Jason's Deli

So here's the thing about Jason's Deli-it's basically what happens when someone decides to do fast-casual right, and I mean really right. Founded in 1976 in Beaumont, Texas, by Joe Tortorice Jr., this family-owned chain has grown to over 245 locations in 29 states, but somehow they've managed to keep that neighborhood deli feel that makes you want to become a regular.

What sets them apart isn't just the food (though we'll get to that). It's their whole approach to ingredients. In April 2005, the company completed a five-year plan to eliminate added trans-fats from its menu. In October 2008, the company eliminated high fructose corn syrup from its food. Additionally, the company has eliminated MSG from all of its food. And this was way before it became trendy to do so-they were pioneers in the "clean eating" movement before Instagram made it cool.

The menu is where things get interesting. Sure, you've got your standard deli fare-traditional sandwiches such as Po'boys and muffalettas-but then there's this whole other world of options. Each deli has a salad bar and a daily soup selection. They also serve other items, such as baked potatoes, pastas and salads. The restaurants also have a free ice cream station. Yes, free ice cream. That's not a typo.

But here's what really gets me: the Muffaletta. It's a New Orleans-style sandwich served on thick, spongy bread that's usually round instead of square. Jason's Deli offers several iterations of the muffaletta, including this one with ham, salami, provolone cheese, and an olive mixture. The large size is massive-you might double-take at the nutrition info for the large size. In every nutrition category, this sandwich has enough to feed several people. Fortunately, it's pre-sliced into four pieces, which can easily be shared.

And let's talk about their salad bar for a second. This isn't some sad afterthought with wilted lettuce and questionable ranch. We're talking about a legitimate spread that could be a meal in itself. The variety is impressive, and the quality is consistently fresh-which, honestly, is harder to maintain than you'd think across hundreds of locations.

The company culture seems genuinely different too. As an independent, family-owned business, Jason's Deli has the freedom to do the right thing, every day. So, we say no to shortcuts, and yes to the way of serving customers and communities we've known for more than 40 years. It's a family thing. You can feel that when you walk in-there's this sense that people actually care about what they're serving you.

What's kind of amazing is how they've managed to scale without losing their soul. As of August 2008, Jason's Deli ranked #1 in annual sales in QSR Magazine's Top Ten list of restaurant groups with under 300 locations. That's no small feat in the competitive fast-casual space.

The pricing hits that sweet spot too-not cheap enough to make you suspicious, but not so expensive that you feel guilty about grabbing lunch there twice a week. And honestly, with the free ice cream and the portion sizes, the value proposition is pretty solid.