Big G's in Winslow Makes a Serious Sandwich

At Big G's in Winslow, the bread is not a quiet supporting player. Sandwiches arrive on exceptionally large slices of homemade bread, creating the pleasant sort of problem that calls for a moment of planning before the first bite.

A full sandwich can easily stretch into more than one meal. The half-size option is no skimpy consolation prize, either; for many diners, it is a sensible lunch on its own. This is a deli where abundance is built into the order from the start.

Big G's keeps the mood casual and welcoming, with the focus squarely on fresh deli food, baked goods and a menu broad enough to accommodate a table of people with wildly different ideas about lunch.

The sandwich list mixes familiar deli territory with a cheerful sense of mischief. Names such as the Reuben, Mathieu's Fitness, Gobblin Gormet, Miles Standish and Gov King make ordering more entertaining than simply choosing turkey or ham.

The Guy Fieri pulled pork sandwich has also appeared on the menu, including in a half-size version served deconstructed on pumpernickel. That is a useful reminder that Big G's has more going on than a standard cold-cut counter.

For diners who know exactly what they want, there is also the option to build a custom sandwich. Fresh-tasting meats and crisp vegetables help keep all that bread from turning the meal into a purely architectural exercise.

The selection is extensive enough that it can be handy to look it over before walking in, particularly when the deli is busy. Deciding between a named creation and a custom build is easier when you are not trying to make the call at the register with several more tempting options waiting behind it.

Portion size is the most useful thing to know before ordering. Big G's sandwiches are built with oversized homemade bread, and a half sandwich is often plenty for one person.

That leaves room to make a meal of the sides without needing to negotiate a full sandwich at the table. One recurring combination is a Reuben with poutine, a pairing that takes care of both the deli craving and the urge for hot, gravy-covered comfort food.

The poutine comes as a shareable side of fries, gravy and cheese curds. It is a natural choice when the table wants something warm and savory alongside a cool, stacked deli sandwich.

Homemade macaroni salad and potato salad offer a more traditional deli route. Tater tots and onion rings add a crisp, fried detour for anyone who regards a sandwich lunch as incomplete without something crunchy nearby.

Big G's is not limited to midday sandwiches. Breakfast plates are part of the mix, and the same generous approach carries over to the morning menu.

An omelet can be substantial enough for two people before toast and home fries even enter the picture. It is the sort of breakfast that suits a long drive, a family stop or an unhurried table that intends to linger over coffee and compare sandwich ideas for later.

Pasta, fried chicken and other comfort-food options widen the field further. A group does not have to agree on one style of meal before coming in, which is useful when one person wants breakfast and another has already decided that pulled pork is the day’s priority.

The homemade bread receives much of the attention, but the bakery side of Big G's deserves its own pause. Giant cookies and generously sized whoopie pies continue the deli's firm belief that a normal portion is open to interpretation.

The peanut-butter whoopie pie is an especially appealing finish, particularly alongside a cold glass of milk. It has the straightforward, old-fashioned charm that a whoopie pie ought to have, just on a larger scale.

Cinnamon rolls, a giant loaf of bread and other baked items have also been part of the offerings. Bringing something home is an easy way to extend a stop beyond the meal itself.

The dining area has sandwich-themed comics on the walls, a small visual detail that gives children something to inspect while the food arrives. It matches the restaurant's playful naming style without turning the room into a theme-park version of a deli.

Service has an energetic, joking rhythm, especially around the register. Big G's has the down-to-earth character of an independently run local place where a huge order and a little counter banter can coexist nicely.

Unlimited fountain-drink refills have been available, another small convenience that makes sense beside a substantial meal. Takeout is also an option for travelers or anyone who prefers to unwrap that enormous sandwich somewhere else.

Big G's is less than 10 minutes from the I-95 exit in Winslow, putting it within easy reach for travelers passing through central Maine. It has become the sort of stop people work into family routines and road-trip plans rather than treating as a random exit meal.

There is a free parking lot, and outdoor seating has been available. Inside or out, the practical order is simple: choose a half or full sandwich with clear eyes, add the side that sounds hardest to resist, and do not underestimate the dessert case.