Pecan Street Station Deli and Grill

Akin owns Pecan Street Station along with his wife, Robin. The couple met while working in a restaurant and have more than 50 years of restaurant experience between them, he said.

The Akins opened their first restaurant—Mama Jacks—in Pflugerville about 18 years ago. The restaurant sold hamburgers and chicken tenders and was one of the more popular Pflugerville restaurants at the time, Akin said.

Akin said the couple decided they wanted to open a deli and sold Mama Jacks. The couple opened Pecan Street Station and quickly outgrew the space.

About four years ago, the Akins moved the restaurant to its current Pecan Street location. They built the building, which has an outdoor patio area and drive-thru, from the ground up.

Akin said Pecan Street Station has been a hit with customers because it offers a little something for everybody at an affordable price. Most of the food is made in-house, with the soups, salads and sandwiches all being freshly prepared.

Pecan Street Station's central location next to Pflugerville High School and library has been helpful for the restaurant, Akin said.

"Almost everyone has to pass it once or twice a week," he said. "That's worked out great for us."

Lifelong Pflugerville resident Janelle Hebbey is one of Pecan Street Station's many regulars. She has been a fan of the restaurant since its original location, she said.

Hebbey said one reason she goes to Pecan Street Station is that she regularly sees people she knows there. She added that the good food doesn't hurt, either.

"It's a wonderful place, and I'm so happy we have it in Pflugerville," she said. "I've enjoyed eating here a lot."

Akin said he and his wife have talked about opening more restaurants similar to Pecan Street Station in the future, possibly in Austin and Round Rock. He said well-priced, quick, freshly made food is a formula that seems to work.

"Ninety percent of our customers love this place," he said. "We think we could take this most anywhere and make it work."

Popular menu items

The Reuben — The Reuben has corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread. The restaurant grills the bread. The Reuben costs $5.99.

Burger — The burgers at Pecan Street Station Deli and Grill are cooked on a high heat that sears the outside of the meat and keeps the juices in, owner James Akin said. Cooking the burgers on a high heat creates a crust on the meat that results in a nice flavor, he said. The original burger, which is a classic quarter-pound burger, costs $2.99.

Breakfast tacos — In the morning, the restaurant's six styles of breakfast tacos are all popular with customers. The breakfast tacos such as chorizo and egg, and bacon, potato, egg and cheese, are made fresh to order. The tacos range in price from $1.59 to $1.99.

Drive-thru

While the drive-thru does not account for a majority of Pecan Street Station Deli and Grill's business, it has been popular with many customers, co-owner James Akin said.

The drive-thru accounts for approximately 35 percent of the restaurant's business, Akin said. He said most fast-food restaurants get around 60 percent of their business from their drive-thru.

Unlike other drive-thrus, the food at Pecan Street Station is made fresh to order. That means it might take a little longer than a typical fast-food restaurant.

"Everything is hot and fresh," Akin said.

Customers can, naturally, order their food at the drive-thru or they can also use it to grab pickup orders without having to get out of their car.

Pecan Street Station Deli and Grill, 1005 W. Pecan St., 251-0296, www.pecanstreetstation.com