Amelia's Deli/Bistro Getting Carried Away

By Jay Hipps, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Popular Hacienda Eatery Opens New Location for Take-Out Orders

In an effort to accommodate more customers during the busiest parts of the day, Amelia's Deli /Bistro is opening a storefront specifically for take-out orders. The new facility is adjacent to the existing location in the Gateway Square at Hopyard and Stoneridge.

"Everyone that faxes or calls in their orders will pick them up here," says Jeanette Price, Amelia's founder. "We were starting to lose customers because of long lines, so this will allow us to serve more people."

The popular eatery specializes in homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches, with catering available as well.

Hands-On Research

Amelia's was founded almost eight years ago by Price along with a partner who has since left, being bought out in 1993.

"I'm a school teacher by trade," says Price, "but I've always loved different kinds of food and cooking." It was that interest that inspired Amelia's.

Before the restaurant opened, though, Price did a lot of hands-on research. For days at a time, she would go to the San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley financial districts to observe the operations of popular lunch spots, watching not only how they conducted business but also which items were popular.

"When we opened, we really hit the mark on the menu," she says. "We haven't had to drop anything, only add new items."

Amelia's menu features different homemade soups daily, along with a selection of salads and sandwiches, both hot and cold. The recipes have been developed by Price, so the dishes all feature unusual, flavorful touches. For instance, the sandwiches are unique in that they are served with garlic and chutney rather than just mayonnaise and mustard.

"It was a good two years before anyone would try the chutney," she says. "Now they seek it out."

The restaurant is currently managed by Annabelle Rodrigues, Price's sister, who has a formal background in restaurant and hotel management.

New Hours, Locations

The new take-out annex will be open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, accommodating those who work 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm shifts. The phone number is (510) 734-8444; faxes can be sent to (510) 734-9111. Also, a new San Ramon location is scheduled to open at the end of October.

Photo: Sisters Annabelle Rodrigues, left, and Jeanette Price stand in their new annex to the existing Amelia's Deli/Bistro.

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