Lunch, Anyone? Wan’s Al’s Deli

Named for owner Winston Albert “Al” Niles, Wan’s Al’s Deli is popular with college students for its sensational sandwiches. Photos by Alexandra Wimley (COM’17)

Nestled among the unremarkable storefronts on the corner of Park Vale and Brighton Avenues in Allston, Wan’s Al’s Deli could be mistaken for a hardware store. The blue awning gives no hint of the business at hand. But since it opened in 2014, Wan’s has become a mecca of sorts for anyone interested in sandwiches.

Owner Winston Albert “Al” Niles (hence the shop’s name) ran Mission Hill’s Wan’s Convenience, popular with Northeastern students for its sandwiches’ spices and sauces inspired by Niles’ native West Indies. Fans mourned when he was forced to close, but happily for BU students, the deli reopened in Allston and has found a new group of devotees.

We stopped by recently for a late lunch and were greeted by the personable owner, who makes it a point to talk to each customer. While looking over the menu, a longtime customer from the Mission Hill days told us that Al retained part of the Italian menu from the former tenant, Wise Guy, so items like pasta primavera and shrimp scampi now share space with Al’s famous foot-long sandwiches.

We had a hard time deciding among the 15 mouthwatering sandwich options (all $11 with cash, $11.50 with credit card). Should we go with two of the most famous creations, the Deathwich—a combination of steak, pork, turkey, bacon, cheese, Al’s blend of secret spices, lettuce, and tomato—or the Orgasm, roast pork, roast beef, sautéed vegetables, melted cheese, honey mustard, lettuce, and tomato?

A customer blurted, “You can’t go wrong with anything,” as we spent 10 minutes debating. We finally ordered two sandwiches, and the 12-minute wait was well worth it.

Literally oozing flavor, Heaven Is Here, stuffed with buffalo chicken, roast beef, turkey, bacon, mozzarella, green peppers, pickles, onions, Al’s herbs and spices, vinaigrette, lettuce, and tomato on a baguette, with fries included, was unlike anything we had ever tasted. Each ingredient stood out, but together were sensational. Our second selection, the Nina Caliente—spiced buffalo chicken, sautéed vegetables, barbecue sauce, lettuce, and tomato—packed the right amount of heat. The sauce, a blend of tangy and sweet, complemented the Caribbean spices.

Many of the featured sandwiches are a homage to Al’s Jamaican roots, like the Witch Doctor (prime rib and sautéed vegetables with pesto and spices on a bed of lettuce and tomato), while others are a nod to popular culture (the Jessica Alba features smoked turkey with Russian dressing, cranberry sauce, and Swiss cheese, again with lettuce and tomato). Al also offers a vegetarian option, the Healthy Mission Hill—your choice of vegetables and cheese with Al’s blend of spices, lettuce, and tomato.

And for those who can’t decide, Al suggests the Hush, a sandwich whose ingredients change daily, based on what he feels like making.

While the sandwiches are filling (those with smaller appetites should share or take half home), try to leave room for dessert. In addition to Red Velvet and carrot cakes ($3), homemade cannoli ($2) and tiramisu ($3) are on offer, again a throwback to the Italian restaurant days. The cannoli, overflowing with sweetened ricotta cheese and chocolate chips, surrounded by a crisp tubular shell, is a must.

Wan’s success comes as much from its affable owner as from its deli offerings. We found ourselves discussing with him different marketing ideas for the deli. Despite features in Boston magazine and exposure on television (the Travel Channel’s Man Finds Food), he attributes the success of both the Mission Hill location and the current one to college students. And it’s no wonder. With its unparalleled sandwiches and modest prices, you’ll find yourself returning again and again.

Wan’s Al’s Deli, 172 Brighton Ave., Allston, is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., closed Mondays; phone: 617-783-8787. There is a $3 delivery fee with a minimum order of $20. Takeout is available and all major credit cards are accepted. Find directions here. 

This is part of a weekly series featuring Boston lunch spots of interest to the BU community. If you have any suggestions for places we should feature, leave them in the Comment section below.

Emmanuel Gomez can be reached at mannygo@bu.edu.

This Series

Brunch Bets: Gen Sou En Tea House

Also in

Lunch, Anyone?

• April 18, 2018

  Lunch, Anyone? La Befana

• April 11, 2018

  Lunch Anyone? BB.Q Chicken

• March 29, 2018

  Lunch, Anyone? Bennett’s Sandwich Shop

Series home