American Deli — Restaurant in Montgomery

Today, I had the misfortune of stepping into the most unsanitary American Deli I’ve ever visited. The shock I experienced walking into the odorous restaurant dizzied me as I made my way past three loud, boisterous teenage patrons visiting the establishment (obvious friends of the cashier who was seated with them). I immediately knew I had made a mistake in my choices between the neighboring Chinese restaurant and this American Deli. My regret sank deeper with each alternately sticky and greasy step until I was confronted by arguably the worst customer service person I’ve yet to encounter in Montgomery, AL.

I was greeted with a seemingly exasperated cashier who presented with one hand tucked deeply in the front of their pants and the other on the cash register. After taking my order, (and removing their hand from the dungeon of their clothing to receive my hard earned dollars) the cashier promptly escaped into a cell phone with both hands, completely ignoring my outstretched hand presenting the correct change.

Exasperated myself, I finally laid the quarters on the encrusted counter next to the dried ketchup and crumbs of (probably last week’s) past dinners. The brash young person looked at me and mumbled “imnogonnapiupdatmuny.”

Huh??

I leaned down under the protective plexiglass and asked to repeat, since I don’t speak Insolent Teenager. “imnogonnapiupdatmuny,” was the reply.

I still couldn’t make out their words, but could tell the cashier was referencing the money I laid on the counter (the way you might understand an agitated foreigner trying to demand something from you.)

Finally, the cashier reluctantly put down the cell phone, and eyes rolling, stretched out the free, unsullied hand, palm up, and demanded I pick up the change from the counter (which was mere inches away) and place it in their hand: “imnotpickindatmunyup putitinmyhand.”

My look of incredulity was met with more eye and neck rolling, and an elbow on a hip with the same hand outstretched as if to suggest, what? I should know better because this is the only restaurant option in the city??!! Immediately gathering my composer, I just asked for my dollars back, cupped the change along with whatever that was on the counter — crumbs, mayonnaise, ketchup — scooped it up, and calmly walked out. The cashier’s friends were polite enough to wish me a good day on my way out the door; although, I didn’t get the sense it was intended as good will. Go figure. Guess it’s Chinese today...

4/17/18 4:30 pm ~Not a good visit today, not busy , about 2 other orders ahead of my small fries and coke ($3.28) cashier was not friendly and a bit short worded/rude. No thank you or greeting except "what do you want" plenty of staff behind counter (5) Personally I prefer staff working at food service to have long hair put up in a hair net than to see them run hands thru it and then hand your food over. Asked if they had a restroom and the woman said yep and pointed to a wall. Restroom was dirty, obviously not checked regularly with the mess in there. Lock on door not working and I had someone open it while I was there. Hard to rate food when it's just fries and a soda, but their tiny crinkly fries were hot, fresh, good and not over cooked. Overall experience with facility, cleanliness, service, prices total a 1&half 🌟. Mostly due to staff & not being cleaned up. Hope these will...

My friends at work introduced me to American Deli after moving to the Montgomery area. First off, these are my favorite wings here. Period. The crinkle fries are always hot and tasty too ... I’ve also tried the philly, burger, and gyro ... personally I was impressed with and liked the burger a lot... the gyro was surprisingly good also ... the philly wasn’t bad but I’ve had much better. The staff also are friendly and my order has always been correct

Update:

2/15/23

In recent years, in my opinion, the quality of both food and service declined. I no longer go to American Deli for my wings. I’ve downgraded my...