Tinker's Rain Forest Deli.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha
• Position: DINING

Tinker's Rain Forest Deli, located at 12812 Old Glenn Flighway, Eagle River, is a sort of "choose your own adventure" sandwich and breakfast deli.

Tinker Berson, the deli's founder and owner, says she was inspired to name the deli after the rainforest so that people could come in during the long winter and feel tropical and warm. Local residents insisted that she tack her name on the front: "Now sometimes they just call it Tinker's rather than the Rain Forest Deli. But it really is the Rain Forest Deli," Berson laughs.

The lunch menu features sandwiches, soups, and salads. There are pens and forms on the table, and diners circle what they want on their sandwich. For vegetarian sandwiches, they offer to add avocado and sprouts.

"The croissants and hoagies we bake fresh here every day, and then everything else [meats and cheese] we slice daily," Berson says. Many of the sides and condiments are made inhouse, including macaroni and potato salad, horseradish, and ranch dressing.

The concept is the same for the breakfast menu...