That's so true! In the fast food ads, they have big, beefy sports figures holding a McDonalds in two hands. But if you look closer, only the tips of their fingers are holding the sandwich. Do they think we buy that??

Thanks for linking to that menu, guess who will cooking like a Bubbe this week-Kasha Varnishka, latkes, pepper and egg sandwiches? :thumbup: And to think I'm not even Jewish-LOL.

McAlister's menu looks interesting, but I don't see it competing with TooJays.

Sigh. And I don't know where you live.

It looks like a great deli, but it's in competition with TooJays - from my perspective, I think a Panera's would have been a better addition to Brownwood - but then, I'm hooked on Panera's!

With over 300 restaurants in The Villages, where nobody has to go hungry, another restaurant not from NYC is rated and berated before it ever opens.

Will McAlister's Deli have patio seating and will they allow dogs to accompany diners at the patio tables?

I was at Lake Sumter Landing yesterday and noticed as I walked by Johnny Rocket's that there was a sign posted on their patio wall that reminded customers that dogs were not allowed on tables or chairs. Obviously, they are okay with dogs on the patio as long as they are not seated on tables or chairs.

TooJays won't suffer
 

Not to worry TooJays is not at all like McAlisters and they will not have the same appeal. They do not have waiters, you order at the counter....more like Panera set-up. Food does not have the same focus as Panera but still very good!!! less emphasis on healthy options and more emphasis on hearty options I would say. TooJays menu is much more extensive.

Love McAlisters and I for one am glad that it came instead of Panera....no cookie-cutter repeat to LSL. Note that I also love Panera too and love TooJays!!!

Also I mentioned that I wanted one on this forum in Brownwood (on a different thread some time ago) and now it has happened...coincidence or not?

So using the words fat people is called for

I apologize, and it is changed.

There's 300 restaurants in The Villages now?
Wow, I don't know that.
Must have dozed off for a while.

Skip

First, never been to a McAlisters so looking forward to a new restaurant in TV.

The restaurants @ Brownwood will get customers from Leesburg and other close by retirement communities. I think they should all do well if they have good food at a reasonable price and good service.

We used to go the McAllisters in Southlake Tx once every month or two. Good place.

Back in the day, you could go to Katz's on Houston and get a hot pastrami on rye with a knish and a Dr. browns black cherry soda for under $10. And, while you were waiting at the counter the counterman would cut you a piece of pastrami to nosh on. I know I'm dating myself!

McAllister's Deli is out of Mississippi and was started by the Newcomb family (these folks also created Newks). McAllister's isn't really a deli but a sandwich shop. It is not a full service restaurant. You go to the counter to order your food.They are known for their sweet tea, honey mustard, stuffed potatoes, salads and sandwiches.

something tells me that mcallister's does not have matzoh ball soup or knishes on their menu. and i do not recall that mississippi is the birthplace of the bagel.

So true, I didn't expect anyone to tell it like it is!!:smiley:

I LOVE Toojay's. I adore everything. My favorite is Wednesday night with a half a brisket sandwich and a bowl of beef vegetable soup. YUM

Oldest daughter calls me "My Jewish mother who's Catholic.

It is still the same today-------- only pastrami on rye is $13 -------

A non-compete clause has to be in the Lease. If it's not negotiated in the Lease language it doesn't exist.

I am sure there is enough clientele for both restaurants. Deli food is always popular.

Looking forward to new places to eat

McAllister's is a great restaurant. We have them in Indy and have never been disappointed. Their spuds are awesome and sandwiches are very good. Generous portions. You'll love the place. Wish they would put one in Sumter.

Had sandwiches from McAllister's last night, and we were not impressed. We both had the Orange Cranberry Club, and while it was pretty good, it was not worth the price. Store bought wheat bread, not very generous portions of meat and very small side dish portions as well. They had a line out the door by 5:00, but probably because it is new. Seriously doubt we'll go back anytime soon.

Just my two cents worth.

Visited them twice so far - food is great, service is out of this world with a no tipping policy. Met owners and two fantastic people Give them a try - you will be VERY satisfied

Looked @ the nutritional aspects of McAllisters,in a senior community you're getting a full days load os sodium in most of their sandwiches--forget the calories--the sodium will kill you

i visited on Friday and had the broccoli chedder soup (Salty) and a Pastrami sandwich with an Iced tea..... $14.00 Not impressed - Toojays has great bread and bigger sandwiches for that price...

We went to the new store Friday evening. The place was busy and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Ordered a Memphian...delicious! Crusty wheat roll, plenty of deli meat and more than enough for me.

To all who voice concern over the nutritional value of foods served, remember it is a deli/sandwich shop.

The new shop is a welcome addition for those of us who live in TV and for people living in the surrounding communities.

We ate there Friday night around 8 PM. The line was out the door. I had the reuban which was excellent, and Linda90199 had one of the 2-for-1 deals... half a baked potato and a salad. She also remarked how good it was. Saturday afternoon we found ourselves in Brownwood again, and again went to McAlister's. The orange cranberry club was outstanding, and Mrs. 90199 had a taco salad which was so big she took half of it home. If they continue to provide good food at a reasonable price and excellent service they won't have a lack of customers in The Villages.

Indeed they are competition to Too Jays!
 

I hear many say that McAlisters is "No Competition" to Too Jays. That is simply not true. Any time a new "FOOD" establishment moves in an area with other restaurants that sell similar type items (Sandwiches, Soups and Spuds) they cut the piece of the "Business Pie" up a little bit more and offer the public more options. This is GREAT for us here in TV but sometimes not so great for like businesses. McAlisters is direct competition for TooJays and IF their is a "Non Compete" clause that exists here it really should apply here. We do like both McAlisters and Too Jays and frequent Too Jays a lot. The option of No Tipping is attractive and prices seem to be a little better at McAlisters as well (an the food is good) so they will get some of our business that would normally go to Too Jays!

Eight to ten months ago there were many posts asking; when are there going to be new restaurants in Brownwood, something new and different.
Now there are places in Brownwood and even a new country club and the posts bashing all are continuous. Even worring about competition among the establishmens, dosesn't make sense.
What do the complainers really want?

Even Tommy Bahama is getting bashed!

Free catered meals on demand.

Unfettered access to more complaining. They just can't stop ! I don't get it...over and over and over.

Let me see. I want a free drink while I'm waiting for my meal and then after I eat all my meal I want it comped because it wasn't as good as I wanted it.
It also wouldn't hurt if they gave me a coupon for my next visit.:pepper2: :1rotfl:

It's all about the pickles.

And, free drinks for life, since, like all Villagers, I am an alcoholic :beer3:

Good idea !! :agree:

If they have free pickles, I'll live there.

:pepper2:

Hopefully this is back on track ... My wife and I recently spent about a month in TV which was our longest stay to date. As usual, we tried to eat at both places we have enjoyed in the past and places we hadn't tried. McAlister's fell into this latter category for us. First the best news, we both loved the drinks since they were both good and some (for us) were also unusual. Now the good news, my wife enjoyed her meals both times we had meals at or from McAlisters. Now the bad news, I had two poor meals. The first was the "Big Nasty." It was dry, chopped up, over cooked roast beef sandwich with a thick, pasty, gravy and dry mashed potatoes. I didn't enjoy it at all. Since my wife did enjoy her meal (a wrap of some kind) we decided to try again. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed being out and walking around Brownwood. We tried again. This time I opted for the Four Cheese Chili Pasta. In essence, this was a dish of thick, heavy mac & cheese topped off with a few small pieces of chicken and some beans in a sauce. I am still wondering why "chili" was even in the name. It was simply not good. My wife once again enjoyed her meal (a salad). I am curious about the experiences some of the rest of you have had at McAlister's.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jacken...57645122195262

My experience is some of the items are good and others not so good. Pretty much like any other place in The Villages. What I don't like is everyone having to wait in line before anyone in your party can sit at a table. The line becomes too long!! One or two people could take care of ordering while others could go set at a table!!