On Monday, Traci and I had a chance to try out Marc and Didi Zudar’s Deli Cafe for lunch. We had never been before, but knew that the long-time restaurant family is known for their cakes and sandwiches. This Zudar’s is not to be confused with the since closed Zudar’s Deli Cafe location near SoHo, which the couple had previously sold and then allowed the new owner to use the name.
Marc and Didi Zudar’s Deli Cafe is located in a small nondescript building on W. Platt St. next to the Publix at Platt and Bayshore and a few doors down from the Irish bar Four Green Fields (best known for its authentic thatched roof). We arrived a little after noon at Zudar’s on Monday and the place was crowded with the lunch rush. We were lucky to grab a table for two soon after walking in.
There was a number of items on the menu I wanted to try, several soups and quiches sounded interesting, but I ultimately decided upon ordering a sandwich called “the Meltdown” – roast beef, bacon, provolone, lettuce and tomato on whole wheat. Traci ordered a traditional BLT on white. Our server was quick and relatively friendly considering that she was covering countless tables.
While my sandwich wasn’t Wright’s Gourmet House caliber (still my favorite local sandwich spot), it was very good. Traci also enjoyed her BLT (notice the bacon, no chicken!). We’ll likely drop into Zudar’s again sometime as I want to try out their freshly made soups and their cakes look killer. Two of the tables around us each ordered a slice of the coconut cream pie to share. These were the kind of big slices that look like they would put you to sleep after returning to the office.
My only gripe with my sandwich was that Zudar’s uses shredded lettuce which I’m not a fan of. Also, while my sandwich was a good size, and for the price (about $16 for the two of us with drinks) it was a fair deal, it wasn’t particularly “overstuffed” either. Finally, while the sandwich is what really matters, the included bag of plain chips was small and the pickle slice was even smaller.
Other local delis that we like for sandwiches, besides the fore mentioned Wright’s, includes Castellano & Pizzo, Mazarro’s Italian Market, Schiller’s German Delicatessen, and Interbay Meat Market. We still plan to give Mott & Hester Deli a try one of these days. We’ve also done Pane Rustica before for dinner, but not lunch. What good local sandwich places am I forgetting?
In case you were wondering, there aren’t any recent health inspection reports on Zudar’s available.
Bottom-line: Zudar’s may not have the best sandwiches in town (I still think Wright’s is top of the heap, although I know some of you think Wright’s is overrated), but you could definitely do a lot worse. A good lunch choice if you work in or around downtown Tampa.
dreaming
3 years ago
ive tried the new zudars once or twice and found the quality ok, as you note. however, the main reason i never made it a staple is that it gets very crowded on workdays. (monday was a holiday, but still busy, as you say). on regular weekdays, its a stretch to get in and out and back to the dreaded desk. that said, the old zudars was even worse as far as that goes, which is why i only went once and managed to get by 2pm after arriving, oh, maybe 12:30ish.
is a burrito a sandwich? i dunno but chipotle cranks em out fast as a lunch joint. not to mention filling and cheap.
matt
3 years ago
I can see how the wait/line at Zudar’s can be a real problem for a work week lunch.
As for Chipotle- agreed. Yes, it’s a chain, owned by McD’s etc, but we hit the one on Westshore regularly, also have been several times to the St. Pete 4th street store. Superior IMO to Moe’s, Tijuana Flats, Qdoba (pretty bad the one I’ve been to in Orlando).
Gregory
3 years ago
You want overstuffed sandwiches? Try Lucky Dill on Ashley. It’s like coldcut porn.
csc
3 years ago
coldcut porn…sweet!
matt
3 years ago
how can I not like a place described as having “coldcut porn”
Guess lucky dill does tampa.. never been to the tampa or st. pete locations. Walking by them they reminded me a little of a TooJay’s.
drkptt
3 years ago
I haven’t seen Jo-El’s Deli in St. Pete mentioned. The sandwiches are good; the setting somewhat unusual. It’s hidden in a commercial building a few blocks from Mazzaro’s. You think you’re going into the warehouse of a wholesale grocery, which is true. The deli is past the aisles of the retail kosher grocery and next to the display of hot dog vending carts for sale. Get a half sandwich and soup–steaming hot chicken broth with a huge matzo ball. Order at the deli counter; they’ll bring it out to the table. If you’re nice they throw in a little something sweet for dessert.
http://www.joelskosherfoods.com/
matt
3 years ago
Thanks for the tip on Jo-El’s – will add to list!
michelle
2 years ago
I ate there….ordered quiche….it was undercooked and or old…I got sick off their food….never again will I go there!