EXETER – The new Gandolfo\’s Deli on Portsmouth Avenue isn\’t just another sub shop.

\”This is a sandwich shop,\” said co-owner Jocelyn Warren, 30, who owns the local shop with her father, Dick Warren. \”You can get an authentic Reuben sandwich here, hot pastrami sandwiches, fresh deli salads.\”

In all, the deli offers 71 different specialty sandwiches, in addition to a build-your-own sandwich combination option. The deli has several televisions, a selection of bottled beer and wine, and cozy seats for patrons. \”It\’s perfect for any gentleman that\’s out there that wants a sandwich, a beer and to watch a game,\” Warren said.

Warren has worked in the restaurant business locally at Paddy\’s American Grille, the Weathervane Seafood and others. She always wanted to start a business with her father, an environmental engineering consultant, but was looking for the right franchise in which to invest.

During a trip, the family went to eat at a local Gandolfo\’s Deli. \”We fell in love with this deli and said, \’we can bring this to New England,\’\” said Warren, an Exeter High School alumna.

The first Gandolfo\’s Deli was opened in Utah in 1989 by Craig Gandolph Jr. Gandolph grew up in New York and earned praise for his creative talents in the New York deli market. When he and his wife moved to Utah, they opened up his own deli. Since then, the deli has grown into a franchise that has locations across the country.

Warren\’s father Dick grew up in Danvers, Mass., but moved to Alaska after attending college there. The family moved back to New England after 15 years there and Jocelyn moved to Dover. As she looked for potential locations for a Gandolfo\’s Deli, Exeter seemed an ideal spot. Jocelyn Warren\’s restaurant experience, and her father\’s business experience created a perfect partnership.

They opened in Exeter on May 14 and have been fine-tuning the business since then to ensure the best possible customer service. \”Exeter was very welcoming and very excited,\” Warren said.

The menu at the deli includes an extensive list of breakfast sandwiches and bagels, with specialty cream cheeses, for the early-morning crowd. Sandwiches are made on fresh bread that is baked on site each morning and include turkey, chicken breast, ham, roast beef, pastrami, corned beef as well as vegetarian options and Nathan\’s brand hot dogs. Gandolfo\’s offers catering services that include sandwich platters, salads and any other options customers might want. Warren expects the platters to be a popular item during football season.

Warren and her father are committed to providing the best customer service they can, which includes a special delivery when needed. Earlier this summer, a customer called to report that the hot dog that she had ordered was too overdone for her taste. The customer was on her lunch break and did not have time to return to the deli. Warren hopped in her car to deliver a new hot dog, along with a coupon for a free sandwich. \”We want every customer to be happy,\” she said. \”We definitely go out of our way to try to make that happen.\”

Gandolfo\’s also delivers lunch to businesses as long as they place their orders by 10:30 to 11 a.m. \”I\’m very accommodating,\” Warren said. The deli has a boxed lunch special that includes a half-sized sandwich, chips, a deli salad, such as coleslaw or potato, a cookie and a drink. The deli also has sorbet and gelato for dessert.