I can't believe how hard it is to find a great Jewish Deli in the metropolitan Phoenix area....the selection is few and what we do have is mediocre at best. So I am sad to say that if I want an almost great Jewish Deli I have to drive all the way to Surprise...
Archie's Deli offers probably the best yet in Delicatessen cuisine. They offer the right kind of sandwiches and even has blitzes, kugle, potato latkes, and knishes that aren't half bad. I was impressed with their Bagel selection (and more than happy that they weren't like Einstein bagels...pure bread) I even liked their pickle tray...
But I have to say that there were a few negatives...First of all (and I am really not cheap, I swear) their prices are outrageous....I asked how much a fruit tray was for about 8-10 people and they quoted me $35. I couldn't believe that my brisket sandwich was $11...and it didn't even come with fries! I was offered cole slaw or potato salad...and since I don't like potato salad, I had to get cole slaw, even though my sandwich already had cole slaw on it. And in regards to the sandwich it was good and all...but since when did Challah become the shape of a hoagie bun? And to top it all off, our server didn't know the first thing about the menu or deli in general. And I did find it funny that my grandma had to get the manager over to let them know that they potato latkes needed more onion salt in them.
I think with a few tweeks, Archies can be awesome. But they do cater to their clientele just fine and it seems like they are always busy. I will be back I am sure with my grandparents :-)