McAlister's Deli

Brad Bruno : Going into this luncheon I was greatly skeptical, I had had Reubens there before and had been let down by soggy bread. I decided everyone should get a second chance and the result... Nice sandwich. This time, the bread was a little softer than I usually like but contained lots-o-meat thus making it a good value. I chose chips as a side but for a buck more could of upgraded to a cup of soup. The "iced" tea there is outstanding. I reserve the right to modify this upon my next visit there, but this time they seemed to get it right. (2004-11-09)

Matthew Durkee : Very nice place, the menu has a staggering amount of choices. The sandwich is big and comes with at least half a bag of chips. I kid you not, there were probably 5 oz of chips on my plate. (2004-11-09)

Larry Jahnke : As many of these events as I've missed, at least I was on the right side of town for this one. Finding it was easy and parking was plentiful. Chris was good enough to order my sandwich and drink since I couldn't arrive before noon. As soon as I arrived, so did my sandwich, and the receipt had shown it only took five minutes from order to the table. The sandwich tasted as good as it looked. The bread was a toasted light rye and was generously packed with corned beef. The cheese seemed a little on the light side, but the sauerkraut was about right. The potato salad side complemented the sandwich and the pickle was crisp. The lemonade was as good as fresh. I enjoyed the experience enough to have... a Reuben Wednesday. (2004-11-09)

Jim Kidd : Every time a new restaurant opens in Avon, it seems the whole area turns out the try the place out. Fortunately for our group, we got there about 10 minutes before the rest of the town. I was surprised to meet my son's former fifth grade teacher and husband. She said they had been gone from the area for about 6 years or so. Eating lunch with them was a former manager I worked for in the early 1980s. He was accompanied by his wife. Who knew I'd run into them? Of course I did have my premonitions. Earlier this morning I saw that the Moon, Jupiter, and Venus were aligned top to bottom in the southeastern sky, so I knew something was up. I place no real faith in such coincidental occurrences, but maybe I should have rushed out for a lottery ticket anyway. The sandwich (which is the excuse for this rant) was excellent. I'd have to say it was one of the better ones we've had the pleasure of eating this year. Being somewhat cold today, I ordered some hot tea. The "doe-eyed" girl at the order counter looked me squarely in the eye and replied "Would you like ice with that?" Puzzled that maybe she had mistook my order; I repeated that I would like "Hot tea". She persisted and asked I would like a large or small glass. I replied "No, in a cup." She looked at me strangely and summoned her manager. Her manager looked at me and asked what I needed. I again asked for "hot tea". The manager told me that they did not serve hot tea, but would be glad to sell me their ice tea without the ice, you know, lukewarm. Realizing now that just because McAlister's if famous for it iced tea doesn't necessarily mean they are just as famous for hot tea, I chose "Hot coffee" instead. They happily complied with this "normal" request; I paid the tab and proceeded to my seat alongside my fellow diners. Man, what a sandwich! There was easily enough meat to feed a family of four. There were loads of chips. As with the Carmel location, the potato salad was top shelf! But, alas, the bread should have been toasted more. (2004-11-09)

Carl Klutzke : The flat-screen TVs hanging in McAlister's display, rather than TV programming, advertisements for the establishment. They especially emphasize the friendly service, and I must say they lived up to it: the staff was very friendly and polite, and came by regularly to ask if we needed refills, or to clear away plates. As much as they bustled about it was difficult to avoid running into them, but they always said "Excuse me" before hustling on to the next patron. The only reason they don't get an "A" for service is because I reserve that for establishments where they take the order at your table. They provided "Thank You" mints with the food, and seemed to keep the place pretty clean, though I found a small spot of dried crud (as from a dried drink spill) on the pretty marble tabletop as I sat down. The decor is bright and pleasant, with lots of brass and hunter green, in a "faux Americana" style that includes ads for McAllister's in the style of the early 1900's. This might backfire for them at some point: Skiles noticed a sign advertising Coca-Cola for 5 cents, and wondered if he could hold them to it. I had a huge cup of quality lemonade with my sandwich, and was pleased to see bits of lemon pulp clinging to the inside of my cup. The order board doesn't make it clear that any side items come with your sandwich, but when asked I ordered the mustard potato salad, which was quite good. The sandwich was served in a plastic plate/basket, lined with waxed paper featuring the corporate logo. The bread was excellent, with good flavor and thickness, but wasn't crisp at all, and really should have been toasted longer. A big pile of tasty beef overwhelmed the cheese (as often happens), but I could still taste the kraut and the dressing (though only in the center: they didn't spread it out to the edges). I had been apprehensive about this excursion, since I'd heard reports that people's sandwiches had been soggy, but I wasn't displeased at all, in spite of the undertoasting. I'd be happy to return here, especially since it's so close by work, though I might order my sandwich "extra toasty": if they can manage that, and take the time to spread out the dressing, the taste will definitely get an "A". (2004-11-09)

Chris Rowland : The bread was thick and very rye. The Reuben was very lightly toasted but still pretty soft bread that I enjoyed. It was packed with lots of medium-sliced, light-colored folded corned beef. The sandwich had a good quantity of thousand island dressing without the sandwich becoming soggy. There was also a good amount of sauerkraut. I enjoyed the potato salad side. At just over $6 for a Reuben of this magnitude, it's a good deal. I highly recommend the McAlister's Reuben. (2004-11-09)

Brian Skiles : The only flaw with this sandwich was insufficient toasting. Other than that, it was an excellent sandwich. Between the generous amount of corned beef and the basket full of potato chips, you couldn't really go hungry. If this location takes some bread-toasting tips from the Carmel location, it would be one of the best. (2004-11-09)