Twice a month, El Estoque goes to restaurants around Cupertino and takes a chance by asking the waiter to personally choose the menu items for us. This week, we continued the alphabetical theme with a trip to Erik’s Delicafé.

The Basics

Name: Erik’s Delicafé

Location: 19652 Stevens Creek Boulevard Cupertino, CA 95014

Menu: http://www.eriksdelicafe.com/menu.php

Pricing: $$

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Price: $7.79

Rating: 8.5/10

This salad is a classic that fits the atmosphere of the deli, even though the portion size is bigger than expected. The walnuts add a salty taste that complements the sweetness of the craisins. The chicken pieces are a bit larger than we would have liked, but the crisp garden greens and walnuts balance out the texture. What makes the entire salad more festive is the tangy cranberry vinaigrette sauce.

Price: $3.69

Rating: 7.5/10

It was interesting to find out that the rice dish was actually a soup! When we first got the plate, it looked a little messy with broth running down the sides, reminding me of the chicken noodle soup I’d eat at home. The portion size, though, is perfect for a light lunch, and the blend and variety of vegetables and chicken pieces create a very homely taste.

Price: $7.39

Rating: 9/10

This sandwich wasn’t too complicated and almost tasted homemade — in a good way. It was presented with a pickle and an orange slice. The sprouts gave it a crunchy texture, as did the bread. The chicken, tomato and pesto sauce made it juicy, making this a fun meal.

Co-reported by Devika Watave and Aanchal Garg