Location: 2133 G St. NW
Readers’ pick: White Cheddar Cheez-Its, Raspberry Pure Leaf Iced Tea and a Rice Krispies Treat
While most students flock to the GW Deli for bagel sandwiches, I’m more interested in the treasure trove that lies beyond the deli counter.
Since I first stepped foot in the deli as a first-year, I have been enchanted by the breadth and variety of snacks to choose from. The shelves are packed from top to bottom with stacked crates of colorful sodas, glossy bags of chips piled on each other and individually packaged slices of pie.
To me, shopping for snacks in the deli is akin to rummaging through Mary Poppins’ bag — you never know what you will find, and the possibilities are endless.
My deli order is a spin on a classic “gas station order,” which typically consists of a sweet snack, a salty snack and a beverage to wash it all down. After searching through the packed shelves, I landed on the following snacks as my ideal order: blackberry Dr. Pepper, Zapp’s Evil Eye Potato Chips, Twizzlers Tropical Blast Filled Twists, Chimes Mango Ginger Chews and a Goetze’s caramel cream.
Arguably the centerpiece of the order is a crisp can of blackberry flavored Dr. Pepper. Fizzy, tart and a little jammy, Keurig Dr. Pepper released this iteration as a permanent flavor earlier this year. I found the drink among a gaggle of other soda cans in a refrigerator along the wall and would recommend drinking it chilled for the optimal refreshing experience.
Zapp’s Evil Eye Potato Chips, a New Orleans-style kettle potato chip with Cajun-style seasonings, are an absolute winner in the “salty snack” category. I grabbed these chips at a shelf across from the deli counter, which are dusted with a spicy, red powder that lends a smoky, worcestershire-like flavor. They lend a needed contrast against the syrupy-sweet flavor of the soda.
A tropical twist on traditional licorice, Twizzlers Tropical Blast Filled Twists will satisfy any sweet tooth. The licorice is chewy and plastic-like, with a tangy, guava-flavored filling. Paired with the chips’ crispy crunch, these Twizzlers are a fun, chewy delight that create a textural balance.
As a wild card option, I threw in Chime’s Mango Ginger Chews, a slightly milder version of the traditional peppery and spicy ginger chews. I always have ginger chews in my bag in case of a random bout of nausea, which is a likely side effect of consuming the rest of my deli haul.
While at the checkout, I picked up a Goetze’s caramel cream straight from the bucket a la carte for just 35 cents. It’s the ideal tiny morsel to throw in your backpack and save for when you need a distraction during a lengthy lecture.
Before I departed with my loot in hand, I asked the cashier how they source their emporium of odd goodies and rare refreshments. He said “a guy named Joe” who’s worked at the deli for 30 to 40 years is the answer. So if the deli’s supply ever leaves you wanting more, just ask for Joe.
