Rusty’s Deli has ‘grown up’ with its South Charlotte neighborhood

Since 1983, Rusty’s Deli & Grille has been a staple at the Quail Corners Shopping Center on Park Road, serving up traditional deli sandwiches, freshly cooked burgers and other specialty menu items that keep people coming back for more.

The revered business is one of only two tenants that have remained at the South Charlotte retail center since its inception, the other being Harris Teeter.

“Rusty’s has grown up with the neighborhood. In the years that we’ve been here, we’ve seen residential communities and commercial properties spring up all around us,” said assistant manager Mark Grant, who has been with Rusty’s Deli for 32 years. “The neighbors have been really good to us, and we really appreciate the loyal, built-in customer base.”

Grant has especially enjoyed watching children grow up over the years. “Some teens would come here while playing hooky from South Meck High, and we had to kick them out and send them back to class. Well, now they’re coming in with their own children. It’s been fun seeing the next generation continue family mealtime traditions.”

In the nearly 40 years since Rusty’s first opened its doors, not much has changed other than a few menu updates here and there. That’s what makes Rusty’s so special, said new co-owner Dave Allen, a Charlotte native who partnered with Doug Bell and Thiago Lopes to purchase Rusty’s last December. The entrepreneurs also own The Roasting Company, Providence Road Sundries and Eddie’s Place.

“I first walked into the doors of Rusty’s as a customer in 1984 and have loved it ever since,” Allen told CharlotteFive. “It’s a unique place that is very intentional about providing the best quality food, delicious, consistent recipes and great customer service.”

Rusty’s Deli is known for its burgers, fries, chicken salad and more

With a slogan that Rusty’s will “make your tastebuds sing,” the deli is known for its cooked-to-order burgers and fries. And just what makes them so good? “We’ve got to keep a few secrets,” Allen joked, before sharing they use quality meats and hand patty each burger.

Another top seller is Rusty’s homemade chicken salad, a creamy dish packed with large chunks of chicken and just the right seasoning, Grant said. It’s served on a choice of bread, or customers can buy it by the pound. “People often come here on their way to the beach or a family cookout to take our chicken salad with them,” Grant said.

Others have touted Rusty’s “Serious Chili” prepared from scratch with all turkey meat. Chili lovers tell the Rusty’s team it’s some of the best chili they’ve ever had, Bell said, adding that he agrees with them. Bell’s also a big fan of the deli’s comfort food, such as the “very solid” French dip.

Rusty’s also has an extensive vegetarian menu, with options like a black bean burger, veggie pita sandwich, veggie and cheese baked spud and specialty salads. And for customers looking for a refreshing adult beverage, the restaurant has a classic assortment from large scale brewers along with a few choices from Carolina breweries.

Although the deli’s namesake Rusty Callahan and his longtime operations manager Peter Estes have retired, the restaurant will keep the same eclectic atmosphere it’s had over the past four decades. National Geographic magazines line the wooden shelves in front of the order counter. The blue gumball machine still sits at the front entrance, across from the community bulletin board boasting dozens of business cards and fliers for local services. The dark green walls and red tabletops are said to remind customers of the delis found throughout New York.

“We’ve made sure not to change any recipes or how anything is done, other than a little technology upgrade. We’ve retained almost all of the familiar staff members and made a point to keep the same look and feel,” Bell said. “Rusty’s is a longtime established restaurant that has made a name for itself, and that’s exactly what we look for when investing in a business.”

As for the owners’ plans for its future?

“We want to be around for another 40-plus years,” Allen said. “Rusty’s is a unique little place and highly successful. The original owners refused to sacrifice on quality and we’re following their footprints with the same mindset. We want to be good stewards of the business and not change a thing.”

Rusty’s Deli

Location: 8512 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

Neighborhood: South Charlotte (Quail Corners Shopping Center)

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This story was originally published July 25, 2022 at 6:10 AM.