When you hear the word "deli" what do you think of? Probably display cases filled with sandwich meats like roast beef, ham, turkey, all sorts of cheeses, maybe salads and condiments, right? It's a little different at McAlister's Deli, the newest culinary temptation in town. Open just over a month, it already has a devoted following as I discovered when I went there for the first time.
ADVERTISEMENT I was surprised when I walked in — no display cases to look and choose as most of us are used to. Instead, there is a large overhead menu and a printed fold-out menu with an amazing assortment of choices : unique sandwiches, soups, salads and their special "Giant Spuds," baked potatoes with a variety of fillings. Where to start?
With their famous ice tea, and I ended up having two. A bright, cheerful spot, it occupies the space of two former businesses — Rocco Hair Salon and Edible Arrangements. There is ample seating so you have the option of enjoying your order there or doing take-out. Customers order at the counter and then you either wait for it to come and leave, or they bring it to your table.
Overall, it is a unique spot. I was told by general manager Jessica Yim this is part of a large southern franchise with nearly 600 locations across the country, including two in Minnesota. The first Minnesota location is in Mankato with the second here in Rochester and a third planned for northwest Rochester.
"We are known for our fresh, healthful ingredients in everything we serve," Yim says. "Nothing here is deep fried. " A pecanberry salad lasted me for two meals. The menu explains in detail what each item consists of, making it easier to choose. It's also possible to leave an ingredient out or add one in.
ADVERTISEMENT The starters include a variety of nachos. There are five soups, including red beans and rice in a nod to the south, and more than two dozen sandwiches ranging from the traditional multilayer clubs to bolder, spicier choices — spicy BBQ crunch chicken sandwich, anyone? — and then classics like French dip and Rueben.
Several sandwiches are available in either 6- or 12-inch sizes. All the salads were tempting as well with greens as fresh as if they'd just been picked. The signature Giant Spuds can have any filling from meats and vegetables to just plain butter and sour cream. 79. There are also gluten-free and vegetarian choices.
Jason Groen, catering manager, described McAlister's as neither a restaurant nor a fast food spot, but rather "fast casual," a term I've heard often recently. What is that exactly? This concept bridges the gap between fast food and a sit-down dining experience with customizable menu options and some service.
That describes McAlister's pretty well. There was a steady flow of customers and curious about their experience I asked Andrew and Cassidy Duit who had just finished their birthday lunch. "I love it. This is my third time here this week. We even got a birthday cookie, " he said.
A similar reaction came from a man from Texas who said he comes here for lunch everyday. My guess is once you go you too will make it a regular stop. The place itself has an interesting history. The first opened in 1989 after a movie crew came to Oxford, Mississippi, to film a movie.
They took over an empty building and turned it into a commissary for the production crew. When the movie crew left, a local dentist saw possibilities, bought the building and the first McAlister's came to be. ADVERTISEMENT McAlister's Deli Located at 123 16th Ave. m. m. com. Post Bulletin food writer Holly Ebel knows what’s cookin’.
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