Hey Stalzy’s Deli: will you please open a second location downtown? I truly believe there’s a market for your presence around the Capitol. Ever since Jacobson Deli closed its shop across from the Bartell Theatre a few years ago, that deli niche hasn’t been filled yet (sorry Merchant, you don’t quite fit the bill).
In fact, Stalzy’s says on its website that it opened to “buff out Madison’s deli deficiencies.” To that, I say, great job so far.
When I stopped in at Stalzy’s, which took over for the space once occupied by Africana on Atwood Avenue, I was tempted to stock up on some cured meats. Instead, I concentrated on the sandwiches.
Both the Classic Club and the Stalzy’s Triple were quite nice. When Stalzy’s first opened in May, people complained on its Facebook page about the lack of meat on the sandwiches (sounds like Full of Bull). However, that problem has obviously been rectified, as both sandwiches I tried had generous portions.
The latter, which I somehow managed to finish despite its size (see photo), had corned beef, pastrami, turkey pastrami, swiss cheese and coleslaw. I thought it was dynamite, but I wouldn’t order it again only because it cost $15. The Classic Club, which featured turkey, bacon, cheddar, lettuce and tomato, was slightly easier to swallow (pun intended) at $12.
Just for the heck of it, I tried the House Burger ($6) as well, and I thought it was juicy and tasty. You also can double and triple the number of patties, and the sandwich comes with American cheese and fried onions preloaded.
Stalzy’s also serves various sausages, reubens and “the best pastrami in town,” according to my server. You can dine in or carryout, and there’s a parking lot adjacent to the building. Just beware: no credit cards are accepted.
