Chris L.
Yelp
The Copper Kettle is a low-key deli serving breakfast, lunch *and* dinner, located right on the main road in Basking Ridge, just a block south of the main shopping district. Outdoor seating in the shade is just great. I highly recommend the daily special panini, always something great going on there. And maybe it's silly but they have proper brewed iced tea, that makes me a fan.
Marco (owner) and staff make all of the usual deli stuff, cold sandwiches like roast beef and sloppy joes*, and hot sandwiches like reubens and paninis. Didn't get my usual tuna salad, instead tried their capicola. This spicy Italian ham sandwich was *enormous*, served on a fresh sub bun with plenty for two lunches, and the platter version came with chips and a pickle for only a buck more.
*Note that this is an East coast sloppy joe, sliced cold cuts with dressing and stuff on top, not an Ohio sloppy joe, which is ground beef in a mildly spicy red sauce. Just sayin :)
We visited for lunch when the tables were about half full, and lots of people getting take out. Order at the counter, they'll bring out your food, and you pay when you leave, all very casual and friendly.
Vegetarian rating: 2 stars, you can have your roasted peppers & mozzarella cold or on a hot grilled sandwich, or maybe a veggie burger.
The outside of this converted house looks like, well, I'd have to describe it as "country". You know, as in, decorated by a girl. It has the fancy signs, the planters, random wreaths, etc. Don't let that bother you, the inside is not as, ahem, cute and the food is not cutesy at all.