Local Flavor: Fresh sandwiches and beach charcuterie

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — There will soon be another breakfast and lunch option on the main drag in Old Orchard Beach’s downtown.

Red Door Market and Deli is moving from 113 to Saco Ave. to 39 Old Orchard St., filling a space vacated by Better Fit Nutrition last fall. Owners Anna Ayotte and Pete Herbst are currently renovating the new space and anticipate reopening in early February.

Ayotte and Herbst opened Red Door Market and Deli in June 2019, featuring fresh-made breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Later on, they added catering to their business.

“It just took off. We ran out of space,” said Ayotte.

The new location will not only give the couple room to accommodate their growing catering business and customer base at the sandwich shop, but will also allow them to take advantage of the summer foot traffic in the downtown.

Ayotte and Herbst met working in food service at Fenway Park and have extensive experience in the food industry – “everything from dishwasher to manager,” said Ayotte.

The couple lives within walking distance from the restaurant, and both said they enjoy living and owning a business in Old Orchard Beach. They said the town has been great to work with and the customers have been equally supportive. A group of construction workers who are regular customers even volunteered to help move some equipment from Saco Avenue to Old Orchard Street.

“The community has been phenomenal,” said Herbst.

Ayotte and Herbst will be serving up all their regular menu items at the new downtown location, plus a few additions. Regular customers can look forward to their favorites, like the Raymundo, a steak and cheese sandwich named after Ayotte’s father; and the Godfather sandwich with Genoa salami, hot capicola, black forest ham, provolone, shredded lettuce, house hot pepper relish, house dill pickles and red onions.

Sandwiches can be customized, with house-made condiments and a choice of bread, meat and toppings.

“Everything is made to order,” said Ayotte.

There will also be more grab and go items, like pre-made salads and “beach charcuterie,” which people can pick up and take with them on their way to enjoy the sand and surf.

For updates on the reopening and hours, check out the Red Door Market and Deli website or Facebook page.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at [email protected].