McAlister's Deli — Restaurant in Wilmington

In summary I was underimpressed.

I've always driven by this place and wondered how it was...I've never heard anyone else talk about it and it's been hear for years. So I finally gave it a try. It's a large deli with alot of seating, it was empty at dinner time so perhaps it has a larger lunch crowd. After reviewing the large board of menu items at the counter I choose the large french dip sandwich. I asked for fries as my side but was told the don't offer fries...so I went with potato salad. The sandwich came on a large plate which was needed for the nice hearty sized warm crusty French roll that my sandwich came one. It also had a hearty amount of thick sliced roast beef stacked inside, it looked amazing. Unfortunately, it looked much better than it actually tasted. I've always enjoyed beef dip sandwiches so I've ordered them alot and sadly this fell in the lower end of my experience range. I can't say if the meat was a bad quality or brand or just not seasoned in a way that was expected or enjoyable. I think perhaps it was just too far outside the typical french dip. It was disappointing enough that I only ate half and won't be ordering one again.

My wife ordered the strawberry salad with extra spinach and was happy.

I also tried the red velvet cookie for desert, which wasnt good enough to finish eather.

With so many other options in town, I'll be surprised if we stop in again as it just wasn't compelling enough in all categories...nothing bad... just nothing enticing...

I went here with my family while spring breaking in Wilmington and it was nice. You enter, go to register and place your order, pay right then, receive your number, go seat yourself, and they bring your order out to you when it’s ready. I loved the fact that they had an open outside patio eating area that was nice, neat, cool, and spacious. The food was plentiful, tasty, and fulfilling that I had to get a to go box. I highly recommend one of their tasty spuds which is a meal by itself and their broccoli and cheese soup. The cashier put in my order incorrectly for one thing but staff was courteous, kind, and got the replacement out pronto.The only thing I hated is that I and my kids wanted fountain lemonade but we were denied it as the cashier told us it was for their GRUBHUB/DELIVERY customers only due to them running low. Well as a first time out of towner customer, that was a turn off for me. I am a paying customer now requesting an item and then I am denied due to a outside customer who you may or may not get today. My thoughts since that is popular drink is to make sure there is enough on hand for BOTH inside & outside customers. Otherwise, this is a great place for a light fulfilling meal that you want feel weighted down and ready to go to sleep...

Review 11/9/2021, Wow, things have changed at McAlisters. We have been going for years. My parents have been going for years. I visited this week, we all headed over to McAlisters and its sadly not the same. We were in line, very few people in the restaurant and the girl at the register just talking to someone (employee) laughing while were just standing there waiting. Finally took the order. I had the French Dip. Dry meat, 4 small slices. The ice teas which we always ordered were good. Took away the help station for sugars. Cups are no longer have logos, new cups are cheaper. Service was below par. When we went in years past everyone was upbeat friendly and we had become friends with a few. No longer there. There is a basic drabness now about the place. I have to assume there is new management. Its just not that same, food it not the same. I was very upset that the cashier was not helping my 88 year old father and 85 year old mother while she was not being attentive to her job. Very unfortunate. I used to recommend this restaurant all of the...