click to enlarge JAIME LEES

Gioia's Deli is normally closed Sundays. Yesterday, it drew a line that stretched out the door.

This has been one heck of a weekend. We thank you for all the support. Because of the high demand of walkin business, catering and local business support we are on our way to using ALL the surplus of Hot Salami and Beef! We are open today 11a-3pm and hope to run out pic.twitter.com/pm541vQn6e — Gioia's Deli (@GioiasDeli) September 9, 2018

Within 3 days we completely ran through all 700 pounds of beef and hot salami we made extra for Loufest. This is just one example of just how amazing each and everyone of you are. We asked for your help and you came in droves to support us. We ❤️ STL! pic.twitter.com/D3oAJZn4CK — Gioia's Deli (@GioiasDeli) September 9, 2018

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Give St. Louis a good cause and 700 pounds of beef, and we will absolutely rise to the occasion — wallets, stomachs and all.After LouFest's last-minute cancellation last week,became the poster shop for vendors who'd been thrown into turmoil. Owner Alex Donley explained to media outlets that it had paid a $3,000 fee to serve its food at the festival, and in addition to renting equipment, had purchased no less than 700 pounds of beef to make its signature hot salami sandwiches. Now it was out of luck.Or maybe not.While some of those costs may never been recovered, we'll say this about St. Louis: We are not the kind of city that's willing to let 700 pounds of salami go to waste. Customers turned out in droves all weekend — to the point that Gioia's decided to open on Sunday, when it usually takes the day off.And damned if customers didn't take every last piece of that beef down.As Gioia's tweeted Sunday afternoon, "Within 3 days we completely ran through all 700 pounds of beef and hot salami we made extra for LouFest. ... We asked for your help and you came in droves to support us. We love STL!" Clearly, the feeling is mutual.For much, much more on how the LouFest cancellation ultimately showed St. Louis at its best, see Jaime Lees' essay here . And maybe make dinner plans tonight at one of the other restaurants that bought extra for the weekend. Gioia's may be the city's most beloved sandwich shop, but others are hurting, too. Hey, it's a great chance to make a new favorite!