Circles on the Square: a Longtime Downtown Wilkes-Barre, PA Favorite

Huey Lewis told us it is hip to be square. However, there us a much hipper shape in town.

Back in my heyday as a Wilkes University freshman, I would often wander downtown to grab a bite to eat on Public Square. I was first lured in by the bright neon circles in the window, hence the name Circles on the Square. I was amazed at the vast menu and cool ingredients I never knew could be placed between two slices of bread. I tasted many a sandwich at Circles, but finally settled into a usual item.

Fast forward to now. I walked into Circles, many years after my regular status had faded, to see that the gourmet deli is still pretty much the same place I remembered it to be. (Only this time, I was being more critical and observant!)

The friendly man behind the counter greeted me with a smile, and actually recognized me from all those years ago. He asked what I was having, and as I glanced up at the menu of almost 60 different sandwiches, indecisive me went for the old stand-by. I said to the man, "Maybe I will just have what I used to always get." I still cannot believe his reply.

"Maple honey ham on a croissant with honey cup mustard and...."

I had to add that I like Muenster cheese. What service! He remembered my usual. He prepared my sandwich, wrapped it neatly in real deli paper, sliced it in half, and wrapped it again. Perfect packaging! Since Circles is take-out only, he placed it neatly in a paper sack with a container of thick deli pickle slices (years ago, they gave a while pickle), napkins and a straw for my Moxie cola (anyone remember that?).

I was so hungry; I barely made it back to Boscov's parking garage without sinking my teeth into my lunch and devouring half. Then, I realized that I'd better save the other half until I made it over the Market Street Bridge to my apartment to fully examine the sandwich.

A sample menu at Circles-- their daily specials.

Credit: Circles

Copyright: Circles