Mr G’s Beverage Center & Deli

Let me just say this much. I won’t be going back until they change it to the old Mr. G’s. Specs has ruined it so much…

Spec’s is lying to you. This is NOT Mr. G’s Deli! Yes, Spec’s has the windows plastered with Mr. G’s and all of their Zagat awards, but, Mr. G’s is dead. This is just a Spec’s deli where they are trying to ride on Mr. G’s reputation. The Mr. G’s menu is gone. The fine lady that ran Mr. G’s is gone. It is a much reduced menu from what Mr. G’s was. It is a Spec’s menu. My sandwich was ok, but, overpriced and not what I came for. I won’t be back, particularly while Spec’s continues to lie about who they are.
One note for readers. If you see a review refer to a sandwich by number, that is the old Mr. G’s. Ignore those reviews. That Mr. G’s is dead. RIP.

Mr. G’s was my go to back in the 1980s — so dropping in here always includes a touch of nostalgia for my and my homies from JJP HS.
That said, it looks like Mr. G’s has now bought out by Spec’s as of a couple months ago (sniff-​sniff)…

Need to fill your belly with 5-​star deli sandwiches? Look no further than Mr. G’s. Conveniently located inside Spec’s (wine, beer, spirits), the folks behind the grill at this New York style deli know what’s up! Plus you can grab a bottle of wine or a beer to go with your meal. For a displaced New Yorker, it’s as if I were in Second Avenue (back in the day)! Mazel tov!

If this review were written 4 or so months ago, it would have been 5 stars. Since then, Mr. G’s underwent a slight facelift and a streamlining of their menu for the worse. Not only has their variety gotten worse, but everything is a bit more expensive than before which is a real slap in the face when customers already have to buy everything seperately here. Finally, sandwiches I had gotten before the facelift just dont taste the same after it. They still are tasty sandwiches, but they just arent as tasty as before.
It used to be a weekly stop for me, now i go once in a blue moon when I decide its worth getting a relatively small sandwich for a high price that dont taste much better than a more generic sandwich shop anymore.
Nevertheless, my recommendation for anyone who hasnt been is go give it a shot, you might like it more than I do now.

If only I had read the recent reviews on this place before wasting my time and money on some of the nastiest sandwiches I’ve ever seen. I didn’t taste them the smell and dis colored meats were so off putting, I was afraid I would end up with food poisoning. The roast beef was this weird grayish brown and the ham was slightly pink on one half and this weird beige-​y white on the other side. Nothing looked or smelled appealing, so I just dumped them rather than risk eating something that was clearly past the expiration date. If you visited this place in the past, you’re lucky you got to experience it when it was nothing but rave reviews. For the people who are thinking about giving this place a try, don’t. I didn’t think any place could dethrone subway as the worst sandwich, but Mr. G’s succeeded.

I was a little worried when Spec’s bought this place, but I have seen a lot of changes for the better. The sandwiches in the deli are still tasty (though if you take a newbie here, you will get some strange looks when you explain that you are going to a liquor store to eat). The beer selection is still first rate. The wine has always taken up the majority of the floor space and still does, but in addition to friendly, knowledgeable staff (who can help those of us who are not wine experts), the prices on the wine appears to have gotten a lot better. One brand that I bought in the past at Mr. G’s for $ 35 is now more like $ 21 at Spec’s. They give discounts for paying cash, so plan ahead for that.

I really missed this place, brought my new husband to try it since we were in the area.
The first thing that’s changed is a drastically reduced menu. I chose a sandwich that sounded like my old #34, and when I asked the unfriendly cashier if that’s the best match, she said it’s as close as they get. Gee thanks. Her rudeness in general was extremely offputting. Owners: I implore you to hire someone that will smile in return. It says a lot that her attitude had me log onto Unilocal.
This sandwich was expensive and gross. They turned the roast beef into jerky on the grill, no idea why. It’s dry, flavorless, and covered in very cheap swiss. For $ 9, I would have preferred 9 McDoubles, at least they’re not overcooked.
Too rude, too expensive, and are still open based on the previous restaurant’s reputation. They won’t be here long.

Can’t really say much about the deli or its ambiance since this place is located in a liquor store.
Food wise, price is decent for the size of the sandwich only, not a great deal or too expensive. Sides & drinks are separate, no combo deal. For taste & flavor, it’s ok not hyped about it.

This place used to be the best sandwiches in DFW. But since they made a switch to some metro sub place the sandwiches are sub par. What happened? Jimmy johns has better subs now…

Mr. G’s Deli has streamlined their menus and have some nice, new menu boards, but beware, there has been some pruning of the prodigious sandwich menu, and anything that featured chili or hot dogs are victims (the Bob Sturm sandwich was one such example, which, of course, was the one I really wanted).
My raison d’être for this visit was a meatball sub for my wife; she was in the hospital across the street recently but too under the weather to enjoy anything from here, so I promised something good. I also picked up a Cuban sandwich for myself, so this review will be mostly about that sandwich (although I did sneak a bite of hers).
First up, if you’re hoping for a pressed Cuban sandwich, it’s not happening. However, authenticity starts to ramp up after that. The pickles, mustard (albeit a little light), Swiss cheese, ham and roast pork, they’re all here. The bread itself, a baguette, is actually quite good as well. There’s a good amount of meat, and it’s quality stuff. The cheese has a good flavor, not like the near plastic of some places. Bottom line, a very nice sandwich. Next time, I’ll consider bringing it home and doing my own press job on it; I’ve perfected that technique making them at home.
As promised, a word about the meatball sub: Mentioned in my earlier review, the meatballs were outstanding; they’re also huge and there are four of them, making a really big sandwich. If there was a shortcoming, it was a little light on marinara; consider asking for extra or a side container of it.
I’m impressed with these selections, and continue to be a Mr. G’s Deli fan. This place is definitely worth a try!

Not the same Mr. G’s!
It used to be the best deli around with an awesome Reuben but since its been fully taken over by Spec’s, it’s sub-​par at best.
As has been previously noted, they now make their Reubens with some «chow chow» sauce rather than Russian dressing, use marble bread instead of rye bread, and are skimpy (to put it mildly) on their portions. From what I understand, you can still get the old dressing if you ask for it but they don’t even carry rye at all anymore and I don’t even know how to go about getting the same amount of corned beef on it as it used to have.

I was attracted by the glowing reviews and I really appreciate a good Reuben. My first impressions were hampered by the 4 tables with trash on them despite them having just one person eating, one person waiting, and me ordering.
The service was quick. I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the $ 7.50 sandwich. It was not all that full and I could not taste any sort of dressing. The bread was more warm and flabby than toasted. It is served with no garnish, a pickle would be nice.
I really see no reason to return.
If you want to try a good Reuben in the area for comparison, try Deli News on Preston a few miles away with pickles and a nice homemade potato salad and a drink for roughly the same price of a much smaller sandwich and a bag of ruffles here at Mr G’s.
Deli News is a far superior deli in many categories.

So… Stopped i yesterday for lunch, this is the second time we have been here, with the first being-​5 years ago. This would have been Pre-​Specs days. What I recall was 5 years ago, the menu was «fuller» fresher, and the place was setup, like a Deli. What a difference time has made on the old Girl.
The menu, I recall now has many less items to choose from. They offer the Ruben, Pastrami, Burgers some salads, Philly, Hoagie and club, Turkey sandwiches. The guy at the counter quickly pointed out to the folks in front of me «no Turkey»…he didn’t know what happened to the sign, and blamed in on some Asian bird-​flu and some snafu in ordering. He repeated this «no Turkey statement» to each patron who approached the counter, further stating; «there used to be, or should have been a sign» stating the lack of Turkey”. Really? I would have «made another sign» instead of reading off the same line to each patron as a disclamer and citing some kind of «bird flu».
So, I notice that eliminating the turkey from the menu shreds the already limited menu down to items that contain meat, which is fine by me, since I recall the Ruben, from several years ago that i’m looking to re-​visit! As we approach the counter to order, the counter guy «reminds the folks in front of me» there is a 5% up-​charge for charge cards on each order and they prefer cash or debit. I’m thinking THIS is why I DON’T SHOP SPEC’s for that very reason. Look, I’m a white dude living in the Burbs, I don’t carry cash, so this has me pissed off out of the gate. But… we are hungry and so I elect to place my order. I order the Ruben on Marble Rye and my wife the «chefs salad». The Sand-​which was $ 7.95– plus up charge and tax.
As I wait for the food to arrive, I take a survey of the place and notice the «lack» of deli-​support chips, pickles, and just the vibe you wold expect from a «deli». As the other folks get their food, Philly and Hoagie, I see the look of underwhelming shock; a lonely sandwich’s appears in a hastily put together sandwich basket. No pickle, nothing, nadda, just a toasted bun with some kind of meat product arraigned and hidden in the bread. At this point i know I am most likely gonna be let down! I survey the back of the Deli-​counter and see the prepackaged offerings you can expect to receive from ANY discount food supply store. Not the lined up displays of fresh (sic) meat you can see at for example SUBWAY.
And Let down I was!
The sandwich arrives crispy with a ton of Swiss cheese, Sauerkraut, some dressing and 2 pieces of black-​NOT pink, NOT red, but BLACK Corned beef! First I give it a smell, seems okay, then I ask my wife to take a bite, you know the «taster» so I can gauge here face and see if see turns blue or immediately goes into convulsions… NOPE, she LIVED! so I take a bite and notice, this thing tastes NOTHING like Corned Beef, at all, whatsoever, not even in appearance. I scoop up the «lonely sandwich» and march over to the «short order cook» who I assume is NEW to the operation as the «counter guy» has to clue him and the lady helping out how to carefully craft up one of the overpriced beauties they are pushing out on the Plano lunch crowd. I show the «grill cook» my sandwich and ask him the follows TWO questions:
1. Why is this Corned beef BLACK and NOT a bright pink/​red when all the other Corned Beef I have ever seen or had has this as the fundamental requirement?
2. What king of Corned Beef IS THIS and are you SURE its Corned Beef?
The guy stops moving «whatever the grease, crumb, meat product creation» he was preparing and actually says to me…“Man-why are you asking me such difficult questions”? !!!
I was astounded at THAT response, no answer, no excuse, just another question to my question. Now I realize the «extensive menu» has quite a few items on it (sic) that must take quite a bit of brain power to memorize the content and makeup of each creation-​REALLY? I just said 30% of the menu was unavailable due to bird flu. SO I site back down„ make a mental note and ask my wife how the Chefs salad tastes. NO BUENO
Her readout is like this, It has that per-​manufactured store bought, 7 – 11 approach to it. Large cheddar cheese extrusions covering over the salad bowl and what appears to be TURKEY? Holy crap, this has me pancaked that it may be the Bird Flu Turkey the dude keep referring to !!! But wait, the Turkey has the same consistency of the cubed water-​logged turkey that you can only find next to gas station sushi, pita pockets and other «fresh offerings» from the soon to be abandoned truck stop near you. Saved by bird flu, but still not good. The Dressing is very mayonnaise. E, and the salad itself has that chemical salad brightener-​refrigerator taste you can only expect from eating it in the International Space station.
We dump and we head off to Chic fli a. This place sucks, the food, experience, staff and don’t forget the 5% up charge has me longing for the «deep fried» food in a day old case.

This deli used to be phenomenal, but since it is no longer «Mr. G’s», it is not very good. My Rueben was not flavorful, there was almost no corned beef on it, and rather than Russian dressing, it had some sauce they were calling «chow chow». Totally weird, completely unsatisfying, and very sad.

This place has the best sandwiches in Texas.
They have won many years in a row Best Sandwich in Dallas for a reason.
The Mr. G turkey club (#21) sandwich is the best.
They could have better things to drink.

I seldom select 5 stars but Mr G’s comes close. Maybe if they gave you a pickle with the sandwich I’d have given them a 5 star review.
I got the deluxe #11 (traditional Ruben). Wow, I could barely eat any dinner I was so full all day.
I took three co-​workers with me. They are sold. One said he almost took his wife there for dinner the same day. Luckily not only are they in the same building as I buy my spirits from but they are just down the street. A win-​win!
If you like deli style sandwiches, you’ve got to try Mr G’s. Yum doesn’t cover it.

I haven’t tried the deli, so this review is just based on the liquor store portion. (Which is a bit embarrassing since I’m here all the time!) Everyone is very friendly. The staff seems knowledgeable and they’re willing to help. Their prices are good. They have a great selection of beverages.

Very good deli, love their pastrami and cheesesteaks and love looking at wines while I wait. You can create your own sandwich or order off their menu which is over 50 different sandwiches easily. Fyi… they are closed Sundays.

Absolutely awesome deli! Not as good of a selection as a larger Spec’s, but they have some unique beers and liquors and there is a really cool vibe to the store that goes back to the old privately owned style. Probably the biggest thing you will notice at this location is how much pride the employees take in their knowledge and how willing they are to assist.

I ordered the family jewels and my husband had the #94. My sandwich was enough to feed two people. 3 large meatballs, an all beef grilled dog on a roll covered in chili. It was enormous. Hubby’s pastrami was really good. The meat was lean and flavorful. He said he’ll get the double meat option next time.

Mr Gs is a hidden gem in the back of a liquor store. I have only tried one item on the menu. It was the first sandwich I tried and will be the last one I order from here till I die. Yes it is that tasty it’s the one the only Mexican tuna that comes toasted to perfection. For an added kick of spice ask for pepper jack cheese who knew that this deli would be so great. Apparently zagats the guide highly rated this place several years in a row then they stopped ranking delis

Took my wife here yesterday for lunch. We’ve been here one other time a very long time ago. We were in the area, hungry, so we decided on this place.
Mr G’s is inside a Spec’s liquor store. As long as you know that, you’ll be fine.
I ordered «The Corby» which is supposed to be spicy, key word, chicken breast, onions, peppers, yadda yadda in a tortilla. I also ordered the potato salad they had in their case.
One word on both — MEH! I was totally underwhelmed. My chicken was far from spicy. And, to be honest, it was just sloppy tasting. The potato salad was just horrible. I paid $ 2 for it, so I ate it.
Wife said she enjoyed her sandwich but doesn’t like the weed mix salad and wasn’t a fan of the raspberry dressing.
And as a bonus, I bad heartburn all friggin afternoon.
Nothing more really to say. Maybe I should of gotten something else. Won’t be back.

Simple… This place is awesome! There’s so many to choose from but everything looks great!
In ordered #96 on wheat and was pretty amazed how good it it