Blue Jay Deli offers more than just good food
Arlene Juantong, owner of the new Blue Jay Deli knows how not to compromise quality food. Reason why after two years in the food industry, her palatable menu is still sought after by food lovers. She began offering all kinds of luxury brand coffees in her first branch located at the Smallville Complex in Diversion Road, Iloilo City which are uncommon to the ones being offered in coffee shops inside malls. Hers was the first real coffee shop that not only provides imported coffee from hot, chilled to cocktails, but she also have the best pastry in town. "I wanted to have a decent place where people can perfectly unwind and hang out given a good ambiance and the best food," explains Arlene on why she opted to venture on a coffee shop.
Keeping an incomparable reputation for making customers satisfied, she branched out into a delicatessen store and restaurant and added a variety of choices of gourmet food and to-go items that are mostly imported from other countries. Her products is the main reason why she is able to sustain her business despite the fierce competition. "My product is the backbone of my business, so people who come in can always expect the best food that only we can offer."
Following the success of her coffee venture, she recently opened Blue Jay Deli, located at corner Gen. Luna-Jalandoni Streets, a delicatessen restaurant now growing popularly among locals for its wide choices of notable gourmet food and products which are considered among Ilonggo's best. New additions include premium steaks and a wide selection of imported food merchandises from beef, Hungarian sausages, frankfurters, hams, fish, air dried bacon, bottled and canned items, pork bratwurst, chorizos, tenderloins, lamb tracks; a variety of cheese from pastrami, ricotta, Aussie gold, and Parmesan; to wines and chardonnay from Austria, Australia, France, Italy, America and Spain; also chips and chocolates which one cannot find anywhere in Iloilo. In addition to providing a complete meal and items readily available for purchase, Blue Jay Deli also offers heavenly concoctions of hot, cold and frozen beverages.
"When I started to conceptualize the whole thing, the biggest challenge I saw was how to educate the Ilonggos to appreciate good coffee and good food. My apprehension is based from the fact that people have a preconceived notion of paying expensively for gourmet food, and I want to change that," says Arlene.
"The primary goal of this business is to offer only the best and the finest. I always assure satisfaction and by giving that to my consumers, I offer the best value of quality product that they deserve. Why pay cheap when you can't consume it? Why waste your money on food that does not satiate your desire for the best? What I give them is the true merit of what they need, and I want them to understand that it's worth what they paid for." Not only that, she reveals that they keep their clients by being true to their words. For instance, they are known for closely sticking to their store hours.
Blue Jay Deli quickly became a hang out for food connoisseurs, students, and businessmen given its strategic location and convenience which is substantial to the consumers. This is the place for the true and unique style of specialty gourmet food and products. The shop's modern-contemporary design aptly provides a vibe of elegance and urbanity.
"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." This is the belief behind why Arlene reveals that she is not entirely after acquiring large business profits but for the most part she is doing it for the glory and service of God. Being a devoted Christian, her restaurant not only became a way for people to recognize quality menu but it also became an avenue to spread the Gospel. "On Sundays we exclusively play Christian music and it is always heart warming to know that our customers are captured and touched by our purpose. It is like a mission fulfilled." She also imparts her blessings by contributing to the outreach programs of Green Cross, and directly assisting her employees not only on financial matters but also by sharing her faith.