Med Deli returns to Lenoir Mainstreet

Mediterranean Deli, one of Chapel Hill’s healthiest staples, will make its return to Lenoir Mainstreet today after a yearlong hiatus.

Jamil Kadoura, owner of Med Deli, said they were asked to return to campus by Carolina Dining Services because the Greek diet would be an alternative to the typical fast food in the dining hall.

“The quality and the health of our food, that’s why we’ll succeed,” he said.

The restaurant will be taking the area that was previously used as the pizza station. The pizza station will be moved to Lenoir Mainstreet’s self-serve section. Kadoura said the new location is a great opportunity and a better option than the space they shared with Subway two years ago, where they were unable to serve their full menu.

“If we want to do it, we want to be who we are,” he said. “Last time it was like a half-deli, a quarter-deli. This time it’s going to be the full thing.”

The restaurant will also use biodegradable and sustainable materials such as wheat for food containers, Kadoura said.

And while the new location will be more expensive to operate, Kadoura said he believes the restaurant will succeed.

“I think we will because we’ve been in Chapel Hill for 26 years — we’re almost a household name.”

Scott Myers, director of food and vending for CDS, said CDS asked Med Deli to return to Lenoir Mainstreet as part of an effort this summer to offer a better on-campus eating experience. In addition to bringing back Med Deli, CDS also redesigned Cafe McColl in the Kenan-Flagler Business School and the hot bar in Lenoir Mainstreet.

“Our main goal is to get more satisfaction out of that area, and that usually equates to more sales,” Myers said.

Med Deli will be open for lunch Monday through Friday.

International masters student Yifan Liu said she appreciated the effort to bring an organic option to campus.

She said she eats on campus often, but would prefer a non-American dining option.

“All the fast food turns me off from the restaurants — there’s too much cheese.” Freshman Sarah Brooks, a Chapel Hill native, said she frequents the Med Deli on Franklin Street because of the quality of the food.

In the few days she’s been on campus, Brooks said she has chosen healthier alternatives.

“Sometimes that’s why I don’t eat in (the dining halls) — I have healthier food in my dorm,” she said.

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