Written by Kelli Fuqua Hart, Executive Editor | Photography by Chris Redd, Chief Photographer
The next time you start to make a lunchtime decision, think outside the box – and inside the DeLuca Toyota showroom. Yes, you read that right.
In addition to beautiful new model cars and trucks, DeLuca Toyota offers a diverse lunch menu at Cafe DeLuca, located centrally inside the brand new showroom. And this isn’t just any lunch. Tiny cafes are known for deli sandwiches and potato chips. Cafe DeLuca is quite the contrary.
You won’t feel like you are pulling up a seat to gourmet cuisine, but you will certainly taste it. From the fresh shrimp tacos to Maine lobster, Cafe DeLuca spares no expense on serving quality ingredients and the tastiest of selections.
Each day, the menu boasts a different homemade soup, some of which are gluten free. Likewise, different quiches and delicious desserts are made and served each day. There is always a chicken salad of the day for patrons to choose from. For instance, DeLuca serves up curry with apple, lemon tarragon and buffalo chicken salads and the freshness never disappoints.
I was presented a delicious trio of platters prepared by Leslie Dupont, cafe che£ She presented her Field of Greens salad, made from an organic spring mix, cucumbers, onions, plump seasonal berries, tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles and candied pecans, all topped off with a house blackberry dressing. Delicious!
DeLuca’s top selling, award-winning vehicles are the name inspiration for the cafe’s wraps and paninis. For example, the Highlander comes equipped with turkey, pesto, sundried tomatoes, artichoke, provolone, garlic aioli and caramelized onion. Dupont also offers a spectacular Camry – a grilled chicken, bacon and melted cheddar wrap. The fresh ingredients stay wrapped tight among a spring mix of greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions and a blanket of homemade ranch dressing. Dupont’s Tundra Wrap option is her famous Greek salad mix, held together in a fresh, delicious wrap. All of Dupont’s dressings are made fresh, in-house, using her own recipes. In fact, the baked potato that accompanied my wrap was prepared the same way Dupont used to prepare it for Mr. Donald Trump on his jet. Although the Trump name may be controversial, this baked potato has my vote.
Seafood lovers will adore Cafe DeLuca’s Shrimp Tacos. Dupont sautes the shrimp in a fresh garlic and ginger blend and then beds them on a generous pile of angel hair slaw. She then covers the portion with a chipotle cream sauce and freshly chopped cilantro. The tacos are hearty and come served as a trio which will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
Cafe DeLuca’s daily menu includes smoked salmon for bagels and lox and a variety of mouth-watering desserts. The new menu now offers a barbeque beef brisket sandwich, Italian meatball, North End Italian sub, Cubans and a chicken teriyaki sub. Every Friday, Cafe DeLuca offers fresh Maine lobster rolls and they move fast! To guarantee your lunchtime lobster, make sure to call the day before. Cafe hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am until 4pm, leaving Dupont time to cater events on the weekends.
Located inside DeLuca Toyota
1719 SW College Rd, Ocala
352. 732.0770
