Though largely thought of as an industrial town that stinks to high heaven, Clinton is a hidden gem with some cool spots. Paul's for example. Paul's is a discount general store that has just about everything you could ever think you need. I needed chocolate covered bacon soda pop. Head downtown and you'll find a lot of small businesses, secondhand stores, and thrift shops. After visiting a few of these places, we headed to the Lyons district for a bite to eat.
Homer's Deli, connected to Sweetheart Bakery, looks and smells like a Hungry Hobo.
It was established in 1984 and named after local grocer Homer Kopp. Unlike HH, they offer an array of bread and you can customize your sandwich with over 20 different condiments, including pickles! I can't find their menu online, but it's a deli, you can figure it out.
I ordered their barbecue pulled pork sandwich with mustard and pickles.
My mom ordered the Russian Reuben which is turkey crowned in Swiss cheese buried under Russian coleslaw. Several nationalities under one rye roof.
A slight twist on the traditional. She also ordered a side of pasta salad which seemed to be of the mayonnaise persuasion, so I passed.
I'm going to have to use the most despised word in the English language to describe the pulled pork...moist. It really was. Probably because it was steeped in a sweet barbecue sauce that complemented the yellow mustard and pickles nicely.
My mom enjoyed her hearty Russian Reuben, claiming the flavors meshed well together.
The bakery side was a hoppin with activity, it seems to be THE PLACE to go for graduation cakes. Almost too pretty to eat...almost. The bakery has been going strong since 1950, and original recipes are still used today.
Sorry for the bum shots ladies
After several customers cut in front of me...(wtf Clintonians?) I ordered a filled long john and three iced sugar cookies. The bewitching cookies were on the crisp side, and the icing was very sweet.
Red did not eat much of her doughnut, but I took a bite and it reminded me of the gems at Old Towne Bakery in Moline (whoops didn't review them yet). Apparently Sweetheart is known for their blarnies, but I did not partake because putting nuts on a cake is a surefire way to desecrate a delicious cake.
If you find yourself in Clinton, be sure to check out this deli/bakery combo. A sandwich and a sugar cookie...what more could you need for lunch? Vegetables? pfft.
Lol, we were at a wine store in LeClaire and the woman was like, "We are based out of Clinton where our winery is" and Kurt goes, "Well it's a good thing you have a LeClaire location, nobody should ever go to Clinton". Also, there is a Paul's Discount in Iowa City. Went there all the time.
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