Arch Gourmet

This little grocery store is a great option in my neighborhood where you can pick up fresh made deli sandwiches, grocery items you can’t get from the other immediate grocery options, some ice cream, or candies/​snacks you might not find at a typical store (like happy hippos or a stroopwafel or chocolate filled pandas… all are must purchases by the register!).
I live right by this place, so I am here very often to pick up odds and ends that I need or to grab something to eat. It is nice that I have a place that is an option in the immediate area besides Whole Foods, or Trader Joe’s. I have to drive a bit to get to a major grocery store (besides Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods since they are walking distance). Don’t get me wrong, I love the options in my area, just keep in mind that Whole foods is it’s own league of super market, and Trader Joe’s carries mostly their own brands and I can’t always get everything I need there. However, Arch Gourmet meets you in the middle. Since they have lots of the items you may need/​want, brand names, and a decent selection, without having to make the trip if you don’t need to do a big shopping, it’s the perfect place to get what you need between big grocery runs.
The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. They carry a large variety of items even though they are a small space. The aisles are stocked with tons of different items and brands. It is nice to be able to the options that this store provides.
They make fresh deli and breakfast sandwiches which are delicious! You order from a computer kiosk and pay while you wait. The service is usually very fast, even if they are busy. You can even get fresh deli items from their deli counter! Their coffee is simple but delicious. They even offer a limited amount of fresh fruit and veggies.
It’s a mom and pop type store, so in order for them to survive, the prices are kind of high, but not having to get in a car to get a few of the items I need when I don’t have to do a major shopping (or if I can’t get it at WF or TJ’s) certainly makes the prices worth it. Hours vary by season and they are open late on weekends. Dangerous when I crave something I shouldn’t be eating, as I can easily run here for that snack! They are clean and fresh and just fantastically convenient.

Ever feel like you just need a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream? OR some Nutella Hippos (if you don’t know what those are, stop reading this and go get yourself some)? Then you realize that the main grocery store options in this city are Trader Joe’s, which carries mainly their brand name stuff, and Whole Foods, which I highly doubt those food options fit in. Look no further, because I have found you an option that carries both of those and it’s relatively centrally located.
They also have deli sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches, which you can conveniently order on a computer kiosk and then roam the tight selection as you wait for it to be freshly made. I will mention that the breakfast sandwiches are kind of greasy (didn’t want you to be surprised) but the number options that you can get on your sandwich is pretty reasonable. A little pricey in general because it is a mom and pop store, but it’s nice to have a store with a wide selection that isn’t Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods also in the city.

Arch gourmet has EVERYTHING!!! Their deli sandwichs are really great as well. My favorite is the southwestern panini. The people there are so nice. When I forget ingredients I need for groceries arch gourmet has anything I might have forgotten.

The Arch Gourmet in city center Philadelphia was a nice pitstop for lunch in my short weekend stay on a recent weekend in May 2014. I was searching for a place to have lunch and was on foot. Staying with a friend near Ben Franklin Parkway, I was hungry and hoped that Unilocal would find me a suitable place within walking distance. There was an alleged pizza joint nearby but could not find it. And so, here I was at the Arch Gourmet. The Arch Gourmet is a mix of Whole Foods and a 7-​Eleven, but without the Slushee machines. They had the deli, which I orders my lunch here, and also purchased a couple of things from the freezer and the candy isle. The overall experience was far from the Philly Cheese steak experience that I wanted, but knowing that I had a Philly cheese steak prior to the 2013 Philadelphia marathon, I would like to stay clear for this time around. This convenience store was just the spot that I needed. While it was kind of pricey, it filled the void and my stomach, without having to catch a cab or wait for my friend to get back from work.
Arch Gourmet is located on the corner of 22^nd Street and Arch Street. Ordering off the deli was a bit complicated, since they have a electronic ordering system and you could not just tell them what you wanted. Thought that was kind of weird, but we are in the 21^st century! After punching in my order, the lady behind the counter got to work. She was friendly, but quiet. The Arch Gourmet was quiet when I arrived here around 1:30pm on a Saturday afternoon. I guess that the lunch crowd had largely gone, even if it was on a weekend. There is on street parking and public transportation, where you can find it. But if you were like me, walking to and from Ben Franklin Parkway was the easiest choice for me, as I didn’t have anything else but my legs for transportation in Philadelphia. :) Arch Gourmet accepts credit cards, so that’s always a plus.
I ordered the tuna salad sandwich, which was priced about $ 12. It was kind of pricey, I was hungry, and I was a tourist, so I just bought it. The sandwich was decidedly good and it really hit the spot. I also bought a bottle of water, bag of chips, and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. The total came out to be close to $ 18, which isn’t too bad, but it was just pricey to begin with. While I should’ve known, I was kind of desperate for food and this was one of the only places that was close to me without having to walk too far. Yup, it sucks to pay for convenience at times, but that’s how it is. Still, the Arch Gourmet served me well.
Good service and a happy attitude.
Support local!
B

Arch Gourmet is a lovely little corner store with a nice deli. The deli serves Boar’s Head meats and always seems very fresh and well-​prepared. The sandwiches and salads come made to order when you use their computers. The staff is very friendly and usually confirm your order before making it.
They seem to have a decently stocked grocery, but I’ve never used it for that purpose so I can’t comment on the selection or price.
They also have pretty cheap and tasty coffee — definitely beats Starbucks prices.

I stop here everyday for a cup of coffee. I don’t know what kind of coffee it is, but it’s simple, delicious, and cheap! The breakfast sandwiches are also incredible!
The staff is kind, friendly, and helpful. The woman who works the cashier is great. She always remembers my name and the little guy I nanny for. She often gives him a little treat, which definitely makes his day!
They have an incredible selection of food, drinks, snacks, and different household items.
But one of the best features of this deli is that they have a bar that looks out onto 22^nd street. You can sit and eat your food or drink your coffee!
This is one of my favorite little corner stores!

Nice selection of groceries, including real mozzarella and baked goods. It is a nice and clean store and a little expensive but not much more than the Trader Joe’s down the block and a heck of a lot less crowded!

Great variety of food and snacks! Highly recommended to those having a party and needs some stuff (soda, snack) at the last moment! They also have some fresh sandwiches and wraps they actually can make them at your order with ingredients you want!

This place is a sensory overload. I don’t think I have ever seen so many things in such a small corner market.
Lots of gourmet and organic options. breakfast bar. good coffee.and pretty much any and all of the odds and ends you find yourself in need of while you’re halfway through cooking dinner and realize you forgot to pick up x, y or z ingredient at the grocery store.
Friendly staff and decent city prices. I like.

I was driving around one night and realized I was hungry. Voila, Arch Deli. Exactly what I was seeking. I parked right in front and went in. The store looked clean and inviting. They make sandwiches to order and I ordered a turkey and Swiss hoagie. I was pleased with the turkey which tasted and felt as if it was high quality.
I finished my sandwich and decided I was thirsty. I walked to the fridge section and was impressed by the selection. I made a rare indulgence and selected a diet Pepsi. Alas here is where Arch Gourmet lost 2 stars with me. I opened the fridge door and was assailed by a rank odor. I grabbed my soda, cashed out and got in my car to continue my drive.
At first I assumed that something in my hoagie had left a residual odor on my hands. I Purelled and applied some hand cream I found in the console to mask the smell. Then I realized that each time I touched the bottle my hands would take on this sour oniony, rank smell again. It was making me ill to the point that I had to dispose of the drink, unconsumed.
If I ever pass that way again I would give them another shot but the first thing I’d do is walk in and smell the fridge section before opting to eat there again.

This place is quite literally a run-​of-​the-​mill convenience store. It has a nice exterior, a deli counter, and an extremely high mark-​up on basic items. Need a convenience store? You could do worse. Need anything «gourmet»? Look elsewhere.

Wow! Finally a clean, safe, fabulously-​stocked (and equally highly priced) convenience grocer. The have milk, shrimp shumai, honey candies, go-​go squeeze (applesauce) and boar’s head deli.
All the neccesities.
Thank goodness they opened!

This place is quickly becoming my go to convenience store. Somehow they’ve managed to fit a lot of staple essentials that you can’t find at Trader Joe’s (which is a block a way).
My husband really likes their deli sandwiches because they are relatively inexpensive and are fresh.

For a neighborhood convenience store/​deli, this is about everything I could hope for. Consider:
— the deli makes solid sandwiches; the paninis to me are the highlight
— the staff is friendly
— they never insist on an extra few pennies when something comes out to $ 11.03, they just give you dollars
— the selection, for the size of the place, is remarkable. Could I find taco seasoning at Trader Joe’s? No. AG? Yes.
— huge selection of asian sauces and soup bowls
— they are open until 11pm on weeknights, which is pretty huge when you’re craving ice cream
— they have a remarkable selection of chips
— it is very clean. it does have a kind of distinct smell, but I don’t think it is gross or anything.
Sure, there are things that could be better. The meatballs in my meatball sub were kind of warm, not hot. I think the tomatoes are usually kind of weird texture, like they were briefly frozen. The pickles are gross most of the time — kind of limp, not crisp. And they don’t carry my favorite Herr’s chips (Russet Potato). So minus one star because there is room for improvement — but there are a whole lot of things that Arch
Gourmet gets right.

I live on 22^nd Street. besides Wawa there is no real convenience store near by where I can get some normal people stuff, not Trader Joes or Whole Foods. Sometimes all I want is something not organic or vegetarian.
They have a lot of stuff. even if its not what you’re looking for you can always settle for something else similar.
There’s always something new and exciting looking that i always buy because I want to try it!
Deli is pretty good and tasty.
Great hours, especially for that area!
People are nice.
random: i love the entrance.
I think it smells funny, i can never stay here long. in and out just what i want and i am out the door!

A great neighborhood gourmet food store. They make excellent paninis, the coffee is always fresh, and they have a good selection of staples and fun stuff. We think of Arch Gourmet as part of our school, because we go there at least once a day.

Like Jerry S., I think that Arch Gourmet could improve if they added some simple options. I was thinking a Scottish theme — maybe do something fun like put a «Mc» in front of everything. Maybe offer a menu of items that are low-​priced, where people can mix and match and get a small, inexpensive meal. I definitely think they should offer more types of food than just deli sandwiches, like hamburger sandwiches and fried foods. They could even patent a special «magic» sauce that would be just a simple combination of condiments.
In all seriousness, Arch Gourmet is a great asset to the neighborhood. It’s staffed by attentive, friendly and hard-​working people. I don’t think it needs to become Salad Works (Jerry S.) OR McDonald’s to improve. I don’t know how many corner deli’s Jerry S. has been to, but I’d definitely put Arch Gourmet in a higher caliber, and I don’t think adding a Salad Works style bar would make it more gourmet.
The store stocks a wide range of foods, including the all-​important drink mixes and garnishes (including celery for your bloody mary), a large selection of chips and snack food, from the standard Lays and Herrs to Pop Chips, Terra, Pirate Booty, Dirty Chips and more. Likewise, they offer a wide selection of frozen foods — meals, vegetarian/​vegan options and edamame, vegetables, etc. What makes something gourmet is subjective based on personal taste, however Arch Gourmet clearly makes an effort to provide a variety of products in addition to a variety of choices. Are you looking for cranberry juice? You can get four or five different brands, some containing 5% juice, some containing 100%.

This place is a blessing in this neighborhood! This is a kind of clean upscale convenience store. They’ve got a Deli Counter but also a pretty big selection of food and other necessities. It’s a bit more expensive than ²⁴⁄₇ down the street, but it so far seems worth it!