The SMU campus is home to a few restaurants as well as our standard cafeteria. In addition to the well-known Umphrey Lee, Montague’s Deli remains SMU’s best kept secret. Situated on the main floor of Hughes Trigg, Montague’s offers a small but refined selection of sandwiches, Panini, salads, and soups. Although it has changed locations numerous times in its history at SMU, the venue still attracts its regulars. With friendly service, good food and a convenient location, this deli is quick and delicious for any college student on the go.
The Hughes Trigg Center is a popular hub for staff, students and even visitors to the campus. This building holds a variety of organization headquarters, gathering areas and food options. Montague’s Deli is stashed inside The Market on the first floor. As I have discovered, most students know of the existence of a deli on campus, but are uncertain of its actual whereabouts. This is not surprising because of the lack of visibility from the central gathering area. The deli can only be seen from inside SMU’s market. Just outside the entrance to The Market, tables are available for Montague’s customers to sit and enjoy their meal, if they choose to.
Inside The Market, Montague’s Deli is on the immediate right. An original sign catches patrons’ attention with bright colors and a cool font. The style of the restaurant draws on cues from Panera Bread and Subway. Helpful displays and labels make the decision-making process a chinch.? The Market’s shelves make the arrangement a bit cramped and uncomfortable, and during peak hours, the lines can seem impossible. Fortunately, three skilled employees work the counter. This allows the lines to dissolve quickly and the wait to fly by. The service is one of Montague’s best assets, putting a smile on everyone’s face.
An interview with SMU veteran, Eddie Dotie, revealed the deli’s interesting history. The restaurant is officially under the supervision of Aramark, the company that also runs the Umphrey Lee Cafeteria. Montague’s Deli is in its tenth year of operation at SMU, and has resided in a total of four locations inside Hughes Trigg.? Its first spot was where the current Chick-fil-A resides. It then moved to the subway location, then to Java city. Its next and present location is inside SMU’s market, where it has resided for the past three years. The hours of operation are from 10:30 a.m. to about 2 p.m. weekdays. Sisco provides the food products, but many of the dishes, including the salad, are prepared fresh daily by the staff.
The food speaks for itself at Montague’s Deli. The most popular dish is the Reds BBQ Chicken Bacon. This sandwich mixes all the right flavors into a small package. The Trim Harvest Turkey is also a favorite of students. The thinly sliced pears give a good contrast to the flavor of the mustard and meat. Soups such as the Chicken Tortilla and the Tomato Florentine warm the body and tantalize the taste buds. Montague’s fortunately alters their menu according to the weather, providing more soup choices in the winter and more salads in the summer. Everything in the Market, including the deli, is available on flex dollars, making it a good cost effective option. The food and service prove refreshing anytime, but the best thing about Montague’s Deli has to be its convenience. With a range of worthy choices, SMU students have no reason to keep Montague’s a secret any longer.
