McAlister’s Deli By Katie Lavery and Cassidy Berendzen   Jefferson City’s McAlister’s Deli, which opened in February, is part of a franchise that prides itself in its unique combination of hearty deli fare, served quickly with a side of Southern charm. McAlister’s founder- a dentist- and his sons spent years tracking the losses and successes of many restaurants and developed a quick, casual restaurant. In 1989 the original McAlister’s Deli opened in an old gas station-turned-restaurant in Oxford, Mississippi. By 1995 INC. Magazine named the McAlister’s Corporation one of America’s fastest growing privately owned companies. In 1999 veteran chain operator Phil Friedman became president of McAlister’s. We spoke with employee Nolan, who has been working at McAlister’s since August, and he recommends his personal favorite the French Dip, which consists of choice roast beef and cheddar cheese on a toasted six-inch white hoagie, served with a cup of steaming au jus. McAlister’s best-selling sandwiches are the Mac’s Melt and the McAlister’s Club. The Mac’s Melt is choice roast beef, Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, light mayonnaise, and spicy brown mustard on a white six-inch hoagie. McAlister’s Club is turkey, ham, Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar and Swiss cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, honey mustard, and light mayonnaise on toasted white bread. Along with their tasty sandwiches, McAlister’s also serves “Texas-sized” spuds, delicious desserts, and their famous sweet tea. Our personal favorites are the Grilled Chicken Breast Club and the Nacho Basket. The Grilled Chicken Breast Club is tender marinated chicken breast, Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar and Swiss cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, light mayonnaise, and honey mustard on toasted wheat bread. McAlister’s Deli has locations in cities all over Missouri, including Ballwin, Cape Girardeau, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Kansas City, Nixa, Springfield, St. Charles, and Jefferson City. Here in Jefferson City, McAlister’s opens at ten in the morning and close at ten at night Sunday through Thursday; on Friday and Saturday, they close at ten thirty. Their phone number is (573) 659-7783. So the next time you are in the mood for a great sandwich, stop by McAlister’s Deli.