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Readers' Choice Deli Winners: Voltaco's and Berenato's

The local institutions top our weekly readers' poll.

 

Voltaco's topped our Readers' Choice poll this week as Ocean City's favorite deli. The local institution narrowly defeated Berenato's Corner Deli in a 242-227 vote.

And why not? Everything Voltaco's prepares is wonderful and somewhat legendary in these parts ... though most of it is hot. 

The purest definition of a "deli" involves cold meats and prepared foods. While Voltaco's has deli sandwiches on its menu, Berenato's probably better fits the bill as a classic deli.

"Voltaco's hands down! Best Italian, best cheesesteak, best turkey!" Patch commenter Lauren Avellino Turton said. "The family's awesome too!" 

Berenato's received the greatest number of favorable comments.

"The best ever deli is far by none other than Berenato's Deli," Patch commenter Joanne Dunn said. "I live in MD and first place I go is the deli ... 5 STAR DELI!"

Patch commenter Tom Anderson pointed out an unlikely late surge in votes for Voltaco's near the close of polling.

Patch allows readers to vote only once in the Readers' Choice polls and programs them to prevent multiple votes, but no online poll is foolproof. Some dramatic spikes in the vote tally may have come from individuals trying to work around the system.

Jeff Taccarino called from Voltaco's on Friday morning to acknowledge the spike in votes, assure Patch that it didn't come from anybody at Voltaco's and graciously suggest that Berenato's should be winner. 

Likewise, Sharon Berenato offered these kind words on Friday: "Berenato's Corner Deli would like to congratulate Voltaco's and thank all our loyal customers for their support."

The spirit of the Patch Readers' Choice polls is to find better eating, shopping and fun for our readers, so take a look at the votes and the comments below. Seems as if there are plenty of winners and good recommendations.

Arlene’s on Asbury

Bakley’s Deli

Berenato's Corner Deli 

Blitz’s Market

Bongo Café and Grill

Boyar's Market

Brown’s Restaurant

Café Beach Club

Del’s Grill

Katina’s Restaurant

Kessel’s Korner

Litterer’s Luncheonette

OC Surf Café

Opa Gyros and Crepes

Primo’s Hoagies of Ocean City

Sack o Subs

Shore Thing

Subway

Varsity Inn

Voltaco's

Wawa

Yianni’s Cafe

  • Who has the best sandwiches in Ocean City?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Arlene’s on Asbury
        6 (0%)
    • Bakley’s Deli
        27 (4%)
    • Blitz’s Market
        5 (0%)
    • Bongo Café and Grill
        2 (0%)
    • Brown’s Restaurant
        1 (0%)
    • Café Beach Club
        3 (0%)
    • Del’s Grill
        6 (0%)
    • Katina’s Restaurant
        4 (0%)
    • Kessel’s Korner
        10 (1%)
    • Litterer’s Luncheonette
        2 (0%)
    • OC Surf Café
        8 (1%)
    • Opa Gyros and Crepes
        3 (0%)
    • Primo’s Hoagies of Ocean City
        25 (3%)
    • Sack o Subs
        30 (4%)
    • Shore Thing
        2 (0%)
    • Subway
        0 (0%)
    • Varsity Inn
        6 (0%)
    • Wawa
        4 (0%)
    • Yianni’s Café
        6 (0%)
    • Other (tell us in the comments)
        14 (2%)
    • Berenato's
        227 (34%)
    • Boyar's
        19 (2%)
    • Voltacos
        242 (36%)
    • F&M Caterers
        2 (0%)
    • Ready's Coffee Shop
        7 (1%)
    • Hula Grill
        2 (0%)
    Total votes: 663
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Deli, Food & Dining, Readers' Choice, and Readers' Choice 2012

Sharon

5:41 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

Yes, you missed the best Deli in Ocean City...Berenato's Corner Deli

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holly buck

6:11 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

really surprised you left Boyar's off of your list, they are the definition of a deli

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Frank B.

8:38 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

Ditto on berenatos. Great anchor on the north end.

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Peg Miller

9:10 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

Arlene's on Asbury is great!!

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Donna Z.

9:29 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

How could you miss F& M caterers on Asbury! They are back! Best corned beef specials!

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OC 4 Life

10:06 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

I don't think WaWa and Subway should qualify to be on this list. Ocean City is rather anti-corporate, and those two businesses don't really fit within that criteria. Besides, if you think they're the best on the island, you probably don't know the island that well.

Where is Hula Grill? Best food on the boards!

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Tom Anderson

10:47 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

People I think you're missing the part within the title that clearly says deli. I believe including businesses that are not delis with regard to this title is a poor choice on the editor. A solution to this would be to change your objective or eliminate non deli businesses in this vote.

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Tom Anderson

10:50 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

And my vote goes to berenatos.

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AL

11:31 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

Express Pizza and Subs on Battersea, north end.

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Poppy

7:24 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

definition of Deli: A counter or section within a supermarket or grocery store at which counter, foods such as cold cuts, cheeses, a variety of salads and sandwiches, etc is available and being sold .

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David Chick

7:30 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

Kessels best pancakes in OC

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Kari Band

7:34 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

Voltaco's all the way!!!!!

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Joanne Dunn

7:56 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

The best ever deli is far by none other than Berenato's Deli.....i live in MD and first place I go is the deli....5 STAR DELI!!!!!

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steph

8:03 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

berenato's deli!!! best deli around! when we hit the shore ... its on the 'must do' list of places to eat!

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Denise Bartlome

7:05 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Berenato's always my favorite !

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Judy

7:43 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Berenatos Corner Deli is my vote!

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Mr. B

7:48 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

when I hear the word "deli" first thoughts are somewhere where I can order a pound of cheese, pound of ham grab a sandwich and gallon of milk and a newspaper. I think 90% of the above listed establishments do not meet my defination of a deli. Beranato's is the type of place if you looked up the word deli in the dictionary, it would have a picture of their store. Berenato's gets my vote.

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Pat Handy

11:33 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

How could you leave Berenatos Deli off the list that is The BEST place in the whole area. We come from Wildwood & Stone Harbor where ever we are staying for hoagies, meat ball sandwiches and steaks and the friendly people that serve us. You have the best in OC. Pat from Maple Shade

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Joe Lee

12:16 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Toms Deli !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Valerie Cirucci

1:33 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

I love Jon & Patty's sandwiches!! pls add them...

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Mary L

1:37 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

BERENATOS CORNER DELI............ Without a doubt the BEST DELI on the Island... You can always count on delicious, fresh, top of the line food in a clean friendly establishment...

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Joanne Dunn

3:39 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

I still dont see Berenato's Deli added to that list ..i think enough of us have proven they need to be added....don't underdtsnd why you're not sticking by your word you'll add if you missed any...

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J. Murphy

12:03 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Our family definitely votes for Bakleys on 4th and Ocean. There is no contest. Great potato Salad, delicious coleslaw, mouth watering sandwiches. Simply the best better than all the rest !!

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kathleen

8:06 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The best sandwich I had in town was the Uncle Nicky at Uncle Joonies...loaded with Italian deli meats....Boarshead on a seeded roll....really good.

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Eleanor

6:35 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012

I will second that. I thought 'just another cheesesteak place' but the quality of the food was really, really good and i loved the fresh cut fries. Only open a few weeks and i went there 3 times already.

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Jimmy Brown

11:35 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

HERE HERE! Haha!
Uncle Joonies just opened this year. I am sooooo glad that I tried it. I went back in a heart-beat. Last time I tried the deli sandwiches. THEY ARE PACKED WITH MEAT! Gezz. That was a sandwich.

OC 4 Life

8:44 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Not a deli by the dictionary definition, but Voltaco's has the best sandwiches in town hands down! Best bread, best meats and cheeses....sandwiches stuffed bigger than your mouth can handle....homemade potato and macaroni salad, plus marinated red and long hot peppers, pickles, stuffed cherry peppers, marinated artichokes, plus lots more! If you've never tried....now is the time and you'll be a believer for life!

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Lauren Avellino Turton

9:23 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Voltaco's hands down! Best Italian, best cheesesteak, best turkey! The family's awesome too!

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Ed Fugee III

11:44 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Voltaco's without question! Great family, great food!

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Joline

11:51 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

My vote the BEST in town.....BERENATO'S of course! Great food, great service, great family!!!!

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TONY C

6:31 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012

AGREE WITH KATHLEEN...NEW PLACE UNCLE JOONIES IS VERY GOOD.....TOOK MY FAMILY....CHEESESTEAK WAS THE BEST I'VE HAD....EVERYTHING ELSE WAS JUST AS GOOD...FRESH CUT FRIES....THE BASSETTS ICE CREAM WAS THE CREAMIEST HARD ICE CREAM I'VE EVER HAD.

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Felicia

7:38 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012

will travel across Island to get a Berenato's Deluxe Italian, Italian meats and Proscuitto , , roasted peppers , best anywhere!

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O'Donnell

9:09 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012

Deluxe is a favorite ,but Berenatos Corner Deli's, Corned Beef Special: Russian Dressing,Cole Slaw, Swiss Cheese on Marble Rye is by far the best sandwich... Yummmmm!

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Joan Farrell

10:46 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012

Berenato's deli....friendly people, fresh foods, efficient service, and DELICIOUS sandwiches. Their meatballs are the best in town, too! Try an Italian hoagie, or even a nice, loaded BLT for lunch on the beach.

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Tom Anderson

8:59 am on Friday, May 18, 2012

I'd like to bring attention to the outstanding amount of votes gained by voltaco's within the last 20 mins. Thanks to my curiosity of this poll, I have been paying very close attention and witnessed 100 last minute votes for voltacos by dedicated costumers or one sad person sitting at their computer. Without accusing voltaco's of cheating rather im leaving this comment to let the readers know what kind of poll they were participating in. Unfortunately, a fun poll was ruined.

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OC 4 Life

9:46 am on Friday, May 18, 2012

That is unfortunate. I can assure the voters that no one from our business would do such a thing, nor can I imagine anyone that would. If we were to be the winners, we certainly would want it to be by a fair vote. This appears to not be the case. If Berenato's is the Reader's Choice, then they should be the winner fair and square. This happens too often with Internet polling, and it is a shame that one or two voters ruined what was turning out to be a very fun thing.

Jeff Taccarino, Voltaco's Italian Foods.

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Joe Berenato III

12:43 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012

Two great Family owned and run businesses. Both serving the great people of Ocean City for decades with traditional Italian foods in a great family atmosphere! That's what makes them both winners for so long!
Joe Berenato 3rd

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John Hayes

3:08 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012

We're a four generation OC family and have loved Voltaco's since forever. But I'm impressed by the votes that Berenato's received. Must pay them a visit.

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Colleen Schroeder

7:57 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012

Taco gate repeated... :) Congrats! I have never tried Bernato's but will most certainly pay a visit now!

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