Like most “authentic” places in the Triangle, Streets Deli and Market in Chapel Hill is a Disneyfied version of the real thing. Like the recent fake Apple stores in China, overall it seemed like it might be the real McCoy, but the details were amiss. Growing up in NY, I am always on the hunt for “real” delis, pizzerias and diners, but this wasn’t it.

First and foremost, I will say I much rather have mediocre service than mediocre food at a restaurant, but I still feel compelled to write about the experience. Although I went during a prime weekday lunch hour, the place was mostly empty. Four or five of the 20 or so tables were occupied. Instead of being a bustling NY deli, it had the vibe of its sad unvisited great aunt. When I walked in I saw an empty hostess area, also missing was any sign that indicated to seat myself or wait to be seated. Most places this wouldn’t be a big deal, but also in my line of sight was an obvious ordering counter and cash register, so even a restaurant pro such as myself was confused on what to do. After waiting a too little long a middled aged woman finally showed me to my seat.

I am always skeptical about a place that has a large and unfocused menu. I am a big believer in core competencies and doing them well. Even though the menu stayed on the lunch side of things with wraps, salads, sandwiches and hot heroes, there was the unnecessary inclusion of hotdogs and hamburgers and their dinner menu seems to be completely random.

Being a deli, I decided to get my deli standby, corned beef on rye. I got the 1/2 sandwich and salad combo for $8.95. When asked for sauerkraut on the sandwich (a fairly common topping for a corned beef sandwich), the waitress looked at me like I had 3 eyes, but I digress.

While waiting for my sandwich I was presented with a plate of pickles. I was disappointed that these weren’t the classic new pickles typically found at delis, but I won’t hold that against them. As far as pickles go, they were fine, nothing special. My 1/2 sandwich was a decent enough size, but missing sauerkraut (on toasted rye, which I asked for untoasted),  and texturally the sandwich was  a little more like the corned beef you get at the deli counter in the grocery store than at a actual deli. The sandwich was edible, but not the deli experience I was hoping for.

If you are from New York and looking for a the “deli” experience, then you will be disappointed, if you are just looking for an average sandwich and a lot of menu choices, then Market Street Deli is a fine place to go.

Have you been to Streets Deli and Market? What did you think?

See what’s being said on Urbanspoon about Streets Deli

(As a side, I might be a social media snob, but I also don’t trust a place whose last Tweet was in February, what else are they not paying attention to? Tip to proprietors, don’t have the Twitter link on your website if you aren’t going to keep up with it.)

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