Walking into the Village Deli in Daniel Village is like stepping onto the set of the television show Cheers, where everybody knows your name.

The hostess greets you as if she's known you for years, and the trip to the table or booth is reminiscent of attending a neighborhood barbecue - everyone acknowledges you.

A friend and I stopped for lunch one recent afternoon and found the bistro packed. We sat in the smoking section, which is divided from the nonsmoking section by a trellis (the bar is also in the smoking section).

The lighting is dim, which is good, because you feel like you're dining in private. Just put on your sunglasses as you leave, because you will be blinded by the sunlight, even on an overcast day.

I opted for the tuna salad sandwich on white toasted bread with beer-battered fries. Everything was delicious.

The restaurant menu features hamburgers ground fresh daily from Doug's Meat Shop and include the basic burger, bacon-cheese burger, mushroom-Swiss burger, hickory burger, pimiento cheese burger and ranch burger.

Dinner plates are served with a choice of a small salad or coleslaw and fries. Entrees include catfish, seafood, hamburger steak, country fried steak, grilled chicken and stir fry platters. The menu also features subs, sandwiches, jumbo deli hot dogs, prime rib and a seafood special every Friday night.

There are 10 garden salads, along with pasta salad, potato salad and a medley of stir-fried vegetables. Munchies include wedge fries, shoestring fries, hot chips, beer-battered mushrooms and onion rings, clam strips, buffalo wings, nachos, fish and chips, garlic toast and cheese sticks.

Village Deli is filled with memorabilia of Augusta from 50 years ago. There are posters and pictures including the history of Daniel Village and the Daniel Field Airport. The atmosphere is laid-back and relaxed.

I recommend starting off your Village Deli experience by going all out and ordering a bacon cheeseburger with beer-battered fries. You won't regret it. Just remember to bring your sunglasses.

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ON THE TOWN

The Eatery: The Village Deli, 2803 Wrightsboro Road in Daniel Village (map)

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday

Ambiance: Casual and relaxed

Cost: 95 cents to $10.95

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Phone: 736-3691

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