McAlister's Deli

I'm not sure how I missed the construction for this place. Maybe it was because I was trying to avoid all the construction on Westnedge. I saw this place last week, and a sign out front saying Opening Day in 3 days. The foodie in me was excited and ready to try something new. 
Made it to McAlister's and it was bright and bustling. I overheard one of the workers persuading an older couple to join the rewards to receive a free entree. Free was enough incentive for me! I made it to the counter and got overwhelmed by the choices. I asked the cashier what she had tried, and when she told me my response was, "That doesn't sound good." It was a joke, but I do not think she thought it was funny.
I went with my first mind and ordered the McAlister Club with a side of mac and cheese, a lemonade, and a carrot cake for dessert. I went to sit down and take pictures. My meal arrived and this is what I received. 

My reaction is probably yours as well. "This is it!?" I was very surprised by how small the sandwich looked. The McAlister Club sandwich is loaded with smoked turkey, black forest ham, bacon, sharp cheddar, swiss, spring mix, tomato, may, and McAlister's honey mustard on wheat. The club was toasted perfectly; not too hard or too soft. I wondered to myself how could they have achieved the perfect balance? Sadly, the McAlister Club was a normal club sandwich. There was no wow factor or anything that differentiated this club from any other club. The honey mustard was a good touch, and very flavorful. I almost forgot that there was bacon in this club until I noticed a sliver on my plate. It looked like they took a slice of bacon and cut it in fourths. I'll have to remember to ask for extra with anything that includes bacon.

The mac and cheese were better than City BBq, and maybe it's my fault for having high expectations for this dish. Growing up eating homemade mac and cheese spoils you for anything less. I will say this dish was cheesy, I had to add seasoning to it. Not anything, I would order again. 

I took the carrot cake to work to share with my co-worker. Carrot cake is my favorite of all cakes, and not many places have it on the menu so I was immediately excited. The carrot cake, or as it is named Colossal Carrot Cake is worth the $5 price tag. Carrot cake is nothing without cream cheese frosting. I found this frosting to be lighter than normal. What I mean by that was that it did not have a heavy cream cheese taste (sweetness). The cake was dense and loaded with walnuts and shredded carrots. I think it is worth a try.

Now for the star of the show!! McAlister's Pure Sugar Cane Lemonade is one of the best I have ever tasted outside of Chickfila. Very sweet, with a hit of sour at the end. I am not sure if there are different sizes that go with the meal, because the cup they gave me reminded me of a Big Gulp from 7-Eleven. I overheard others speaking highly of the lemonade, and everything they said was true. This drink is on my must-have list! I went to make an Arnold Palmer (half lemonade, half sweet tea) but somehow in my excitement for diabetes in a cup I mixed my lemonade with unsweetened tea. 

The total for my bill was around $23. Looking forward to trying out something different, maybe a loaded spud, or something with ciabatta bread.

View the menu here McAlister's Deli Menu