Location: 330 W. McCreight Ave., Springfield
Telephone: (937) 390-3511
Website: www.mikeandrosysdeli.com
Background/overview
Mike Wagner was 19 years old in 1977 and working in his family’s Wagner-Mayflower Moving & Storage Company in Springfield. He and Bob Rosencrans (“Rosy”), a longtime family friend and the athletic director at Wittenberg University at that time, began talking about an old gas station property that was for sale on the northeast corner of McCreight Avenue and Plum Street. They spoke about the idea of opening a custom-made sandwich shop on the spot. They soon purchased the place, named it Mike & Rosy’s Deli and presented a unique menu of steamed sandwiches made to order.
Mike & Rosy’s Deli drew a loyal clientele in no time. One reason, they’ve continually focused on a menu that differs from others in the community. They chuckle as they reminisce at the true story of a customer that came to the Deli one day in the late 1970s and purchased an item to take home. The item was not then familiar in the area: a bagel with cream cheese. Days later the bewildered customer returned and told Mike that he ran a nice, clean place, but it (the bagel) was the worst donut he’d ever tasted.
Rosy died in 2004 from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Mike, with his son’s Ty and Nicholas, opened a full bar in 2006, named Rosy’s Press Box, to keep the coach’s “spirits” alive. They also have a back patio that’s heated and open all year, which along with their custom menu continues to provide the public “a part of home where people come back to.”
The menu
Beverages: GFS Coffee-$1.50; Coca-cola products (24 oz. fountain)-$2.29; A full bar.
Bagels: Bagel & Cream Cheese-$2.79; Egg Bagel, Smoked Ham, & Cheese-$4.95.
“Sunday Special” (after 5 p.m.): Hoagie-$5.
“Monday Special” (dine-in only): One-half off each pizza.
Appetizers: Buckeye Nachos-$8.95; Buffalo Wings-$6.95/$9.95.
Gourmet soups: Garden Vegetable, or Lumberjack Bean-$3.95 (cup) to $12.95 (quart).
Cold salads: Garden, Pasta & Olive, or Sour Cream & Cheddar Mac-$2.99 to $5.99.
Kosher meats: $6.95 to $9.50.
Custom-made deli sandwiches: $5.95 to $9.95.
Hoagies: Vegetarian Hoagie-$6.95; “Famous” Hoagie-$7.95.
Pizza (12 inch): $12.95 to $14.95.
Cold box lunches: $8.75/$9.25.
Desserts: Tapioca pudding-$2.99. Cheesecake-$4.25 (slice), or $23.95 to $39.95 (whole).
Hours
9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
More information
Mike & Rosy’s Deli has no waiter service; just pay at the counter then seat yourself. The full bar is open at 3 p.m. Monday-Friday and at noon on Saturday. It’s closed on Sundays.
Delivery is offered to limited areas with a minimum order of $50. A service charge of $5 dollars and up is accessed per delivery specification.
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