LEWISTON — Evan Mancini’s concept of fresh, quality, traditional Italian food is a certified hit with customers near and far. Some reviewers even say they have driven an hour for the experience.

Just shy of a year ago, there were doubts that Mancini’s Italian Deli in downtown Lewiston would work — with people commenting the prices were too high, or that it was only open four days a week.

But what’s become clear is that it’s a good fit, with hungry customers elbow-to-elbow during the lunch rush, now six days a week.

At just 300 square feet at 5 Park St., it’s easy to understand the crowds that line up outside. But while the shop’s sandwiches have become a favorite, Mancini said that wasn’t always the plan.

“When we launched Mancini’s, it was pasta first,” Mancini said. “The sandwich is weird. It’s, like, oh, we’ve gotta have something else with pasta. But the sandwiches took off.”

The pasta was all handmade in-store and is still in Mancini’s plans for the future, but for now, no more pasta at Mancini’s Italian Deli. The store is too small and there’s really no seating. “A little sandwich could be out in 15-20 minutes,” Mancini explained, “that pasta could take like 30 to 45, depending on what’s going on.” Not to mention the pasta has to be made from scratch.

Customers rave about the bread. Sandwiches are made on schiacciata, an Italian-style focaccia that’s a bit thinner and crispier than the traditional version, baked fresh every day in-store. The portions are big and reviewers frequently comment that you can feed two people from one sandwich.

Mancini’s has added pizza and soups to the menu and they are conscious there is a powerful vegetarian segment to its customer base, which he feels is an underestimated customer. “Our next thing on the list? That will be to bring in vegan meats,” Mancini said.

That won’t happen for now because the time and space required for a dedicated vegan slicer won’t work in the current location. But Mancini’s does have vegetarian options.

Mancini recently rebranded his food truck to become an extension of his deli, which will focus largely on events, and catering as the weather gets warmer.

Further down the road, Mancini already has a plan to move to a larger space in downtown Lewiston in 2027 — like more than 2,000 square feet. He’s just not ready to say where.

A bigger space will allow them to bring back the pasta and expand the Italian market aspect of the business that he has already established — pasta and imported, high-end Italian ingredients that are harder to find in Lewiston and Auburn.

Mancini’s Italian Deli is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and customers can order online.

The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or [email protected]