04/18/2026
This review though!! Thank you! ❤️🐾
I read Mike Hickman's reviews here and most people appreciate them. I don't wanna step on any toes but I feel moved to post a review of my own:
Mary and I tried Big Dog Deli for the first time today, and I have to say—I went in with low expectations. I’ve seen plenty of raves on Eat Springfield that turned out to be overrated, with mediocre food at best. But from the moment we walked through the door, John and his wife Casey made us feel genuinely welcome with their warm, friendly service.
As we arrived, a college hockey team poured in from their bus and filled the place. Since we’re both disabled, we grabbed the only empty table and settled in to wait. What happened next was
impressive. John, Casey, and their crew jumped into action with incredible efficiency and teamwork. They moved like a well-oiled machine. By the time we’d decided what to order, the entire team had been served, and we were up next.
Our food arrived quickly—John even brought it straight to our table and called my name with a smile. The sandwiches were outstanding: the bread was fresh and flavorful, and the meat
and toppings were piled high with generous, high-quality ingredients. I was especially surprised by the potato salad. I told John how much I loved it, and he proudly shared that it was his grandma’s recipe. It really tasted like it was made with that special homemade love.
As we finished our meal and the lunch rush slowed, the Big Dog crew immediately started cleaning and prepping for the next wave—nobody slacked off or stood around. It was refreshing to see such dedication.
Just as we were wrapping up, John asked if we liked pudding. When we said yes, he brought us samples of his vanilla pudding. It was the smoothest, richest, and most delicious vanilla
pudding I’ve had in years. We weren’t just being polite—it was genuinely exceptional.
Kudos to John and Casey for turning what could have been a chaotic lunch into one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in a long time. The food was fantastic, the service was outstanding, and the whole crew made us feel truly cared for. We’ll definitely be back!