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dellz deli

Charleston, SC Restaurant Reviews

Dell’z Uptown

March 14, 2014

One of my favorite places to order from for lunch or stop by late night after the bars close, is Dell’z Deli. Dell’z specializes in delicious healthy fare and it is spot on every single time I visit. When Naomi came to visit, I was excited to take her to Dell’z Uptown to try some of their vegan specialties. I’m neither vegetarian nor vegan, so I was a little worried about a meatless menu, but I put my faith in Dell, and boy did I make the right decision.

I mean, people this beautiful couldn't possibly make a bad sandwich.

I mean, people this beautiful couldn’t possibly make a bad sandwich. Photo from Dell’z Website

So let me preface this by saying that Naomi, Lily, and I went to Dell’z 2 days in a row, and Naomi and I got Dell’z late night a 3rd night, and we probably would’ve gone a 4th time if Dell’z had been open on Sunday. It’s that good. On day 1, we started with an order of the black bean hummus (topped w/ fresh veggies. served with garlic pita chips, drizzled w/ lime & avocado, $7), which is definitely in my top 3 favorite foods of all time. I’m not even exaggerating here. I don’t think I can accurately describe what makes it taste so good, so you should probably just go order some for yourself. You can thank me later.

Seriously. Go order it right now.

Seriously. Go order it right now.

For my meal the first visit, I decided to try something new and ordered the Lucky Bowl (black eyed peas, red and green peppers, red onions, creole, turnip greens, brown rice, vegan bacon crumbles, $9) because it looked delicious. And boy, was it. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about the vegan bacon, but it added a good level of smokiness to the heat of the creole spices. I would order this again for sure.

Plus I love those marinated tomatoes they put on everything.

Plus I love those marinated tomatoes they put on everything.

For their lunch on day 1, Lily and Naomi both got the acorn bowl (sautéed mushrooms, asparagus, quinoa, and onions served inside half an acorn squash, $12 I think), which was on special. I don’t usually like mushrooms, but this dish was so delicious. Naomi and Lily were basically licking their plates by the end of the meal.

This picture is from the Dell'z Uptown Facebook page

This picture is from the Dell’z Uptown Facebook page

On day 2, Naomi, Lily, and I decided to try out the vegan nachos, despite the fact that Naomi kept saying that “vegan cheese is nasty” and that we probably weren’t going to like it. Boy was she wrong. In fact, if I didn’t know otherwise, I never would’ve guessed that it wasn’t real cheese. I think we polished these off in less than 5 minutes.

Next time, I want to try the vegan spinach & artichoke dip.

Next time, I want to try the vegan spinach & artichoke dip.

For our entrees on day 2, Lily and I both went with my usual Dell’z order, the Hummer wrap (black bean hummus, cilantro, salsa, tomatoes,
sprouts, cucumbers, carrots, avocado, fresh field greens, drizzled w/ fresh lime, $8). When I order from Dell’z Deli, I usually add chicken, but it’s just as good without the chicken, I promise.

Gosh it's so beautiful.

Gosh it’s so beautiful.

Naomi decided to try the My Thai Bowl (zucchini, squash, vegan sausage, brown rice, cabbage, spinach, pasta, topped with mango salsa, $10) for her entree the second day. It was a really interesting combination of flavors: smoky, sweet, spicy, and savory all at the same time. The “pasta” that they mention is Thai-style rice noodles, which I thought really added another level of dimension to the texture. I don’t know that I would order this again, but if I was with someone who did, I’d definitely steal a forkful (or two!).

And it comes served with pita wedges!

And it comes served with pita wedges!

After spending a few days eating at Dell’z with Naomi, I came to the conclusion that I could definitely become a vegan, and even enjoy it, if I could eat at Dell’z for every meal. So if you haven’t stopped by Dell’z Uptown or Dell’z Deli yet, you’re really missing out. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some black bean hummus to order.

 

I don't remember what used to be here, but I definitely don't miss it.

I don’t remember what used to be here, but I definitely don’t miss it.

Dell’z Uptown
511 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 641-0352
Dellz Uptown Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup: I Want To Ride My Bicycle

March 10, 2014

This was my final weekend with Naomi visiting, which was kind of sad, but luckily the weather stopped being cold and rainy for us! We spent Saturday riding bikes from West Ashley to downtown. I was really impressed with us, although after biking 10.4 miles in 3 hours, we were pretty gross and exhausted.

I mean, we're still pretty cute for being windblown and sweaty.

I mean, we’re still pretty cute for being windblown and sweaty.

Also, as it turns out, going semi-vegan with Naomi was not as hard as I anticipated. Mostly due to the fact that Dell’z Deli exists and is open 6 days a week. I’m not even ashamed to say that we ate there 3 times. I could definitely go vegan full time if as long as I could eat at Dell’z most days.

Like these vegan nachos which are just as good, if not better, than the real thing.

Like these vegan nachos, which are just as good as–if not better than–the real thing.

Naomi and I also tried out a number of vegan-friendly hotspots around town like CO, Lee Lee’s Hot Kitchen, The Rarebit, and Mellow Mushroom, which were all delicious, and Black Bean Company which really wasn’t. I really wanted to like it there, but it just wasn’t good. Especially when we asked about vegan desserts and the guy recommended the yogurt parfait. Yogurt? Really? Not to mention the fact that one of the reasons we chose to eat there in the first place was because they advertised a vegan brownie on their website. Just disappointment all around with BBCo. CO, Lee Lee’s, and Mellow were on point though. I think Naomi was sadder to leave behind all the delicious food than she was to say goodbye to me.

I spoil her.

I spoil her.

After dropping Naomi off at the airport, Lily and I went and saw Mr. Peabody & Sherman, which was really cute and funny and I highly recommend it. For dinner, I met some friends at Rutledge Cab Co. where we split a nutella milkshake (which is not as good as Nutella custard from Persimmon, just FYI) and an order of fish tacos, which were pretty delish. It was a decidedly better experience than my first visit, so maybe I’ll give their food another chance someday. This week is exciting because I’m going to see Aziz Ansari on Wednesday, FRONT ROW, which I’m so pumped about. I hope you all have a great week, too!

This is my "excited to see Aziz Ansari" face.

This is my “excited to see Aziz Ansari” face.

Restaurant Reviews

My Favorite Restaurants That I Haven’t Reviewed Yet

February 27, 2013

[Updated 4/12/15]

For posterity, I’d like to highlight some of my favorite restaurants in Greenville and Charleston that I haven’t had the chance to review yet. Hopefully I’ll get to fully review them soon, but for now enjoy these mini reviews! I’ll update this list as I post reviews and try new places!

Greenville

  • Bangkok Thai
    • My favorite thai restaurant of all time. Crab roll, pad thai, red curry, chicken panang, massaman curry
  • Coffee Underground
    • A must-stop every time I’m downtown G-vegas. Trigger pie a la mode, warmed up. Also turtle mocha and strawberry cake
  • Dragon Den
    • The only Chinese/sushi I ever get in Greenville. Fried rice, naruto roll, crab stick cucumber salad, LC Roll
  • India Palace
    • My favorite indian restaurant of all time. Cheese naan, chicken saag, chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, paneer masala.

Charleston

  • Bombay Bazaar and Restaurant (North Charleston)
    • Best Indian food in Charleston by far!
  • Martha Lou’s Kitchen
    • Not a fan of their Mac and Cheese, but their Fried Chicken, Cabbage, Lima beans, and sweet tea are DIVINE.
  • Poe’s Tavern (Sullivan’s Island)
    • Possibly the best burger (Amontillado) I’ve ever eaten. Plus it’s EAP themed on Sullivan’s Island, so what’s NOT to love?!
  • Red Orchid’s China Bistro
    • Basically the only Chinese food I’ll eat in Charleston. Love the Money Bags, tangerine chicken, lettuce wraps.