This Quaint, Hidden Deli Elevates Sandwiches to a Whole New Level

Some good things come during the hardest times, just like this quaint, hidden gem in San Juan—717 DELI. What used to be a pandemic business is now a sought-after sandwich shop in Connecticut, Greenhills. It wasn’t even planned for; it’s a happy accident. Unfortunately, one of her restaurant ventures shut down during the prolonged health crisis, but Malou Yambao, being the resilient, natural entrepreneur that she is (also part of the team behind Brotzeit German restaurant), was still able to catch business opportunities.

With many wanting to keep beneficially busy during the lockdowns, small businesses started popping up. Malou saw the rising trend of cochinillos (roast piglets) and thought it would be profitable. 24-year-old Lance Ngo, the son of one of Malou’s business partners, wanted to take part. Malou was open, but under the condition that Lance would find a reputable piglet supplier. Lance took on the challenge, succeeded, and just like that, their online cochinillo business was born. “We were even able to sell 200 cochinillos for during the ber months,” Malou recalled. But like the ube cheese bread and Dalgona coffee, the cochinillo trend started to dwindle, and they were left with the top-of-the-line, heavy-duty oven they invested in. 

To utilize the appliance, they started selling roast beef. Lance, a big sandwich lover, wanted to minimize waste, so he thought it’d be good to save the trimmings to sell Philly cheesesteaks. “Since roast beef is a specialty dish that isn’t ideal for every day, we had to think of another way to keep the momentum going. Surprisingly, the demand for the sandwich superseded the sales of our roast beef,” Malou shared. Soon enough, they were receiving requests to expand their menu to cater to vegetarians and pescetarians as well. After giving in to one of the netizen’s requests, their best-selling, Insta-famous halibut fish sandwich was launched. Fast-forward to a couple of years later, they now have a brick-and-mortar shop that sells premium sandwiches that use only the freshest and most quality ingredients, every single time. “It’s no-fuss, straight-up just good sandwiches,” Malou remarked.

717 DELI, despite its hidden location, is buzzing even on a weekday morning. Food delivery riders are in and out for orders, while regulars happily greet Lance and Malou. The small counter is laden with little trinkets and the vintage diner wall menu adds to the deli’s charm. The walls are decorated with photos of their bestsellers, and the overall space is well-lit and cozy. 

Here are some 717 DELI favorites that I recommend: 

Philly Cheesesteak (P550)

The mother of 717 DELI sandwiches, this is the star that put them on the map. Thinly sliced roast beef that’s slightly toasted is generously put inside a sliced, buttery and soft loaf bread, topped with provolone and horseradish sauce, with a side of sliced jalapenos for heat. The meat bits are packed with flavor, and tender, but still have a good bite. The melted provolone adds a bit of smoothness and salty-cheesy flavor, while the horseradish sauce balances it all out with its tart taste and creaminess. No wonder it launched their business to success!

Halibut Fish & Chips (P750)

Fresh halibut fillet coated in light crispy batter that almost melts in the mouth, put under a bed of well-seasoned potato wedges, served with tomato ketchup and their hand-made tartare sauce. Grab a nice, cold bottle of their old-fashioned ginger ale (P170/bottle, locally made by Stanford Shaw) and you’re instantly in fish and chips heaven. “We wanted it to be premium, hence the halibut. Most fish and chips serve dory. We also took some inspiration abroad, like Australia,” Lance shared. 

Patty Melt (P450)

A true cheeseburger aficionado, Lance had to create a sandwich version of it. The Patty Melt consists of an 80/20 beef patty with caramelized onions, American cheese, provolone, and their special sauce. Their bread is made in-house and is a big highlight of the dish. The pillowy, soft, buttery slice even has a crisp texture during the initial bite, it’s so mind-blowingly unforgettable. A side order of their cheesy fries is a perfect match, and grabbing one of their milkshakes (P200/glass) will surely complete this divine meal (strawberry is so good).

Caprese (P550)

Here’s one of the latest additions to their menu. A simple vegetarian sandwich made extra because of how fresh and fine the ingredients are: creamy mozzarella layered with plump and juicy slices of tomatoes, thick romaine lettuce, and finely chopped fresh basil leaves put in between their in-house baked focaccia bread. For added flavor (and cuteness), there’s a small pipette filled with balsamic vinegar. It’s uncomplicated, clean on the palate, and mega tasty, even non-vegetarians will approve.

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How timely that I got to visit 717 DELI as I was craving hearty sandwiches after having recently tried and tasted some of the best abroad. It may seem pricey, but given the premium quality of the ingredients, and thoughtfulness and love that come along with preparing them, you actually get to enjoy and savor what you pay for. I can’t wait to try out their other offerings, and just like how it was with the others, I’m sure it will be loaf at first bite (cheesy, I know). 

717 DELI is located on the 3rd floor of 53 Connecticut Compound, San Juan City.
Open daily, from 10AM to 7PM.
Follow them on Instagram at @717deli