Celebrity Delly — Restaurant in Virginia

It was very different than all of the other times I'd come here. My husband (the Dude) and I came here on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The restaurant was just opening for the day and there was a big total of 6 people in the restaurant. He ordered the Monte Cristo. I ordered the Whitefish Platter. Unfortunately, someone else after me ordered whitefish as well. So the food server placed what was my meal in front of another diner. Okay, fair enough. I'm usually not one to complain about mix-ups.

However, the other diner mentioned that she hadn't order the platter. The food server says, "Oh, well this is the same thing." So the diner says, "Oh, okay, then I'll keep it." It's now been about 3 minutes into the ordeal. Our original server came out to their table and said, "Did you order this? This is her (me) plate." She then proceeds to take the plate off of the diner's table and put it in front of me.

I immediately say, "No, I do not want this plate." Our server says, "She didn't touch it." Again, I said, "No, I do not want this plate. It was on someone else's table and that's unsanitary." Our server looks at me with furrowed eyebrows and says, "What? This is what you've ordered." I repeated that it has been on someone else's table, placed in front of them and was there for a certain period of time. She gets frustrated and takes the plate back.

First, since the diner said that she accepted the plate for what it was, the plate should've stayed with that diner. She seemed to be like me and not one for complaining. Second, you don't take food off another person's table and try to pawn it off on another diner. We are still in the age of covid.

So after 10 minutes, the server brings out another plate and puts it in front of me. I'm baffled, stunned even. I'm not eating this. I couldn't even believe they tried that. The diner notices that I'm not touching that plate either. I turn to look for my server who has run off. The diner asked me about the plate. I told her the reason and she scoffed, saying, "I don't know what has happened to this place."

I got the attention of another server, who loudly professes that she is not my server. I asked her to get my server then. They brought me the exact same plate, the original plate they took from the diner and tried to give me. They tried to give me this plate as if they had made an entirely different meal. I instantly knew it was the same plate because there were two stray poppy seeds from the everything bagel on the slices of cheese. All they did was reheated the bagel.

The Dude and I were both livid. We asked for the check for his meal that he had taken 2 bites of the Monte Cristo. The server went back there disgusted and it ended up taking 20 minutes just to get the check and pay for it. This was the worst service I've ever had at the Celebrity Delly. I doubt I will ever go...

Response to owner: Appreciate the reply, but your claims on costs don't quite stack up to reality I experienced today. $40+ for 2 sandwiches with barely any meat on them.

I have made similar sandwiches at home with top quality ingredients and estimate it was closer to $10 for both, and both stuffed with ingredients.

It was not the corned beef, so while you may give better quality and volume on specific things, it obviously does not apply to everything which is primarily where my comments come from.

And not quite sure why you bring up listeria for someone making things themselves. I can understand if someone does not cook things properly, but listeria is killed heating foods 165f+, nullifying your point.

Response from the owner:

I am so sorry you feel the way you do. While we do agree prices are high, it’s due to the fact we do not cheapen our quality. We stand by our prices. This is why we have created a slew of affordable options under $15 for those unable to spend a lot on food. This includes wraps, grilled cheeses, and even including 1/2 sandwiches with sides and 1/2 subs with sides. Not everything can be lower, however this keeps most of our food accessible to all! It’s something everyone struggles with. For example, Giant Food carries Boar’s Head corned beef, but be prepared…it’ll run you $21.09/lb not to mention the possibility of listeria. Our corned beef is made in house, fresh, using high quality ingredients and guaranteed to be listeria free! If I were to take that cheaper meat and put it on your sandwich, I would have to charge $30 per sandwich! It’s absolutely ridiculous out there. So when you consider what you’re getting for the price you are, there is no other game in town.

Have been going there for years, not anymore.

Pre-Covid their value for quality was a little high, but ok to pay every once in a while. During COVID and now post-COVID, the prices are extraordinarily high for what you're getting.

Maybe the volume game will keep them afloat for a while longer, but eventually people will figure out there are better higher quality options for fair prices around...

So a few people have been suggesting this DMV staple for a good minute now. They’ve especially expressed the need for me to get this spots steak n cheese!! Today…I obliged!! . Where I am: @celebritydelly . Location Reviewed: 7263A Arlington Blvd, Falls Chirch Virginia. . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Oreo Shake ($6 house made). Thick, sweet deliciousness!!

STAMP!! Their French Dip ($ with roast beef, sautéed onions, Munster cheese, a pickle, & Au Jus). Tender, oniony, tasty!!

STAMP!! Their Poutine ($18 with beef gravy, brisket, & cheese curds over fries). Fries stayed crisp, with a tasty beef, cheese, & gravy!!

STAMP!! Their Old Bay Fries ($7 hand cut). Crispy, seafood’ish, tasty!!

LIKE THAT!! Their Steak n Cheese Eggroll ($18 with ribeye, provolone cheese, & onions wrapped in a cooked tortilla with sweet chili dip). Huge!!

LIKE THAT!! Their Rueben ($15 with corned beef, Swiss, provolone, sauerkraut, & Russian dressing on rye). Well seasoned, thick, & meaty!!

STAMP!! Their Parmesan Tuna Sub ($17 with tuna salad, hot peppers, & onions on a Parmesan crusted garlic roll). Thick, creamy, & cheesy with a kick!!

STAMP!! Their Onion Rings ($7). I forgot to STAMP these in the video…but yeah…STAMP!!

STAMP!! Their Chicken Cheesesteak ($15 with peppers, aged provolone, l.t.o, & mayo on a seeded roll). Plentiful, cheesy, & really tasty!!

STAMP!! Their The Boss Cheesesteak ($18 with ribeye, mushrooms, onions, garlic aioli, & Munster cheese on a seeded roll). Go try this!! That’s it!! . Parking: Rough. . Customer Service: On Point. . Recommendations: Get what I STAMPED!!

Accessibility: This spot is wheelchair friendly, & differently abled persons friendly.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️=STAMP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕=LIKE...