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KIMBERLY DAVIS TIMES LEADER CORRESPONDENT
Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Page: 5
Super Bowl Sunday is less than a week away, and Bear’s Delicatessen, a
relative newcomer on the food block in the Mountaintop area, is ready to cater
parties with subs, sandwiches and salads.
Owner Alisa Bayer opened her deli and catering business on Route 309 in
Fairview Township one year ago this month, and she says her first year has
been a success.
Her shop is at the location of the former R-Deli on South Mountain
Boulevard.
Bayer, originally from Mountaintop, moved to Wilkes-Barre and graduated
from Elmer L. Meyers High School in 1981.
She has been a chef at many restaurants, including Bettelli’s Villa,
Murray’s Inn, Market Street Square and the East Mountain Inn, all in
Wilkes-Barre, and the former Patte’s Sports Bar in Mountaintop. In all, Bayer
has been cooking up her specialties for more than 16 years.
But Bayer began honing her skills long before that. As she explains, her
father, Bobby Bayer, had a beer garden in the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre
when she was growing up. Alisa Bayer recalls working in the kitchen there from
the time she was 7 years old. The beer garden, called Bayer’s Cafe, had been
passed down to Bobby Bayer from his father, so food preparation is a family
tradition.
Striking out on her own for the first time was a big step for Bayer, and
she’s very proud of the product she offers. Using only the finest Boar’s Head
meats and cheeses, Bayer said, makes her sandwiches something special. She
orders her rolls from Parente’s in Pittston as she has found them to be the
best, and she prefers the bagels from Bagel Art in Hanover Township.
In addition, Bayer personally makes all of the sauces, side dishes and
soups available at the deli. This time of year especially, she says, customers
will come in just for the soup. Her deli business includes eat-in, takeout,
catering and delivery.
This first year in business has been a busy one for Bayer. She says she has
put in long hours seven days a week but feels that it is paying off.
“I offer something different here,” Bayer says. “People who have tried
it like it.”
Her catering business keeps her running to weddings and office parties.
Graduation parties are a specialty, and Bayer already has some booked for this
spring
The names for Bear’s original sandwich creations add local flavor.
Among her specialties are the “Lily Lake,” “Triangle,” “Wright
Township” and “Church Road.” A sandwich called the “Nuangolar” is a
combination of deli pastrami and Swiss cheese with deli mustard on a rye roll.
For Super Bowl Sunday parties, Bayer is offering a 5-foot sub on an Italian
crisp roll with all Boar’s Head meats and cheeses accompanied by five pounds
of her homemade salads for $89.99, $10 off the usual price. The huge sandwich
comes in two varieties, Italian style or her own “Triangle” creation.
She cuts the sandwich up on deli platters for easy transport and serving
and includes all the condiments, plates, napkins and utensils to throw a party
for 20-25 people.
Customers have a choice of side dishes including potato salad, macaroni
salad, pasta salad or coleslaw.
Bear’s Delicatessen is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturdays.
Bayer, who works with the assistance of only one employee, usually takes
Sundays off, but she expects to be carrying the ball this Sunday, catering
Super Bowl parties.
For more information about Bear’s Delicatessen or to special order, call
403-1195.