, and bread ready for you to take home. But that's not all, there are also preserves, sliced brisket, duck, chicken pastrami, cheeses, and other deli goods you can buy. Did we mention all of these are made in-house? Yup. You're getting nothing short of the very best the team has to offer.

There are a ton of food choices available at Deli by Chele. From sandwiches to desserts, you're bound to leave satisfied. You can't go wrong with their bestselling NY Style Brisket Pastrami Sandwich (P590, P290/solo), which features their own New York-style Brisket Pastrami. The meat is sandwiched between slices of toasted crusty yet chewy sourdough bread, along with pickled cucumber, and creamy-tangy mayo mustard. This sandwich has a good meat-to-bread ratio that won't leave you overwhelmed or in a meat coma.

If you're really hungry—or just like it big (we mean food)—you could order the branch-exclusive XL Pastrami Sandwich (P990, P495 solo). This is their usual brisket pastrami, but super-sized. Granted, you could share... or devour it solo. No judgment.

Another branch exclusive worth trying is their Cochinillo Hero (P590). Yep, you read that right. What's usually reserved for our holiday feasts can now be consumed in sandwich form. Get a taste of the succulent, meaty, roasted pork mixed in with apple coleslaw, apple jam, roasted garlic honey dressing, and apple mayonnaise, enclosed in a soft brioche bun. You get tangy, sweet notes from the condiments, as well as savory notes from the pork, but the true clincher is in the textural play between the pillowy brioche and the crispy crackle of cochinillo skin. A match made in pork heaven.

Not a fan of meats? There is also a selection of seafood-based sandwiches like the Feisty Fin Smoked Salmon Sandwich (P595, P320 solo) and the Tiger Prawn Roll (P625).

Don't just stop at their savory dishes. Make sure to leave room for dessert as Deli by Chele also has an array of sweet treats to end your meal on a high note. If there's one thing you must try, make sure to grab a piece of the Chika a.k.a Bibingka Cheesecake (P990, P250/slice) or their Queso de Bola Chika (P1200, P300/slice), a perfect treat if you love the taste of Edam cheese on your bibingka. Think of the rice cake, but with the torched exterior of Basque burnt cheesecake and soft, molten center. They've got the right balance of salty and sweet with hints of smoky notes courtesy of the banana leaves they're encased in.

But chocolate lovers out there need not hop into another resto just to have their fix. The deli also carries an NY Style Chocolate Cake (P2200, P295/slice) which is a triple chocolate cake with ganache. Those looking for something lighter can opt for cookies (P120/piece), also available in-store.

Deli by Chele is out to fill us up with their selection of savory and sweet bites. Definitely bring company with you so you can taste more of their signatures.

Deli by Chele is at G/F The Podium Mall, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Mandaluyong. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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