Napoleon Deli in Oklahoma City: Mediterranean Sandwiches and Imported Goods
A family-run deli in Midtown, Napoleon specializes in Mediterranean sandwiches, cured meats, and imported European groceries, operating as both a lunch counter and a retail shop for hard-to-find specialty items.
What Napoleon actually is
Napoleon occupies a narrow storefront and functions as a hybrid: lunchtime sandwich operation and European import market. The business draws on Greek and Mediterranean traditions, with ownership tied to Oklahoma City's Hellenic community. It is neither a full-service restaurant nor a casual grab-and-go chain but a working neighborhood deli where the same counter handles both food orders and retail transactions. Most customers order to eat at one of a handful of small tables or take food out.
Sandwiches and hot items: menu and pricing
Napoleon's core offer is sandwiches built on quality bread, typically Greek-influenced. The gyro (meat, tomato, onion, tzatziki) runs around $9 to $11, depending on protein choice. A lamb souvlaki sandwich costs roughly $12 to $13. Philly-style meat sandwiches and grilled chicken options fill out the hot menu. Daily specials rotate and may include items like pastitsio or spanakopita; checking in-person or by phone is necessary since specials vary.
Cold items include Greek salads, feta cheese, and cured olives. The retail side stocks imported feta, halloumi, Greek olive oils, and hard-to-find pantry items like orzo and phyllo sheets. Prices on imported goods are notably higher than supermarket equivalents but competitive with specialty retailers.
Sandwiches are the entry point; most first-time visitors do not purchase retail items on the same trip.
How Napoleon compares to other Oklahoma City delis
Oklahoma City has few true Mediterranean delis. Picasso Cafe in Bricktown operates as a full restaurant with sit-down service, Greek and Italian dishes, and a broader wine list; it suits a longer meal or dinner. The Red Cup (downtown) offers sandwiches and coffee with more emphasis on pastries and a cafe vibe. Napoleon is smaller, more utilitarian, and deli-focused. If you want to grab a gyro and browse imported goods, Napoleon is the choice. If you prefer a full sit-down restaurant experience, Picasso is better. For coffee and pastry, The Red Cup wins.
The sandwich quality at Napoleon reflects the owner's background and sourcing; the proteins and bread are not the thin, assembly-line approximation common at chain Mediterranean fast-casual spots. The trade-off is that service is slower and seating is limited.
Who it suits and who it should skip
Napoleon works well for Midtown workers taking lunch, anyone cooking Mediterranean meals at home and needing ingredients, and customers who value authenticity over speed or ambiance. The space is tight; large groups or customers expecting a relaxed dining experience should look elsewhere. Those unfamiliar with Mediterranean food or uncomfortable with a quieter, older-style deli should be prepared for that aesthetic. Parents with small children may find it cramped.
What the first visit involves
Walk in, order at the counter. Expect a short wait if it is noon on a weekday. Seating is three or four two-top tables and a small counter. Pay when you order. Carry your food to a table, eat, and bus your own dishes. The owner or staff may engage in conversation; it is not a fast-casual chain. If you linger over a meal, nobody will rush you. If you want to browse the retail side, do that before or after eating, or ask the counter staff to point you toward specific items. Cash and card are both accepted.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Napoleon operates Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sunday. Hours are stable but a quick call (405-232-7770) confirms before a special trip. The deli sits on a street with street parking; there is no dedicated lot. Midtown foot traffic and nearby offices make it accessible by bike. It is not in a mall or shopping center, so you are not combining errands easily.
The Midtown location puts it near the Plaza District and close to Automobile Alley; it is a destination stop rather than a convenience location.
Why Napoleon belongs in an Oklahoma City guide
Few independent delis operate in Oklahoma City, and fewer still carry European imports and genuine Mediterranean sandwich craft. Napoleon fills both roles and reflects the city's Greek community. It is specific to place and unlikely to exist elsewhere in the region unchanged.
