Steve's Deli-Now These are Sandwiches

June 13, 2008-Tour Stop 2-Steve's Deli, Bloomfield Hills, MI- By: The Fussy Eater (FE)

Fresh from a little sabbatical after our first review, I met the Common Eater (CE) at Steve's Deli. I'm no stranger to Steve's. I've been a regular (mostly carry out) customer since its 1994 opening. In a metropolitan Detroit market full of real and supposedly real (intended to mean "deli style") deli's, this is the real thing--a true real deli. Nothing processed. Nothing phony.

The restaurant has expanded over the years and is a full sit-down and carry-out restaurant, with daily specials showcased in steaming chafers up front. Red and white predominates the narrow but bright restaurant. Seating is cramped and close together. We sat in the back, to the left, in a small booth with red leather seating and white table top. Don't plan on having much privacy, and if you need a certain anonymity, this is not the place for you. In fact, if you live in the area, I defy you to eat here and not bump into or see someone you know. Some of the employees you'll recognize from visiting other area deli's over the years and some of the waitresses look like they came from 1960's central casting.

Interestingly, I've never tried the two sandwiches that I split with the ever so chatty CE. After a brief conversation, we agreed to split the Reuben (No. 3)-hot corned beef, melted swiss cheese, sauerkraut and russian dressing on grilled rye, and the California Club (No. 16), recommended by the Freep in its sandwich review, smoked turkey, turkey bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, red pepper mayo on challa.

The wait service was a mix between modern friendly and gently hostile and abrupt. Steve's is a busy place and was full on a Friday afternoon. No time for much chit chat. Here's your iced tea-klink. Yes, we want to take your order super fast so we can turn the tables for the busy lunch crowd. No, we can't split the sandwiches for you-chef won't allow it (huh?)--ok, we'll do it ourselves. Delivery of food was a shade on the slower side.

Ahh, the Reuben ($9.25). Guess what folks, the FE had never tried sauerkraut before and CE was utterly delighted this would be my maiden voyage. A very good and sloppy sandwich. Lots of napkins needed. Swiss cheese, russian and sauerkraut oozing out of the sandwich. This is not for the squeamish or those concerned about diets, clogged arteries or coughing up grease. It was quite good and what a real deli sandwich is all about. As usual, FE would have preferred there to be less russian dressing since it was a bit of overkill, but that's a minor criticism. Alas, I am not really a sauerkraut fan (and CE said it was mild)--but I choked it down anyway. Rating: 8.5

Next up, the California Club ($9.25) off the "Lite Sandwiches" section. This was not a messy sandwich and was also quite good. The fresh and soft challa was the perfect touch to a big and hearty sandwich where everything fit together. All sandwiches come with big crisp new and old dill pickles. Rating: 9.0

Steve's Deli is always a winner in FE's book. They have a great variety of menu items for every type of palate. The prices are not cheap--but you get what you pay for. FE