The Captain's Table Restaurant at the Coutyard Marriott must be one of Ocean City's best kept dining secrets, http://www.captainstableoc.com/. The service and food were absolutely fabulous! We put in a full day of sight seeing in inclement weather - nor'easter blew through and we were in the middle of it. We went to the Salisbury Zoo, Assateague Island, and Ocean Downs Casino - whew! We deserved a delicious meal.
If you're looking for a special treat, this is the place for a terrific evening out. With our drinks, our server brought out a bread basket with warm rolls and a small butter bowl. Hubby had the wedge salad and I enjoyed a Ceasar salad for starters. Hubby's broiled scallops were huge and delicious (yes, I scarfed one) swimming in butter. My crab cakes were cooked to perfection and I shared with hubby. Our sides were yummy - hubby had his usual baked potato and I enjoyed smoked salmon mashed potatoes.
The menu was a la carte with salads $8 to $9. Entrees ranged from $25 to $30 for seafood, $25 to $35 for beef, and $17 to $28 for poultry, lamb, and other. We decided on seafood for this meal because we planned to have a special steak dinner Sunday night.
The restaurant is on the second or third floor of the hotel, not right on the boardwalk. It's plush and you immediately know that you're in a place where they care about your dining experience. If you have a trip to Ocean City in your future, this restaurant is a nice splurge.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Acorn Market, 805 E Main Street, Salisbury, MD
Have you ever been to The Country House - a terrific shop that reminds me of a cross between The Apple Basket and Cecil's Country Store - you have to walk through it first one way and then the other because you will miss things if you only go through one way. Anyway, before or after your shopping spree, walk across the parking lot and indulge at the Acorn Market, http://www.theacornmarket.com/.
There is nothing on the menu that reaches $7.00 - okay, $6.99 tops. On the way to Ocean City a couple of weeks ago, hubby and I stopped at this place on the recommendation of a close friend. We had a late breakfast in Prince Frederick at a chain restaurant (I won't even comment) so we weren't very hungry but wanted to try the Acorn. We split a Pilgrim sandwich - roast turkey, cranberry sauce, lettuce on homemade stuffing bread. You would not believe the taste - it was fabulous - Thanksgiving in a sandwich. I knew hubby would want chips and said as much to the server at the counter (you place your order, pay for it, take a seat, and they bring it to you when ready). He asked what I would prefer and I told him grapes sounded good. He said that we could have both. Would you believe ... we each got our own serving tray with half a sandwich, hubby got chips and I got a huge bunch of luscious purple grapes, and we each had coffee and the bill was less than $10?!?!?!?!?!?! Gosh I wish this place were closer to where I live; I'd be there at least once a week.
You can choose to eat in the well decorated dining area or on the porch; we enjoyed the porch on the last gorgeous day before the nor'easter blew through. The Acorn Market has a limited, specialized, homemade menu of items including freshly baked goodies. Hubby and I eyed the bakery cabinet when we were ordering lunch and discussed getting something to take with us for dessert for our first night in Ocean City. While we were having lunch on the porch, I heard a customer who came in shortly after us ask the server to pack up everything in the bakery cabinet. Is that a testament to how delicious those homemade goodies were - somebody bought out the entire stock for the day. The server said that they didn't even have a spare anything sweet in the kitchen. He who hesitates is lost! Next time I won't hesitate.
There is nothing on the menu that reaches $7.00 - okay, $6.99 tops. On the way to Ocean City a couple of weeks ago, hubby and I stopped at this place on the recommendation of a close friend. We had a late breakfast in Prince Frederick at a chain restaurant (I won't even comment) so we weren't very hungry but wanted to try the Acorn. We split a Pilgrim sandwich - roast turkey, cranberry sauce, lettuce on homemade stuffing bread. You would not believe the taste - it was fabulous - Thanksgiving in a sandwich. I knew hubby would want chips and said as much to the server at the counter (you place your order, pay for it, take a seat, and they bring it to you when ready). He asked what I would prefer and I told him grapes sounded good. He said that we could have both. Would you believe ... we each got our own serving tray with half a sandwich, hubby got chips and I got a huge bunch of luscious purple grapes, and we each had coffee and the bill was less than $10?!?!?!?!?!?! Gosh I wish this place were closer to where I live; I'd be there at least once a week.
You can choose to eat in the well decorated dining area or on the porch; we enjoyed the porch on the last gorgeous day before the nor'easter blew through. The Acorn Market has a limited, specialized, homemade menu of items including freshly baked goodies. Hubby and I eyed the bakery cabinet when we were ordering lunch and discussed getting something to take with us for dessert for our first night in Ocean City. While we were having lunch on the porch, I heard a customer who came in shortly after us ask the server to pack up everything in the bakery cabinet. Is that a testament to how delicious those homemade goodies were - somebody bought out the entire stock for the day. The server said that they didn't even have a spare anything sweet in the kitchen. He who hesitates is lost! Next time I won't hesitate.
Sacred Heart Church dinner, 23080 Maddox Road, Bushwood, MD
What a glorious day for a church dinner on October 23rd! Making the rounds at church dinners has become a Southern Maryland sport. If you can only hit one fall dinner in 2012, this is the one (assuming it will be as good next year as it was in 2011).
First, you pay for your dinner and are then are seated at a long rectangular table with lots of other folks. A server takes your drink order - iced tea or coffee. You are then invited to go through the buffet line. Dinner is buffet style so everything you get is HOT (if it's supposed to be hot). The oysters were incredibly delicious as were the other items on the buffet - roast turkey with dressing, ham, parsley potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, cole slaw. Dinner rolls, beets, and a few other items are on the table so you help yourself during dinner. If you want seconds of anything, there are youngsters on standby to bring you smaller plates of whatever specialty you request. I had more oysters and slaw - the young may brought be close to a dozen oysters and a small bowl of slaw. Several folks at our table went back through the buffet line themselves - guess they wanted more of everything. Nobody raised an eyebrow and they thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
There were a couple of things about the buffet that I especially appreciated:
(1) As stated above, the food that's supposed to be hot was hot. (2) There were serving spoons or forks for each dish. (Sometimes at those family style dinners there aren't enough serving spoons and people use the forks they've been eating with to serve themselves more food from the community platter. I have issued with that.)
Put this dinner on your list. I will keep a watchful eye on my church bulletin and the local newspaper for announcement of this dinner. It is #1!
First, you pay for your dinner and are then are seated at a long rectangular table with lots of other folks. A server takes your drink order - iced tea or coffee. You are then invited to go through the buffet line. Dinner is buffet style so everything you get is HOT (if it's supposed to be hot). The oysters were incredibly delicious as were the other items on the buffet - roast turkey with dressing, ham, parsley potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, green beans, cole slaw. Dinner rolls, beets, and a few other items are on the table so you help yourself during dinner. If you want seconds of anything, there are youngsters on standby to bring you smaller plates of whatever specialty you request. I had more oysters and slaw - the young may brought be close to a dozen oysters and a small bowl of slaw. Several folks at our table went back through the buffet line themselves - guess they wanted more of everything. Nobody raised an eyebrow and they thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
There were a couple of things about the buffet that I especially appreciated:
(1) As stated above, the food that's supposed to be hot was hot. (2) There were serving spoons or forks for each dish. (Sometimes at those family style dinners there aren't enough serving spoons and people use the forks they've been eating with to serve themselves more food from the community platter. I have issued with that.)
Put this dinner on your list. I will keep a watchful eye on my church bulletin and the local newspaper for announcement of this dinner. It is #1!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
St. George's Catholic Church Oyster Dinner, St. George's Church Rd, Valley Lee, MD 20692
Church dinners in Southern Maryland are a great way to get your fill of delicious food. Some folks make the rounds during dinner season - crab cake dinners in the summer and oyster dinners in the fall. At many of these dinners, the food is served family style; at some, buffet style. I hit the oyster dinner at St. George's today (family style) and had my first fried oysters of the season.
Today's dinner included fried oysters a plenty, stuffed ham, and roast turkey breast. Sides included parsley potatoes, green beans, pickled beets, applesauce (cinnamon and sugar), dill pickles, dinner rolls. Once things got underway, our servers kept the hot oysters coming and they were delicious (although not as good as my dad's oysters - his are well-seasoned and crispy, not at all greasy). I know things are busy in the kitchen during these dinners, but fried oysters really need to be drained on paper towels or even paper bags for just a few seconds to get rid of excess oil before they are served. Additionally, the serving bowls need to occasionally be wiped out between refills to absorb excess oil. Guess I can't complain too much as it's been years since I worked at one of these events.
The pickles were a real disappointment. Mrs. Barnes, a black woman in her 80s, has made bread and butter pickles for the church dinners at St. George's for years. Honestly, I can sit there and eat beets, her home-made pickles, and oysters and forget about the other food. I knew by the look that the pickles at today's dinner were not hers but I put several on my plate anyway. I ate one - it was awful! I must ask her for a jar of pickles as a special treat. If I'm successful in acquiring a jar, I will not be sharing them. Oh no!
I'm not much for plastic ware - it you're going to use it, get the good stuff. Hubby actually broke his fork today. Good thing he was about finished with his dinner. Kudos to the servers - many parish members, students who will be confirmed in the near future, and volunteers from the Paul Hall Center.
I purchased an applesauce cake from the baked goods table and sent it home with my dad. Hope it was good!
Today's dinner included fried oysters a plenty, stuffed ham, and roast turkey breast. Sides included parsley potatoes, green beans, pickled beets, applesauce (cinnamon and sugar), dill pickles, dinner rolls. Once things got underway, our servers kept the hot oysters coming and they were delicious (although not as good as my dad's oysters - his are well-seasoned and crispy, not at all greasy). I know things are busy in the kitchen during these dinners, but fried oysters really need to be drained on paper towels or even paper bags for just a few seconds to get rid of excess oil before they are served. Additionally, the serving bowls need to occasionally be wiped out between refills to absorb excess oil. Guess I can't complain too much as it's been years since I worked at one of these events.
The pickles were a real disappointment. Mrs. Barnes, a black woman in her 80s, has made bread and butter pickles for the church dinners at St. George's for years. Honestly, I can sit there and eat beets, her home-made pickles, and oysters and forget about the other food. I knew by the look that the pickles at today's dinner were not hers but I put several on my plate anyway. I ate one - it was awful! I must ask her for a jar of pickles as a special treat. If I'm successful in acquiring a jar, I will not be sharing them. Oh no!
I'm not much for plastic ware - it you're going to use it, get the good stuff. Hubby actually broke his fork today. Good thing he was about finished with his dinner. Kudos to the servers - many parish members, students who will be confirmed in the near future, and volunteers from the Paul Hall Center.
I purchased an applesauce cake from the baked goods table and sent it home with my dad. Hope it was good!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Di Giovanni's Restaurant, 14556 Solomons Island Rd, Solomons, MD
It's been a couple of years since our last visit to Di Giovanni's Italian Restaurant. I wanted some place special to celebrate my daughter's completion of courses required for her graduate degree! The restaurant is open Tuesay through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for breakfast and unti 8:00 p.m. for dinner. Chef-owner Jack Batten buys local and updates the restaurant menu frequently. The Chef also offers cooking classes, 4-or-5 course meals demonstrated (and participatory if you're so inclined) and served for your dining pleasure, along with a recipe booklet and his special tips. There's one coming up on 18 October called "Mother Sauces" for $40 and includes tomato, brown, bechamel, volute, and hollandaise - make the sauces and learn what to do with them. Visit http://www.digiovannisrestaurant.com/.
I'm sure Solomons was crowded during the Patuxent River Appreciation Days celebration this weekend but our timing was perfect arriving around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening with only a few tables taken. We were seated promptly in the dining room and enjoyed the water view overlooking the deck dining area while our server fetched our wine and beer. The menu changes every few days based on the freshest seafood and produce available. There were 8-to-10 appetizers from shrimp, to baked brie, to Oysters Chesapeake (which we tried - half dozen for only $6). There were also soup and salad options and entrees ranged in price from $12-to-$20 with several pasta options, crab cakes, and steak. Sandwiches with a side of fries could also be ordered any time of day and prices were very reasonable.
Fragrant, hot bread arrived at our table shortly after the drinks. There were two olive oil options at the table, one rosemary infused which was my choice. Bread - without asking (+); hubby asked for more bread when the entrees arrived and our server comlied with the request within minutes (++). The Oysters Chesapeake were gorgeous to behold and tasty to eat. Freshly shucked oysters on the half shell were topped with bread dressing, crab, and corn and served piping hot. There were three large lemon wedges on the serving plate and the dish was sprinkled with parsley. I had manicotti, two large pasta rounds stuffed with cheese and topped with homemade sauce that was excellent. Hubby had crab cakes and said they were the best he's had in a while - he likes them with some breading and seasoning, not a fan of a cake of lump crab meat heated and called a crab cake. The celebratory girl was thinking of shrimp scampi but since she's allergic to shrimp asked if the chef could make a clam sauce (which wasn't on the menu) instead. Our server asked and the chef seemed happy to comply. The dish of pasta with butter/garlic sauce was surrounded by clams in the shell - lots of them! Our graduate girl's friend ordered the Chicken Chesapeake sandwich - grilled chicken with crab and cheese on a sub roll. Before I had a chance to take a good look at it, he had polished off all but the last bite and said that it was good. The fries were thick and golden. Di Giovanni's was as good as I remembered; consistency - it's a good thing!
Our server apologized for being short staffed Sunday evening. As more diners entered, it became clear that he could not manage on his own and the chef pitched in. It was quite nice to have the chef working the dining area as well as the kitchen. Our server was very polite and hustled to make sure we were satisfied - kudos (+). We were there as night set in and dim wall lights were turned on to illuminate the dining room. The only drawback to the entire evening were the slamming doors - the main entrance to the restaurant and the doors to the deck. Honestly, if I had a screw driver I would have taken a stab at adjusting them.
I'm sure Solomons was crowded during the Patuxent River Appreciation Days celebration this weekend but our timing was perfect arriving around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening with only a few tables taken. We were seated promptly in the dining room and enjoyed the water view overlooking the deck dining area while our server fetched our wine and beer. The menu changes every few days based on the freshest seafood and produce available. There were 8-to-10 appetizers from shrimp, to baked brie, to Oysters Chesapeake (which we tried - half dozen for only $6). There were also soup and salad options and entrees ranged in price from $12-to-$20 with several pasta options, crab cakes, and steak. Sandwiches with a side of fries could also be ordered any time of day and prices were very reasonable.
Fragrant, hot bread arrived at our table shortly after the drinks. There were two olive oil options at the table, one rosemary infused which was my choice. Bread - without asking (+); hubby asked for more bread when the entrees arrived and our server comlied with the request within minutes (++). The Oysters Chesapeake were gorgeous to behold and tasty to eat. Freshly shucked oysters on the half shell were topped with bread dressing, crab, and corn and served piping hot. There were three large lemon wedges on the serving plate and the dish was sprinkled with parsley. I had manicotti, two large pasta rounds stuffed with cheese and topped with homemade sauce that was excellent. Hubby had crab cakes and said they were the best he's had in a while - he likes them with some breading and seasoning, not a fan of a cake of lump crab meat heated and called a crab cake. The celebratory girl was thinking of shrimp scampi but since she's allergic to shrimp asked if the chef could make a clam sauce (which wasn't on the menu) instead. Our server asked and the chef seemed happy to comply. The dish of pasta with butter/garlic sauce was surrounded by clams in the shell - lots of them! Our graduate girl's friend ordered the Chicken Chesapeake sandwich - grilled chicken with crab and cheese on a sub roll. Before I had a chance to take a good look at it, he had polished off all but the last bite and said that it was good. The fries were thick and golden. Di Giovanni's was as good as I remembered; consistency - it's a good thing!
Our server apologized for being short staffed Sunday evening. As more diners entered, it became clear that he could not manage on his own and the chef pitched in. It was quite nice to have the chef working the dining area as well as the kitchen. Our server was very polite and hustled to make sure we were satisfied - kudos (+). We were there as night set in and dim wall lights were turned on to illuminate the dining room. The only drawback to the entire evening were the slamming doors - the main entrance to the restaurant and the doors to the deck. Honestly, if I had a screw driver I would have taken a stab at adjusting them.
Cafe des Artistes, 41655 Fenwick St, Leonardtown, MD
Cafe des Artistes is one of my all-time favorite restaurants and has been ever since Chef Loic Jaffres and wife Karleen opened the upscale bistro more than 10 years ago. It's the perfect place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, to take out-of-town guests for a special treat, or just to relax and enjoy a good meal. The Cafe is part of "buy local" - Southern Maryland chefs purchasing produce from local farms and orienting their menu to show off what's in season. The Cafe's menu is available at http://cafedesartistes.ws/. There's always a special that's well worth the adventure. The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.; dinner Tuesday through Saturday 5:00 until 9:00 p.m.; and for Sunday brunch and dinner 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Outside dining is available and they have an area heater that makes it pleasant even as the evening turns chilly.
Appetizers include foie gras, escargots, crab dip, shrimp, pate, cheese plate, and more ranging in price from $9.50 to $16.00. Soup is always french onion and soup of the day. The french onion is divine but I've become more adventurous in my old(er) age and have recently gone for the soup of the day which has never disappointed and usually includes local ingredients. You have a choice of house or Ceasar salad (always my favorite) and now you can make either a meal by topping with the protein of your choice: chicken breast, jumbo lump crab, seared tuna, salmon, or NY strip ($12-to-$18 depending upon your combo). Dinner entrees ($20-to-$28) satisfy even the most discriminating taste and include dishes of steak, crab, lamb, veal, pork, shrimp, lobster, scallops, salmon, tuna, as well as vegetarian options of portobello mushroom in pastry and eggplant napoleon. Seriously, is there anything else that you can think to include?! The dessert menu also includes tasty treats like profiteroles, apple tarts, creme brule, and limoncello at an average $6 cost.
By the way, the Cafe offers local wines and always has live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Randy Richie on the piano makes for very enjoyable dining.
We stopped by the Cafe at 8:30 Friday evening following First Friday in Leonardtown. Some members of our group dined a little earlier but everyone moved inside when we gathered following the music events. The Cafe staff quickly seated us at a round table large enough to accommodate eight of us. Everyone ordered drinks, four of us ordered late dinners. The Cafe uses fabric table cloths so the condensation on my water glass had a place to go (+). The carrot ginger soup was absolutely fabulous - I could have eaten two or three bowls of it and been in a very happy place - it was a thick puree and very hearty. I also had a classic Ceasar salad; who doesn't like the taste of anchovies? Given the late hour, I did not want to overdo it with a heavy meal (so I'll have to return soon). Hubby had the prime rib and it was strange that he didn't clean his plate. He said it was a little fatty and that can't be hidden by the aromatic peppercorn sauce. The warm bread with plenty of butter was delicious - bread without asking (+). I was disappointed not to have silverware available when the soup was served (-). Actually, I think my mouth dropped open in disbelief ... one of my favorite restaurants and I've always commented on the top notch service. Hopefully this was just an off night. Hubby says we arrived at 8:30, toward the end of the evening. Doesn't matter to me - we deserve the same fine food and wonderful service at those who arrived at 5:30, or 6:30, or 7:30.
One of my very favorite dishes at the Cafe is the seared ahi tuna. Take half of it home and put it in the frig. Cut it into cubes a day or two later and serve it as an appetizer with Pampered Chef's Ginger Wasabi sauce. This is A++.
Appetizers include foie gras, escargots, crab dip, shrimp, pate, cheese plate, and more ranging in price from $9.50 to $16.00. Soup is always french onion and soup of the day. The french onion is divine but I've become more adventurous in my old(er) age and have recently gone for the soup of the day which has never disappointed and usually includes local ingredients. You have a choice of house or Ceasar salad (always my favorite) and now you can make either a meal by topping with the protein of your choice: chicken breast, jumbo lump crab, seared tuna, salmon, or NY strip ($12-to-$18 depending upon your combo). Dinner entrees ($20-to-$28) satisfy even the most discriminating taste and include dishes of steak, crab, lamb, veal, pork, shrimp, lobster, scallops, salmon, tuna, as well as vegetarian options of portobello mushroom in pastry and eggplant napoleon. Seriously, is there anything else that you can think to include?! The dessert menu also includes tasty treats like profiteroles, apple tarts, creme brule, and limoncello at an average $6 cost.
By the way, the Cafe offers local wines and always has live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Randy Richie on the piano makes for very enjoyable dining.
We stopped by the Cafe at 8:30 Friday evening following First Friday in Leonardtown. Some members of our group dined a little earlier but everyone moved inside when we gathered following the music events. The Cafe staff quickly seated us at a round table large enough to accommodate eight of us. Everyone ordered drinks, four of us ordered late dinners. The Cafe uses fabric table cloths so the condensation on my water glass had a place to go (+). The carrot ginger soup was absolutely fabulous - I could have eaten two or three bowls of it and been in a very happy place - it was a thick puree and very hearty. I also had a classic Ceasar salad; who doesn't like the taste of anchovies? Given the late hour, I did not want to overdo it with a heavy meal (so I'll have to return soon). Hubby had the prime rib and it was strange that he didn't clean his plate. He said it was a little fatty and that can't be hidden by the aromatic peppercorn sauce. The warm bread with plenty of butter was delicious - bread without asking (+). I was disappointed not to have silverware available when the soup was served (-). Actually, I think my mouth dropped open in disbelief ... one of my favorite restaurants and I've always commented on the top notch service. Hopefully this was just an off night. Hubby says we arrived at 8:30, toward the end of the evening. Doesn't matter to me - we deserve the same fine food and wonderful service at those who arrived at 5:30, or 6:30, or 7:30.
One of my very favorite dishes at the Cafe is the seared ahi tuna. Take half of it home and put it in the frig. Cut it into cubes a day or two later and serve it as an appetizer with Pampered Chef's Ginger Wasabi sauce. This is A++.
Charlie's Deli, 19661 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, MD
The talk at work for several months has been about the food at Charlie's Deli (formerly Peck's Tavern), about 3 miles south of Hermanville Road on the rt 235 side of St. Mary's County. I finally got the chance to have lunch there this week - 12 diners total. I was delighted by the updated look and freshness of the place. We arrived at 11:15 a.m. with reservations for our group so we ate in the "back room" which was delightful (spacious and clean). The deli has no liquor license and the bar has been replaced by an ice cream counter (Hershey's hand dipped ice cream as well as ice cream cakes available). The place is open every day from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The deli boasts cold and hot sandwiches at lunch time and includes sides of baked beans, potato salad, macaroni/tuna salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, french fries, or chips. Cold deli sandwiches of roast beef, corned beef, turkey, tuna, slides ham, chicken salad, egg salad, blt, and grilled chicken are piled high and accompanied by cheeses, dressings, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a variety of breads. Hot sandwich specialities include buffalo chicken, steak and cheese, french dip, cordon bleu, tuna melt, pastrami, and more. Angus burgers can be adorned with cheese, chili, mushrooms, and bacon. Salad plates of tuna, chicken, taco, and plain garden are also options. Baskets of wings, shrimp, fish and chips, and chicken tenders are also tempting. Every single item on the lunch menu is less than $10!!!
Folks around me had a variety of sandwiches and all commented on how good the food was. One member of our group is a regular at Charlie's (at least once or twice a week) and said the potato salad is the best he's ever had. He had a grilled Reuben sandwich and said that he orders the Reuben every other week - keeps going back to a favorite but trys new things in between. I had the Taco Salad - tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, black olives, hot peppers, lettuce, tomato, onion, and homemade chili. Salsa and sour cream were served on the side. The Taco Salad was more than I could eat so toward the end of the meal, I picked out the parts that I liked the best - the chili, olives, and peppers.
The Deli has fabric tablecloths with paper placemats - nice for catching the condensation from my glass of water (+). Our server took drink orders and ensured that there was adequate silverware and appropriate condiments before our lunch orders arrived (+). The place was jumping but our server managed to slip back several times to fill drink glasses. We were able to pay individually and fairly quickly with no problem. On the way back to work at 12:30 I noted that the entire place was filled with people - the "back room" was filled and every seat in the main part of the restaurant was taken as well. Great business - I hope they continue the good food and fine service for a great price.
The deli boasts cold and hot sandwiches at lunch time and includes sides of baked beans, potato salad, macaroni/tuna salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, french fries, or chips. Cold deli sandwiches of roast beef, corned beef, turkey, tuna, slides ham, chicken salad, egg salad, blt, and grilled chicken are piled high and accompanied by cheeses, dressings, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a variety of breads. Hot sandwich specialities include buffalo chicken, steak and cheese, french dip, cordon bleu, tuna melt, pastrami, and more. Angus burgers can be adorned with cheese, chili, mushrooms, and bacon. Salad plates of tuna, chicken, taco, and plain garden are also options. Baskets of wings, shrimp, fish and chips, and chicken tenders are also tempting. Every single item on the lunch menu is less than $10!!!
Folks around me had a variety of sandwiches and all commented on how good the food was. One member of our group is a regular at Charlie's (at least once or twice a week) and said the potato salad is the best he's ever had. He had a grilled Reuben sandwich and said that he orders the Reuben every other week - keeps going back to a favorite but trys new things in between. I had the Taco Salad - tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, black olives, hot peppers, lettuce, tomato, onion, and homemade chili. Salsa and sour cream were served on the side. The Taco Salad was more than I could eat so toward the end of the meal, I picked out the parts that I liked the best - the chili, olives, and peppers.
The Deli has fabric tablecloths with paper placemats - nice for catching the condensation from my glass of water (+). Our server took drink orders and ensured that there was adequate silverware and appropriate condiments before our lunch orders arrived (+). The place was jumping but our server managed to slip back several times to fill drink glasses. We were able to pay individually and fairly quickly with no problem. On the way back to work at 12:30 I noted that the entire place was filled with people - the "back room" was filled and every seat in the main part of the restaurant was taken as well. Great business - I hope they continue the good food and fine service for a great price.
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