Pecan Street Deli

Pecan Street Deli

Written by Michelle Davis Saturday, 07 October 2006

Fresh ingredients and employees = recipe for success

Husband and wife team Robin and James Atkins met while working in a fast food restaurant almost 25 years ago. Both have worked in the restaurant industry for a combined total of 43 years. In 1993, they bought their first restaurant, Mama Jacks, located off 10th and Pecan. They decided to open a second restaurant, Pecan Street Deli, in 2000.

“We thought this was going to be just a little sandwich shop,” James said. “And it just went gang busters so we sold Mama Jacks that same year to manage the deli full time.”

They wanted to get more creative and provide more of a variety. The deli opened serving cold and hot sandwiches, soups and salads. The menu still consists of the original items, but has significantly expanded to include a full breakfast menu, burgers and more sandwiches.

“We have a little bit of everything here, something for everyone,” James said. “We’re not what most people consider fast food. You can go to McDonalds and get fast food, but if you want a better burger you’re going to come here.”

Everything at Pecan Street is cooked fresh. James arrives at the deli at three in the morning just to make all the soups for that day.

“Nothing sits under the heat lamp,” James said. “When someone orders a burger, a Reuben or even fries, that’s when it goes on the grill.”

Ingredients aren’t the only things that make Pecan Street Deli a success; success is possible because of their employees.

“People tell us all the time that we have the friendliest employees around,” James says. “A lot of our employees have been working here for a while and they are really good.”

The food and the service must be good because Robin says she has customers that come in twice a day. Jane Galbreath and John Hurst are two of their many loyal customers and have been coming to the deli for breakfast for three years.

“We come here just about every morning after we finish our morning bus route,” Galbreath said. “They have good food; good prices and the people here are great.”

To better serve customers like Galbreath and Hurst, the Atkins plan to expand the deli to a new and bigger location next year.

“We want more room for seating, parking, the kitchen, all around just more space,” James said. “We would also like to do more with our food and just get more creative with our menu.”

Most popular items: soups, philly cheesesteak & burgers

• Soups: Chicken n’Dumplings, 7-bean and Ham, Baja Enchilada, Potato Bacon and Cheese, Minestrone, Tortilla, Broccoli and Cheese and occasionally New England Clam Chowder
• Philly Cheesesteak (Beef or Chicken) Grilled Ribeye or Chicken Breast, Onions, Peppers, Mushrooms, Provolone Cheese, Sauce
• Burgers: Hamburger, Cheeseburgers, Double Burger, and Double Cheeseburger

Pecan Street Deli, 103-B West Pecan St., Pflugerville, TX 78660, 512-251-0296