CT's Deli LLC — Restaurant in Rhinelander

My favorite restaurant in Rhinelander. I'm sure there are others but this and Davenport House (now closed) were my favorite places to eat high quality food in the Northwoods. I found there wasn't too much high quality food in the area and that it was mostly fast food in the region, CT's deli is that oasis of quality. This place is so good that I am about to rant about it.

Love nearly everything about CT's and it's hard to decide where to begin. I'll start with the weekly specials. Every week they have two (I may be wrong) specials. Normally a grilled cheese and a wrap. I typically went for the grilled cheese and they are always satisfying. The grilled cheeses here really opened up my palate to new tastes. They don't make basic grilled cheeses here, unless you already have a very diverse palate you will see ingredients you aren't familiar with. Take a chance and try it, always paid off for me. I have not had an unsatisfying sandwich here, and I used to eat here almost every week towards the end of me living in Rhinelander.

The Wednesday Dinners are amazing. Typical well rounded meal including a protein, veggie, and carb. My favorite was the Chicken Parmesan with green beans and polenta. The Thursday pizzas are great as well. Very innovative pizzas similar to the rest of the menu. ButchershopbakeCo cookies and other goodies are top notch as well. The cookies change on a monthly basis with a few staples always around, I want to say. Highly recommend getting a cookie or sides when you eat here. The food is way too tempting to stop at a sandwich/one item. If you think the prices are high for the area just consider you get what you pay for. Some of my family didn't like going too much because it...

CTs, what are you doing? You make Irish and Ulster-Scot ancestors everywhere cry. You're Irish Stew was not Irish! I first off want to say, I like the paninis here. This review is against one dish, not the establishment. My mother is an immigrant from Northern Ireland, and I've eaten Irish Stew on my many visits to that country, both in restaurants there and made by my own grandmother. The recipe for this wonderful, hearty dish has been passed down through the women in my family, and I make this dish with frequency. So, of course, on St. Patrick's day, when I saw it on CTs lunch menu, I had to try it. I didn't expect a whole lot, but CTs Irish Stew failed even my minimum expectations. A good Irish stew has beef or mutton, carrots, rutabagas or turnips (optional), a whole onion, beef bullion, and PLENTY of potatoes as the base. Remember this was created as a dish for poor people originally. What I got at CTs was almost all meat (the meat was very tender and flavorful btw). Hardly any carrot, I saw one little piece of potato, some celery(?), and they added PEARL BARLEY. This is the recipe for beef barley soup; this was NOT and never will be Irish Stew. My Northern Irish grandmother couldn't believe it when I told her. They also served "soda bread" with the meal. It didn't taste like any soda bread I've ever eaten. No strong soda taste, no caraway seed, and they added cranberries (why?). It was more like drop biscuits or a poorly made fruit cake. CTs, whatever cooks you have that think this was Irish food, go to Ireland and learn how to make it properly. Such a desecration. And on that note, you'll never find corned beef and cabbage in Ireland. They think we're nuts for eating that; I know, I've...

I am saddened to write this review. I am a local and usually enjoy my visits. I will say the food has declined in quality over time. I work for a health center and we have had Ct's cater a few of our small events with zero complaints. I also feel responsible when I refer you to our clinic in the UP to support your local business. I called to place a catering order 48hours in advance as indicated on the website. A younger lady answered the phone and was pleasant. I asked her if I could place a catering order and she told me to wait a moment. I over heard her ask if another person could take the order. The other woman said "ahhhhh NO". I heard the tone and immediately felt uncomfortable. The other lady got back on the phone and kindly asked if someone can call me back. No problem. 4-5 hours later I was getting worried about time and staying in that window of 24-48 hours. So I called back. The lady that was unavailable to talk to me before was now available. She was very rude right away, short, cut me off and had an attitude. I gave her our order & she said we would have to pic a different meat in order for them to be able to complete the order, so after checking with my colleges we made the change. She then asked " Wait how many is this for?" I said 50. She said " NO, no there is no way". I am mostly disappointed on how our business was handled. I work in the food and drink industry and I know we can get busy. I know we can be short staffed. I know the holidays can be demanding, however this could have been handled much more professionally. Please discuss better customer service etiquette with your team. ...