Alonti Deli

I keep trying to give this place a chance. The food is quite alright. As others have mentioned, unless you’ve been here before, you will have no clue how the lines work. I would certainly not try going at rush lunch time. That is a cluster for sure. The staff consistently acts as if you are a bother by wanting to order food. (I’ve only done the custom sandwiches.) It ALWAYS takes forever. They will eventually ask what you want to order. They get the bread, meat, cheese together and run it through a long ‘toaster’. Then they will move on to another customer or task. Once your sandwich starter is through there, you will have to wait and hope that one of the employees will decide to get it and finish making your sandwich. It is like which of their poor souls drew the short straw and actually has to help customers today. Then, of course, hope they include the ingredients listed on the menu. I’ve more than once ended up with a club without bacon or without avocado. I’m finally writing this review because I’ve been trying this place on and off for the past 3 years — the employees consistently have this poor attitude. No thanks. For the price you can find another lunch spot in the tunnel.

I had the chicken soup and baked chicken. Both were really good. It was my first time going there. I will go back again for sure.

What’s with the mediocre reviews? Ive had Alonti twice — once catered and once at the tunnel restaurant by Post Oak Grill and Ninfas. The kale salad is so good, like possibly the best salad I’ve ever had. They have this amazing honey mustard dressing and the salad itself is really good.
I’ve also gotten the cranberry turkey sandwich, which I thought was really good. All their stuff is reasonably priced, moderately healthy, and delicious. Perfect lunch place.

So this is my 2^nd time in 3 years… now I know why I hadn’t frequented this place more often. Don’t remember what I had last time, but I am sure it wasn’t good. This time I am wondering how can you mess up chili… it was so oily and why did it have a sweet flavor… there isn’t enough hot sauce in the world to fix this flavor… need a strainer for the oil. Also got a veggie wrap… can’t really have a veggie wrap without a lot of veggies… should have been called a spinach vinagerette WRAP… emphasis on the «wrap» part because it was more or less a tortilla that was barely stuffed. All this for a whopping $ 12…never again alonti.

I work in the same building, and like this place for a quick bite. If you want to grab a premade wrap and delicious soup, this is a great place to stop by. Alonti also offers made-to-order…if you want to wait.
Beware of the self-serve…it’s all by weight and prices can get high.
Also, try not to go by right at noon… the lines can get long.

My client catered them for lunch and it was run of the mill sandwiches… turkey (but lots of it), chicken salad (sort of plain), cookies, fruit and good potato chips. The next day they gave us some space so I ventured down there for something fast. They have a pretty awesome selection… hot serve yourself foods, a small salad bar, made to order salads, sandwiches and pre-​made things as well. I opted for the salad bar and some au-​gratin potatoes. It’s all about balance, right? The potatoes were worth every fattening bite. For such a small space, they really give you lots of options, which is nice. Service was nice as well.

First — Catering. I frequently order from the catering menu for my job. The food is ALWAYS good and fresh and the presentation is awesome! Never any complaints. The delivery is always on time. Can’t forget the dessert items. Wonderfully delicious. The entire staff is so professional and so wonderful and will accommodate any order, any time and will make it specifically as requested. They accommodate late minute orders and haven’t failed me yet. I adore the staff! They really make me look good. (Thanks Patrick and Rene).
Second — Personal. I’ve gone into the restaurant several times for lunch. I have only eaten from the hot foods and the salad bar both of which are very good. This is the first Friday in Lent and I would like to see tuna on the salad bar (it is in the sandwich line). Lunch can become a bit pricy since they weigh the food (hot foods and salad bar), so, be mindful of what you’re putting in your container.

Not a fan… There are several lines once you are inside, and it can be confusing. Not a lot of signs, so unless you are a regular, you’ll have a hard time navigating this place. I tried their «popular» tequila chicken once and it wasn’t very kind to my stomach. The pasta wasn’t freshly cooked, which didn’t help. I felt like I was nicled-​and-​dimed (either the weight your food) to make matters worse they charge me for an extra bread, which in the end was the only thing that I ate…

Lunch first:
Ok, the set-​up here is kind of crazy during the lunch rush, especially if it’s your first visit. My first experience sucked, because I didn’t understand where the lines were, where to make my order or what to do after standing around for so long trying to ask the staff. Finally, they had a moment to explain there’s a line for the hot plates on the far left, a line for sandwiches in the middle and a line for salads on the far right.
After that was covered the only other problems I’ve had here was with them running out of the food I wanted (back when I took my lunch from 1 – 2). This became a frequent problem so I started ordering the vegetarian sandwich and said to hell with antonio’s and muffaletttas! This sandwich is delicious and it’s really all I get anymore.
Breakfast:
Their banana nut muffin is really good! Good price for grits, too. Load them up with butter and a little sugar –yum! They have a few other different muffin choices, oatmeal, fresh fruit and other items under the heat lamps (can’t remember what).
There’s also a fridge full of sodas, teas and juices near the checkout counter.
Pretty good spot for breakfast or lunch.

The staff is great and the cookies are super fresh. I only get the breakfast there though. Fresh hash browns with bacon, yAh!

When I first got to Houston and went to my miserable hotel without a soul (the hotel, not me), I thought, oh well, once I get outside it will be better.
When I went outside, it was hot and deserted, kind of like an upscale version of downtown Detroit.
Geez, what’s up, did we have a zombie invasion and nobody told me? Shoot, I should have listened better when the ex went on and on about all that stupid zombie stuff.
Oh wait, everyone is down in the tunnels! Everyone here eats, commutes, does dry cleaning, etc. via the tunnel system! Problem solved (and zombies avoided), I headed to Alonti (underground) for breakfast the next morning.
I ordered bacon and eggs on a biscuit. It looks liked they’ll make whatever combo you ask for, though I was too tired to come up with anything creative. Bacon was medium quality, but definitely edible. Eggs were bland, not impressive. But the biscuit — hello my yummy, dense, soft, four cubes of butter biscuit, where have you been all my life?
If I have to go back to Houston for work again, those biscuits and I will have a heartfelt reunion.