McAlister's Deli — Restaurant in Elgin

My first visit to (any) McAlister's Deli - great first impression. Their Grand Opening was last week. They are prepared - they appear to be fully staffed, and more importantly, the staff are well trained. Everyone was polite, friendly, informative, and helpful, and easily identifiable by the branded t-shirts and polos they wear. The restaurant itself is clean and well-organized. You enter and walk right into the queue line. There were four cashiers ready to take your order. Similar to Panera, you place your order, get your drink, find a table, and staff brings your food out when it's ready (using numbered cards which coordinate with your order). Choose to sit at a table, booth, or high table (though the latter two are in fewer supply), with most tables seating 4, though 2,4,6, & 8 seat tables are available. My order came quickly. Staff were roaming around, checking on guests, providing drink refills, clearing plates, asking about the meals. Very efficient and very prompt to offer refills when your drink is 1/3 empty. (I had four different staff members ask me if I needed a refill, before I finally agreed to one!) And btw, their brewed tea is quite tasty! Casual dining for guests of all ages - saw families with small children who got to color at their table, as well as teens, and adults of all ages in singles, couples, and groups. Menu is fairly and competitively priced.. Nothing jumped out at me as being particularly overpriced. Twice while I dined the line was backed up to the entrance and both times, it moved quite quickly! Restrooms were clearly indicated, and clean too. Aisles are on the narrow side (though a wheelchair would fit) and spacing between tables is a tad snug for my preferences - I can see coats that are hanging on chair backs easily getting stepped on, but that just means you get to know your table neighbors. :) Decor is pleasant and fairly neutral in earthy tones (brown, orange, yellow, green) with some food-related artwork. The south and east walls are banks of windows, nearly floor to ceiling, which makes me wonder how bright & sunny it gets in here in the mornings into the sun passes overhead (I don't see blinds or string tinting on the windows). There were many things on the menu I saw that I wanted to try, so I'll definitely be back! It's exciting to have a deli with tasty food in the area, so Panera isn't the only option anymore. 5 stars after my first visit. Hopefully there won't be reason to change that rating...

After being out running around in the morning I noticed some rumbling in my tummy. Time to feed the beast before walking into a grocery store. Our sites were set on one establishment then saw another we liked and when we pulled into the parking lot, it was like a guiding light we saw McAlister’s Deli. First time visit for this establishment. Ivan could not have made the experience more pleasurable. From the ordering of the food, delivery to the table to the clearing of our table he had exceeded our expectations and deserves this honorable mention. The menu board above the kitchen passthrough looked overwhelmingly extensive. We took a step back to look it over for a while. Iven was there to educate us as we asked questions. I finally settled on one of the spuds (spud max). My wife decided on soup (Chicken Tortilla) no green onions topping, sandwich (French Dip) no cheese, and a side (Tomato and cucumber salad). Yes, she is very choosy when it comes to “what’s in it” before eating something. What impressed me was the fact that a young lady emerged from the kitchen area and mentioned that the soup choice my wife made did in fact had an item in it that she asked not to have as a topping (green onion). Here I was left alone to make my spouses decision. Without going into all the details…. It was reported that the soup was great! After ordering you are handed a number that you place at the table of your choice, then it is brought out to you. Leave the dishes as it’s cleaned up for you. They have 2 size drinks…. 32oz, and child size probably about 10oz. I suggest you take the time and check out the on-line menu before jumping in. The food was good, the spud was large enough to take ½ of it home for another...

My date picked me up, and I told her that I was hungry. She said she wasn’t as hungry, so I asked what about a sandwich? Something light, but at the same time filling, so off we went to experience McAlister’s Deli together for the first time.

While walking in, I asked her what she was eyeballing? She loves sandwiches as much as I do, so we decided to do a little bit of roulette, and try two sandwiches, and just split them. Not our first rodeo at doing this, everything looked good. So she told me to order. I decided to go with the Sweet Chipotle Chicken, and the Italian Sandwich. For our sides we decided to go with the Mac & Cheese, and the Potato Salad.

Before the food arriving, we notice an intriguing sign for a Savannah Salad. Just throwing it out there, has anyone tried it? Let me know, get back to me? SAVANNAH…

Any ways the Sweet Chipotle Chicken sandwich was amazing, my date liked the Italian Sub as well. But if we had to choose one between the two? Sweet Chipotle by a country mile. The potato salad was good, and the Mac & Cheese was sub par.

End of the day, Great Sandwiches! Very Fresh, I would love to go back, and next time stop by for some frozen custard at Andy’s next door.

Afterwards my date wanted to go see a movie, so we decided to watch the new Suicide Squad. Boy let’s just say Jungle Cruise was way better, which we saw together.

8:59pm struck and I promised my date some gifts. She proceeded to open them, I got her a few joke gifts, and than she opened “the gift” I got her a necklace, with a few things on it that represent her best.

I asked her to be my girl friend, and she said yes!

Word can’t express how I feel besides this… Thank You...