Rick DeBenedet says that many of the menu items at his new Voyageur Cafe at Lepper’s Deli are things that you would not ordinarily find at other places around town.
He says that items such as a garlic chicken sandwich, giant soft-shelled taco and pulled pork are unique in this area and excite the palates of his customers.
“We offer things that have taste to it,” DeBenedet said. “People come in here to have their taste buds aroused.
“Our specialty is friendly service and we try to give you good portions of good food.”
DeBenedet, the owner, said that he has tried to keep the menu diverse in that there are classic sandwich combinations — Italian, reuben, roast beef and cheddar, ham and Swiss — and unique combinations — garlic chicken with sweet red peppers, turkey with spicy pepperjack cheese and onions, and a chicken Caesar salad made into a sandwich.
He said that he also differentiates his deli from other sandwich makers in that he offers many types of breads along with the option of making any sandwich into a panini or wrap. Tomato basil rolls and jalapeno cheese wraps are two of the more unique options available.
He hopes that the variety of options available will appeal to many different types of palates.
DeBenedet recently reopened Lepper’s Italian Deli under the name Voyageur Cafe at Lepper’s Italian Deli. He said that this continues the deli business he ran at Rainy River Community College during the previous school year, but also keeps with the Lepper’s tradition that people are familiar with.
He has already made some changes to the Lepper’s Italian Deli building and menu.
He added the red-white-and-green fence to box in a bocci court and expand outdoor seating.
He added “chat furniture” in the outdoor seating area, complete with a gazebo, so that customers would be inclined to relax and take the time to enjoy their food.
“I want to encourage people to relax. I don’t want people to eat and run,” he said. “We’re too much on the run anyway. We don’t sit down and relax enough.”
He said that the private outdoor seating was not common in International Falls and is something he hopes the community will enjoy during the warm months.
While the menu is still primarily sandwiches and take-and-bake pizza, he has added some new flavors to each. He also has real-fruit smoothies, hot dogs, pulled pork, soft-shell tacos, and salads. He said he will add soup in the cold months and hopes to expand his take out to include pre-portioned Italian suppers.
He said that no matter how great a menu is, a restaurant can always update its selections and add new items.
And, he should know what he is talking about. This is not his first time behind a deli counter.
DeBenedet’s family, he said, has a history of, “wishing we were in the restaurant business.” He said that his father owned a deli in downtown International Falls several years ago and he worked there. He also ran Voyageur Cafe at the college last school year.
Voyageur Cafe at Lepper’s Deli now also has free delivery within city limits between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The deli has a new Web site, where delivery and take-out orders can be placed in advance. The Web site address is http://www.voyageurcafe.com.
The restaurant is located at 820 3rd Ave. and Highway 53 near Napa Auto Parts. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
