Behind every great deli counter is high-quality equipment. From slicing to sealing to grinding, the tools you use shape everything — speed, freshness, flavor, and that just-right cut customers come back for. Whether prepping cold cuts, packaging cheese, or dishing out hot meals, the right gear keeps your operation efficient and your checkout line moving.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best delicatessen equipment to help you prep smarter, serve faster, and keep those deli staples and ready meals fresh from the morning rush to closing time.
1. Commercial Meat Slicer
Choosing a good slicer can simplify service at your deli counter. Whether you’re stacking roast beef or prepping cheese for the cold case, precision matters — and so does speed.
Look for a 10- to 14-inch blade, tool-free disassembly, and safety features like blade guards and interlock switches to protect staff. During peak hours, a reliable slicer reduces waste and keeps the counter flowing.
Top picks include Hobart, Berkel, and Globe — trusted brands built to handle the daily grind in high-traffic delis.
2. Refrigerated Display Case
Your deli case is the first thing customers see, setting the tone for what’s inside. Whether it features sliced turkey, cheddar blocks, or house-made chicken salad, the right case keeps everything fresh, safe, and irresistible.
Curved glass adds a professional appearance for specialty meats and cheeses, while straight glass is easier to clean and better for bulk displays. Use color-rendering LED lighting to make cold cuts appear succulent and prepped dishes like pasta salad or stuffed peppers pop.
Check out models with adjustable shelves to showcase seasonal items and precise temperature controls to keep food safely at or below 40°F — the FDA-recommended maximum for safe cold food storage. This way, your products stay safe and appealing from open to close.
3. Professional Meat Grinder
Grinding your own meat puts you in control — from texture and fat content to flavor and freshness. Whether you’re shaping signature patties or crafting house-made sausages, custom grinds let you deliver exactly what your customers crave.
Offer fat content blends like 70/30, 80/20, or 90/10 for different tastes. Reduce waste by using trimmings from other cuts. Buying whole cuts in bulk means you skip the markup on pre-ground meat and increase your margins with every batch.
To keep up with demand, choose a grinder that matches your volume — high-traffic delis typically need around a 1 HP motor. Look for models with stainless steel parts for easy cleaning, durability, and consistent performance.
4. Vacuum Sealer
Commercial vacuum sealers are some of the best delicatessen equipment to invest in. They extend the shelf life of deli meats, cheeses, and prepped ingredients by removing air that leads to spoilage.
Use it to portion sliced meats, seal marinated proteins, or package ready-to-go meals like pasta salads. Search for models with adjustable seal strength and wide sealing bars to handle everything from soft cheeses to full meal kits.
For even more control, chamber vacuum sealers — like those from Avid Armor or VacMaster — let you seal liquids like soups and sauces quickly and cleanly.
Consistent sealing means less waste, smoother prep, and better presentation at the counter.
5. Food Prep Tables and Cutting Boards
Everything you sell starts at the prep station, so your tables and cutting boards need to be as reliable as your team. Stainless steel tables are the go-to for slicing, assembling, and cleaning — they’re rust-resistant, easy to sanitize, and built for daily use.
Keep food products safe and organized with NSF-certified, color-coded cutting boards to avoid cross-contamination between meats, cheeses, and produce. Add undershelves or mounted racks to store inventory, and keep knives, bins, and ingredients right where you need them, especially during peak hours.
6. Steam Table
When the lunch rush hits, your hot bar needs to be ready. Steam tables keep favorites like meatballs, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese at safe, appetizing temperatures without drying them out.
The best models should feature multiple wells that fit standard food pans, adjustable temperature controls, and a built-in water reservoir for even, consistent heat. Some units include built-in sneeze guards and overhead lighting to keep things safe and looking delicious.
From daily specials to comfort food classics, a steam table is a must-have for any deli serving hot, ready-to-eat meals.
7. Commercial Mixer
From creamy chicken Caesar salads to scratch-made doughs, a commercial mixer is a versatile tool that can elevate your grocerant or deli’s in-house offerings. Whether you’re whipping up small-batch spreads or prepping large quantities of stuffing or meatloaf for hot bar service, the right mixer saves time, labor, and energy.
Stand mixers are perfect for flexible, low-to-mid-volume prep, while heavy-duty planetary mixers easily power through larger batches and thicker mixes. Shop models with variable speeds and easy bowl access to keep production flowing, especially during busy periods.
8. Commercial Dishwasher
Commercial dishwashers simplify cleanup during and after service and make sure your deli meets health code standards. Clean prep tools, trays, and utensils are essential to keep everything running without delays.
When comparing models, short cycle times, high-temp sanitizing features, and energy-saving settings are worth considering. Undercounter dishwashers make sense for compact spaces, while door-type or conveyor options work better in busy, high-volume setups.
Consistent cleaning throughout the day prevents bottlenecks, keeps the workspace professional, and makes it easier to track and manage inventory without clutter.
9. Commercial Food Scale
When you’re selling by the pound, accuracy is critical. Dependable commercial food scales are some of the best delicatessen equipment investments your deli can make. Whether it’s sliced meats, cheeses, or grab-and-go items, even the tiniest weight errors can lead to lost profits or disappointed customers who expected one more slice of Monterey Jack.
Choose a digital scale with easy-to-read displays, fast response times, and built-in tare functions for packaging. Look for models with wipeable, food-safe surfaces to comply with sanitation standards.
10. Deli POS System
For many deli owners, the point of sale (POS) system used to be just that — a place to ring up sales. But today’s systems do a whole lot more. Modern POS systems connect your front counter with everything happening behind the scenes, from inventory and pricing to customer experience and sales data.
Markt POS pairs reliable functionality with tools that help you manage your deli from end to end. You can integrate digital scales to price meats or prepackaged goods by weight, and track inventory automatically as items sell.
Real-time reporting helps you spot trends, reduce shrinkage, and restock confidently — no more guessing which sandwich fillings will fly off the shelf next week.
With Markt POS, you get faster checkouts and a better way to run your entire operation.
Build a Better Deli With the Best Delicatessen Equipment
The best delicatessen equipment keeps your deli humming, but your POS system brings it all together. With Markt POS, even old-school delis get the modern tools they need.
Easily add custom deli items, generate barcodes, and track inventory down to the last slice of Swiss. Markt’s intuitive interface is easy to learn, whether onboarding a new team member or upgrading a crew that’s been hand-slicing ham for decades.
Accept tap-to-pay, mobile wallets, and other payment options for smoother, faster checkouts — and when it’s time to grow, built-in reporting gives you the insight you need to make strategic decisions for your business.
Ready to modernize without losing your deli’s charm? Book a free Markt POS demo to see how simple it is to upgrade your shop — and keep everything you love about it.
