Salvador Deli - Part 1: When A Dream Finds A Kitchen
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What happens when a beloved local brewery needs consistent food and a dreamer with a wine-soaked notebook steps up? We bring you a front-row seat to how Courtney, co-owner of Salvador Deli in Vero Beach, turned years of travel, service work, and wine education into a cozy, art-forward kitchen inside Walking Tree Brewery. The story starts with AmeriCorps in the South Bronx, detours through New York and Australia, and comes home to Florida with a plan: quick service, high quality, and flavors designed to pair with beer rather than compete with it.
We unpack the pivotal moments that made the deli real. Courtney shares the pitch that nearly scared her off, the permitting delays that stretched patience, and the sudden sprint of opening once the green light came. Inside the space, the name—Salvador Deli—sets the tone: playful, creative, and detail-driven. From house-made sauces to the cult-favorite beer cheese built on Walking Tree’s Baby Cakes, every element aims to make familiar pub staples feel fresh. Seasonal beers guide rotating specials like brats with Oktoberfest, while family-friendly touches keep the taproom welcoming for kids and curious eaters alike.
Behind the scenes, we talk systems, staffing, and the human side of hospitality. A tight-knit crew of eight keeps the line humming, including a part-time treasure diver whose schedule flexes with the tides. The biggest lesson from year one centers on people—coaching a team, reading guests, and building trust under pressure. If you care about restaurant entrepreneurship, beer and food pairings, or how a neighborhood spot earns loyalty through consistency and creativity, this conversation offers practical insight with plenty of heart. If you enjoyed the episode, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—we’d love to hear your favorite beer and bite pairing.
Presented by Killer Bee Marketing
Helping local businesses in Vero Beach connect with their neighbors.
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Chapters
1. Meet Courtney from the Salvador Deli (00:00:00)
2. Getting Started in the Restaurant Business (00:01:18)
3. The Moment You Decided To Open Your Own Restaurant (00:02:42)
4. Pitching The Concept And Early Nerves (00:04:00)
5. The Name, Art Vibe, And Space Design (00:05:32)
6. Menu Philosophy And Playful Classics (00:07:14)
7. Year-One Lessons: People & Teams (00:09:10)
49 episodes