About three years ago, I stopped into Gandolfo's New York Delicatessen in Rancho Cucamonga and, although I was impressed, I kind of forgot about this restaurant over time.

Recently I passed by Gandolfo's and thought I would stop in again.

I am sure glad I did!

This small chain restaurant was founded in Utah by a New Yorker who couldn't find a New York-style deli in his new state, and decided to start one himself.


GANDOLFO'S NEW YORK DELICATESSEN

Rating: 4 1/2; stars (out of 5)

Where: 9090 Milliken Ave., Rancho Cucamonga

Call: 909-758-9000

Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 8 a.m. to

9 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sundays

Price range: $3.69 to $9.49


The restaurant is set up like most sandwich shops except this restaurant has lots of pictures of New York and has a huge menu featuring some very unique and tasty sandwiches along with salads, wraps and some incredible side salads.

The meats are made especially for Gandolfo's, and the sandwiches are wrapped and brought to your table in heavy butcher-like paper and are as heavy in weight as I am.

Most of the sandwiches are available on a freshly baked 6-inch or 12-inch roll and are not served with any sides. The first item I ordered was the Big Apple Italian Salad, $6.49, which featured cappicola, roast beef, pepper jack cheese, feta cheese, Romaine lettuce, tomato, onions, pepperoncinis and your choice of dressing.