north st. deli

Fast · Fresh · Delicious

Day 945 If not now, when? If not me, who?

The boycott worked. McDonalds has announced that they will be buying back their Israeli franchises after seeing a major drop in sales. It’s easy to feel like an ant in this world, a pin prick, ‘my vote doesn’t matter’ but there is power in numbers. You just have to vote with your wallet. If you don’t want to pay £4.50 for a flat white, don’t. Your hands aren’t tied, you’ve just been made to think that they are.

Salads:

Aubergine + chickpea curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 944 Ours is not to reason why

I sometimes wish I could be part of the herd, to look at the surface and be content but my brain just doesn’t work that way. I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, i’m just inquisitive and if you’re not I should respect that. So while i’m here having an existential crisis you can rest easy and i’m a little envious of that. Sweet dreams little lamb.

Salads:

Thai roasted squash + black bean

Edamame + miso rice

Chicken ragu pasta

Mediterranean braised beans + salted ricotta

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, cheddar cheese, Tomato relish, Mustard + tomato

Day 943 Desperately seeking sensation

The problem with today’s generation is that they’ve been desensitised. They scroll mindlessly on social media absorbing twisted ideals and bite sized morality, they (supposedly) have no concept of the real world. My lack of sensation comes from the deli. This uncensored, unfiltered constant stream of people is an app I can’t delete, a video game I can’t switch off. Covid killed an buried any hope for humanity that I had and whenever I try to pursue optimism, my day to day conversations remind me why i’m a cynic. Happy hump day.

Salads:

White bean + roast peppers

Rosemary + lemon rice

Broccoli, pea + spinach pasta

Soup: Indian spiced tomato + lentil

Day 942 Back at it

I’m back in the sandwich section which is not where I belong but it’s where I feel most comfortable. I love making sandwiches because they don’t make conversation about menial life occurrences. I love making sandwiches because they are delicious and consistent even if the comprise of only two ingredients. I love making sandwiches because they are a people-less environment.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Braised potato with sausage + ham ragu

Soup: Bean, roast peppers + tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Raclette, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 941 Buona Pasqua

Who’s ready for a deli free long weekend? MEEEEEE! Sad for some, but the deli will not be open for the bank holiday weekend, mama needs some rest, peace of mind and trees (of all kinds). Even if your not religious you should be grateful for the Christianity in this country because it’s given us 2 days extra holiday! Pro’s and con’s.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Spiced rice

Tomato, basil + french bean pasta

Braised chickpea

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 940 The nightmare never ends

I woke up an hour late today and I was having a nightmare, is a nightmare a nightmare if it commences when the sun has risen? Is that a daymare? But anyway, it’s been a full throttle morning and I have little time to spare which is jarring because some of my favourite characters have made appearances this morning. I’ll be in East London this eve trying to find peace in beigel’s and theology debates.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Rainbow rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Roast pepper + tomato

Day 939 My little rays of sunshine

First day of working the counter went down a treat! One thing i’m highly appreciative of about my workplace is that my friends can come in and visit. I could be having a piss poor day then randomly one friendly face will walk in and I get a little ray of sunshine to counter the drizzle of the general population. Shout out to the mandem for providing sanity in this insane institution.

Salads:

Med veg chickpea

Roast pepper rice

Sausage + ham ragu pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato + basil

Day 938 My turn

It’s a short week for the deli and we are Frankieless. You will have to endure my counter service which is quite different. I’m not interested in small talk, I won’t blow smoke up your hind quarters and I have no chill. I’m prone to offending people but the best way to avoid this sensation is to not talk to me. Maybe I should put a sign on the door ‘warning, don’t touch the dog, she bites’.

Salads:

Five spiced aduki bean + aubergine

Crispy tofu rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Indian spiced vegetable

Sandwich: Milano salami, Fontina cheese, jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 937 Hype beast

I was so overstimulated yesterday. It was debate after debate but I was loving it. The lunch rush pushed me over the edge and I was a shell of a person at 2pm but somehow I managed to claw back my energy and I went on a walk with my boy. Another surge of energy hit me and I just decided to run around the park like a child. I’m that weirdo in the park your parents warned you about! Here’s to a hyper weekend.

Salads:

Braised cauliflower + chickpea

Spinach + herb rice

Leek, black olive + tomato

Soup: Broccoli, potato + turmeric

Day 936 Customer service

I’m in office mode today. I have Sky on the landline and OVO on a chat page. I’m always surprised when a service provider provides a good customer service, isn’t that crazy? Sky for example, i’ve always received a good customer service and they accept blame when their services haven’t been up to scratch but that is how it should be so why are I give them kudos? Now you’re rewarded for doing the bare minimum and we wonder why the world is going to pot?

Salads:

Ginger + turmeric split peas

Peshwari rice (turmeric, coconut + sultana)

Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Provola cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 935 I'm a petty deli girl

I’m a petty deli girl, of course when you try to make a snide comment about my dog i’m going to answer you with the same snide tone. I’m a petty deli girl, of course if you try and infer that salami and ham are the same thing i’m going to look at you as if you’ve told me the earth is flat. I’m a petty deli girl, of course if you try and make a joke about being sweet enough when asked about sugar in your tea i’m going to sigh and sarcastically say ‘good one’.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Lemon + garlic rice

Baked pasta

Lightly spiced paneer curry

Soup: Indian spiced lentils

Day 934 Gyaldem suga

I’m so excited for my evening today, i’m dining with the gyaldem suga! Even though i’m a chatterbox from 9-5 the convo doesn’t slap the same as with my people. I don’t have to explain my train of thought, they just get me. It can be a struggle talking to the general population sometimes as it seems my way of looking at things is a little to ‘critical’ for the average joe.

Salads:

Coconut curry with squash + sweet potato

Miso + soy rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

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

Day 933 Social butterfly

This is turning into one busy month for me. There I was living my little recluse lifestyle and now I have social engagements for the rest of March! The funny part is i’m really enjoying it. It might be a coping mechanism for certain main characters that are MIA but nevertheless i’m enjoying the lifestyle change. I can’t wait for the rest of my week!

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Braised sausage + ham ragu with polenta croutons

Soup: Turmeric roasted cauliflower + potato

Day 932 I can't get no sleep

My mind, body and soul was exhausted yesterday, I was a shell of a human by the time I made it to my sofa. I don’t like to make plans in advance because I never know what my day will have in stall for me but it seems I have another busy 7 days ahead of me which usually would make me anxious but i’m kind of loving the stress of a social life. Burn out incoming.

Salads:

Pinto beans + paprika peppers

Ginger, sweet chilli + spring onion rice

Roast artichoke, tomato + basil pasta

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 931 One man band

I will be facing the people on my lonesome this lunchtime and i’m geared up and ready to go! It’s my little taste of Sparta except in this kingdom it’s unlikely that Gerard Butler will be kicking me into oblivion, Mother will be taking his place most probably. Strangely i’m in high spirits for what is set to be a testing rush.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpea + cauliflower

Sumac + chives rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Indian spiced lentils

Day 930 The funny thing is

This morning has been idyllic, especially compared to yesterday. It’s been a steam of some of my favourite people and the mood has just been immaculate. What’s hilarious is that today in particular many have concluded their conversations by appreciating the deli vibes but what they don’t know is Mother is red with rage because she’s not the biggest fan of…well…conversation. What can you do? One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter.

Salads:

Med veg white bean

Lemon spiced rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar cheese, Red onion relish + tomato

Day 929 Squeeze me

This morning was simply chaotic. I woke up late, moose was sick, it’s pissing down yet somehow i’ve managed to claw back my morning and things are going relatively smoothly thus far! This whole week is set to be a little intense but it’s refreshing as I don’t feel i’ve had a stress test in a while (with work at least) so i’m oddly looking forward to the pressure.

Salads:

Black lentil curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced chickpea + coconut

Day 928 Let's do this

It felt like a long weekend as my sleeping pattern was all over the place but i’m in a chipper mood this morning. I’m working the counter today and i’m quite excited as I haven’t had to face the rush in a while. It’s going to be a long day and by the looks of it a stressful week but i’m just going to take it one hour at a time and pray for a good outcome.

Salads:

Chickpea + coconut curry

Seaweed + ginger rice

Tomato, basil + french bean pasta

Soup: Sweetcorn, ginger + tomato

Sandwich: Speck ham, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 927 Here's to us

I was under Dragon’s spell yesterday. I find comfort in stress, it’s my default mindset and I work best under pressure but yesterday I found peace in serenity. Few words were passed between us but the room was filled with a warm ambience a feeling of tranquillity and content. Your radiance will never cease to amaze me and I can’t begin to thank you for the effortless reassurance you bring to my life.

Salads:

Black bean + roast squash

Ginger + spring onion rice

Sausage, ham + mushroom pasta

Soup: Spiced red lentil

Sandwich: Parma ham, Manchego cheese, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 926 Hypocrisy

I have had another morning of pure natter and I have left myself no time to sit here and ponder about an amusing tale to tell. This isn’t amusing but I think that Eurovision is spinless for not penalising Israel more for their disgraceful lyrics. If Russia weren’t allowed to compete then they shouldn’t either. Period.

Salads:

Braised pinto beans + mushroom

Rosemary + garlic rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Squash, carrot + orange