McAlister’s Deli

Yuck. Buy sandwich bread, meat, and a can of soup… about as good as what this place sells. Location sells and keeps business coming back… not the product.

Quite simply — McAlister’s Deli is basically Jason Deli’s to me, but a tiny bit better because vegetarian (vegan) chili!
My friend and I selected this place to meet up with a client because we wanted somewhere familiar, reasonably priced, and reliable. Upon arrival we realized that this place is smack dab in a cove of restaurants, specifically targeting the Baylor college kids crowd. No biggie, it wasn’t especially rowdy or populated — perhaps the other joints are more bumpin’ (Like In-​N-​Out Burger — which I still don’t understand why Houston doesn’t have one of these? Not that it affects me because I don’t eat animal carcass, so no horse/​cow in this race, but just an odd marketing decision, but whatever, I know nothing).
We more or less occupied a corner of the restaurant for over an hour and a half, only filling up on coffee (free refills, yay!), sweet tea, salad, and vegetarian chili. No time to massively chow down, much srs business to discuss. In spite of this, the staff was extremely cordial and cheery every time I solicited another coffee refill. And although the establishment did blare the music a little too loudly, thus slightly frustrating the ability to have coherent conversation, it was mostly a calm little scene and conducive to us accomplishing what we needed to.
That vegetarian chili, it’s pretty all right. I’m not going to lie, I’ve made better, but I’m 100% vegan 100% of the time, so I tend to be more thoughtful about conjuring up a super bomb diggity chili. However, it’s certainly not terrible at McAlister’s Deli and happily gobbled it up.
Oh, worth noting, the ladies’ restroom door requires a hard turn to open. I thought it was occupied and locked forever and a day because my carpal-​tunnel-​syndrome-​ridden wrists prohibited from fully turning the knob on the first try. Lawlz, I get the feeling this has probably been the dopey case for a lot of ladies. Anyway, you’re welcome!

Service here sucks. Employees never smile; it brings down the vibe of the restaurant and its customers.

We stopped by today on our way southbound on 35 and I just didn’t feel that this McAlister’s was living up to how I remembered it when I was in school here. The service is okay, and the food is good.
The restrooms are disgusting. I’m not sure if the paper towel dispenser exploded into the toilet or exactly what happened, but towels were all over the floor and somehow even on top of the hanging plant.
I’m not sure why, but all of the front of house employees had bleach stains/​splash all over their McAlister’s shirts. I saw at least three employees with ruined shirts. I guess management doesn’t care that they look terrible.
There are much better sandwich shops in Waco, so I’ll probably be saying farewell to this McAlister’s for a few years.

Both of our orders came out wrong and had to be fixed. It wasn’t rush hour. It shouldn’t be too hard to get orders right the first time. The second half of my sandwich (part of my original order that was left off) came out with about ¼th of the chicken it would normally have. This place needs to get it together. Stay away.

The food was good, but this place is way too small to accommodate everyone during lunch. The staff was trying, but it was crazy!

McAlister’s is in a great location just off of 35. It is great for a quick stop when passing through Waco. I’ve always been pleased with the food I get here and yes McAlister’s Deli is a chain so it is pretty much consistent deli food, take it or leave it.
McAlister’s deli in Waco provides a separate Gluten Free menu including bread for sandwiches. This is refreshing especially when seeking a restaurant in a smaller town where options can be limited.
We have never had a bad experience with customer service and to the contrary have had some really nice service.

Very drab exterior and interior. Food was completely lackluster. Extremely mediocre.

A nice, quick stop right by I-​35 and the Baylor campus. If you’re paying for two, expect a bill floating around $ 20 or so. Free refills on sweet tea are available (including punchcards for later visits). Service is fine, nothing exceptional. Call-​in wait ranges from 10 – 15 min., generally busiest during the weekends (esp. the Sunday after-​church rush).

Solid stop on any trip up and down I-​35. You don’t have to venture far from the highway for a quick sit-​down experience.
I’m in love with McAlister’s sweet tea and wanted to find a semi-​healthy dinner option towards the end of our trek up 35. I rarely visit McAlister’s in San Antonio, but was excited to have a reason to go back. Their salads are monstrous and always come with plenty of toppings and creative dressings. I’ve also always really liked the broccoli cheese soup. Certain locations make fresh-​squeezed lemonade, but not this one.
Service is quick, food is fresh, tea is just like I remember it.

Employee was super rude, which always turns me off immediately. Seemed irritated at me when she misheard what drink I ordered. I like McAlister’s food alright, but I appreciate good service as well!

Good location, close to downtown and Baylor. Love the chicken salad sandwich. Soups are always good and if you ask for a to-​go order, they wrap it up nicely and the soup never spills. It’s the little things that make a difference. And of course, you have to try their sweet tea. Delicious!

Cashier was snobby. Food runner was very nice. Food was terrible. No meat what so ever and tasted terrible. Soggy break, not hot, temperature and spice (it was a grilled spicy chicken chipotle sandwhich). They are famous for their tea and even that was below average.

Horrible customer service. If you pay for an item you should receive it. I paid for two extra sides of guac so my sandwich could taste better and they failed to give them to me. When I got home I called and they said unless i wanted to drive back then i could it next time. The manager was rude the next time I placed my order and tried to charge me and went back on his word. Customer service Mcalisters??? Aren’t managers supposed to be more courteous!!! This process was ridiculous and I will never be back neither will any of my friends. We have switched to Jason’s deli!!! You should try it. :) very disappointing.

Will NOT BE BACK! The service was ok the sandwich would have been good if they would have put some meat in it! Little sandwich for too much $$$$. Jason’s Deli is MUCH BETTER!
1^st and last time here.

A typical good McAlister. The environment is clean, food is tasty, service is good.

Try the tea. It doesn’t suck.