BY REBECCA WASKEVICH, GRAPHIC DESIGNER
The Highlands is known for having every different kind of restaurant imaginable. With all of those options, Stevens and Stevens Delicatessen should be on the short list of choices.
The Deli opened in 1991 after the owners of Dittos, Dominic Serratore and Frank Yang, asked Mark and Susan Stevens to use the space in the back of the restaurant to create a deli. Mark and Susan Stevens, both of whom are classically trained chefs, took on the challenge and created Stevens and Stevens Delicatessen. Before opening the deli, they travelled the country to learn everything they could about opening a deli.
Stevens and Stevens Delicatessen is on the corner of Bardstown Road and Grinstead Drive in the back of Dittos Grill, only a seven minute drive from campus. If you look too quickly you might not notice it, but what a shame that would be. Being in the Highlands, parking is always problematic, but there is a small parking lot behind the building and a few spots on the side of the building. There is also parking available on Ellwood Avenue if the lot is full.
Stevens and Stevens feels like home as soon as you walk through the door. The deli is casual and comfortable, filled with sweet and savory smells. The decor is a bit unconventional, with celebrity cutouts, including Jerry Seinfeld, Marilyn Monroe, and Oprah Winfrey, lining the wall. It has two conveniently located menus, one on the wall across from the door and one over the ordering counter.
The deli’s menu has plenty of options for even the pickiest eaters. Sandwiches, 54 in all, each with a punny or unique name, range from $5.25 to $9.95 with vegetarian options. The deli offers meats such as corned beef, pastrami, ham, turkey, chicken, roast beef and fish. Veggie and cheese sandwiches also get a special section on the menu. Meats are piled high and the sandwiches are filling. But if you haven’t had quite enough, options to add meat, cheese, or three strips of bacon are available.
As a meat lover, I ordered the traditional club, formally know as Susan’s Traditional Club. It comes on wheat toast with turkey, honey ham, applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo. I couldn’t resist the temptation of ordering their matzo ball soup.
The menu offers sides that can be nicely paired with any sandwich, soup or salad. Sides include pasta salad, fruit, potato salad, cole slaw, and chips.
If sandwiches aren’t your style, other options include nine different types of pasta salads, three kinds of homemade soups, and six different salads. Pasta salad is $1.50 for a side, $4.95 for a half order, and $7.75 for an entree-sized portion. The soup is $4.25 per bowl, and salads range from $7.25 to $8.50.
The dessert list may be short, but it is very sweet. Any of the cookies, lemon bars, chess bars or brownies finish off a delicious meal perfectly.
Stevens and Stevens has a cafeteria-style counter that makes ordering simple. Plus, the meal is prepared in front of you. Grab a tray and by the time you’re finished in line you’ll have a beautiful and delicious meal in front of you. After paying, you can sit at a counter, a table, or a booth depending on your preference. Plenty of tables and spots at the counter were available when I went. If you’re in a rush, you can always order to-go and have your lunch boxed up.
The sandwich was delicious to say the least. The tomato was fresh, the toast was warm and the flavors flowed perfectly together. Stevens and Steven’s matzo ball soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s classic chicken noodle soup with a matzo ball in the center of the bowl, and it didn’t disappoint.
Overall, the experience at Stevens and Stevens Delicatessen was delicious and comforting. The only downside is its limited hours from 10 to four Monday through Saturday.
Visit stevensandstevensdeli.com for more information, including the full menu.