2008 Woodie Awards
Kathy's Deli
By: Chelsea Stoner
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Kathy's Deli is tucked away on the corner of Walnut and Seventh Streets, featuring the ambiance of a big-city luncheonette like "Seinfeld's" Monk's. Complete with four-person vinyl booths and slow servers, Kathy's Deli features sandwiches from all over the country - hamburgers, french fries, and salads.
During one weekday lunch hour many students and casually dressed people were dining while others were eagerly awaiting their meals. Hands awaiting food tapped anxiously on the green Formica tables.
The cozy atmosphere and cheesy light-rock music playing in the background were a distraction from the 25-minute wait. The cashier was charming and happy, which seemed to help ease empty stomachs.
Offered in four sizes, ranging from Petite (4 inches) to Bigfoot (12 inches), the famous Philadelphia Steak Sandwich ($3.85, Petite) is served with gluttonous amounts of cheese, warm slices of beef and sautéed onions on a fresh baked submarine roll. Although a little salty, this sandwich is delicious even 3,000 miles away from its home.
The "typical" sandwich, smoked turkey and cheese ($3.35, Petite) served on a white or wheat roll, is appetizing and full of flavor. The smoked turkey gives a flavor straight from the rotisserie. Put together with perfectly combined amounts of mustard, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper, this sandwich makes for a mouth-watering lunch. Beware the vinaigrette, which tended to make the roll soggy after a few minutes.
Kathy's Deli has great sandwiches, as any delicatessen should, but the diner should steer clear of the grill. The hamburger patties taste as though they are pre-sliced and defrosted, just out of the freezer. Ranging from plain hamburgers ($3.30) to cheeseburgers ($3.60) to mushroom Swiss burgers ($3.90), each tastes microwaved and freezer-burned. This could be somewhat overlooked if they were served with french fries, but additional orders come separately. The french fries ($1.25) are served golden brown and slightly warm. Their look is appetizing, but along with the floppy meat patty, their taste lacks spunk.
Kathy's Deli is family owned and operated. Submarine rolls are baked fresh every day, which perhaps is the reason they are the high point of the dining experience. Kathy's Deli has the potential to become better known if it developed a faster pace and prepared hand-grilled tasting meat.
| Address: 671 Walnut St., Chico |
| Phone Number: (530) 343-5925 |
| Hours: Monday-Saturday 11:30 - 8:30; Sunday 12:00 - 6:00 |
| High Point: Fresh baked submarine rolls |
| Low Point: Frozen tasting meat patties |
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