Steve's Downtown Deli & Bakery

Considering the menu alone, Steve's - in business 20 years - has elements of a classic diner, a health-food co-op, a French bistro, a soul food joint, and a big city deli. Add in the atmosphere and you may be uncertain whether you’re in a restaurant, record store, or campus coffee shop.

New owner Daniel Fairly, who bought the place from Steve Long in 2023, grew up around downtown. Although he doesn’t have any restaurant experience, he consulted with longtime friends Michael Longo and Ashley Davis, who were excited about the opportunity to finally run their own kitchen.

“I own the restaurant and run the register, but it’s Michael and Ashey’s kitchen,” says Fairly. Sixteen-year Steve’s Deli veteran line cook Fred Grayer remains in the kitchen, and is the glue that holds the four-person “family” together, holding the history and providing context for popular dishes. “People walk in and Fred knows what they want and how they want it,” says Fairly.

True to the spirit and deep customer loyalty to Steve’s customers, Fairly has only made a few minor changes to the menu, adding focaccia and sour dough breads (also available for purchase) and the possibility this fall of evening casual fine dining (watch Steve’s Facebook page for updates).

Steve’s still offers scratch-made lunch specials each weekday, featuring a different popular sandwich such as roast beef po’boy, Chicken Club wrap on a sundried tomato tortilla; and daily plate lunches (favorites include chicken spaghetti, lasagna, daily roast beef & mashed potatoes, daily quiche) and soup or gumbo.

Craving a handheld? Try one of the house favorites like the Cubano sandwich, vegetarian Mediterranean in a wheat wrap, Veggie burger, the Capitol Club, chicken salad, and smoked ham on a croissant. Be sure to pick a delicious side: chips, pretzels, lemon Dijon pasta salad, sugar-free fruit cup, or coleslaw. (Substitute soup of the day or green salad for additional charge.)

Hungry for greens? Stop by for the Downtown Chicken salad with walnuts, red grapes, tomato, and shredded cheese; the Chef, with all natural roast turkey, applewood smoked ham, provolone, boiled egg, avocado and tomato; the Carburetor has roast beef or brisket over salad greens with tomato, onions, pickles and cheese; a Side Chop Salad with shredded cheese, cucumber, bell pepper, raisins, mayo & sour cream, or pick up a side of chicken salad over greens. In fact, you could eat here every day and never eat the same thing twice!

Don’t forget dessert! Choose from among house-baked cookies (chocolate chip, butter toffee chip, sweet potato pecan, lemon teacake, oatmeal raisin, or double chocolate espresso) or try a chess square or a generous portion of bread pudding with praline sauce.

Steve’s offers dine-in, take-out, delivery and catering, and even offers entrees and soups to-go for customers seeking the convenience of “heat and eat” evening meals.