Service with a Smile

As I drove home from the Strawberry Festival recently, I spotted a giant yellow smiley face painted on the side of a building and, nearby, the red-curtained windows and deli of Monterey Bay Caterers.

I returned a few days later. The atmosphere in the deli was warm and friendly, its walls plastered with photos and newspaper reviews. Four people were taking orders, and I noticed how well they coordinated their tasks. One young server, Tina Brasil, seemed to know everyone’s name.

Brasil offered me a sample of the Tex Mex coleslaw—a portion that was more than just a “taste,” in a small ceramic bowl. It’s unusual to get coleslaw that’s not smothered in sweetened mayonnaise; MBC’s coleslaw was spicy and contained black beans, carrots and cabbage—but not a hint of sweetness. This is not surprising considering its focus on the “healthy option,” according to Brasil. After all, MBC has received the Golden Carrot Award for two years in a row.

Breakfast is served every weekday morning. The yogurt and fresh fruit is a favorite, as well as scrambled eggs, breakfast burritos, ala carte items, and even biscuits 'n' gravy. There are plenty of choices for lunch, from the daily hot entrée specials to sandwiches and salads, vegetable platters,and seasonal fruit salad. The brownies are only $1. The entrée special for Wednesday included:

• Chili Verde
• Spanish Rice
• Chicken Ortega
• Tex Mex Coleslaw

On other days, they may feature entrees like Chicken Wellington with Artichoke Pesto, or Carolina Pork Ribs with BBQ Sauce.

I ordered Jalisco tuna salad and Chicken Ortega soup. The salad was healthy and satisfying, containing generous servings of lettuce, carrots, cucumber, tomato and a meaty canned-tuna mixed with mildly spicy pico de gallo. The soup was creamy, with pieces of chilies and chicken. Most of the food is served in containers to go, although customers frequently take it out to the patio garden to eat. My salad came in a plastic container; I hope that in future, that’ll change to cardboard, to cut down on use of plastics.

My companion, Michael, ordered a liverwurst sandwich on whole wheat, partly because it’s almost impossible to get liverwurst sandwiches in this area. He, too, received generous portions, slathered with spicy mustard. Offered a taste, I found it to be good, and appreciated the healthy wheat-bread option.

I talked to Warren Bois, chef and part-time caterer at MBC. The deli serves corporate and working folks, and “we have a lot of regulars, even as far north as Green Valley,” he said.

It’s a popular spot for lunch. “Friday morning breakfasts are insane,” said Michelle Mize, who helps owner, Ken Schwan, run MBC. Michelle updates the hot entree menu daily.

MBC caters seven days a week. In business for more than 27 years, it has catered more than 500 weddings. Many local events keep the place busy, including the annual Watsonville Fly-In and Air Show on Labor Day weekend. More recently, MBC catered the Agricultural History Project’s volunteer appreciation party at the Watsonville Fairgrounds. The catering menu offers tempting items, which might include the Corralitos Sausage Display for appetizers, a California Produce Display, hot entrees of Monterey Bay salmon, or sirloin roasts.

MBC deli and catering service offers our local community healthy, delicious meals and friendly, experienced service. It’s definitely a worthwhile place to visit for breakfast and lunch; and you might want to take advantage of the catering service, too.

152 W. Lake Ave. Hours: Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; breakfast served 7-10:15 a.m. montereybaycaterers.com 831-722.9444. Fax your order: 831-722-7697.