Julie’s Deli and Market Makes Lunch Special in Texarkana

Food is never boring at Julie's Deli. From the moment I stepped foot inside the spacious restaurant, I knew that I was in for a treat.

If the scent of fresh baked goods hadn't been enough to lure me in, the sight of big, overstuffed sandwiches and tall glasses of thirst-quenching iced tea would have done it. As I looked around the restaurant to see what other patrons feasted on, my mouth began to water.

Jennifer Tanner greeted me and told me a bit about the restaurant's history. "We've been open since 1996," she said, "and have sold over 25 tons of chicken salad. Speaking of which, let me get you a sample."

Honestly, I usually loathe chicken salad. For me, it ranks low on the totem pole along with liver and tuna casserole. But I always try to keep an open mind in the hopes that I'll be surprised.

When she returned with my sample, it tasted like ambrosia, tasty and smooth with just the right amount of sweetness. (She adds pineapple to the chicken, but don't even think about getting the rest of this closely guarded secret recipe from the staff. From the sound of it, Julie keeps it under lock and key!)

For lunch, I ordered the Longhorn sandwich, which is roast beef on sourdough bread, slathered with mustard, horseradish, cheddar, provolone, lettuce and tomato. The flavor combination was delicious with a spicy bite at the end. I loved it!

But my favorite part of the meal came on the side in the form of Julie's house fried chips, which are hand cut and tossed in a tasty blend of spices that guarantees you'll eat more than you probably should. They are crunchy happiness on a plate.

In addition to being a marvelous deli, Julie's also offers full-fledged catering services. She's catered for as few as 1 and for as many as 800. Her side dining room also converts into a stunning banquet hall which can be dressed up with as much elegance as you could ask for.

So next time you're out and about and have a hankering for something tasty, healthy and more than a little special, stop by Julie's Deli at 4055 Summerhill Square, Texarkana, Texas 75503. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Tell them Jathan sent you, and even though I never thought I'd say this, ask for the chicken salad. Then you'll know why I selected Julie's Deli for this week's Good Eats!