For off-campus students like myself, buying food on campus can be costly without flexi for our disposal. Sure, a bowl of soup and bread from the Market Café may be the cheapest meal you can get there, but for about $5 it’s not much to sustain you for the afternoon. In looking for alternative dining options on campus, the Koret Deli can help stretch your wallet and fill you up.
First of all, for all those who don’t go to the gym (it’s ok, I think walking up Lone Mountain is equivalent to the stair master), did you know there was a deli in Koret Health and Recreation Center?
“I don’t think everyone knows about it because you kind of overlook it when you’re at the gym, but then there are some people I know who only go to Koret for the deli,” said Glencijoy David, senior.
Koret Deli doesn’t accept flexi so it probably doesn’t garner much attraction from on-campus students, but according to David, it certainly is popular with commuter students.
Sandwiches are a staple to my diet. They’re quick and easy to make, and portable to bring up to campus. Since I’ve eaten plenty of sandwiches in my three years as a college student, two years being a commuter, I’ve developed high standards for what makes a good sandwich, and Koret Deli makes a good sandwich.
The menu offers about eleven sandwich options, including vegetarian, with a choice of sweet roll, whole wheat, or dutch crunch bread. On top of that, they’ll even toast it for you, and that already makes a sandwich loads better. I opted for the New York Pastrami sandwich, rather than the usual ham, turkey, or chicken sandwiches. I paid $6 for a 6-inch sub, which is the average cost of Koret Deli sandwiches.
I went to the deli around 11 a.m. on a Monday, and there wasn’t a line at the time, hence the service was pretty quick. At first I was skeptical about how filling the sandwich would be, but after eating half of it, I was already satisfied. I got my pastrami sandwich on dutch crunch bread which added an extra crispness and balancing sweetness to the seasoned meat. Unlike the $6 pre-wrapped sandwiches at the Caf, Koret Deli sandwiches are packed with meat, and the right amount of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and sandwich spread. I often find other sandwich places load on these toppings, causing the sandwich to fall apart, however Koret Deli neatly wraps their sandwiches to prevent this, and also makes it easy to take your sandwich to-go.
The deli also offers espresso coffee and drinks, salads, breakfast bagels, and smoothies, making it a great stop for breakfast to-go or to refuel during the day. I’ve been told by Koret Deli faithfuls that there’s usually a line, so arrive early before your next class. If you’re not in a rush for class, the deli is a spacious alternative for studying with their large tables, multiple seating, and a great view of Inner Richmond district and Golden Gate Park.
Even though the price point of Koret Deli is not significantly less than the cost of sandwiches you can get at the Caf, it’s a winner for off-campus students in terms of portability, satisfaction, and getting more for your buck. It also beats the crowd and high noise levels of the Caf.
