From Pub Subs to fried chicken, there’s something for everyone to love at a Publix Deli. It’s been over 60 years since the company’s delis began operating, and they have experienced a delicious evolution.

Early beginnings 

Entering a Publix store in the 1950s, the lunch meat and cheese selections would have been found in the meat department. But over the next decade, Publix opened the delicatessen. In this specialized area, customers could find an appetizing variety of ready-to-serve foods, including deli meats, fancy cheeses, pre-made salads and other items. By 1967, every Publix store had a delicatessen, and a new store in Tallahassee, Florida, included the 1st deli with its own kitchen.  

Product changes 

As the department grew, offerings evolved. Hot meals were added alongside existing products for shoppers wanting extra convenience. Customers also began referring to the delicatessen as the deli. Store signage was updated in the mid-1970s to reflect the change. 

By the late 1970s, tailgating became popular, and the deli’s product offerings grew again. In 1979, 4 boxed meals were launched, including chicken, barbeque, sandwiches and cold cuts and cheeses. Over time, these boxes evolved into Publix’s family combo meals.

Continued growth 

In the early 1990s, Publix crossed state lines into Georgia. With growth came more changes. The 1st Pub subs were customized in 1992 at the opening of #33 in Marietta, Georgia. By the late 1990s, customers in Publix’s Atlanta Division were enjoying the deli’s fried chicken. Both items proved to be favorites and were rolled out companywide. 

Today, the deli’s offerings continue to grow. Whether it’s through ready-to-eat meals or delicious dips, the Publix Deli has something scrumptious waiting for customers.