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Grub with Neil Barbaro

Third-year commerce student Neil Barbaro hopes to improve our stress-filled, KD-consuming lifestyles with his local restaurant reviews and self-made recipe ideas that appeal to the appetite, wallet and watch. This month he’s critiquing restaurants around campus.

By Neil Barbaro

The Mutual Street Deli is a delightful deli with a distinct difference.

The charming little new age deli two blocks south of the Rogers Communication Building is no stereotypical deli.

Where it differs is apparent in the restaurant’s modern, yet almost European, homey atmosphere. A tastefully lit room complimented by exposed mosaic brick walls that tower above plenty of comfortable booths. Or, relax at the raised bar overlooking the grill from a comfortable distance. Either way you’re assured visual and physical comfort.

It takes more than a comforting face to please, though.

Their food doesn’t disappoint. Two scrambled eggs, back bacon and home fries not only looked but tasted delicious. However, the out-of-season tomatoes didn’t complement them.

Any restaurant can make traditional bacon and eggs. But to serve them with minimal grease, in an impeccably clean environment, with personable and efficient attention is a testament of the pride, passion, and experience that this family-operated deli has exuded for more than 57 years.

I was served within a time frame that would make most on-campus Tim Horton’s junkies envious, but am not a fan of paying at the cashier’s counter, as opposed to paying at your server’s table.

A menu ideal for breakfast and lunch offers a wide range of classic deli sandwiches, soups, and grilled selections, which presents a difficult choice. Their portions are plentiful, yet priced right for a student, even though the deli charged me for a side of strawberry jam.

In fact, the whole experience seemed rather familiar to eating at the parents’ house: inviting, comforting, appetizing, and somewhat fleeting…

Throbbing strawberries are awarded based on the restaurant’s cooking, ambience, service and overall value.

Office Lens 20150722-154940

Office Lens 20150722-155013

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