Best Deli

Far from the «best» deli. We should have just gone to a food truck, but it was cold so we went inside. Spent $ 13 on two plates: teriyaki (microwaved) and a tuna melt which was pretty good but such small portions for the money spent. Probably won’t go back since there are about 100 awesome food trucks only a few blocks away.

Food isn’t the best, but it’s good enough.
The lady that runs the shop is super friendly and works her tail off. Every Friday I get a breakfast burrito and a sausage, egg, and cheese muffin from her. It’s been good every single time. Helps that her shop is right next door to my work.

Got a breakfast burrito. Everything was microwaved. Supposedly it had hash browns in it, but it was mushy like mashed potatoes. The whole thing was just a hot, goopy, salty… thing. It was totally unappetizing and I won’t be returning.

Considering the extreme flexibility, the friendly and always prompt service, and the affordable prices I highly recommend people stop by and give this place a try. I find it to be an awesome alternative to the food carts, especially since you can enjoy your food in the dining room out of the rain.

For something that claims to be the «Best Deli Breakfast,» I would expect nothing short of that but as I stumbled into this downtown restaurant my first impression was that it was divey but the other customers ahead of us seemed satisfied so I assumed the food would be as delightful as the name in which they proudly bragged on their sign.
I stepped up to the outdated cash register stating that I’d like the Best Deli Breakfast (their signature dish) and a Mango Tango Smoothie. After all, the images of the smoothies are on their walls and their large menu has an entire section devoted to smoothies and their flavors. The woman behind the register then told me that she was sorry but they do not carry smoothies anymore. Strike 1.
As I filled up my watered down, barely carbonated non-​refillable soda, I couldn’t help but notice the store owner reheating my sister’s bacon in the microwave. When the food did arrive, the precooked bacon was overcooked and the over-​hard eggs were also runny. I’m actually pretty disappointed that I didn’t take a picture of the masterpiece they call the BEST.
Unfortunately, this deli prompted me to sign up for Unilocal account based on the simple fact that it was by far the WORST place I’ve ever eaten and the most disgusting breakfast I’ve ever had. From the atmosphere, the self serve service, and the quality of the place in general, I wouldn’t give this place even one star. It was terrible and I would have much rather saved $ 20 and taken my sister to McDonalds instead.

Decent; quick food, with a sassy smile.

Well «Best» deli is a huge overstatement. HUGE. I would name this «Eh Deli»
Look at the picture of my sandwich.
So the service was prompt, and the sandwich was just OK. The interior is bland as hell and so is the staff. Pricing was fair. Everything about this place is so-​so and its surrounded by much better choices including food cart just blocks away that offer all kinds of interesting selections.

I am automatically on guard when presented with a place that calls itself the best. Is there an agency who is in charge of verifying this claim? If so, someone give them a call.
This place wasn’t terrible. If you’re looking for something to eat jam in to your face on the fly and for cheap, this is the joint. The ambiance is that of a cafeteria, the flavors the same. I got a breakfast burrito that was lackluster at best. When my friend asked for a side of sour cream to inject some flavor in to it, she was given a TINY papercup of sour cream. Granted, we are sour cream addicts, but still… come on.
But it’s cheap, and filling-​ish, and quick. But really, as I had somehow forgotten, one or two blocks over are a slew of food carts that will blow your mind. Get some lunch special salad rolls with peanut sauce for less and they will rule your taste buds.
Best Deli? Sorry, I say no.

I must step in to share my own experiences with Best Deli. It pains me to see a 2-​star rating for this place! I have been going to Best Deli for a year now, ever since my employers moved us into a neighboring building.
Best Deli is located street-​level under the Commonwealth building on 6^th Avenue between Washington and Morrison. It is staffed by two truly nice women, and I love seeing them when I pass.
Here are some of my favorite things about Best Deli:
Breakfast «all day» — not technically all day, but you can order off of the breakfast menu til 2 or 3 PM. I LOVE this! I don’t know any other deli (or lunch venue) downtown that will still serve you breakfast past 11 AM. My favorite breakfast item is the spinach omelette — a bit of a misnomer. Sure it has spinach, but it also has thinly sliced deli ham, cheese, and salsa! And it is wonderful. If you prefer sandwich style, for the same price you can get the spinach omelette on a bagel.
The «Thai Wrap» — this is a «wrap» that you can order when they have their spicy Thai peanut sauce available (it is made fresh!). Thick slices of chicken breast lay among a very substantial portion of lettuce and other veggies — and again, that Thai sauce! This is not a «mild» sauce — it can be a little spicy. (If you aren’t into spice, check out the Caesar Wrap instead.)
The potato salad — I am hooked! I order this almost every time I am there. Definitely worth a try.
The chicken and wild rice soup — This was my favorite before I switched to potato salad.
What to avoid:
Personally, I avoid the specials which involve breaded chicken patties. I never really thought those patties were great.
I also pass on the Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches. As the previous reviewer noted, it tastes just fine, but the value isn’t so great. My personal opinion is that there’s too much bread for the amount of meat you get. Such is life!
Other cost concerns: These are pretty typical «downtown» lunch prices. Just find something you like enough that seems worth it. I’d rather pay $ 2 more for a meal I truly enjoy then suffer my way through e.g. a very mediocre Subway special, or a grease sandwich from a competing deli.
Interpersonal concerns:
The deli can get busy. They fall prey to the ebbs and flows of downtown traffic and events. I find that when they are busy, the comments toward a customer can get «shorter» — but I don’t believe at all that the intention is to be rude or condescending. The business attitude just eliminates a softer touch. Example: If you order something that they are out of, you may just hear an efficient «No _​_​_​!»
(Reminds me a little bit of the old SNL cheeseburger skits.)
There’s also a communication style at play here. This took me a little getting used to! Here is an example: When ordering my lunch one day, I grabbed a few extra bags of chips for my team. When I brought them to the register, the cashier said «Oh, a lot of food today!» Initially I was taken aback — is she telling me I’m eating too much? But I found that she really just enjoys engaging people in conversation, and so is exhibiting that she knows you and noticed you did something out of the ordinary.
Summary:
Overall, I love this deli. There’s always a place to sit, you don’t wait long even when there’s a line, and the staff are sweet if you give ‘em the chance.