The Monday before Thanksgiving, Collinsville welcomed a new business to town when The Collinsville Deli opened its doors at 104 East Hughes Street.
Deli owners Reza and Alexis Anvarian have been in the restaurant business for decades. They opened their first restaurant, Southpaws Organic Grill (named because Reza is a former left-handed professional mixed martial arts [MMA] fighter) in Preston Center in the Dallas area. Reza has also owned restaurants in the DFW, Prosper and Austin areas, many of which he sold once the couple began building their family.
The Anvarians moved to Celina, looking for someplace with more space, but as the city began to explode, they knew they needed to look elsewhere for a place to call home.
Friends of theirs knew the Patterson family in Collinsville and suggested the Anvarians explore that area. It was just what the family was looking for.
The Anvarians moved to Collinsville a couple of years ago and have already integrated into the community. With a first-, third- and fifth-grader, the couple serves on CAYSA and coaches multiple sports. Reza still competes in MMA and Alexis is a certified CrossFit coach in town. The two really weren’t planning on opening another restaurant, until the phone rang.
Building owner Gary Timmons was using his property on Hughes Street as storage for all of his picker findings, most of which consisted of old neon signs and antiques. He also owned the land next door, where he had been wanting to build a sports bar. When he heard that the Anvarians had moved to town and they had restaurant experience, Timmons wanted to connect with them.
Timmons and Reza formed a partnership with the objective of opening Lexi Layne’s Bar & Grill on East Hughes Street. They both knew it would be a big undertaking but were excited about the prospect. (Watch for updates on this business next summer.)
During meetings and conversations about the sports bar, Reza couldn’t help noticing the space next door that held all of Timmons’ treasures.
“I just knew that space would make an awesome deli, and I could get it opened a lot sooner than the sports bar,” he said. “I already had most of the equipment I needed in storage, and things like electricity were already there.”
Reza approached Timmons with the idea, promising that if he’d let Reza open a deli in that space, Reza would promise to keep as many of Timmons’ treasures as possible.
Today, The Collinsville Deli is a family-owned and -operated fast, casual deli that serves high-quality soups, sandwiches, bowls and smoothies.
“We use real deli meat, no processed foods, and people can taste the difference,” Reza said.
A big sports family, the Anvarians understand what it’s like to be constantly on the go. They realize that families like theirs need a place to grab a bite before or after games. That’s why the Collinsville Deli is open seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
“There’s really nothing to eat here in town on Sundays and Mondays,” Reza said. “The town really needed this.”
Visitors who come to The Collinsville Deli will find Reza in the kitchen, Alexis working the register and locals working behind the counter. What diners won’t find is coffee or sweets.
“Collinsville has a great coffee place on the corner; the donut shop is open until noon,” Reza said. “We’re not here to take business away from other local places. We can all work together.”
Food orders can be placed over the phone at 903-429-0360. The Collinsville Deli is currently only delivering to CISD campuses.
To learn more about The Collinsville Deli or to catch a glimpse at the menu, visit their Facebook page. Whether you’re looking for a tasty lunch or a quick dinner, The Collinsville Deli is ready to welcome you to the table.
