Mansfield Deli — Restaurant in Mansfield

Mansfield Deli under new ownership is not what it used to be.

My family and I have been loyal customers of Mansfield Deli for decades. On Friday, my mom got me their braised short rib and egg noodles meal, which was my favorite. I took it out to heat up and was confused because it looked gross and completely different from how it always looks.

I called Mansfield Deli to ask if the recipe had changed and found out it had. The new owner took over Wednesday and changed the recipe within two days. I wanted a refund because the meal looked disgusting and unappealing, and I wouldn’t have purchased it if I had seen it there myself. The new owner “stands by the new recipe” and didn’t refund me. He gave me a gift card in the amount of the meal.

We went to Mansfield Deli today. The meal fridges didn't have a lot overall, but the shelf with the new braised short rib recipe was full. Usually that item sells out quickly (if you know, you know). We used the gift card on cookies and mac salad now because I don’t have a good feeling about the next meal restock this coming week.

The new owner started talking to us. When he found out I’m the “braised short rib gift card” person, he started telling us that the recipe is the same. We disagreed, then he said it’s the same recipe just made differently (which means it’s not the same recipe). I told him that it looks gross and clearly isn’t the same meal we’ve bought for years, and my mom explained that visual presentation matters too. He wasn’t rude to us, just seemed preoccupied and busy.

Obviously the new owner can do whatever he wants with his business, but it’s extremely disappointing and sad. I’ve been patronizing Mansfield Deli my whole life. The vibe in the store today was definitely off— nothing like the bustling, upbeat place it’s been for decades. I got the distinct impression that a lot more changes are taking place than just that one meal.

I feel most bad for the staff. They are the heart and soul of that business. I can’t imagine what they’re going through. They don’t deserve to have all their years of hard work and dedication thrown away in a matter of days. I don’t understand why someone would buy a beloved staple of the town just to change it all immediately. There are a lot of people in the community who rely on their fresh homemade meals. I really hope this isn’t the end of Mansfield Deli as we know it because I can’t imagine Mansfield without it.

Here’s a picture of the new recipe (paid $17 plus tax). You decide for yourself how appetizing it looks compared to the original.

Edit to add: When I heated the meal up, there were still orange chunks throughout the dish that did not disintegrate with heating. The meat itself was tender and the noodles were cooked well, like the original recipe. However, the sauce tasted as gross as it looked. It had the consistency of chunky baby food and stuck to the meat and noodles with a very unappealing lumpy yet goopy texture. With the side vegetables now puréed into the sauce, all it tasted like was carrots or sweet potatoes, which added to the baby food consistency of the sauce. I couldn't eat it and...

On Tuesday November 22, 2022 my coworkers and I ordered lunch from the Deli hoping to enjoy some lunch after dispensing a large number of Thanksgiving Baskets to our elderly non-elderly community. Upon my arrival back to work I was not able to eat my sandwich as my colleague had long Brown hair in her sandwich. I was unable to eat after that along with my other coworkers. I told my coworker to call and get a refund and she was told by a young lady with a crass tone that she would no refund the order and she needed evidence of the hair in the food via a photo also she was jo allowed to speak with the owner. My coworker did send the evidence per request of a Meer counter worker and was told today Wednesday November 22, 2022 they would only refund her sandwich also she was questioned if the hair was hers... Hmmmm we are blonde not brunette so it's clear the evidence provided was not from any of us none the less due to the treatment and fouled manner of the counter worker and not being able to deal with the owner and sole responsible party I will not spend my hard earned money here as counter help has been allowed to be judge, jury and executioner of issues of health related matters for the public. The board of health in Mansfield has been contacted and an officer will be doing her due diligence to maintain the health of all consumers who visit this establishment to ensure proper safety is being conducted as for the leaders who allow this ignorance maybe a course in public and business administration would aid you in your current regulations of how food we consume...

Im not sure if 3 out of 5 stars is average or if theres a 2.5 option. The sandwiches look fantastic on paper but are ok. I was overly excited to try here and was let down on how average it was. The breads are the problem. The ingredients are middle of the road, but the breads do every sandwich a disservice. I wasn't blown away enough to want to go back, and I wasn't disappointed enough to swear of ever going here again. its was just "eh.. its ok". What I didnt like was the tip scam being run at the cash register. Be wary of any "phony compliments" hurled at you the moment you have to select a tip amount. We thought it was out of the norm with us but were flattered, then noticed it happened with customer after customer. Once you realize the disingenuousness of it, you're let down big time and kind of insulted. This didn't feel like a tactic the register girl thought up but something management taught her. The ordering is odd as well. You order with one guy standing in the middle of the store and pay at another counter. No idea why but thats their system. Whatever works I guess. Oh and somebody hit my car in the parking lot while I was sitting in it. I got out to confront the driver but he tried to gaslight me. Insisted nobody hit my car, and insisted there wasn't damage without even looking at my car. This has nothing to do with the Deli and has no weight in my rating but be weary of the parking lot and the "locals" they can be pretty...