McAlister’s Deli

Long lines but quick service. Very friendly staff and a delicious meal. The iced tea is a must!

I was just in here tonight and I come in very often, but I wanted to shout out to the crew working tonight. Talk about the term dream team. The place was crazy busy, but I heard no complaints and saw no tired of waiting faced people. The food was made quickly excellent job kitchen, everyone was working hard and smiling! I knew restaurants can feel squeezed at times due to rush hour etc… But tonight, it was literally a fully tension/​stress free zone, happy place to be. So smoothly run. Go to McAlister’s and appreciate the work people do for you.

I guess people from around here just never had exceptional food or service, so they’re willing to give any crap place 5 stars.
First off, while checking out the menu, I had to move forward because I couldn’t see a thing from far away. Every snooty waitress glared at me for being in their path, when really I was off to the side not in anyone’s way. That pissed me off right from the start.
Secondly, the wait was obnoxious. It is not difficult to make a half sand which and salad, or pour soup into a bowl. We waited half an hour for a half salad and half sandwhich, a cup of soup and a baked potato. Christ.
Third, the food was lukewarm, lacking in flavor, and barely worth the wait. McDonald’s has better tasting food.
Finally, there was a used toothpick on our table when we got there. Never coming back.
Disappointing, disappointing, disappointing.

First time eating. For what paid for the portion size small. Waited long time. Lemonade taste like water. Potato salad just taste like grocery. They give cookie if first time they can keep it. The turkey was so salty. All meat was in the middle of sandwich. So the topping on plate not sandwich.

I don’t write many reviews but I’m SO disappointed I wasted my time with this place that I need to get on here. Shrimp wrap was disappointing. Not great food and I’m disappointed we sat in long line and then waited for food for 25 minutes. The place was busy but not full — should know how to manage a small rush but they don’t.
Do yourself a favor and go across the street to a bar to get some decent food and drink instead of wasting your time at this place!

Another good option for vegans to eat. Food is easily modified.

Excellent food, but even better service! Big thanks to one of the managers for helping me out today when technology wasn’t on my side!

Very attractive deli with many menu choices and friendly, efficient staff. We particularly appreciate the pet-​friendly covered patio!

Great place, great food, great service! Very clean and a flexible menu. They can modify almost any sandwich!
A higher end Panera!
Will be back here when I am Inge area.

Update: no longer a newbie.
I freaking LOVE this place. Their Harvest Chicken salad sandwich rocks, the Savannah salad is spectacular, but the potatoes are just ‘eh.
I’ve got the Black Forest & Chili potato & they just weren’t that good & didn’t have enough toppings to spread out for the whole potato (about half). I’ve had other sandwiches – Ruben, New Yorker, California Reuben & Veggie Wrap, & they’re all exceptionally good. I think they do sandwiches & salads really well.
But! I will say they’re just too pricey. It’s just over $ 10 usually for half a sandwich (&, other than Muffeletta, think regular slices of bread but half) & small salad. Don’t get me wrong, it’s enough food for a single meal but when I pay $ 10 I’d like there to be enough for leftovers. Ultimately, while good food, I can stop at nearby Camille’s for equally (more) healthy food & slightly less. And if course Subway or JJ’s subs are going to be cheaper.
Ultimately, this is a good place to have a more upscale casual meal with someone without trying to impress them.

I hate to say it, but I’ve seen how much sugar they put into the sweet tea. It’s a lot. If there are any dentists looking for a good spot to relocate to, I would suggest setting up shop next to one of these places! Does this stop me from ordering it? Nope… but now I order it half sweet and half unsweet.
McAlister’s is a great deli with a wide menu and consistent food no matter which one you’re eating at. Typically a patron during the lunch hours because of the amazing patio where you can waste away a lunch hour and catch some rays, I opted to visit for a late dinner instead. Gone were the crowds that normally pack the place at lunch, and I found myself one of only a handful of customers.
I’ll agree with the other reviews claiming the menu is extensive. Everyone that I’ve taken to McAlister’s has a different favorite. They sandwiches, salads and potatoes (as big as your head) are all great, but I typically opt for the McAlister’s Club sandwich. It’s the perfect size, has everything I like on it, and comes with a side, which is always potato salad for me.
Give this place a try, but don’t be discouraged if the line is out the door during the lunch rush. Be patient and stick around; the line usually moves fast

This was a great location to stop for lunch between Indianapolis and Chicago. It’s a chain restaurant, but it’s done well.
The menu is extensive — soups, salads, sandwiches, and huge baked potatoes. Their tag line is hearty deli fare with Southern charm and it’s evident in their menu.
I had soup and a sandwich. The chicken and sausage gumbo was flavorful and hot with big chunks of andouille sausage. The turkey melt was good, but was delivered to our table at room temperature. My husband’s muffuletta lived up to the warning of being huge — he even took part of it home. His sandwich was also room temperature. Both had clearly been hot at some point — the cheese was melted.
Overall, it was a good place for a quick bite to eat.

Wow!!! I can’t believe I haven’t tried this place before!!! I love their sandwiches, soup, baked potatoes, and the lemonade… I liked so much that I went back the next day after the firs day I visited hahah… Really good food and very cordial service from everybody in their staff; just a great place.

I am always clueless of where to eat in the Lafayette area. Friend of mine reccomended this place. At first I though we were going to a smelly deli to eat cold sandwiches but I was very wrong. Very comfortable atmosphere, not cold and white like I thought ha. They have a great selection of sandwiches, warm ones, soup and spuds. I have actually been there a few times before this check in. Each time I get a different sandwich and soup and I have never been let down! I also like the fact that it is a counter service restaurant, but while you are sitting at your table, employees come to your table to get you refills.

Reading my old review makes me laugh a little bit… I’ve now been to McAlister’s QUITE a bit more, and have tried the famous baked potatoes. Now that is all I order when I’m there. Granted, I’m on a bit of a baked potato kick (why don’t we eat baked potatoes for every meal, every day of the week?!), but I think most people would agree that their potatoes are pretty delicious.
The service seems to have dropped in caliber over the last few months. I went to this location with some out-​of-​town guests; there were three of us on the ticket. It took the cashier a good 20 minutes to get the order down, and when she did, it was still incorrect. We eventually just gave up and ate what we were given; she was nice, just really unprepared to be working in that position. They also used to have people circling the restaurant offering refills. There are still people who do, but the last three times I’ve been there, I’ve had to go up to the counter to get a refill. It’s not all that bad – I’m willing to walk up for a refill – but it’s a little annoying that I see various waitstaff circling around, but not offering refills.
…Great, I just ate dinner and now I want another baked potato. This is a sickness.

Not sure I understand how some people leave reviews about a restaurant on just one visit and one type of food they ordered that they happened to not like and be so negative about the whole restaurant… Just because one had a not so good meal, doesn’t mean the entire restaurant makes every available item on the menu as bad as that one particular unfavorable meal. Get over yourselves, really.
On to my own review: Every single time I have visited this place, I have enjoyed the various sandwiches and especially their potato salad. I really like their sweet tea which is not too sweet and not too bland. It’s just right. Love visiting during the summer months, because the season completes the feel of eating at a diner/​deli type of restaurant.

The «new» grilled sandwiches are pretty fantastic. I still find McAlister’s to be pricey compared to the amount of food you receive.

Went to McAlister’s in Lafayette IN at about lunch time and the place was packed. The wait was not bad but the food I ordered was, lets face it average.
I ordered the Muffuletta at the Lafayette restaurant and it was no where near New Orleans style of taste. I have had a real Muffuletta at Central Grocery in New Orleans and this one in Lafayette was dry, had very little olive salad and limited ham and cheese.
The Sweet Tea they are so proud of is no better than what I make at home, actually not as good.
Although the food is better than most fast food joints is really doesn’t live up to it billing. I will say that I have been to one of McCalister’s Delis in the greater Indianapolis area and the fare was better there.
Since I will probably not be back in Lafayette for another 10 years I will not seek out this restaurant when I am in Lafayette.

McAlister’s is always a hit for the entire family. Their menu is sure to have something to appeal to everyone. I’ve tried many different items off their menu and have never been disappointed.
I know I am going to get great service here!

I love grabbing a sandwich and nacho basket McAlisters. Add in their famous sweet tea and you can’t go wrong!
The staff is always kind and courteous and won’t let your drink go empty.