Dollar Deli Opens At Cartwright Water Depot

Time is money but food is a necessity. For people on the move along North Dakota Highway 200, a delicious, quick meal is now available at the Dollar Deli located at the Cartwright Water Depot. Owner Matthew Bondie, his sons, Nathan and Nicholas, and cousin, Dave Pollack, recently arrived from northern Michigan to “feed some hungry truckers”.

Matthew has always been involved with food, from being a cook in the Marine Corps, to training as a sous chef in France and Italy, to being a chef in Detroit. “Once it’s in your blood, it’s hard to get out,” he said. His concession trailer was custom built, designed to provide food primarily at charity events in Michigan. The entire family has been in the military, so many of the events were associated with the armed forces. Being familiar with brutal winters, Matthew also added a dining car where customers can stay warm while they wait for their order. The facility is licensed and inspected.

Everything at the Dollar Deli is prepared fresh, using the best ingredients available. Meats are choice or prime and cooked on site. “We grind our own burger from sirloin, we roast our own corned beef, rotisserie the turkey breast. Everything starts raw here except the all beef hot dogs,” Matthew emphasized. Son Nicholas added, “Nothing comes in a jar. We do homemade gravies, homemade soups, homemade everything.” “Everything” includes “Mick’s” famous shaved ribeye and onion cheesesteak; slow roasted corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, turkey and ham sandwiches; hot dogs, chili dogs and coneys; slow smoked beef brisket, pulled pork and tender ribs. “All our sandwiches are ½ lb. sandwiches,” Matthew explained. Add a side of fries, or a steaming hot bowl of chili or chicken noodle soup. For a different taste treat, try their chili spaghetti.

The Dollar Deli also offers a daily special which could be anything from tacos, to BBQ to a turkey dinner.

The men expressed their deep gratitude to Will Berry who owns the property they are set up on. “Drivers getting water at the Cartwright Water Depot can get fed better than at any other depot,” Matthew said. They also appreciate John Hutter and his family for being so accommodating.

“We feel like Lewis and Clark,” Matthew laughed. “We’re on an adventure, it’s a family deal, we’re feeding truckers. It’s all coming together nicely.”

The Dollar Deli is open Tuesday through Saturday, with no set schedule yet. “We’re visiting with the locals and the truckers to see what’s needed. If the OPEN sign is on, we’re here,” Matthew stated. Customers are welcome to text or call in their order to 586-612-7935.