Deluxe Food Market

Point made: My roast pork bun (70 cents) was too big and fluffy for a game of backgammon but just right for a midafternoon snack.

This blocklong establishment maintains a dual identity. Near the 122 Mott St. entrance, Deluxe is a meat market, fishmonger, and grocery; closer to 79 Elizabeth St. you'll find crowded café seating and a double row of steam-table standards. One notable item, prepared just inside the door: peanut soup (shown below; $2), loaded with shelled whole nuts, six or eight glutinous rice balls, and a number reddish, soft, halved items that I couldn't identify. Good, but the sweet liquid is a little tiresome by itself; you might want to add a serving of the tiny griddled cakes prepared at the same station.

Deluxe Food Market
79 Elizabeth St. (Grand-Hester Sts.)
212-925-5766

Comments

[Lauren]

I do love Deluxe. Unless you're buying by the pound, the steam table platters run about $3.50-$4 and include an obscene amount of rice. Very good for a basic greens and protein meal.