Most gas station food is an afterthought — shrink-wrapped, heat-lamped, or fried once and forgotten. Mabel’s Deli, the sandwich counter inside Poncha Market in Poncha Springs, Colorado, works differently: sandwiches are built to order with fresh vegetables cut in front of you, local meats and cheeses, and bread that regular customers describe as homemade.
This guide walks through what’s actually on the menu, what past customers order, and how to pick something good in the few minutes it takes your car to fuel up or your Tesla to add a few dozen miles of range at the Supercharger station out front.
Who Is Mabel? The Story Behind the Deli
Mabel’s Deli, founded in 2018, is named after Mabel Jean Hall — a Poncha Springs native and mother to the current owners of Poncha Market. The deli commemorates her memory through the food it serves, and the family connection is part of why regulars describe the staff as more like neighbors than gas station employees.
That local, family-run character shows up in small details: meats and cheeses sourced locally where possible, vegetables sliced fresh rather than pre-portioned, and a menu that leans toward real cooking — grill items and breakfast plates — rather than a rack of pre-made options. Poncha Market describes itself as a business built on lasting customer relationships rather than pure convenience-store turnover, and the deli counter is where that shows up most directly.
It’s also worth knowing what Mabel’s Deli isn’t: it’s not a sit-down restaurant with table service, and it’s not a fast-food chain running the same standardized menu at every location. It’s a single, family-operated counter inside a working gas station, which is exactly why the sandwiches taste more like something made in someone’s kitchen than something assembled on a production line.
The Signature Sandwiches
Two sandwiches come up again and again in customer conversation and online reviews of the deli:
- The Reuben ($9.99) — hot corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and 1000 island dressing, stacked on marble rye and grilled until the bread crisps.
- The Philly ($9.99) — shaved beef, sautéed peppers and onions, melted provolone, and chipotle mayo, built the way a proper Philly-style sandwich should be: hot, messy, and generously portioned.
Both are grill sandwiches, meaning they come out hot rather than assembled cold — worth knowing if you’re timing your order against a Supercharger session and want food that’s still warm when your car finishes charging.
Build-Your-Own Sandwiches, Wraps, and Salads
For anyone who’d rather customize, Mabel’s Deli also does build-your-own sandwiches, wraps, and salads, with a choice of breads, meats, cheeses, and fresh toppings — and gluten-free bread is available on request, which is worth flagging up front for travelers managing dietary restrictions on a road trip.
One customer review described watching the process directly: vegetables sliced fresh to order, not pulled pre-cut from a bin — the kind of detail that’s easy to miss on a menu board but noticeable the moment the sandwich is in your hands.
Beyond Sandwiches: Breakfast, Grill, and Extras
Sandwiches aren’t the only thing worth ordering. Regulars consistently point to the breakfast croissant sandwich and breakfast burrito as strong options for an early start — useful if you’re passing through before a day of hiking, rafting, or driving over the Poncha Pass or Monarch Pass.
- Breakfast croissant sandwich and breakfast burrito
- Tamales, mentioned specifically by returning customers as a reason to stop again
- Grill items alongside the deli counter
- Organic, vegan fruit-and-vegetable shooters kept in the cooler for a lighter option
- Coffee and fountain drinks at the convenience store counter
Sandwich Comparison at a Glance
| Item | Style | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Reuben | Hot grill sandwich | $9.99 | Classic deli order, warm and hearty |
| The Philly | Hot grill sandwich | $9.99 | Bigger appetite, messier eat-in-car option |
| Build-your-own | Cold or grilled, custom | Varies | Dietary needs, picky eaters, gluten-free bread |
| Breakfast croissant / burrito | Hot breakfast | Varies | Early starts and morning departures |
What Customers Actually Say
“You cannot beat this place for a quick but good breakfast. I usually get the breakfast croissant sandwich but the burrito is great too. The corner market has lots of snacks and the gas station makes for a convenient stop.”
Jenny B., customer review
“Stopped in for a drink and seen they had sandwiches. I love sandwiches. So of course I got two. Took a bit for them but so worth it! The bread must be homemade and all veggies were fresh and cut right in front of you!”
Brianna T., customer review
What to Expect at the Counter
Because everything is made to order rather than pre-assembled, expect a short wait — usually just a few minutes, longer if the counter is busy with a rush of travelers off the highway. That’s a deliberate trade-off: the same review that praised the fresh-cut vegetables also noted the wait, and most regulars consider it worth it.
Poncha Market also offers online ordering, which can be worth using if you know your arrival time and want to skip the wait entirely — particularly useful for a Tesla driver planning to time their food around a charging session rather than the other way around.
The counter also handles the convenience-store side of the business: fountain drinks, coffee, snacks, and the usual gas-station staples, alongside the deli. That combination — a real deli menu attached to a working gas station and convenience store — is less common than it sounds, which is part of why the sandwiches keep coming up in reviews at all. Most travelers expect one or the other, not both done well in the same stop.
Tips for Ordering at Mabel’s Deli
- If you’re charging a Tesla out front, order first, then keep an eye on your charge percentage — grill sandwiches take a few minutes longer than a pre-made option, but they come out hot.
- Ask about gluten-free bread if you need it; it’s available but not always listed prominently on the board.
- Traveling with a group with different diets? Build-your-own options and salads mean everyone can order something without a separate stop.
- Grab a fruit-and-vegetable shooter from the cooler if you want something lighter alongside a sandwich rather than instead of one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular sandwich at Mabel’s Deli?
The Reuben and the Philly are the two most frequently mentioned by returning customers, both priced at $9.99.
Does Mabel’s Deli have gluten-free options?
Yes. Gluten-free bread is available for build-your-own sandwiches and wraps.
Who is Mabel’s Deli named after?
Mabel Jean Hall, a Poncha Springs native and mother to Poncha Market’s current owners. The deli, founded in 2018, was named in her honor.
Is there breakfast food at Mabel’s Deli?
Yes — a breakfast croissant sandwich and breakfast burrito are both regularly ordered, along with grill items and coffee.
Can I order while my Tesla is charging?
Yes. Mabel’s Deli sits inside the same building as Poncha Market’s 8 Tesla Superchargers, so ordering food and charging your car happen in the same stop.
Can I order ahead online?
Yes, Poncha Market offers online ordering, which can help travelers on a schedule avoid waiting at the counter during busier stretches of the day.
Is Mabel’s Deli only for people buying gas?
No — the deli counter is open to anyone stopping in, whether or not you’re fueling up or charging a vehicle. Plenty of visitors stop specifically for the food.
Passing through on US-285? See where else to stop along Highway 285, check Tesla Supercharging details, or read more customer reviews before you visit.
For general guidance on handling and storing deli-style meats safely on a road trip, see the USDA’s cold food storage guidance at FoodSafety.gov.
Leave a Reply