By Shelly Zeller, Alden Advance

ALDEN — Feb. 19 marked a big day for Alden’s Roundtable Deli.

“We opened as soon as the health inspector was finished at 11:15 a.m. last Friday, and by 12:30 p.m. we were out of our homemade bread,” said Roundtable Deli owner Tom Simonson.

Simonson and his wife, Shelly, began what they call a “mom and pop” shop nine years ago in Kiester. The couple opened Tanks and Tummies February 2009, and decided it was time to move to a better location, and are now serving Alden and its surrounding communities.

“Years ago I wanted to buy a sandwich chain, until I realized the regulations and I wanted something that I could call my own,” Tom Simonson said.

After moving to Kiester, the couple knew a full-fledged restaurant would not work, so decided on a coffee shop.

“It was our way to give back to the community,” they said.

Seven years later, almost to the day, the couple has moved their talents from Kiester to Alden.

“There are so many positives about being here in Alden,” said the Simonsons. “Not only is it located close to the interstate and between Wells and Albert Lea for good traffic, but the community has a great school district and there are many other successful businesses in Alden. We believe this will be a perfect location for us.”

The couple is hoping customers will be intrigued to not only eat locally, but eat fresh.

“Everything we serve is fresh,” they said. “The number one seller is our subs, but everything we serve here is something we can move quickly, allowing customers to come in and out.”

Although known in the area for its sub sandwiches, Roundtable Deli offers more than just sandwiches to its customers.

“We have cookies, sweet rolls, pop, candy, pizza, ice cream and more,” they said.

The sandwiches, served on homemade white or wheat bread, include ham, turkey, salami, bacon, Swiss or American cheese and free fixings of lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, green pepper, black olives, green olives, jalapeños, mushrooms, oregano, salt, mayo, ranch, oil, vinaigrette, mustard and more.

“I encourage consumers to put as much as they can on their sandwiches,” Tom Simonson said. “We make them to order and want everyone to be satisfied.”

The couple said if there are bigger orders, or customers are in a hurry, they want to utilize technology.

“It seems like everyone texts,” he said. “So why not have the option to text in orders? It works well if students are in a hurry, then it’s ready for them when they walk in the door.”

The hot stuff menu includes pizzas, paninis, hot dogs and calzones. The deli also offers breakfast sandwiches.

Open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Tom Simonson said people are welcome to stop in earlier for coffee or breakfast.

“When I’m here, even early when making bread, I will serve customers, regardless of the time,” he said. “The door is always open.”

Roundtable Deli’s menu includes biscuit or muffin sandwiches with ham, sausage, bacon, egg and cheese, coffee, tea or soda.

According to the Simonsons, they are really looking forward to meeting new faces.

“This is a family community and lots of young families,” they said. “We look forward to getting to know everybody.”

Roundtable Deli is located on Alden’s Broadway Avenue, and has seating for 24 people as well as  space availability for private gatherings.