Urban Deli — Restaurant in Baltimore

I have enjoyed Urban Deli many times before, but after today, 1 star and I'm pretty sure I won't be back. I waited OVER half an hour for 1 bagel sandwich. It was not that busy, and the person who came in and ordered 10 minutes after me had his order made before me. Since I had to wait, I figured I would watch them make orders (nothing else to do since I left my phone at work). It was chaotic and messy. I am vegan, and admit to being picky, but the way they were handling food was just gross and unsanitary. The same knife used to smear chicken salad and mayonnaise was used on every other sandwich being made. All they did was continually wipe the knife on the same dirty rag over and over. Uh, that doesn't make anything clean; It just makes that rag grosser and grosser and thus the knife which keeps being rubbed all over it. When I saw them begin on my bagel, I verified that it was double toasted, because hey, it's easy forget special requests (especially 30 minutes after it was ordered). I was told yes it was, but nope, it sure wasn't; I was given a cold soft bagel. It immediately went in the trash can at work. Entire lunch period wasted, went over my allowed time and still had no food. I called to get a refund and I was told I could come pick up another bagel (nope, I wasted my entire lunch break and then some waiting on a bagel that wasn't made correctly). I reiterated that I want a refund. She told me I had to come in and pick up the money. Nope, I'm not wasting my time and gas to pick up money. I paid with a card, it can be refunded back to the card. I was hung up on! I called right back in shock that she hung up on me. She gave me more attitude telling me I told you it will be refunded. I asked her how if she doesn't have my card number or how much I paid. Shocker, she didn't have an answer. She took my info and told me to wait for the owner to come in to process it. It was a horrible experience all around which saddens me knowing how good it used to be. Maybe I was just ignorant of it all since I usually order ahead and don't see the mess or know how long they...

This week I entered Urban Deli for what was my first time ever. It was such an utter disappointment and what's worse is that the owner gave a profoundly terrible impression.

I waited patiently for my turn to speak with the counterperson, who I've now realized was owner, Laura McCormack. She was very chummy with the customer in front of me. When she then spoke to me to get my order, I informed her that I was a representative from a neighboring Main Street community. We were looking to get food vendors for our annual festival and Urban Deli was an ideal contender. I spoke the words "Hi, My name is Ben and I'm from the Mainstreet Festival team-" to which she immediately turned and walked away from me. I was actually sort of stunned to see that she would deliberately disregard me, so I waited for about 5 more seconds in case she would later rejoin the conversation. Instead she hollered with her back turned, "you ready to place your order?" I did not respond, and she worsened the situation by saying to her coworker "can't he see I'm busy over here?"

With a little research, I came to find that this was the owner, Laura McCormack, I was speaking to. I am appalled that Laura runs a business like this, where she would blatantly ignore someone who comes in. I entered with the intention to give her business an opportunity to be spotlighted but she treated me with unapologetic disrespect. A polite "no thank you" would've been perfectly okay, but rather, she treated me rudely.

I will never return to this place of business nor will I ever recommend anyone else go. I hope the owner takes this as a learning opportunity to realize that even if you are not interested in community events, you need to be respectful of people. I was a potential customer who lives in the neighborhood that was turned into someone who will...

Urban Deli: Overall - 8.5/10 Most things on the menu are good. Solid lunch place. Fairly cheap with a decent selection. More of a quick bite spot than a sit-down, just a heads up. I eat here for lunch at least once every other week and it does the job.

The Food - 8.5/10: It’s all pretty good. Some of the stuff is fresh, some of the stuff isn’t but that's okay. This is more of a lunch or grab-and-go place so my standard for what I expect falls within that range for comparable places. I would say the food is above average for the shop style, quick bites, place this is. That is why I come back so much. Solid portions, Great wraps/bread options, and fresh veggies.

I would really recommend any of the wraps or sandwiches they’re all amazing.

The Vibes- 6/10: Cute. You could drive or walk right by it. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone actually eat in there, but there is room to sit. Most time’s there is a line for pick up but they are quick.

The Service-10/10: Everyone who works here is super nice. Never had any issues. Sometime’s if it’s busy they can- naturally- be held up a bit BUT they will always get to you. Even if I am standing around someone always asks if someone helped me.

The Drinks- N/A: Never had any...