After almost 3 years in business, chef-driven sandwich shop Moto Deli closed in Encinitas this past spring to become a casual, modern restaurant called Valentina, but Moto Del will reopen next week in a new location off the 101 in Leucadia.
Inspired by European scratch-made delis, Moto Deli was opened in the Leucadia area of Encinitas in November 2016 by local entrepreneur Mario Warman and longtime area chef Alex Carballo. A second location unveiled last summer within the space previously occupied by Roberto's Taco Shop at the Shell gas station located at 6695 Mira Mesa Boulevard in Mira Mesa, but that branch proved difficult so ownership reconceptualized it earlier this year to become the now-defunct Taco Thunder. Moto Deli's original location shuttered in April of this year to become Valentina, a casual restaurant with a menu influenced by the styles of Mexico, France and Italy.
A true delicatessen in spirit, Moto Deli offers a sandwich menu where everything is made in-house, from the freshly baked breads to the house made pickles, kettle chips, jarred condiments and sauces. With a background in charcuterie, butchery, and fine dining, Executive Chef Andrew Halvorsen has worked in many of the city’s top kitchens, including Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens-Escondido where he trained under Moto Deli co-owner Alex Carballo. Highlights from the menu include the Cubano with pork belly, sweet ham, melted muenster and cheddar, pickle, and mustard on sourdough, as well as the Turketta with house smoked turkey breast, bacon avocado, cheddar, and apricot mostarda on squaw bread.
Moto Deli reopens on Friday, November 15 at 1076 N. Coast Hwy 101 in Leucadia. For more information, visit motodeli.com.
