One of Tallahassee’s longtime local favorites is headed to a new neighborhood!
After nearly 24 years of serving breakfast and lunch in downtown Tallahassee, Metro Deli owner Rob Bazemore is preparing to open a second location at 3197 Merchants Row Boulevard in Southwood Town Center. The new deli is expected to open in mid-September, with an exact date coming soon.
The storefront was previously home to Southwood Sweets, the colorful ice cream and candy shop that opened in May 2022. For nearly four years, it gave local families a place to gather for sweet treats and celebrations before closing earlier this year. Now, the space is preparing for its next chapter as the second home of Metro Deli.
For Bazemore, the area felt like a natural next step for a restaurant that has spent more than two decades serving busy downtown customers. “Southwood just feels like the most natural place for Metro Deli to expand because of the similar concentration of people working in the area,” Bazemore said.
Metro Deli has built its downtown following by serving people who need quick, tasty food within a busy workday. Bazemore plans to bring that same combination of friendly service, convenient delivery and familiar favorites to the new location.
Same Metro Deli Favorites, New Neighborhood
Fans of the downtown deli can expect the same menu, including breakfast and lunch favorites, daily specials and Metro Deli’s familiar lineup of soups. Brunswick stew will be served every day alongside a rotating soup, and yes, the “world-famous” cheeseburger wrap is coming, too.
The new location will also offer Metro Deli’s complete selection of breakfast and lunch catering options with free delivery. Customers can expect the same friendly, quick service in a comfortable setting with televisions and music.
Metro Deli plans to operate from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., with lunch available from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A Tallahassee Story Built on Family and Loyalty
Bazemore took ownership of Metro Deli while he was still a student at Florida State University and graduated shortly afterward. Over the years, the restaurant has grown with the support of both his family and a team filled with longtime employees.
His wife, mother, brother, sister and nephew have all played major roles in the business. Several employees have also been with Metro Deli long enough that Bazemore now considers them family.
The restaurant’s loyal downtown customers have been an equally important part of its story.
“The customers downtown have been so loyal after all these years and have been there rain or shine,” Bazemore said. “I will never be able to thank them enough, but there’s no chance Southwood would be happening without their unwavering support.”
While Bazemore is excited to meet the new customers Metro Deli will serve, the expansion also creates opportunities for the people who helped build the restaurant. “I’m very excited that opening a second location will allow me to create more management positions that my long-term staff can fill,” he said. Metro Deli is also hiring for several positions at both locations.
An exact opening date will be announced soon, but one thing is already certain: this longtime downtown favorite is about to begin a sweet new chapter in its new neighborhood. We’ll share more details as the opening approaches!
Find Metro Deli Southwood At:
Socials – Website, Facebook, Instagram
Address – 3197 Merchants Row Blvd Ste. 130, Tallahassee, FL 32311
