The Retro Deli

I went to the retro café for the first time today and was really disappointed with the way I was treated. I had just gotten off of a long shift at 3:00 and was going to be having dinner with my parents around 5:00. I stopped in and ordered my veggie sandwich to go (which was amazing and the only reason I’m giving 2 stars). I sat at a table as I waited for my food to be ready. When the girl let me know it was done I sat back down at the table to eat half of it, I was starving after not eating at all at work and wanted to get a little something in my stomach to hold me over until dinner. Now I want to say that there was literally not one person at the deli. Not one person sitting at a table or even ordering food. I was the ONLY customer. As I started to eat the sandwich the girl behind the counter came to me and said «if you wanted to eat here I could have put it on a plate for you» to which I replied «oh I’m just eating half and leaving» she then responded with «well my boss doesn’t like when people do that» and walked away. DO WHAT? I finished half of my sandwich and left (as I was going to), but I was so offended. I felt like they did not appreciate my business and made me feel like I was a nuisance. I live in Bethlehem and love to support local businesses, but this is not a place I will be returning to. I hope the server and/​or owner can learn how to treat their patrons better and with more respect.

This place was tucked in the rear of the Moravian Bookstore which is a very cool store to walk around. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I had the Chicken Pannini which was good. I was caught off guard by the amount of mayo on it since I did not recall seeing that as an ingredient. I also had the side of couscous that was very tasty. Overall, I would recommend you check the place out. Prices were very reasonable.

My girlfriend and I are vegan and we were shopping in the book store and decided we would eat here, our other choice being subway. They greeted us and offered that we could sit and be waited on, so of course we did and the atmosphere was very calming and the waiter was a very nice guy who knew what he was talking about and made delicious recommendations. All and all we had a awesome day because of that place I ordered a veggie burger which actually looked like veggies and the cole slaw was amazing and I’m very picky about my slaw. I forget what my gf ordered but we were very satisfied and full! I didn’t try any bakery treats they seemed fresh but couldn’t say, I’m for sure going back.

I stopped here today with my daughter and we bought two cupcakes to take home because they looked so yummy. I was sad when I got home — they were as stale and super dry. I called the Retro to let them know how stale they were. Her response was sorry, I will let someone know. Then she hung up me. Wow.

When I review a business I have several criteria that I follow and each one that isn’t met, I deduct a star. I used to like going to the Retro Deli when it was located at 14 W. Broad Street. They have since moved to the Technicolor Spa building. At first appearance, I felt an overwhelming pretentiousness when I walked in the building-​almost as if I wasn’t welcome because I wasn’t wearing an Armani suit. Minus 1 star… (atmosphere) I ordered a pastrami on rye and the lady serving was friendly and very hospitable. The sandwich was filled with tasty fresh pastrami piled high between rye with deli mustard. Lettuce and tomato were optional and included at no charge if I wanted it. I am the pastrami type guy that doesn’t want anything between his rye except cheese, mustard and meat. The side of coleslaw was fresh made and very tasty. It was all washed down with generous amounts of fresh brewed ice tea-​refills at no charge. OK, you are probably wondering why I only gave three stars for this eatery. It would have been five stars, but the atmosphere was pretentious and snobby, hence minus one star. The second minus star was because the owner allows pets-​namely dogs-​into her restaurant/​deli. I was eating my sandwich and a woman walked in with a Pit-​Bull dog on a leash. She obviously knew the owner and I would deduce that she comes in frequently with the dog. I know for a fact that dogs are NOT allowed in restaurants unless they are helper dogs, which this one was not. I don’t want to eat while an unsanitary dog paces the floor. I would like to know why these self important people feel that they can take their dogs anywhere and feel they are above the law. This isn’t Euro Disney… Minus 1 star… Overall, a place that has GREAT food, but the atmosphere and the pet issue bothered me to the point I may not go back.