Gumbo in the Big Apple
A new contender for favorite lunch ritual has entered the downtown scene: Gumbo Friday at Big Apple Deli, 26 N. High St. New owner Brian Nichols has two regular Friday specials: fresh fish and gumbo. He plays the fish specials by ear depending on market availability; past hits include a grilled salmon salad and blackened tilapia. The soup is a mainstay, however. “Gumbo is a Friday favorite around here,” he said. So much so, in fact, that he’s considering doing an all-out New Orleans theme at the end of every week. As for his more deli-ish offerings, Nichols calls them “classics with a creative twist.” By which he means “big,” among other things. “We have all the classic sandwiches, but ours are colossal,” he said. Some, like the chicken club, feature a special house sauce. “We always do something extra.” There are “huge spring salads,” too, and subs that are presumably to scale. The accommodating proprietor will even do Chinese food for anyone who hasn’t been in since Nichols took over the former Chinese restaurant and isn’t aware of the change. “We have a sweet and sour chicken,” he said, “but we do it as a wrap.” Big Apple Deli currently serves its creative twists weekdays from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., but longer hours are in the works. For more info, call 224-4959.
