Waterford Sundries & Cleaners in Oklahoma City: A Standalone Deli Counter in Midtown
Waterford Sundries & Cleaners operates a small, walk-up deli counter inside a combined dry-cleaning and general sundries shop on a quiet Midtown block, serving sandwiches, soups, and light prepared foods to nearby office workers and neighborhood residents rather than functioning as a destination restaurant.
What Waterford Sundries & Cleaners actually is
The deli occupies the front corner of a single-location business that has served the same Midtown address since the 1970s, splitting its footprint between a full dry-cleaning operation and a compact retail counter stocked with newspapers, magazines, snacks, and household staples. The deli menu is built around made-to-order sandwiches and a rotating selection of prepared soups, with a modest pastry case and cold beverage lineup. The space seats two or three customers at most and is designed primarily for takeout; many regulars order and leave within five minutes. The operation runs on a skeleton crew, typically one person behind the counter during lunch hours, which means wait times can stretch during peak periods.
Menu, pricing, and what separates it from other Oklahoma City delis
Sandwiches range from $7 to $11 depending on meat selection and size; turkey, roast beef, ham, and tuna salad are standard offerings, with daily specials that rotate throughout the week. Soups run $4 to $6 per cup or bowl, and the rotation changes; beef barley, chicken noodle, and tomato-based varieties cycle through, though exact flavors should be confirmed by phone given the small operation. Breakfast sandwiches are available weekday mornings for $6 to $8. A 20-ounce fountain drink costs around $2.50.
Compared to larger local options like the deli case at Whole Foods Market OKC on North Western Avenue, which offers prepared sandwiches but relies on self-service and higher price points ($10 to $14 for sandwiches), Waterford trades speed and variety for personal service and lower cost. The counter-service model more closely resembles independent sandwich shops like Panini Bakery on NW 23rd Street, though Panini emphasizes Italian pressed sandwiches and crafted paninis ($9 to $13) alongside a full cafe menu. Waterford's appeal lies in its bargain pricing and the fact that a customer can request customization on the spot without pressure; the tradeoff is a smaller menu and less architectural personality than newer sandwich-focused competitors.
Who this place suits and who it does not
Waterford works best for Midtown office workers on a lunch break who value speed and affordability, for regulars who know the counter staff by name, and for anyone seeking a genuinely local business that has resisted rebranding for decades. It does not suit large groups, anyone seeking a destination meal experience, or diners expecting the menu variety and turnover speed of a chain sandwich shop. The lack of seating makes it poor for lingering; this is a grab-and-go operation.
What the first visit involves
Walk in through the front door shared with the dry-cleaning operation. The deli counter occupies the right side of the storefront. If a line exists, it will be short. Scan the day's sandwich options, which are usually handwritten on a card or whiteboard, and state your choice and any modifications to the person at the counter. Soups are visible in a small warmer; ask what is available that day. Payment is cash or card, and the sandwich will be wrapped while you stand there. The entire transaction typically takes five to ten minutes unless the counter is backed up.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The deli opens at 10 a.m. on weekdays and closes at 4 p.m.; hours should be confirmed by phone at the listed Midtown number, as staffing changes can occasionally shift closing time. The business is closed Sundays and Saturdays. Street parking is available on the surrounding Midtown residential blocks; there is no dedicated lot. The shop is accessible to foot traffic from nearby office buildings and is a short walk from the Midtown galleries and coffee shops on NW 23rd Street.
Waterford Sundries & Cleaners occupies a narrow niche in Oklahoma City's food landscape: it is too small and too traditional to compete on menu or ambiance, but it persists because it solves a real problem cheaply and consistently for people who live or work nearby.
