Tucked into a corner of the red clay-roofed East Cliff Village Shopping Center is a little cafe called Deli-Delicious. The building may be aging, the interior floors may be covered with heirloom linoleum topped with generations of paint, but the sandwiches are new, fresh, and uncommon.
A selection of juices, sodas, pastries ($1.75), and bagels ($2.50) make Deli-Licious a perfect breakfast stop. Favorite coffee drinks such as Cappuccino and Chai ($1.50 to $4.25) pair well with the cafe’s hot breakfast items, including a generous slice of Brazilian Frittata ($4.75) or a Breakfast Wrap ($5.95), where two eggs, potatoes, and choice of bacon, sausage or ham are enclosed in a flour tortilla.
Sandwiches are served on a selection of six breads or on a bed of mixed greens. A nice array of cheeses ($.50/$1.00) includes goat, blue and feta.
A recent daily special hot sandwich was freshly sliced turkey with tomato, a layer of soft Brie cheese, and a spread of herbal pesto on an airy and toasted, francese roll. Matchstick potato chips were a rare treat.
The delightful chicken salad sandwich ($6.75) between two large slices of whole wheat bread included shredded chicken breast mixed with pesto, and topped with fresh produce.
Hands down heavenly was the tri-tip sandwich ($6.95), called a Brazilian Bauru. Different from the simple mozzarella version, it featured thinly sliced beef drizzled with fruity A-1 sauce, crisp iceberg lettuce, tomato, pepperoncini peppers, unusual sweet and sour pickle chips, lightly sautéed sweet onions, and a touch of horseradish on toasted francese.
Every Friday is dinner night ($10.95) where recently, cheeseburgers and vegetarian burgers were served with corn on the cob, salad and dessert.
The cafe also caters, and photos of sushi trays in a pinwheel of colors and textures, or the plates of artistically cut fruit look appetizing indeed. | KP
Deli-Licious Cafe and Catering, 2-1505 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-3019. Serving breakfast and lunch all day from 7 a.m., closing Sunday through Thursday at 5 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 6 p.m. Contact ks********@ao*.com.
