POINT LOMA – If deli sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and unusual brands of soda are your thing, Evan’s Deli & Brew in Midway Towne Center is your place.
The restaurant, which is at 3944 W. Point Loma Blvd., Suite D-E, is located in the strip mall around the corner from Grocery Bargain outlet.
Previously housing Gaglione Brothers Famous Steaks & Subs, the menu of this laid-back eatery also features sandwiches, burgers, and subs with indoor and outdoor dining.
Evan’s specializes in cheesesteaks and hot and cold cuts, as well as offering unique hard-to-find soda brands from elsewhere in the country, and even Mexico. The establishment serves beer and wine and has music and televisions.
Owner Evan Barash, who previously lived in Irvine, said Joe Gaglione helped him a lot with advice when he took over their Midway District spot over three years ago, telling him: “You’re in the same position I was 15, 20 years ago.”
Barash was immediately attracted to the Midway Towne Center site because of the Gaglione brothers’ previously established customer base of “nice people,” and because he really liked the “big open concept” of the retail spot.
Barash pointed out that Evan’s Deli & Brew is his first 100% owned business, though he has extensive background coming from a restaurant family. “I’ve worked in restaurants my whole life,” he said. “My parents had delis when I was growing up and I always helped them.”
Of his role as a restaurant proprietor, Barash noted: “I tell everyone I’m the CEO, CFO and janitor. Whatever it is – I’ll do it with a smile.”
On his website, Evan notes his eatery’s two most important values are “great food and great service.” In an effort to “keep things simple,” Barash pointed out Evan’s Deli & Brew opted to “go with high-quality sandwiches.”
Being a deli operator is a perfect fit for Barash. “I love it every single day,” Evan said, adding that as a new father, he’s working seven days a week so his wife can raise their child at home.
“He’s our mascot,” joked Barash of his son. “We are a super family business. My mom and dad work two mornings.”
Barash was never going to get rid of cheesesteaks when he took over from the Gagliones. “I always had a couple on my menu,” he said. All my customers would say, ‘Do not get rid of our cheesesteaks. Keep it going.’”
And Barash did. Evan’s has its homegrown-style of cheesesteaks.
“We’ve tried 15 different kinds of onion rings, 15 different kinds of steaks, 15 different kinds of chicken,” Barash said. “The first year you’re experimenting with everything. How can I improve this or that? That’s what we’re best at, quality and freshness.”
“When I first started, I would have glass Coke, Sprite and Fanta from Mexico and I saw how much they were selling,” Barash said of his unique drink offerings. “I bought pickle and apple soda (after that) and other (boutique) sodas. You order it and if it sits too long you never order it again. But you order the ones that do move and then you try new ones like I have including Hank’s from Philly, Faygo, and Vernors from Michigan and the most popular drink I’ve ever brought here called Leninade, a pink lemonade soda.”
Concerning his business philosophy, Barash said, “The idea was not to come here and become Gaglione Bros 2.0. The idea was to keep my menu with turkey, clubs, pastrami, roast beefs, etc cetera.”
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