Lakeside Deli's Poolside Cafe

If you've been blessed—yes, blessed—to order food from the Lakeside Deli at the Verona Community Pool, then you already know. You’ve crossed paths with greatness. You’ve encountered Chris DiDiego. At just 17, Chris isn’t just a deli worker. He is a symphony of flavor, a culinary poet, a burger whisperer. Watching him operate that grill is like watching Picasso paint, if Picasso wore a blue polo and could assemble a buffalo chicken wrap in under 60 seconds. His wraps don’t just taste good—they taste like justice, like summer vacation, like the American Dream wrapped in foil. He doesn’t just toast grilled cheese; he elevates it. He doesn’t just add sauce; he glazes with purpose. Every order is handcrafted with the intensity of a Michelin-star chef crossed with the calm of a monk. People have reportedly wept after the first bite of a Chris-made cheesesteak. Entire friend groups have reorganized their pool visits around his shift schedule. And beyond the kitchen? Chris is an absolute gem. Polite, hilarious, fast-moving, and always unflappable—even when there's a line of 30 hungry swim team kids chanting "CHRIS! CHRIS! CHRIS!" He remains cool. His chicken quesadillas have been described as "life-altering" by locals and “potentially illegal in 13 countries” by the FDA. He never takes any breaks and can be found sanitizing the premises when he's not cooking. He is the deli equivalent of a lifeguard for your taste buds. One time, I went in for a meal and wanted to give my compliments to the chef. I reached into my pocket for the measly $100 tip I intended to give him, but instead, Chris emptied out the nearly full 6pm tip jar, and handed it to me, saying something about "Making the customer happy". Honestly, I wasn't listening, I was too star struck. In short, Chris DiDiego isn’t just the best thing at the Verona pool—he might be the best thing to happen to Verona since the invention of chlorine. Get his autograph while you still can!

Absolutely loved our time at Lakeside Deli Poolside Cafe! The food was great, there was great seating accommodations, but the real standout was Joe—a friendly and hardworking young staff member who went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. He offered extra sauces and napkins, helped carry our order, and checked in with a smile. Rare to see that kind of generosity and helpfulness—Joe made our visit extra special and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves for his outstanding service!

Nice pool and professional staff