Everyday Hero Deli-*Great* food and helping the community too!

Sadly, Everyday Hero is now closed.

mmm-yoso is the blog's name.   Cathy is talking about what she ate today.  Kirk will talk about his munchings on another day.

Hi.  If you've read and remembered everything I've written, you know I try to hit a fruit/vegetable market around town a couple of times a week.  Sometimes its just Henry's but then there is Vine Ripe, which I blogged about in October (since there is a restaurant attached to the market) and there are a few others around town.   This one, which was named without any imagination or thought whatsoever, is on Santo Road, at the 52, about one mile (its the first exit) east of I-15; so it isn't far away for most of you.  Right inside the market area of  The Market there has always been a deli/sandwich place, and it was owned by the The Market's owners (heh heh, I love saying that out loud, the The...) and was Mediterranean and good food, some hot plates, lots of different feta's, etc.  But it closed and finally, last July, a wall went up and this new place opened...Everyday Hero.... and I figured, eh, Hero sandwiches...no big deal; probably not very good...and I never went in.  BIG MISTAKE.  HUGE.

The other day The Mister was off from work and we were going to get veggies and stuff from the The Market and it was lunchtime...and I had my camera, and I am now in the habit of documenting all of my eating habits (my physician will love me when I tell her to come to the blog to see how I eat, especially all those fried foods....) so I figured since its still opened after six months, it might be OK and I wasn't that hungry anyhow.

  Its nice and clean inside.  Casual.  Photographs on the walls...of Firemen, Rescue guys, Lifeguards...oh...Everyday Heroes...hmmm.

There is a menu on the wall to the right when you walk in, which photographed badly.

So here is the paper menu, wherein you can read the prices.

and there were some daily specials on the wall also, and everything looked good.

The Mister decided on the Daily Special sandwich, a Pastrami panini, which came with the chips and soda at no extra cost, this being the Special ($7.45).  I decided on the "My Big Greek Panini" ($5.95) which cost the same as the "My Big Greek Wrap" and I was interested in how the panini-ized pita would taste. We both were fascinated with the description of the Soup of the Day- White Bean Shrimp Stew, so we got the large size of that also ($3 I think). 

When we ordered we were asked if we had ever been there before; we said  'no' and the nice girl at the counter explained that the Deli has partnered with some of the organizations in San Diego, with the goal of assisting them with their "Wish Lists" and that a portion of the profits go to those organizations, and we could choose which organization we wanted our potion of the profits to go to..Fire and Rescue, Lifeguards or a few others.  I immediately said "Fire" for many reasons, but maybe will choose a different organization the next time (ah those Lifeguards....<sigh>).

SO ANYHOW, um...let me get my bearings back.  While waiting, I was reading some of the stuff on the walls....it seems the three owners were all in the Hospitality Industry; two of them being Professional Hotel Chefs....one of whom teaches at a Culinary institute....and I started thinking...and then the soup/stew arrived.

Tomato based.  Hunks of tomatoes.  Tomatoes with seeds.  Fresh tasting...a little bit of bite (was described on the wall as fra diablo, but wasn't too hot) ...white beans that were not mushy. Good sized large pieces of shrimp that were not mushy but still firm and ...sweet...fresh...Oh. My. God.

This was a GREAT stew.  I mean *really* good.  This was made by chefs, from scratch, not from a can.  This was wonderful.

Then my panini came out.  Hummus, tomato, provolone, cucumber, caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, feta, a spicy cucumber based sauce on a panini-ized pita.  Wonderful!  Fresh, crispy veggies and the grilled ones were great also.  The sauce was a nice spicy heat and this was one of the best "veggie" sandwiches I have had...ever.  The side of pickles and peppers was a nice touch and they were good ones. 

Also, the sandwich was presented this way, cut and stacked.  A nice little attention to detail. I usually have to 'primp' the food for the photographs I post.

The Mister's Grilled Pastrami Panini came out, in this presentation.  Beef pastrami, horseradish cheddar, roasted peppers, sun dried tomato pesto, fresh spinach and chopped pickles.

Yes, it was great.  The heat from the horseradish cheddar made it unique. The pastrami was not fatty at all, the grilling was just right in that the bread was not overly crispy. 

The food here is made *extremely*, unexpectedly good.  I could kick myself for walking by here so many times last summer.  The whole story, menu and descriptions are on the website along with catering information.  If you are on Interstate 15 at 52, just take the exit East; it is the first exit and inside that shopping area to your right, before the first light (you can go to that light and pull into the parking lot there; it is closer to that end anyhow) , but do give it a try.  You'll leave happy after a great dining experience and will also have helped "Strengthen the Community One Sandwich at a Time".

Everyday Hero Deli 5950 Santo Road, Suite K San Diego 92124 (858)694-0741

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

When we were leaving, The Mister and I went to the counter to ask about and compliment that home made stew and we were told we could get on the e-mail list for the daily specials for the coming week.  On Saturday afternoon I got the email for this week and I am totally wanting to go back and try the asparagus crab soup on Thursday and the meatloaf hero and...well, everything.   You can send them an email and ask to be put on the list: [email protected]

Addendum:  Went back and got the Tuscan Chicken Hero sandwich...OMG...oh yes...warm chicken breast, tomatoes, olives, capers..and you get a choice of white, wheat or sesame bread for the sandwich.  Fresh and, again, wonderful.  Totally gourmet.  Oh, and the pea soup was awsome...with lots of chopped ham in it.

Comments

[Kirk]

Hey Cathy - Needless to say...I'll be eating here soon!

[wandering chopsticks]

Ooooh, that pita panini looks awesome! And I'd totally be all over the crab and asparagus soup. I wonder if they'd make it eggdrop-style or creamed?

[cathy]

Hi Kirk..I sent you the weekly specials, so you can plan accordingly. I love pea soup, so may be there today...be sure to check out the The Market next door, too...not just fruits and veggies at all....
Hey WC- yes. Its just a veggie one and was just...so...darn good; extremely unexpected on my part. The soup..yes, it could be made either way...guess I'll just have to check it out.

[nhbilly]

Wow nice find wish there was one in OC like that...

[cathy]

I am *so* happy I went in here, Billy. Its gourmet. I see on the website they are looking to franchise. Its the chefs that make it though...

[nhbilly]

Sometime I wish I went into culinary school...gourmet food under $10.oo. I'd eat it ;-)

[cathy]

Oh Bill, you can go back to school, or are able to just take a class. Its all in the matter of how you arrange your time. We *all* make time to stop and sit down inside a Starbucks, right? We can make time to stop and sit in on a class...You never stop learning.

[nhbilly]

Time...

[cathy]

Eh, we all have the same minutes given to us every day. I think spending a few now, so I can learn to eat well/fancy and maybe feed a few friends a few years down the road is worth it. Then again, I've kind of got a lot of odd habits you might find interesting...I like that you are kind of thinking about it...baby steps...make it a resolution to do one thing this year to learn more about food...drive down here and go to Everyday Hero for inspiration...

[Jaime]

My boyfriend and I go here at least once a week and have tried almost everything on the menu. This Deli is nothing but gourmet. I've tried to get the word out to as many people I know... this blog says it all!!! I just wish there was something else I could do to let everyone know what yummy, fresh, creative food they serve, and always with a smile. Simple doesnt always mean plain... and this Deli is a fine example of that.

[cathy]

Hi Jaime...you put it more succinctly than I did, and its so true. Word of mouth is always the best advertising and this is how we can do it. I really do hope everyone who reads about it remembers the directions and tries to get over to Everyday Hero...and thanks for taking the time to comment.

[Louise]

My friend and I had fun eating here for her birthday. I had a salad, she had a sandwich, and we brought home sandwiches for our families. All of it was delicious, plus the service was great!

[Cathy]

Hi Louise. Thanks for stopping by to comment. It is wonderfully 'gourmet', isn't it?