delicatessen

[ del-i-kuh-tes-uh n ]

/ ˌdɛl ɪ kəˈtɛs ən /

a store selling foods already prepared or requiring little preparation for serving, as cooked meats, cheese, salads, and the like.

Informal. the food products sold in such a store or at a counter: We're having delicatessen for dinner.

Origin of delicatessen

1885–90, Americanism; < German, plural of Delikatesse dainty < French délicatesse

They had a delicatessen first in Brooklyn, then in Queens, and they entered the country legally through Ellis Island.

A College Degree Worth the Wait |Eleanor Clift |June 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“He vas chust like a farm, only different,” remarked the delicatessen man.

The Rover Boys at Big Horn Ranch |Edward Stratemeyer
There was a smell of delicatessen wares but it was not unpleasing to one who had been economizing in food for so many days.

Molly Brown of Kentucky |Nell Speed
The scene of the little drama's unfolding was a delicatessen shop.

Merton of the Movies |Harry Leon Wilson

The patronage of the bakery and the delicatessen shop should also be mentioned, and the waste of money involved.

The Complete Club Book for Women |Caroline French Benton
The idea of the delicatessen dinner—whatever it might be—alone with Letitia, in our newly-acquired home, was simply captivating.

Wanted: A Cook |Alan Dale

delicatessen

/ (ˌdɛlɪkəˈtɛsən) /

a shop selling various foods, esp unusual or imported foods, already cooked or prepared

such foods

C19: from German Delikatessen, literally: delicacies, pl of Delikatesse a delicacy, from French délicatesse