"Proud to be an American!" So says the giant-sized poster of a bald eagle superimposed over the American flag in this Greek-owned deli (from the minds behind the Service Entrance Deli on Chestnut Street). The Works specializes in American-style food, with a total of three menus to choose from: fast food, deli, and catering.
The fast food options, though not nearly as tasty as the food off the deli and catering menus, are several dimensions above the gag-(if you're lucky)-inducing fare from, say, McDonald's or Burger King. All specials come with fries, chips and a large drink, like the gyros, grilled chicken and turkey sub sandwiches (each hovering around $6). Two hot dogs come a little cheaper at $5.25. If you're looking for something lighter and quicker, though, try one of the salads, which range from $2.99 to $6.95.
If the fast food menu is several steps above your typical fast food, then the California-style deli menu is equally superior to its fast-food counterpart. Named after the old location, the Service Entrance club—a double decker of sliced turkey breast and ham with fresh lettuce, blood-red tomato and mayo on millet wheat ($6.25)—is a signature sandwich and more popular (not to mention delicious) than cocaine was to Sherlock Holmes and Sigmund Freud combined.
And last, but not least, the catering menu, perfect for business meetings or pig-out sessions (your choice) is so expansive and fantastic, your brain will literally blow up in your skull just from thinking about eating it all by yourself. Imagine a single tray with muffins, danishes, scones, croissants, pecan rolls, turnovers, coffee cake, cinammon rolls, special breads and bagels, and just try to not go mad with ravenous desire. There's more, though, with a list that's endless in a way your stomach (unfortunately) never will be, starting with the hors d'oeuvres, the meat and cheese platters, the salad and fruit trays and ending with desserts (cookies!) that will put you down and end your life once and for all. Frankly, that's probably a good thing after you've eaten as much as you're bound to.
The strangest thing about The Works is that it's decorated wall-to-wall in Hello-Kitty pink, with red ceilings and red, white and blue chairs that scream "[They're] Proud to be...American" too. So what if the owner's not an interior decorator? He's one of the nicest and most helpful owners we've ever come across, and he's almost always there to serve you.
Centerstage Reviewer: Benjamin Andrew Moore
