Monday I had a doctor’s appointment in Abilene so Vince and I went over there and planned to eat at Panda Express. They open at 10:30 a.m. and if you don’t get there before 11:00, there’s usually a long line. We got there about 10:40, walked in and only about two bowls had food in them. The server said “We’re running late today!” Really! Vince and I stood there . . wondering how long it was going to be before food was ready, and if they were rushing through it to get food in the bowls. Vince said “We’ll just leave.” The man said “You can come back later.” I was kinda flabbergasted! He thought we would leave . . drive somewhere else for 10 or 15 minutes, come back and probably wait in line? No, thanks. There are lots of options in Abilene.
The funny thing was that I had really wanted to go to Jason’s Deli. Sunday night, I asked Vince “Do you want to eat at Panda Express or Jason’s Deli?” hoping he would say Jason’s but he said Panda.
As we walked out to the car to leave Panda, Vince said “Want to go to Jason’s Deli?” Hmmm . . YES! They open at 10 a.m. so they were open and just across the street from Panda.
I love their muffalettas! I got the salad/sandwich (muffaletta). Vince and I were sitting, eating and talking. He asked when was the first time I ate at a Jason’s Deli and I said “probably in the late 70’s, maybe very early 80’s”. He wanted to know where and I told him “Beaumont, TX”. I went on to tell him that we used to love to go to Beaumont, less than an hour from home, just to eat at Jason’s. I said “In fact, I think the first Jason’s Deli was in Beaumont and that’s the one we used to go to – in the Gateway shopping center.” I still remember going there and I still remember that first bite of muffaletta.
Then I said “Maybe I just think that’s where they started because that’s the first one I ever went to” so I looked it up and yes . . first one was in Beaumont, TX and now they’re in 29 states.
After we finished eating, Vince said “That was SO much better than what we were going to eat. I’m glad they didn’t have their food ready yet!” I wanted to say “Me too because I tried to hint last night that I wanted to go to Jason’s so it worked out great for me.”
I think Jason’s Deli is our new favorite place to eat. We have to go back to Abilene for another appointment before the end of the month . . I think we’ll go back to Jason’s Deli for lunch.
montanaclarks says
I loved Jason’s Deli muffaletta sandwiches–ate them all the time when I lived in Dallas, Texas in the mid 80’s.
Ann Burton says
First ate at Jason’s in Gateway in the early 90s……and now, can eat it almost any place. And I’m glad!
Judy H says
Yep! They started right here in my area. I work in Beaumont and live in a neighboring town. I like their muffaletta’s, too! I especially appreciate their salad bar, because they have the best in our area. We only have one in my town, but Beaumont has at least two that I can think of… hmmmm – might have to have Jason’s soon!!
Marilyn Smith says
Wew love Jason’s Deli also. We have only been to the one in Henderson (Las Vegas), Nv. It is near my favorite quilt shop – Quiltique. Love the soup, salads and sandwiches!.
patti says
mmmmm… muffaletta! i make one every once in awhile using THE best sourdough bread. with just 2 of us it’s too much so i reserve it for bigger gatherings. now that i’m craving it i might have to organize a get together as there’s nowhere around me that has them.
bewtjwgmailcom says
Sis and I like the ice cream
Donna in KS says
I wish my husband liked Jason’s better. It used to be THE go to place for lunch on our Quilt Guild workshop days! Workshops have changed locations, so no more monthly influx of quilters there!! I miss that opportunity to eat at Jason’s with our speakers and other like-minded people.
Karen says
We love Jason’s Deli – go a couple times a month. The Italian Muffaletta is my favorite – and of course free ice cream is always enjoyable.
Carol says
just ate at the Jason’s in Abilene when I was there in July. Always know you are getting fresh ingredients. Love the salad bar. It was kinda funny as when I ate at the one close to me recently it was during the school day and I think everyone in there was gray-haired and I thought a bit older than I am. I didn’t realize it is popular with the older crowd.
Rosalie says
I love Jason’s deli also
Great food and lots of options
We don’t have one close so I only get to eat there one or two times a year.
Kathy Wilson says
Had lunch there today. Love their salad kiosk for fast ordering. Make a delish salad and then top it off with an ice cream cone! Yum
dezertsuz says
It’s here in Knoxville, too. It isn’t close to me, so I don’t often go, because we have several other deli kind of places nearby that are also good. It’s the huge potatoes that always amaze me.