Sweetwater Gourmet Deli Bakery

This is the best pizza in Lexington, aside from Jet's. I also have to mention their Russian Ruben sandwich—it's so good that I go out of my way just to get it!

The restaurant has a pleasant location and a nice atmosphere, but the service was incredibly slow. The kitchen appeared to be the main source of the delay, as we waited over an hour and a half for three panini sandwiches, a wedge salad, and a small pizza. Additionally, the prices for both food and drinks were on the higher side. The tuna sandwich came with barely a forkful of tuna, with more lettuce than actual tuna. Everything was served on disposable ware, and the wedge salad was presented in a paper tray lined with a sheet of paper. After waiting 30 minutes for plastic utensils, the paper liner under the salad became soggy and mixed into the salad itself.

The waitress was excellent! I really appreciated being able to request a sandwich in salad form.

Once you get past the unfriendly hostess, the food and service were excellent. Our server, Avery, was fantastic and more than compensated for the eye rolls we received while being seated.

I have a few criticisms about this place. First, it’s over 50 miles from my home, which is quite far. Second, it's situated in a touristy area on Lake Huron, meaning I can’t enjoy their offerings during the off-season or winter months. On a positive note, the sandwiches are made with freshly baked swirled rye bread, and even though I’m not usually a fan of rye, it was delicious! Pair it with their coleslaw and what I assume is homemade special Russian dressing—absolutely delightful! I would gladly take home bottles of that dressing and loaves of bread. And let’s not forget the pickles from the Lexington pickle factory, which are a nice touch. The prices are comparable to what I would pay for similar items closer to home.