The Co op Deli is a regular, if not daily destination for many members, neighbors, and friends who want to enjoy the fresh, seasonal, and thoughtfully prepared salads, sandwiches, and soup specials. Out of town visitors are pleased, but hopefully not surprised with the vast array of cooked chicken entrees, pasta and vegetable salads (including vegetarian and vegan), and single-serving pieces of lasagna (traditional, chicken, or veggie). We also have Tamales, Samosas, and Enchiladas- and that’s just from our salad case!

We proudly feature the best Imported and Domestic cheese selection around, and with our personal service can cut the size you need. Look for cheeses from the great producers of Europe, as well as the best of Wisconsin, California, Oregon, and some outstanding farm fresh offerings from right here in Idaho. (Give Rollingstone Chevre and Ballards’ Family just one try, and you will not just think potatoes when it comes to the Gem State!) Look also for fresh Mozzarella, artisan hummus spreads, pesto,and specialty crackers. Our frequently visited Olive Bar has dozens of ideas for your picnic, including peppers, beans, and cornichons.

Our sandwich table offers custom made sandwiches, (phone orders are welcome) and we have gained a loyal following that we are glad to serve. We feature Boars’ Head meats for our Turkey, Ham, Pastrami, and Beef selections, as well as house made Chicken, Egg and Tuna salads. You can also get Chick Pea Spread, Vegetarian (with Cream Cheese and Avocado), and a sauteed Garden Burger. We offer eight bread choices, including Gluten-Free, and five cheeses, including Soy. Each sandwich, or half sandwich, includes a “fun size” bag of chips (you can think potato, now). Speaking of Boars’ Head…

Our Deli Meat and Cheese service counter does (with great fanfare) carry Boars’ Head, and what a selection we have! Everything you  might expect, plus interesting cuts like D’Oro Salami, Prosciutto di Parma, Rosemary and Sundried Tomato Ham, and three different Swiss cheeses in our cheese “portfolio”. Everything can be sandwich style sliced, or cut thick enough for you to “cube up” into whatever you have on the stove. Pillars’ Brand Salamis’ are just the fit for picnics and The Idaho Shakespeare Festival, including customer (and personal) favorites such as Old Forest, Mailander, and Bavarian.

In the mood for fresh pasta? We get daily deliveries of Ferrante Fresh Pasta, made right here in Boise with TLC by Sigita and Ubaldo. From the “first mill” of wheat they make outstanding Ravioli, Fettucine, and flat sheets for you to use for Lasagna or other creative uses. Bravo!

We focus on local producers whenever we have the option and Dawson Taylor is our coffee roaster of choice. Never a doubt about this one. We “double down” on that local effort with Clover Leaf Dairy half and half, skim or whole milk to serve you the best latte or cappucino possible. Pair one of those with a chocolate truffle from Moonstruck, from Portland, OR., or a petit four from Divine Delights. You won’t be sorry…

Need something refreshing? The Gelato Bar features true Italian flavors and extracts that are “slow method” composed by a local couple into wonderful flavors such as Huckleberry, Bounty Chocolate, and Spumoni, as well as ‘”off the wall” ideas- how about Avocado, or PB and J?

Perhaps saving the best for last… as a cookie should be – are the simply excellent scratch cookies and dessert bars that come from our own bakery, located just behind our coffee counter. From Lemon Cake to Cranberry Walnut cookies, to Grasshopper (Mint and Chocolate), Key Lime, and Raspberry Cheesecake Bars, just to name a few, any sweet tooth can be satisfied. We have a very (or berry) good selection of fruit pies, cheesecakes, Ghirardelli chocolate cakes, and fruit tarts to make a Birthday, or any day special. Baklava, anyone? ours is made locally, and by one sweet lady for the last 20 years.

Check our perimeter cold cases for house made Hummus, “Tickle Me” salsa, Pico di Gallo, Chick Pea Spread, House Almond Chicken Salad, Bento Boxes, fresh Pizzas, and Breakfast Burritos!

We also feature an incredible selection of daily made entrees, salads, soups, desserts, and other surprises from Lisa Petersons’ A Tavola, a local kitchen who also happens to be the on site “food experience” for the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.(We carry a huge selection of paper plates and napkins to help “set” your evening there.)

Find out why the Co op Deli is a destination, indeed, for all things deliciously prepared, presented, and ready to go. Salads, sandwiches, coffee, cheeses, meats, and treats.

Nothing deep fried, and no loudspeakers to drive up to. We think we got this right…

-Todd Giesler

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