By Heather
Louse Aiken
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| As
a journalist, my greatest satisfaction comes from meeting interesting
people in the community who have fascinating stories to share.
I did an interview this week with a very enthusiastic, enterprising
couple, bob and donna Stuck. They are the new owners of a restaurant-delicatessen
in Encintas called Golden Baked HamsŪ, that specializes in honey
glazed, spiral-sliced hams. The couple took over this store almost
four months ago, and in just a few short months, the Stucks have
done a tremendous job of building the store's clientele, increasing
sales, and bringing the level of the food to a standard the store
has never seen before. Bob sincerely believes the best way to
do this is by going the extra mile to provide excellent customer
service and line of superior products. |
| The
Stucks have a penchant for buying businesses and then growing
them to levels of great profitability. In fact, prior to their
to their purchasing of Golden Baked HamsŪ, they purchased a company
named Chachies Salsa. And within 48 months, Bob cultivated it
to became the #1 refrigerated salsa company in America. Bob continues
to meet the needs of a hungry consumer crowd and brings with him
the same global vision and philosophies to his new restaurant
delicatessen. |
| When
I entered the restaurant, there was a luncheon crowd lined up
at the counter. The restaurant was cool and clean inside. The
air conditioner was running and classical music was playing softly
overhead. I perused the shelves that were filled with a variety
of dry bean soup mixes, mustard, jelly and mayonnaise condiments,
and fresh breads and crackers. Bob and the employees were offering
samples of their fresh homemade chicken soup comprised of a wonderful
stock, thick noodles, fresh corn, and sliced carrots. I got in
line and tried their scrumptious navy bean soup and their unforgettably
spicy, chunky homemade chili con carne. I tried a clean-tasting
Chinese chicken salad made with safflower and ginger oil. With
my palate ever-so-stimulated and my curiosity fully peeked, I
committed myself to sampling all the feature gourmet items that
Bob would offer me. I dipped slices of moist and flavorful Cajun
Beef, rich-tasting Boar's Head Pastrami and Salami, and classic-tasting
Deluxe Roast Beef in their sweet Hawaiian honey-style mustard
and horseradish and white wine mustard sauces. I enjoyed a tasty
deli style pickle with a unique-tasting slice of skinless chicken
and low-sodium 98% fat-free turkey. |
| Now
it was time to taste the company's prize product -- their Golden
Baked HamŪ glazed with real honey. The taste was perfection, absolutely
the maximum in lean (because they cut out every morsel of fat)
and low in cholesterol. Leaner, in fact, than skinless chicken,
tuna packed in water, and lean roast beef. And, pardon the pun,
but I made a pig out of myself when he offered me additional slices
of ham. |
| This
deli is located at 114 North El Camino Real, Encinitas, in the
Wiegand Plaza. They specialize in succulent hams, homemade soups
and salads, and over 30 sandwiches made to each customer's specifications.
So with Easter around the corner and spring festivities to plan
for, call Bottiger Enterprises and order your party plates and fresh
sliced hams. Open seven days a week, they offer easy payment of
orders through Visa, discover, American Express and Master Card.
Or you can phone in any order by simply dialing (760) 436-9202
or fax an order to (760) 436-5758. Nationwide shipping and gift
certificates are also available.
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