Delta Steak Company Offers Quality, Hospitality, Nostalgia

The Vassallo Interviews — Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor who interviews Oxford’s and our region’s leading personalities.
Steve said: “Great steak is my number one eating pleasure in life. About a year ago (the last weekend in August 2013) the Delta Steak Company opened its doors in Oxford at 1007 College Hill Road. This had been a dream of owners Allen and Erin Sanders for quite some time. The dream appears to now be a reality, unlike they envisioned to happen this quickly!”
HottyToddy.com – What has been the history of Delta Steak Company?
Allen and Erin Sanders – We moved to Oxford six years ago from Leland, Miss. in search of greater opportunities for our children and for us. Erin graduated from Oxford HS and was quite familiar with the area. We actually met while we were both working for a steakhouse in Tribbett, Miss. Owning our own place has been a dream and a goal for some time.
HottyToddy.com – Tell us about your family.
Allen and Erin Sanders – We have three children, two girls Avery who is 10 and Lanie who is two. Our son, Tripp, will celebrate his first birthday on August 2nd.
HottyToddy.com – How do you describe the Delta Steak Company to new customers?
Allen and Erin Sanders – We are a casual, fine dining restaurant which means that our clientele can be comfortable in jeans or wearing a suit. We are primarily a steakhouse as 80 to 90 percent of our customers order steak. However, we have a number of other quite popular entrees some of which are Potato Crusted Salmon, Shrimp and Grits, Stuffed Catfish, and Fried and Grilled Shrimp, just to name a few.
HottyToddy.com – Your steak lineup looks like?
Allen and Erin Sanders – Our Filets and Ribeyes are the steaks most frequently requested. The T’bones and Porterhouses complete the steak selections.
HottyToddy.com – Ringo Starr once sang “It Don’t Come Easy”. This restaurant did not just appear.
Allen and Erin Sanders – It took a great deal of planning and persistence. Most of last year (2013) was devoted to rehabbing the building. We can comfortably seat 90. The building had been vacant for three years and a good number of areas had to be addressed.
HottyToddy.com – What has been the biggest (pleasant) surprise in your first year and also the biggest hurdle you’ve had to climb?
Allen and Erin Sanders – Without a doubt our biggest surprise was how fast the business took off. We occasionally have two hour waits for a table. We certainly did not anticipate this. The biggest hurdle has been service and staffing. We want our customers to have a great dining experience. We are close to realizing this goal, but there is always room for progress. Our staff now numbers right at 20. We’ve made great strides!
HottyToddy.com – Developing the excellent reputation you have so quickly didn’t just happen due to luck.
Allen and Erin Sanders – We marketed the restaurant primarily on Facebook. Erin has 2132 friends which has contributed significantly to our success. I am a “hands on” owner/chef, which means I will remain in the kitchen as needed. Erin sees that our customers are having an enjoyable dining experience and corrects anything that needs to be fixed. We serve the highest quality beef possible. It is certified Angus, aged 28 days. We hand cut everything in house. Consistent high quality is our number one goal.
HottyToddy.com – I understand the accolades are starting to pour in (no pun intended).
Allen and Erin Sanders – “MISSISSIPPI Magazine” just named us Best New Restaurant in Mississippi! In the September issue of “Southern Living” we will be featured.
HottyToddy.com – What is your number one goal for the remainder of 2014?
Allen and Erin Sanders – Increasing our happy hour business. It goes from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. We will offer more drink specials, open a patio section and continue to market ourselves as the “19th hole” for Oxford’s golfing community.
HottyToddy.com – What is your secret, if this can be shared?
Allen and Erin Sanders – Prepare the best quality beef you can buy and keep the process simple.
HottyToddy.com – Erin, what motivates you?
Erin Sanders – My family. I am a former preschool teacher (eight years). I left that profession to work closely with my family. Seeing the look of satisfaction on our customer faces and hearing all the nice compliments truly motivates me.
HottyToddy.com – Let’s fast forward five years. What do you want 2019 to be like?
Allen (first) – I do not want to be out of the kitchen completely, but would like to have some time available to spend throughout the restaurant.
Erin – I would like to be a customer!
HottyToddy.com – You are already known for outstanding hospitality.
Allen and Erin Sanders – This is the goal for our entire staff. We want to recognize and acknowledge our customers both in and away from the restaurant. The warmness one feels when coming to our restaurant is genuine and can be expected.
HottyToddy.com – For those of us who dined regularly in Oxford in the 60’s, Tuesday nights are even extra special!
Allen and Erin Sanders – That’s correct. Angelo Mistilis cooks his famous hamburger steak as he did at this exact site way back when. To keep the historical aspect in perspective, the meal continues to be served on paper plates while utilizing wicker baskets. We’re not attempting to reduce cost, but to maintain the “flavor” of nostalgia.

Angelo Mistilis

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.