ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Running a successful restaurant is hard work; the food has to be good, but most would argue the customer experience must be the top priority.
In Roanoke, there’s a little deli on Peters Creek mastering the art of great food and customer service without ever having to watch the sunset. We’re checking out Mike’s Deli for this week’s Hometown Eats!
“Ain’t many restaurants that can be in business from 9:30-2, Monday through Friday and no nights and no weekends and be successful. We’ve been doing it for 18 years and we’re strong. Very strong,” said Mike’s Deli owner Michael Moses.
Michael Moses and his family have figured out the secret: big sandwiches, low prices, and most importantly giving the customers a reason to come back.
“Mike’s a trip, Mike’s a trip!” said regular customer Willie, with a big grin.
“Because of Mike. Entertaining, the man has never met a stranger,” added Curtis, who has been coming to Mike’s Deli for over 10 years.
Welcome to Mike’s Deli on Peters Creek Road in Roanoke.
“We get a lot of people off the interstate with Google and the reviews and most of my customers I know because they come two or three times a week,” said Moses.
“Lot of people eat in here regularly; I mean we come in here pretty regular,” added Willie.
Mike is a lifelong Roanoker and loves people and food, a trait he picked up from a very early age.
“My mom used to cook homemade food all the time and I enjoyed cooking; I’ve been cooking my whole life. I’ve been doing this 48 years,” said Moses.
He got into the deli business in the early 1970s, working at the New Yorker Deli until he had an opportunity to buy David’s Good Food in 2006, eventually changing the name to Mike’s Deli in 2013.
The thing that never changed in those nearly 50 years was the passion he puts into these monster sandwiches, piled high with thinly sliced meat.
“Chicken salad is excellent and as you can see, they put plenty on it,” said Willie.
“I got a half. I’m 6′2″ and about 275 pounds, it filled me up and I had no breakfast,” added Curtis.
You might think a sandwich like this would break the bank. Mike wants to make sure he fills you up without flattening your wallet.
“Mike could charge double what he’s charging and still have the enormous clientele. The food is that good,” said Curtis.
Mike’s Deli doesn’t just have one, but four daily specials, but asking around, the entire menu is something special.
Not only do they love the food, but those making the food are just as loved.
“I got this young lady who works in the kitchen, Shirley, she’s in her 80s. She works three hours a day. She comes in at 11 and leaves at 2,” said Moses.
Everything homemade from the chicken, potato, and pasta salad, down to the cookies, brownies, baklava, and banana pudding.
Mike will joke that he’s about ready to ride off into the sunset, but he knows his desire to stay busy won’t allow for it.
“That’s what I say, but my wife says the same thing, I’m not going to retire, I’ll find something to do. I’m blessed. You can see the place, it’s blessed,” said Moses.
Mike’s Deli, a hometown eat to pull you out of the mid-day moody blues!
Mike’s Deli is located at 6318 Peters Creek Rd Ste A1, Roanoke, VA 24019. They’re open Monday through Friday 9:30am to 2pm. Closed on the weekends.
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