# Please help me choose my free winter side dish at the deli. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 1, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053 "2012-08-01T13:33:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/21 "2012-08-02T14:49:36Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Something’s wrong with having a hot dog as a side to your hamburger? 😕 Everyone knows that hot dogs are a condiment [to be put atop your burger](http://gwiv.com/KumasCorner30.jpg). Duh. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/22 "2012-08-02T14:58:55Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Everyone knows that hot dogs are a condiment [to be put atop your burger](http://gwiv.com/KumasCorner30.jpg). Duh. I was sort of thinking about it being more of a ‘chaser’ than a ‘side’ or ‘topping’. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/23 "2012-08-02T16:41:51Z")
Personally I would favor the chili, but I see chili as more of a main item than a side dish. I’m not big on mac and cheese, although everyone else in the world seems to be. Sounds like a good choice. I can see foodies going for the root veggies, but I suspect they won’t have the wide appeal of the other options. Beans would be fine. Soup and sandwich combos seem to have a lot of appeal, but I’m thinking that should be its own item as a combo, probably at a different price point than the sandwich with a side. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/24 "2012-08-02T16:55:12Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Soup and sandwich combos seem to have a lot of appeal, but I’m thinking that should be its own item as a combo, probably at a different price point than the sandwich with a side. I still see soup and half sandwich deals at some places. I’ve never understood the appeal myself, but someone must like it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/25 "2012-08-02T17:03:23Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I still see soup and half sandwich deals at some places. I’ve never understood the appeal myself, but someone must like it. _raises hand_. What’s more perfect than a soup and sandwich? That’s like the ideal lunch for me. Not too heavy with a whole sandwich, but not too light with just a soup on its own. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/26 "2012-08-02T17:33:40Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Hot German potato salad, with bacon? Oh God, yes! This is one of my favourite dishes of all time! So, does anyone have a good recipe for this stuff? There’s a local restaurant that has it as a side dish (Earls), and I have it every time we go there. If not the hot potato salad, then mac and cheese, I’d say. That’s always a crowd pleaser. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/27 "2012-08-03T04:30:51Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Everyone knows that hot dogs are a condiment [to be put atop your burger](http://gwiv.com/KumasCorner30.jpg). Duh. It’s a good thing that my husband never saw or heard of that when he was younger. > [@TriPolar](#): > > I still see soup and half sandwich deals at some places. I’ve never understood the appeal myself, but someone must like it. I love the half sandwich and soup or fruit assortment deals. It’s not too much food, but there’s a little variety there. The main problem is that it takes about as much labor to assemble half a sandwich as it does a whole sandwich, so the restaurant has to make sure to charge enough to cover the labor. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/28 "2012-08-03T04:38:19Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > It’s a good thing that my husband never saw or heard of that when he was younger. > > . In the Drive-in diner at Disneyworld, they have that. Not bad, and the diner is very cool. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/29 "2012-08-03T04:58:51Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Oh God, yes! This is one of my favourite dishes of all time! > > So, does anyone have a good recipe for this stuff? There’s a local restaurant that has it as a side dish (Earls), and I have it every time we go there. > > If not the hot potato salad, then mac and cheese, I’d say. That’s always a crowd pleaser. I always use red potatoes, but take your pick. Boil the potatoes until just tender. Drain them and let them sit out. Fry up some bacon in a pan. I love bacon, so I’ll use 1 pound of thick sliced bacon for 2-3 pounds of potatoes. Just fry it to the degree of doneness you like. It won’t stay crispy in the final dish, and over cooked will make it tough. Reserve some bacon grease and saute a large chopped onion in the bacon pan. I use pieces about 1/2 inch square. I also chop and saute one red and one green bell pepper. While the bacon and onions are cooking cut each potato in half and cut into 1/4" to 1/2" slices. Break up or chop the cooked bacon to a size you like. Heat 1/2 cup of cider vinegar in a small I pan and stir in 1/4 cup of sugar. Keep stirring until it’s almost boiling. Pour it into a large bowl and gently stir in the other ingredients. I add some crushed red pepper also for a little kick, and I often use sweetened rice wine vinegar instead of cider. If it won’t be served until later, don’t make the vinegar/sugar yet. Mix the other ingredients together and refrigerate. Warm it up again later, then make the vinegar/sugar mix and stir it in. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/30 "2012-08-03T11:41:22Z")
Thanks all of you. You’ve given me a lot to consider. I’ve been polling my customers too and Mac & Cheese seems to be the favorite with them. Now I just need to figure out a good recipe that isn’t too costly. Cheese is expensive. **Olentzero** , I’m always interested in new food ideas, so please do share the stewed macaroni recipe. Those bacon buns sound wonderful. I don’t know if I am skilled enough to make those though. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/31 "2012-08-03T12:22:36Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > **Olentzero** , I’m always interested in new food ideas, so please do share the stewed macaroni recipe. Will check in with it later tonight when I get home from work! ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/32 "2012-08-03T23:25:25Z")
I’d come to your deli just for a scoop of macaroni and cheese. It’s so cool that you’re still in business and (seemingly) doing quite well. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/33 "2012-08-04T01:46:23Z")
I think that chili and piragis are not really side orders. If you serve them, people will be ordered them instead of rather than along with a sandwich. I like roasted vegetables but I don’t think it would be a popular choice. If you’re going to offer a limited number of options, I say go with things that have a broad appeal: mac’n’cheese and baked beans. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/34 "2012-08-04T01:52:49Z")
All I can say is a trip up the hill is definitely in order! I’m hungry and I know from experience your food is yummy! ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053/35 "2012-08-04T02:46:18Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > All I can say is a trip up the hill is definitely in order! I’m hungry and I know from experience your food is yummy! Hey you! Get your butt back up here! We’re better now, I promise. 🙂 I really do feel pity for our first few customers. We kept them waiting too long and probably made dozens of mistakes. Monstro, I think it’s still too early to know if we’ll succeed or not. We made a very small profit for the first time just last month. If we can’t improve on that, we’ll be in trouble, but our numbers are increasing and we do have a lot of fans. We get told all day long that our Ruben and French Dip are the best sandwich in the world! It would so be my pleasure to dish you up some home-made mac and cheese. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-choose-my-free-winter-side-dish-at-the-deli/630053.md?page=1)