Best New York-Style Deli: Frankie & Wally’s

Frankie & Wally’s brought a little New York deli culture to Palermo Avenue, but calling it simply a sandwich shop misses half the fun. Part deli, part gourmet market and part neighborhood gathering place, it is the kind of spot where you can come in for lunch and leave with specialty groceries, prepared food and a coffee for the road.

The sandwiches are the headline. Frankie & Wally’s specifically describes them as New York-style, with substantial hot and cold creations built around quality meats, cheeses, breads and house combinations. The concept makes sense when you know that Franklin spent years working in New York restaurants before bringing that experience south.

There is more happening here than sandwiches. The market carries specialty pantry items and prepared foods, while the coffee bar gives the shop another reason to become part of the neighborhood routine. Rotisserie chicken, salads and food to go broaden the offering beyond the deli counter, making Frankie & Wally’s equally useful for lunch now or dinner later.

The story is local despite the New York inspiration. Franklin and Wally’s path to Palermo Avenue included making lasagna during the pandemic and operating a food truck before establishing a permanent home in Coral Gables. The result feels less like a transplanted concept and more like something that grew into its neighborhood.

For bringing the spirit of a New York deli together with a gourmet neighborhood market in the heart of the Gables, Frankie & Wally’s is the Coral Gables Gazette’s selection for Best New York-Style Deli.