Full Belly Deli — Review by Food Network
Reno, United States — Sandwiches, Deli
Full Belly Deli in Reno serves innovative scratch-made sandwiches, with the standout Nacho Pollo Loco featuring breaded chicken coated in nacho cheese chips, crispy and flavorful. The reviewer was impressed by the juicy chicken, unique pickles, smoky southwest sauce, and cheesy jalapeno bread, calling it the best place for a great sandwich.
What was great: The Nacho Pollo Loco sandwich with its unique nacho cheese chip breading, juicy and tender chicken, perfect crunch, amazing pickles with exceptional flavor, smoky southwest sauce, and jalapeno cheddar bread. The chicken is baked rather than fried for a healthier option.
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The featured sandwich is the Nacho Pollo Loco, a creative creation that starts with an all-natural chicken breast breaded and coated with nacho cheese chips. The chicken is baked rather than fried, keeping it healthier while maintaining incredible texture. What makes this sandwich truly stand out is the attention to detail in every component.
The southwest sauce is the supporting star, made with smoky chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, fresh cilantro, mayonnaise, and sour cream, finished with horseradish and lemon juice. The homemade pickles are nothing short of extraordinary, brined using sous vide techniques with whole mustard seeds, toasted caraway seeds, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaf, and fresh dill. The sandwich is built on jalapeno cheddar bread with Roma lettuce, heirloom tomatoes, and crispy nacho-crusted chicken breast.
The Experience
The video showcases the behind-the-scenes preparation of the sandwich, giving viewers insight into the meticulous process Full Belly Deli uses. The kitchen clearly takes pride in their craft, using professional techniques like sous vide for pickling. The atmosphere suggests a casual, creative food establishment where quality ingredients and innovative preparation methods are prioritized.
Value and Pricing
Specific pricing was not mentioned in the transcript, though the reviewer's enthusiasm suggests the quality justifies the cost for those seeking exceptional sandwich craftsmanship.
Notable Moments
You don't find this anywhere else. It's really delicious.
The pickles are amazing. Nothing like any pickles I've ever had.
The reviewer was particularly excited about the unique aspects of the sandwich, especially the pickles which he described as singing and the crunch from the nacho-chip coating that was audible when cut.
The Verdict
Full Belly Deli is highly recommended for anyone seeking an exceptional sandwich experience. This is the place to visit if you want innovative, carefully crafted sandwiches with bold flavors and quality ingredients. The Nacho Pollo Loco is a must-try, combining playful creativity with serious culinary technique. Perfect for those who appreciate thoughtful food preparation and aren't afraid of creative flavor combinations.