We Picked Up Sandwiches At This Iconic Providence Eatery & Yum

Back in the 90’s, when many of my blogging colleagues were probably consumed with stockpiling Beanie Babies, playing with their Tamagotchis or tucking into a Rugrats marathons on Nickelodeon, I was planting my Doc Marten wearing self at the Geoff’s outpost on Thayer Street in Providence (they’ve since consolidated their operations to one sun-filled storefront on South Main) on the regular for a tuna or a turkey and cranberry sandwich.

Since they opened the doors to their original location on Benefit, their sandwiches have been celebrated by local and national media, from the light and frothy (hello, People Mag) to more serious and revered outlets (namely, the 2003 “Journeys; 36 Hours | Providence, RI” NY Times profile which, no surprise, was a VERY big deal at the time and the first of two such spotlights in that paper).

You know that old song that says “you’re nobody til somebody loves you”? For our purposes here, I say you’re nobody in Rhode Island until you’ve had a sandwich at Geoff’s named after you.

Peruse the menu in person or online and you’ll see a vertiable who’s who of famous Rhody people and things past and present, from the Roger WIlliams (a turkey and stuffing based tribute to the founder of what would go on to become lil Rhody) and the Rich Lupo (for the man who opened the fabled rock club, it’s not one but two condiments including Tiger sauce and Frank’s Red Hot) to the Doug White (the late WJAR Channel 10 news anchor’s features salami, ham, Provolone, and green olives), and the Buddy Cianci (the late Providence mayor turned political commentator and talk show host’s has “lotsa ham” and Provolone cheese ).

Also, I’m leaving out dozens and dozens more locals (not to mention homages to Bonnie & Clyde, Groucho and Judy Garland). Yesss, the list is THAT long!

And who could forget that gossipy story that made the rounds a few years ago about the guy who used to live here and would (allegedly) take his company’s private plane back to the Ocean State in order to get his hands on a certain peanut butter sandwich at Geoff’s?

Now, admittedly I have spent the last five years of this blog looking for “hidden gems” and in the process, forgot all about how much I adored a Geoff’s sandwich.

So, the hubs and I went back again recently for some takeout and it was the high point of our day, maybe even our weekend. He got the Tuna Berry (tuna, melted Swiss, Shedd’s sauce, and cranberry) and I had my heart set on the Barbara Morse (hummus, spinach, cucumbers, tomato, onions, and vinegar for the WJAR Channel 10 veteran). And, as is the tradition at other classic delis and sandwich shops, they also give you a bag of their delicious pickles.

If you haven’t been in a while, or ever (?!?!), I highly recommend returning now for some fantastic carryout sandwiches. I love how the options are divided up into different categories like meat, meat-less (that’s my jam now), fish and eggs. It makes it so much easier to navigate. That being said I suggest studying it and making your choices before you get there because on the spot, it can be overwhelming.

*Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches is located at 401 South Main Street in Providence, RI.

This blog post has been updated from one that has appeared previously on the site.