Red Onion Market • Round Rock

Red Onion Market • Round Rock

Written by Jessica Sinn Thursday, 03 April 2008

From fresh meat and produce to made-to-order sandwiches, local shoppers can find a variety of products and services at Red Onion Market. The family-owned sandwich deli and mini-grocery store is modeled after old-fashioned neighborhood grocery markets.

“We designed the store to be more hospitable and neighborly by facing the counters toward the front door so we can greet our customers,” said Red Onion Market co-owner Elia Saadeh. “Whenever our customers walk inside, we want to make them feel welcome.”

Various meats are on display at the deli counter, including ribeyes, New York strips, pork chops, fajita meat and sirloin steaks. The menu mounted on the wall features a wide selection of hot or cold sandwiches, including Reuben, Philly Cheese Steak, Ka-Bob and Pastrami sandwiches. Homemade salads, pastries and specialty coffee drinks are also available.

“Our staple is our meat department,” said Hiam Klimsa, store organizer and marketing coordinator. “People from San Antonio and Austin have told us that they drive all the way out here just to buy our meats. People have told us that we could save money by using Hormel meats, but quality is what counts so we only offer Boar’s Head meat.”

High quality meats are Red Onion Market’s specialty, but their biggest priority is customer service, said Klimsa.

“I think people enjoy coming here because of our hospitality and fast service,” Klimsa said. “Our customers rarely have to wait in lines, and we treat them all with respect.”

Red Onion Market offers delivery services to help people with disabilities.

“There’s a retirement community around the corner, and I just thought it would be a great idea to offer delivery services to people who aren’t able to go to the grocery store,” he said.

Customers can also call to place orders and pick up their groceries without even getting out of their cars.

To help spread the word about the new market, which opened last year, Klimsa said he plans to get a Volkswagen Beetle wrapped to look like an onion on wheels.

Red Onion Market sponsors local baseball and football teams. Klimsa also donates to Saint William Catholic Church. He said this not only supports the community, but also gives his grocery store good visibility.

Before opening Red Onion Market, the family owned Cedar Park Supermarket for more than five years before selling it.

Klimsa said he initially wanted to give the new store a “micro-supermarket” theme, but decided to call it a “neighborhood grocery store” instead.

“We’re not trying to compete with stores like H-E-B,” he said. “We’re really here to offer a more convenient place to pick up odds and ends that may have been left off the grocery list.”

Klimsa said Round Rock is a great location for their new business because many local residents and business owners go out of their way to welcome them to the neighborhood.

“Opening a new business can be hard, but so many people from the neighborhood have given us encouragement by bringing flowers and offering support,” Klimsa said.

A second Red Onion Market will open in Cedar Park in late April or early May. Klimsa also plans to open more stores beyond the Central Texas region, and franchises are available.

What’s on the menu?

• Pastrami, tuna salad, organic peanut butter and jelly, roast beef, turkey, ham, and bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches
• Big Tex Bacon Cheeseburgers, Swiss and Mushroom Burgers and Barbecue Burgers
• Specialty Reuben, Philly Cheese Steak, Chicken Cheese Steak and Shish-ka-bob Hoagies
• Sandwich melts, Ciabattas, wraps and fresh salads
• Chips and a pickle are served with sandwiches and burgers

Red Onion Market, 1920 Sam Bass Road, 238-9891, www.redonionmarket.com