McAlister’s Deli

Stopped in for lunch today at this near TCU branch. Parking a bit of a pain. You will be lucky to get spot on street (University) in front of Deli. Make sure to pay for parking there and leave receipt on dash. Tickets are swiftly meted out for cars without parking receipt.
Interior is decorated in TCU themes as you would expect. Students frequent this establishment, and other than my daughter and I, this was the crowd at 2 on Friday. Maybe about ¼ full, so service was speedy
You stand in line to place your order. Menu boards along back wall to select what you want, but for us older folks, print is extremely small. I opted for McAlister Club sandwich, while my daughter got the Cobb Club sandwich. Sandwich and salad fare is the norm here. You get a side with the sandwich, so we opted for the mustard based classic potato salad. They advertise their «sweet tea» so we went with that.
You are given your beverage or beverage glasses (if you are going soda route), and a number you display at table. Food run out when ready. Would estimate ours was ready in about 5 minutes, GREAT but expected as place was not crowded.
My club was good, just good. Nothing unusual and tasted a bit like it was pre-​prepared and pulled from refrig, not made fresh. Potato salad was also good. Sweet Tea, comes in large glass they will re-​fill for you was REALLY GOOD, not too sweet as some places are. Really refreshing. Our 2 sandwiches and teas ran $ 20, so not bad, but not a cheap eats.
I’d go back if I was in area, but given parking hassle, not a great alternative unless you are walking.
Service was friendly.

Man this place never fails me!!! The club is to die for love the mustard and everything about it, also I enjoy the sweet tea. great service and great food for a good price

Been here a few times while visiting TCU and the place is always loaded with students at lunch, which can make finding a place to sit a challenge (and finding a parking spot where it’s free). However, the service has always been good and the food tastes like it does at every McAlister’s. It’s much better than Subway!

I love Mcalisters! I always go to the one located in North Richland HIlls, TX but this location is closer to my house. I went yesterday just because Fuzzy Tacos was closed due to construction. Now the location is right across from TCU so TCU students can just walk to this place. However, for visitors, there is no parking available. The bookstore parking lot is right behind McCalisters and well I decided to park there even though it said «Bookstore Parking Only, TOWING WILL BE ENFORCED.» I went inside and it was packed! This was around 5:30 pm and the restaurant is pretty small. It looked Iike there was no where to sit. I asked one of the cashiers if it was ok to park by the bookstore and she said no. I asked her for a recommendation on where to park and she couldn’t tell me one so, I left. Didn’t even bother to eat. I was not going to risk it and get my car towed. So I don’t think I will be coming here again. I would just go to the one in NRH when I am in the area.

Great sandwiches & tea with friendly and fast service

Need a quick, good lunch for a decent price? Check out Mcallister’s Deli. They have a huge selection of soups, sandwiches, salads and combo meals. I had a southwest chicken panini with a salad. Fabulous, fresh food that was filling without making you feel stuffed! Fast service and super tidy restaurant and bathrooms!

Know this going in: McAlister’s was found out pretty much immediately by the TCU lunch crowd, and as that idea became reality, the staff pretty much has to crank their smiles into overdrive and handle the hustle of the noontime rush. They seem eager to address it, and that’s a good thing, cause when I was in here recently everything was Eastern European snug — the tables are tight, the staff weaving within, like extra family over for Thanksgiving dinner. I’m saying it can get a little claustrophobic, but that they handle it with cheer. Certainly beats the alternative.
That said, my party of three got seated straightaway and our order was correct, always a concern of mine when ordering in a hyper-​frenetic environment. I brought the grilled chicken to bear if you were wondering, a mélange of chicken breast, hney mustard, lettuce and tomato that suited me fine.
I’d be curious to head back over when the lines aren’t long, the pace less hummingbird. But then again, maybe that’s just the pulse of this spot. Time will tell.