I’m a keen fan of the Queen Victoria Market and one of my favourite stalls is King’s Deli. You’ll find King’s in the Main Hall, halfway between the meat and the fish.
I’ve been picking up my cold deli meats, salami, bacon, kranske and black puddings there since I first started shopping for myself as a young housewife. And that’s too many years for me to mention. Let me just say I’ve watched Robert, the friendly teenage son of the proprietor, grow into an even friendlier almost-middle-aged man.
King’s Deli was a thriving little business well before I started shopping for myself. My mother used to get her frankfurts there, and I still reckon they have the best in Melbourne.
Kings is the oldest deli in the market and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it’s one of the oldest businesses in Melbourne. Robert’s father took over when he migrated to Australia after the Second World War and it was a well established deli then.
It’s not just the price that’s right, it’s the quality of the produce. It’s not worth paying a couple of dollars less if the food’s no good, is it? I have to serve the top choice of cold meats to lunch guests and I’ve never yet found any place to beat King’s Deli for the best tasting.
I know where I’m getting my Christmas Hams from. King’s Deli.
Highly recommended. Say G’day to Robert next time you’re in the Queen Vic.