‘To make people happy.’ New Lakewood Ranch Deli opens for lunch. Take a peek inside

Jason Dill
·2 min read

For the past two years, Brian and Terry Hamilton have wanted to open a lunch spot in Lakewood Ranch.

The couple, who moved to Florida from Maryland in 2006, previously ran a concession stand for youth sports and had a cafe inside the Manatee County courthouse.

A location opened up inside the San Marco Plaza for the Hamiltons’ latest venture: the Lakewood Ranch Deli.

“It’s right in the heart of Lakewood Ranch,” Brian Hamilton said.

The restaurant, which had a grand opening on July 29, is located at 8225 Natures Way in Unit 111. While parking might seem small, the Hamiltons said the Town Center Parkway has a big parking lot.

The Lakewood Ranch Deli is open Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The family-owned and operated place features a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads.

Lakewood Ranch Deli now open

The signature items, though, are the Reuben and Italian. You can order them the classic way, getting ham, pepperoni and salami for the Italian and corned beef, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing, Swiss cheese on Rye bread for the Reuben.

But Lakewood Ranch Deli has four different versions of their Reuben. They also serve a pastrami Reuben, turkey Reuben and a combo that mixes corned beef and pastrami together.

“It’s a hearty sandwich, a good sandwich,” Terry Hamilton said.

Brian Hamilton added: “We use quality meat and our Reuben has always been a go-to sandwich for us.”

He said they don’t buy anything packaged, everything is made in-house and from scratch except the bread comes from a bakery.

There are 12 tables inside, eight tables for outside dining and two TVs inside.

And in case there’s something missing from the menu, Lakewood Ranch Deli even has a suggestion box for their customers to use.

“My passion for food is just I like to make people happy,” Brian Hamilton said.

Throught the windows at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
Throught the windows at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
A freshly-made cuban sandwich at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
A freshly-made cuban sandwich at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
A freshly-made reuben sandwich at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
A freshly-made reuben sandwich at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
Owners Terry and Brian Hamilton at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
Owners Terry and Brian Hamilton at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
The front counter at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
The front counter at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
The sign at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
The sign at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
Indoor seating at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.
Indoor seating at the Lakewood Ranch Deli.

What to know

  • Name: Lakewood Ranch Deli

  • Address: 8225 Natures Way, Unit 111, Lakewood Ranch

  • Capacity: 20 tables (12 inside, eight outside)

  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

  • Online: www.LakewoodRanchDeli.com

  • Phone: (941) 500-1082

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