Deli-cious?

Critique No. 11

Restaurant

Downtown Deli

19 SE 3rd St
Lees Summit, MO 64063-2322
(816)525-4652

Hours:
Mon-Fri 6AM to 2PM
Saturday 9AM to 3PM
Closed Sundays

Cuisine: Mixed Fare (Mexican, Italian, American, Buffet)

Max. Occupancy: 35

Back in action, on the cold streets of Lee's Summit looking for a good meal.  I went to a place that changed several times in this year alone.  It was called Mrs. Kitty Benedetti's for several years, then Burrito Bandito for a few weeks, and now it's The Downtown Deli.  I went inside and it looked similar, just kinda Rearranged.  There was a couple and then two other people eating separately in this little joint that has 22 seats.

 I got to look at the menu, it was all over the place.  Everything from Stuffed Shells, Meatloaf, French Toast and Corned Beef Sandwiches.  There is a catering menu, breakfast menu and lunch specials menu.  I saw a Pork Pot Pie on there- and it was really cold out- so I thought I'd try something warming and hearty. It came with a salad bar as the side.  The lady behind the counter told me to help myself to the salad and she'd get started on my pot pie. 

Okay- I am going to say the following words with the full understanding that this place has one month under it's belt and that they're still working out the kinks. 

The salad bar wasn't the good.  A huge bowl with only half a plate's worth of lettuce and big chunks of red onions.  There was fine shredded cheddar/jack cheese, pepperoni, olives, pepperoncini, tomatoes, and beats in individual cups  Also some croutons and sunflower seeds and crackers on the side of the bar.  There was ranch, blue cheese, french and 1000 island.  I got what I could out of it- and took a few bites, it wasn't good.  I wanted to like it- because I go into these restaurants like a cheerleader for the small business owner.  But I'm sorry- it wasn't good.  Also there were no napkins on the table- they were only in the middle of this buffet bar. 

Then, My lunch came out- and It wasn't exactly a pot pie, as much as pork, potatoes and carrots with gravy and uncooked biscuit dough scrambled together.  You can see for yourself.

There is a tragedy in all of this- BECAUSE- the filling of this pot pie was really good! The pork was tender and well seasoned, the potatoes and carrots were succulent and delicious, and the gravy had an awesome undertone of black pepper and thyme.  Its just that her attempt to "make it work" with a store bought biscuit as the crust was a FAIL.  It was 99% uncooked dough.  If it was me in that kitchen- I'd have said "86 the pot pie, we're out of crust" or I would have gone to the customer and said "it's going to be a few more minutes on your dish" and let that biscuit cook!

I asked a few of the other patrons how their food was, just to get a consensus on some other menu items.  One guy had the Meatloaf plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.  He'd eaten all of the meatloaf but just a bite or two of the sides.  He said that the portion was just too big for him to finish.  He said he'd come back for the casual atmosphere and the big portion for little price. 

Another patron said she has been coming in several times a week for the spaghetti and (MUCH TO MY SHOCK AND AW) the salad bar.  They also have ALL YOU CAN EAT TACO BAR on TUESDAY NIGHTS and will deliver if you live downtown LS. 

I have to say that I was utterly disappointed in the food I paid to eat at this place, but when you talk to the lady that runs the place- you don't get the same feeling.  She is very passionate about cooking from scratch, using real ingredients, organic eggs and veggies and trying to make good food that people will come back for. "I intend to be here for a long time" she said.  But as they say, The road to restaurant disaster is paved with good intentions. 

Overall Rating: 1 out of 5

Please visit this locally owned business and see if you agree!