I Found the Best Sandwich of My Life at Maine’s Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli

I had the absolute best sandwich of my life at Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli and I’m still not emotionally recovered. I visited the South Portland location at 415b Philbrook Avenue.

It was the Cajun Turkey with Avocado, simple name,  but guys, I am telling you it has life altering execution.

I’m talking tender turkey with just the right kick of spice, creamy avocado doing emotional support work, and bread that had absolutely no business being that good. I genuinely blacked out a little mid-bite. In a respectful way. 

Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli Maine Menu Has a Sandwich for Everyone

I was visiting and actually met Heidi, THE Heidi, which somehow made the whole thing taste even better.

She told me the story behind the place, and it’s one of those “this could only happen in real life” origin stories. 

Heidi and her then-partner Steve started the deli after realizing they were living in Colorado and they noticed pretty quickly that there local neighborhood was suffering from a shortage of proper New York-style sandwich spots.  

Lizzy Snyder

So instead of just complaining like normal people, they did something wildly ambitious, they built their own. They took their favorite deli classics, plus recipes inspired by friends’ moms and home cooking, and turned it into a full-on deli empire. 

What started as a “we miss good sandwiches” idea is now a place with around 14 locations, still grounded in that homemade, deli comfort food energy. 

Now Heidi’s daughter Jenee and Juliana are now taking the helm and keeping it all in the family and somehow still making it feel personal, not corporate. That's why Heidi's is the best. It's family. 

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But again, that Cajun Turkey with Avocado, their first best seller, makes a lot of sense now. Check out their menu and dive into anything that looks good to you! 

It tastes like the kind of sandwich you’d invent if you refused to accept mediocrity ever again.