Need a quick lunch or dinner? Call your order in to the Railroad Deli, a tiny take-out place in Vass. It’s the creation of husband-wife team Andrea Henley and Kevin Cagle and their business partner, Tiffany Caddell.
Kevin, a local barber, has been cooking since he was a kid and has long been looking for a spot to make his hobby turn a profit. The deli opened in September after years of planning, and Kevin relocated Vass Barbershop to the other side of the building. They’ve hired 18 people, from culinary school grads to Kevin’s 72-year-old mother.
“My husband, from the time I’ve met him, could take three things in the kitchen and make a gourmet meal,” Andrea says. “We saw all the traffic going by this place and thought this was really something we could do. This town needs the variety.”
Railroad Deli offers everything from BLTs to cold turkey pitas, from ahi tuna salad to loaded potato soup, from hot dogs to steak and cheese on pretzel rolls, and breakfast paninis like bacon, egg and cheese. Oh, and ice cream and old-fashioned milkshakes.
Andrea said the reuben was a popular sandwich, so that’s what we ordered — along with the coleslaw, which features apple cider vinegar dressing.
First off, the sandwich was huge; big enough to share. The bread (sourced from The Bakehouse in Aberdeen) was grilled but not too greasy. The coleslaw was light on the mayo — not nearly as heavy as something you’d find at a Southern picnic — and the apple cider in the dressing gave it a nice tang. In all, it felt like a healthier option for a quick meal.
Keep in mind that all of the menu items are made to order, so you’ll be served much faster if you call ahead. Yes, you do have to walk up to the window. But if it’s cold, rainy, or you can’t leave your car for any reason, they’re happy to serve you car-side.
Find them at 3478 U.S. 1 Business, or follow them on Facebook. They’re open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Call them at 910-245-2512.
See the first page of the menu here, and the second page here. If you try it, let us know what you think.
