Deli-Licious brings traditional deli fare to downtown Cedar Rapids

Deli-Licious may be off the beaten path, but owners Aparna Jain and Manish Kumar are giving customers plenty of reasons to seek out their new restaurant, located in the lower level of the U.S. Bank building in downtown Cedar Rapids.

First, there's the food.

'Everyone says it's awesome,' Jain said, noting that the restaurant already has developed a devoted following among the building's tenants in its first four months of operation.

After deciding to take over the space previously occupied by Emil's Deli, Jain and husband Kumar hired veteran chef Ryan Harbaugh as manager. Harbaugh's culinary credentials include stints at the Class Act, where he served as Chef de Cuisine, and the DoubleTree by Hilton.

'Once we hired Ryan, we were confident we could do it,' Jain said.

Harbaugh created a menu that features traditional deli fare, signature sandwiches, salads and made-from-scratch soups. Rotating daily specials provide variety for loyal customers who already have tried all 25 items on the regular menu.

Past specials have included ethnic Indian, Mexican and Chinese dishes and entrees like pan-seared salmon with couscous or prosciutto flatbread pizzas. Harbaugh acknowledges that some of the specials may be more typically associated with the upscale, sit-down restaurants where he used to work than a deli.

'We want to exceed people's expectations and blow them away with the level of food we're trying to do,' he said.

As an additional draw for customers, Deli-Licious provides convenient options for ordering. Customers may place orders online for pickup or for delivery within a three-mile radius. They also can download a mobile phone app developed by Kumar, who also owns a software company.

'Customers can use the app for ordering from the menu and to pay,' Jain said. 'We can send them notification of today's special with pictures of the food.'

Customers who download the app are eligible for a discount on their purchases.

Deli-Licious also offers dining options beyond just workday lunches. The restaurant serves a full breakfast menu and also provides off-site catering for business lunches, dinner parties and special events.

Jain and Harbaugh admit that the restaurant's out-of-the-way location has presented a challenge for the new business. To counter the lack of walk-in street traffic, they are focusing efforts on getting the word out to downtown businesses and building their email list.

They figure once they get people to Deli-Licious, the food will keep them coming back.

'It's a deli with a delicious menu,' Jain said.