David Burkemper comes from a family of restaurateurs, and he's no outlier.
When he opens Jefferson's Deli in Jefferson City next month, he'll join brothers and sisters-in-law Steve and Leisa Burkemper, owners of The Old Brick House Deli, and Richard and Colleen Burkemper, owners of Kate and Ally's Pizzeria, in the Jefferson City world of restaurant ownership.
"We are going to take over the world with food," Burkemper joked.
Jefferson's Deli, located in the Capital Plaza West at 3702 W. Truman Blvd., Suite 202 (across from Hawthorn Bank), will offer hot and cold sandwiches and subs, as well as salads with original, house-made dressings.
As you might expect, Burkemper is no stranger to restaurant operation. He's spent the past 12 years working at The Old Brick House Deli and has 10 additional years of restaurant experience elsewhere. This is his first course as an owner.
"I've been working hard for years to get myself to this point where I can pull the trigger," he said. "I was ready to do it, and I think the town's ready for it."
Named after the Capital City itself, Jefferson's Deli will have a loose political theme centered around the Capitol building.
"I'm trying to entice kind of a business clientele because we're doing lunch Monday through Friday," Burkemper said.
The deli will be open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekdays.
"The menu's kind of extensive," he said. "I'm having a lot of variety of side dishes and a lot of house-made stuff, original recipes, and I'll be able to follow seasonal trends."
The menu will offer signature sandwiches, like the turkey Reuben and salmon-salad sandwiches, as well as more customizable, "build-your-own" fare - with the same arrangement for salads.
"My house salad will have a sweet basil Italian dressing, and then I also have another salad that has a citrus vinaigrette," Burkemper said.
Jefferson's Deli plans a late July opening.
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