Charles Crowell, Contributing Writer

As college students, we are always struggling to find a good meal for a good price. Sure, it is easy to go over to the renovated Fresh Food Company for an overpriced, over-hyped old Pit meal under a pretty new façade. Or, you could always go the Wendy’s route with a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and Biggie Fry and still have enough change left over from your $10 bill to buy that case of Natural Light. And of course, if your parents are in town, Ryan’s Steakhouse or Noble’s is always excellent. However, if you are looking for a delicious, well-priced meal a little off the beaten path, I have good news that has nothing to do with car insurance.

There is a nice little place named TJ’s Deli nestled far out on Country Club road a quarter mile past Little Richard’s and East Coast Wings. The family atmosphere that TJ’s offers is a little different from most of the other restaurants that Wake students frequent, but it is a welcome change. Everyone seems happy to be there, as they should be, considering the quality and range of the food offered.

In all honesty, the TJ’s menu seems a bit daunting at first. With over 70 different, extremely diverse choices, it is tough to know where to begin (plus, there are a number of appetizer and dessert choices as well). Luckily, the menu is broken down into sub-categories of subs, salads, burgers, or deli sandwiches. The menu also does an excellent job of explaining exactly what is on each sandwich. For instance, the menu lets you know that the “Hot Sicilian,” (a highly recommended Italian sub variation) comes with pepperoni, ham, bacon, grilled onion, banana peppers, thousand island dressing, lettuce, tomato, provolone, and pizza sauce and is served hot with a side order. Speaking of side orders, TJ’s offers a wide range, from the typical unhealthy fries or chips to a pasta salad or a side salad.

Once you finally decide what you want, head up to the counter to place your order.
After putting your order in with the always pleasant cashier, you receive a number and, after a short wait, your food is ready at the counter. The presentation is not stellar but this is a deli, not a five-star steakhouse. The sandwiches are wrapped, because they are so filled with meat, toppings, and sauce that a wrap-less sandwich would make for a messy meal. As you are dining, you may notice that the décor is slightly odd, but still inviting and comfortable. The atmosphere is laid back; Wake students are easy to spot because they are clearly the loudest people in the whole place. The employees are very friendly and always happy to help.

Now that you know what to expect with the menu, atmosphere, and service, it’s a good idea to know a little about some of TJ’s best dishes. Everything on the menu is great, but it would take a very long time to try it all, so a few suggestions should get you started on the right path. A sandwich which always comes highly recommended is the “Buffalo Cham.” Right now you are probably thinking, how could a sandwich called the “Cham” be any good? Well, this dish consists of a tender, deep fried chicken breast dipped in wing sauce with a slice of cheese and ham, topped with bleu cheese (or ranch if you ask) on a hamburger bun with lettuce and tomato. If you are feeling brave, try the “Buffalo Super Cham,” which boasts a chicken breast the size of Alaska. The burgers are also exceptional. If you are interested in a really good time, try the “Chili Cheese Slaw Burger.” For those of you who are trying to eat right, don’t let all this meat and cheese scare you away; not everything on the TJ’s menu that tastes great is unhealthy. It is important to note that the taco salads are one of the best choices on the menu, as are the grilled chicken sandwiches.

Needless to say, if you are as tired of the same old Hero House and Rose’s Deli sandwich as the rest of us (and aren’t opposed to a scenic 10-15 minute drive), TJ’s Deli is the perfect place to have a relaxing and tasty lunch or dinner. When you go, be sure to check the specials board for even better deals on good dishes and tell Mitch (the owner) who sent you.