Seminole Heights: Merino's Deli Menu

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Merino's Deli Menu

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44 comments:

Urban Eater said...: Had Merino's last night, very good. I had The Ruby and my husband had the meatball sub. Good food, good prices, takes VISA!!!!!! (for those of us who live by our checkcards and think cash is a singer/ songwriter). Everyone was so pleasant and happy to help, very Seminole Heights. Mike did a great job with that place!; 1/26/2007 12:27 PM
Jay McGee said...: I had the "daddy" on opening night (Tues). I liked the place and the food a lot, but I am concerned about the parking issues. I parked in the one valid spot and some other car parked in the garage spaces right behind me. It was hard for me to back up without hitting him, but I'm hoping this won't be an ongoing issue. My only other concern was the open storage shelves in the bathroom. I saw unwrapped, stacked, red plastic drinking cups on a shelf. I didn't order a drink, so I'm not sure if the cups are used for employees or customers. Either way ...

I will be going back there. Nice people, good food, GREAT LOCATION!!!; 1/26/2007 5:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Great sandwhich!!
Thanks Mike and welcome to the hood!; 1/26/2007 8:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Seminole Heights New Customers & Friends;
After just 4 days being open, Merinos Deli has been quite busy.
Thank you to all that have come out to give us a try.
Special thanks goes out to Merinos Deli food consultant Mr. Guy Bala.
Guy has worked tirelessly from day one without a break inorder that the Deli gets off on the right foot.
He is the one always training the new staff behind the counter, the exact science of quality food service.
" Be sure to say hi to him on your next visit!"

As for the question regarding the cups in the restroom, be assured that they were simply left over from a private affair we had last week and not for customer consumption. However, thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Please dont ever be scared to tell us if we do something incorrect as well as the good things.
We can not improve without your help!

My Best Regards,
Mike Merino; 1/26/2007 9:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Seminole Heights New Customers & Friends;
After just 4 days being open, Merinos Deli has been quite busy.
Thank you to all that have come out to give us a try.
Special thanks goes out to Merinos Deli food consultant Mr. Guy Bala.
Guy has worked tirelessly from day one without a break inorder that the Deli gets off on the right foot.
He is the one always training the new staff behind the counter, the exact science of quality food service.
" Be sure to say hi to him on your next visit!"

As for the question regarding the cups in the restroom, be assured that they were simply left over from a private affair we had last week and not for customer consumption. However, thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Please dont ever be scared to tell us if we do something incorrect as well as the good things.
We can not improve without your help!

My Best Regards,
Mike Merino; 1/26/2007 9:38 PM
Guy Bala said...: Hey and hi all, sometimes right now with the training of staff and the creativity, the inception and concept of our menu at Merino's Deli, my head is down,picture proof by the way, and my attention is to the production of the acual 'building' of your sandwich. I try to look up from my work and say hi but right now it is difficult. I will in time look up and will know YOU our customers by; name, sandwich, time, and face. Isn't that right Peter, Richard, Rachel, Mike, Dan, Pat and Tom?

Thanks for the great comments and reviews.

Guy; 1/26/2007 10:10 PM
Anonymous said...: I have been twice, first had the Tommy. Wasn't what I expected but very good. The next day, we orderd teh Longhorn Rancher. I will never eat anything else there again. I am SOLD On the rancher, it was amazing. That was the best wrap by far. Try it. very good. I love their cheeses. They actually have flavor-- unlike one of the big chains were every sandwich taste the same. This place is a great treat for lunch.; 1/27/2007 8:40 AM
Anonymous said...: Stopped in for the first time this morning, first customer at 10:00 on my way to work on a Sat. Yup, that must have been Mr. Guy behind the counter showing the staff how to build my Randello "The Club" with perfection even down to the detail of the proper way to slice it in half - wow.
Can't wait to bite into it during my lunch break in fact I might not be able to wait, it looks great! Nice to see my friend Amy who lives in the N'hood working for Mike and being part of my special sandwich. Give a shout-out to Amy next time any of you are there, she is the girl with the long red-hair braid down her back underneath those adorable Seminole Hgts caps, loved those.
Hummmm, gotta go... thinking about that Club again, it won't last till 1:00.
Congrat's Mike, I know I'll be back.
Gail Davis; 1/27/2007 11:41 AM
Anonymous said...: My husband and I went to Merino's last evening for a quick dinner. Very good -- I had the bowtie pasta salad which was excellent and enough left over for my lunch the next day. Everything was fresh, the place is clean, the people are friendly - gotta love it.; 1/27/2007 12:37 PM
IFly said...: Came back home for the weekend and stopped in for lunch today(Sat.). It was mighty good. Can't wait to go back again. Welcome!; 1/27/2007 4:39 PM
Anonymous said...: am new here on the Seminole Heights Blog... I'm Amy, work for Marino's (lol, also known as the massage girl and the plant lady)... So glad a deli is open here and that I am part of it! Tried a couple of the sandwiches so far, can't wait to try the rest! Bring your dog's... We have water and food bowl's for ya' ( I lovvveeee dogs!)... Outside patio, very cozy and comfy *) Thank you for the warm welcome to the n'hood and glad to be part of it!; 1/29/2007 4:38 PM
Anonymous said...: My wife and I got a couple bowls of broccoli/cheese soup and a meatball sub last night and all I can say is EXCELLENT! The fact that it's 1 block away from us is fantastic.

Support our local businesses whenever possible!; 1/30/2007 2:41 PM
Anonymous said...: I had the Rubin for lunch today. YUM! YUM!; 1/30/2007 6:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Merino's Deli-is just what the neighborhood needed. Fresh sandwiches made to order, why would you want to eat any other way? Good food and prices, can't beat the great people. Best of luck to Mike Merino and his staff.; 2/01/2007 6:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Just a suggestion; how about opening at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday instead of 10:00? Just an hour earlier would allow me (and possibly other Sat workers) to call ahead and pick up on the way to savior their lunchtime goodie later in the day. Allow orders to be taken by phone before 9:00 so they could be ready to go at opening time or soon after? Maybe officially open for sit down customers inside could be after 10:00 and allow only pick up orders before 9:00 or after? If the prep/sandwich makers are there a couple hrs earlier getting ready for the official opening time of 10:00, maybe that would be possible? As mentioned, only a suggestion.
Love the Deli in every other aspect, not really complaining, just a thought.
Thanks; 2/03/2007 11:11 AM
Anonymous said...: Anon 11:11 am
It would be great if we could take him to work with us everyday but that's what makes him so special. His food is good, the staff is friendly and when you walk in he calls you by name. This is the kind of business I love going to.

Maybe if we don't work to far he could start delivery. Oh, just imagine sitting at your desk and a Merino's car pulls up, Guy walks to your desk and the conversation may go something like this:

"Here's your lunch Renee, Mike says Hi".

"Thanks Guy, how's it going"?

"Real good, I'm having problems with some ants though, do you have any advise"?

And you talk for a moment longer before Guy has to make his next delivery.

Maybe one day, right now I'm happy with his hours.; 2/04/2007 11:10 AM
Anonymous said...: Went to Marino's this Saturday. It's in a cool building. There were two customers in there when we walked in. Each being helped by one of two employees behind the counter. They greeting us warmly when we entered and we waited for them to take our order. Being new, they were often glancing at instructions for sandwiches, and at one point they had run out of a particular type of cheese and needed the Boss to tell them what to do (use another type of cheese.)

About 7-10 minutes after we entered and while we were still waiting to give our orders, two more people walked in. 6 customers seemed to overwhelm the new employees and one of them went into the back and returned with the boss and one other person. 4 employees behind the counter seems to make things worse. Mr Marino directed one of the employees to take the orders of those waiting. She immediately took the orders of those last in line leaving us out in the cold.

Meanwhile, the person making the sandwiches was holding up a bun and asking if they had spread enough sauce on it.

We left. I was looking for a sandwich, not an adventure. Cappy's is closed for lunch so we ended up at ABC Pizza. Good Gyros. Just not in Seminole Heights. Oh well.; 2/05/2007 2:04 PM
Anonymous said...: To the folks that came in Merinos Deli last Saturday, the staff, Guy Bala and myself, sincerely apologize for the lack of professionalism at the Deli.
Not making any excuses, as there are none for this.
We are constantly seeking more qualified individuals to resolve that very challenge.
It is our number one objective to make YOU!!! the customer, never have to wait more than neccessary.
Thanks for putting this on the blog so I am aware.
Please, please, the next time this happens come straight to me.
The only way we can improve is to allow us to fix it.

The two customers from Saturday, please come to see me and allow us to make you a happy customer!

Regards,
Mike Merino
Merinos Deli; 2/06/2007 5:57 PM
Anonymous said...: With all the good things that are happening here at Merinos Deli, we
are sorry that you, the gyros at abc Pizza couple, did not
have the experience at our deli that we want you to
have. Certainly not an excuse, but we are relatively
new and though we have done extensive training of our
staff, they do have so much more to learn as unexpected issues come up. And in actuallity, when one of our staff brought it to our attention that we ran
out of cheese for one of our sandwiches, that cheese
was sliced immediately and really did not hold up the
process for very long. As far as being skipped over, we again apologize, we do our best to keep track of who comes in the door first and missed. The people
that went ahead of you might have thought you already
ordered or we are sure they would have gestured to
you. Ladida and fairaly we go on with our lives and
we should all give one another a second chance, dont you think?

Mr Guy Bala
Consultant &
Director of Food & Beverage
Merinos Deli; 2/06/2007 8:47 PM
Anonymous said...: Sorry to say that my first experience with the deli was not so great. "The Tommy" sandwich was very disappointing and while I was the only customer in the store at the time, it seemed to take quite a while to get my sandwich. I can't express how let down I felt when I got home and unwrapped the sandwich that I had been so looking forward to trying. First of all, the thing was pretty skimpy. I was told that the sandwich was based on a rueben but I was unable to make that connection on any level. The contents of the sandwich were all so cold that it was difficult to really get any of the flavors. The bread was severely average and however it was toasted (recommended by the staff) just left it seeming dry and stale. Sorry to say, but the whole thing came off very shoddy and amature.

Sorry to be so negative but I will be trying the food again considering all of the good reviews that I've seen. I just think we need to post the bad as well as the good.; 2/09/2007 12:53 PM
Anonymous said...: We will return at some point in the future. You will get a second chance from us. But we'll wait a few months to let things settle into a routine.

We eat out many times a week and tend to have high loyalty to our chosen businesses.; 2/09/2007 1:26 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear SH-Eater and Everyone Else Reading This:
I truly hope you read this because making a new establishment in the neighborhood successful takes the cooperation of you the customer.
Merinos deli wants the chance to re-earn your business back.

ONE THING THAT I WANT YOU, "SH-EATER AND ALL PRESENT AND FUTURE CUSTOMERS TO HEAR:
1. If your food or the service you receive at Merinos Deli is not up to your expectations, PLEASE, AND I MEAN PLEASE FOR THE SAKE OF A SMALL BUSINESMAN TRYING TO SUCCEED IN SEMINOLE HEIGHTS! COME DIRECTLY TO ME OR CALL ME ON MY CELL AT 813-431-5730, ANY TIME!

I PROMISE TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE RIGHT.
AGAIN, DONT EVER BE EMBARESSED OR feel you don't want to get involved.
I need your support to make it work and I am there to help.

My Best Regards,
Mike Merino
Merinos Deli; 2/09/2007 8:26 PM
Anonymous said...: Mike and Guy have done a great job for being open only a few weeks. I've seen Terry and Jim learning, not only the sandwiches but our names and what we like. We're a big neighborhood and it may take a while but a few months from now you'll walk in and feel like you walked into your mom's kitchen after a hard day at school. But you have to let them know. And don't just let them know the bad, tell them the good too.

Yeah, I know it seems like I'm blowing smoke up someone butt, but you have to let people know that you appreciate them.

I've been to Merino's several times and it's all been good to me and Mike should know by now that I'll tell him if I see something that can be improved on.; 2/10/2007 9:49 AM
Anonymous said...: I have a suggestion for improvement although a small one.
How about including a toothpick inside the wrapped sandwich? Maybe you are already doing this since the first week when I purchased a Club Sandwich but it is a nice touch and although a small gesture; quite useful. I know of other Deli's that do that and I appreciate it as a customer at the end of my eating experience away from the restaurant; 2/10/2007 11:44 AM
Anonymous said...: Dear Seminole and Anonymous Tooth Pick:
Thank you both very much for the positive comments and also the suggestion.
Now this is what I have been preaching since we have been open.

Say what you like about us and also make suggestions.
If you have had the opportunity to chat with myself or Guy, you will most certainly know that we want to listen to you and continuly make improvements.
As you all know, without you we cannot succeed without you!

My Best Regards;
Mike Merino Merinos Deli; 2/10/2007 7:44 PM
Guy Bala said...: For our customers that have mentioned a dissappointment with our 'Ruby' and 'Tommy' ...yes they are a take off of the 'Ruben', but because they have coleslaw, with a mustard tainted thousand island dressing, and tomato we do prepare them cold. If you have tried them and don't like them we do have 'Rubens' themselves and another 20 or so sandwiches, one of which just might become your favorite....It's kind of funny that we do serve quite a few 'Rubys' and 'Tommys' and 'Rubens' and 'B.E.L.T.s' and 'My Mamas'......; 2/10/2007 9:49 PM
Bungalowlady said...: My son and I are working tour way through Merino's menu. So far neither of us has been disappointed in anything we've ordered. Can't sy that for any place else we've been. Since muy son's tastes and mine are quite different, this is amazing. Thanks Mike. We've needed you a long time.; 2/11/2007 1:23 AM
Anonymous said...: I've been there twice and have enjoyed the food. On saturday the staff was just as friendly as they were the first week, and they made it a point to tell me that they had to substitute a bread roll-type because they had sold out earlier. It's those little things that allow the customer to make an informed choice and I'm more appreciative for it.

So far, my experience has been: good food, good prices, and very friendly staff. Just by witnessing the enthusiasm that Mike and the staff has shown in the store and on this blog, I think that the deli is going to have a bright future in the neighborhood.; 2/11/2007 6:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Mike, First welcome to the hood! We are glad you are here. Living and working in SH it's nice to have Deli so close.

I had lunch there twice and it was Great!

philip; 2/11/2007 11:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear caldwjan;
The entire staff at Merinos Deli thanks you for giving us the chance to provide you and your friends with our best.
I must admit, Guy Bala, who is our director of food and beverage was the sandwich platter artist and cudos go out to him, but it actually is the whole Merinos team that wants everyone to know that we are here for you, the neighborhood folks, as well as anyone else that wanders in seeking a great deli experience.
Just Keep Coming in!!

My Best Regards,
Mike Merino
Merinos Deli; 2/12/2007 8:59 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear Seminole Heights Friends and Customers:
I am announcing a small change in our winter operating hours.
Merinos Deli will remain open Monday thru Friday from 10 AM till 7 PM but, until it warms up a bit, we will close on Saturday`s at 5 PM.
If by chance you have come by after 5 and realized we were closed I truly aplogize.
As always, Merinos Deli is constantly attempting to be your place to come and enjoy our wonderful food as well as our warm friendship.
We are always open to your suggestions as to making the deli better.
My phone is always open to your call.
813-431-5730

My Best Regards,
Mike Merino; 2/17/2007 6:59 PM
Anonymous said...: It looks like you posted this after my husband and I left your deli after trying to go there for two weeks on a Saturday and finding it closed. What's interesting is that here you say you changed the hours, but you told us that the hours we saw were incorrect and a misprint. We really wanted to like your deli and were disappointed at how casually you dismissed us and mislead us about the hours (which said 7 p.m. Saturday on your own sign and the menu we picked up the previous week, when you closed early for a family gathering). We are reluctant to try for a third time to patronize your business. If we do, it will only be because we would rather have a local restaurant than a used car shop (and to avoid Publix's sub line, which is ridiculously slow). But we're feeling less than enthusiastic, based on the customer service so far. I hope things improve, because I would like you to succeed.; 2/19/2007 1:44 PM
Anonymous said...: To the folks that experienced the unfortunate changes in our untimely adjustment to setting the proper hours for the deli.

First of all, I truly apologize for what you have gone through trying to give our place a shot at our food and service.
If you are willing to accept my offer of two meals "ON THE HOUSE",
it is there for you to have at your leisure.
I remember you and I was in the wrong the way I made the changes with a case of bad timing on my part.
Allow me to make it up to you by my offer.
I am there all the time, you can call me in advance or just come in and "KNOCK ME ON THE HEAD"!!!
I deserve it, but we are trying to find the right combination that works for the customers as well as our employees that work 6 days a week.

Come on Guys, give us a try!

My Best Regards,
Mike Merino; 2/20/2007 8:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Stopped in last night to pick up two meatball sandwiches, first time for those. Very good, especially loved the sauce and that there was plenty of it on the oh-so-fresh-soft-bread - yummy.
Sadly, got home and didn't find no tooth pick in the wrapping, thought that was a good suggestion previously by someone. Not the end of the world but just thought I'd mention it if the policy was to include it.
I'll be back.
Thanks; 2/23/2007 10:02 AM
Anonymous said...: Hello Lastnights 2 Meatball Sandwiches with no toothpick.

Firstly, I am very pleased you enjoyed the sandwiches but, allow me to tell you why we tend to stay away from doing that, "toothpickes in the sandwich thing"
In my over 30 years of being in the biz I felt funny about putting things that arent edible into a wrapped food item.
Call it quirky but I am only looking out for you saftey.
Accidents do happen and the absolute last thing we at Merinos Deli ever want is for a customer and friend to get a tooth pick caught in your mouth.
Funny as it may seem..........IT COULD HAPPEN!
Therfore, I will do this, on my next food buying trip I will oick up some wrapped toothpicks and you can have all you want on request.
NOW, HOW DOES THAT SOUND?

Keep Coming Back!

My Very best Regards,
Mike Merino; 2/23/2007 5:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Mike,
I didn't mean stick a toothpick in the actual sandwich, is that what you thought I meant? I suppose saying wrapping was a bit misleading.
I totally understand your concern there with an accidental bite inserted with toothpick, ouch!
No, what I meant was placed in the bag along with the napkins.
Napkins normally accompany a take out sandwich in the bag without asking, so how about the same with your "wrapped" toothpick? Maybe even “wrapped" in the napkin? No liabilities there and still a nice extra little touch for your customers (without asking).
I will be back again.; 2/27/2007 5:14 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey There Merinos Deli Toothpick Customer:
I am so glad we are now on the same page.
I went out and picked up a bunch of "wrapped tootpicks".
They are now available at the deli at your request!
Thank you for your suggestion and we are so happy that you enjoy our food and service.
YOU ARE WHY WE ARE THERE!!!
See you soon!!
My Best Regards,
Mike Merino; 2/27/2007 8:43 PM
Anonymous said...: Well that is nice Mike, glad to know the suggestion was graciously accepted although if you don't mind me saying (and I know this sounds picky - no pun intended) I still think the toothpicks should "automatically" come with your to-go sandwich. Do we really have to request one each time we order out? You know... same as you would "automatically" include napkins in the bag? If I had to request a napkin each time I would remember but probably not a toothpick. It's just one of those things - "picky" as it may be.
Yes, see you soon too !; 2/28/2007 2:24 PM
Anonymous said...: Any new comments from anyone who’s been to the deli lately?
Let's hear from you, good or bad.
Thanks; 3/10/2007 9:11 AM
IFly said...: We went last Saturday, had two Cuban sandwiches extra pressed, were very tasty. Service was delightful and quick. Would've gone today, but have an early dinner engagement.; 3/10/2007 4:40 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey "ifly", thanks for the vote of confidence with your last outing at Merinos Deli.
We always love to hear good things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, Merinos Deli has now been open for 7 weeks and things are looking better everyday as we are making new friends in the hood.
Thanks to all that have been loyal customers.

Now, if you live in the Seminole Heights area you should have received a menu by mail, either individually or inside one of the thre neighboorhood newsletters.
We have done this to tell everyone what the deli has to offer in the way of great food.
If by chance you are not sure where to park your car, please remember, we have space available on the north side of Larrys auto and I will also suggest that there is ample space at the old Spinniker Lounge at the corner of North St. & Florida.
Its then a 25 yard walk to our front door.
Please don`t ever let parking keep you from coming to see us.
If need be, I will park your car for you, JUST ASK!

Mike Merino; 3/10/2007 7:15 PM
Anonymous said...: I want Merino's to succeed as well. When I went in there (toward the end of a busy day with new employees) they were out of their chili (and this was at 5pm) and were out of two kinds of cheese for the sandwiches. They were very apologetic, and they didn't act careless at all. I hope that they have enough of a read on their customer volume that they can keep enough food around so if I order chili (which I love) I can get chili.; 3/11/2007 12:56 AM
Anonymous said...: How's it going Seminole Hgts folks?
Are we still in love with the deli?
Anymore thoughts and suggestions on some recent purchases/experiences? I haven't been back myself for about 2 wks.
Just curious.; 3/15/2007 9:28 AM
Anonymous said...: Went to the deli on Tuesday, had a big daddy and the wife had the my mama.
All I can say is "SUPER"!!!!
If you havent gone yet your missing out!; 3/16/2007 5:59 AM