The Double Dip Deli began as a small Italian deli serving hot & cold sandwiches in the around 1970. Originally one block east, The Deli, as it was known by, moved to it's current location in 1984. My name is Bill Bowen and I am the fourth and current owner.

I think it was the Colletti family that started The Deli around 1970. It was originally next to the Brass Rail. They sold it to John Gillette in 1979, who sold it to Chryste Madsen and her partner Mary Hutton in 1982. When the "Double Dip Ice Cream Shoppe" closed in Elkhorn, the partners purchased the equipment and the name and brought it to Whitewater. They relocated "The Deli" to it's current location at 180 W. Main St. and combined the two businesses. The new name of course was the Double Dip Deli.


I originally came to Whitewater as a college student and ended up really liking it here. After managing a pizza place and being a partner in a full service restaurant in Watertown, I purchased the Double Dip Deli in 1991.

In 1999, when the men's clothing store that was next to us closed, we decided to expand. In addition to doubling the size of the restaurant, we added a salad bar, gourmet coffee, pizza and perhaps the second most popular item, the soup bar featuring 8 homemade soups each day (ice cream is #1 naturally) . These offerings are the keys to our success as they help boost sales during the non ice cream months of winter.

Our goal was to create something unique and inviting. We want our customers to feel warm and at home in our restaurant. My better half, Cindy Bodnar, makes the soup right here and has affectionately become known as the "Soup Lady" or sometimes the "Soup Nazi" as in the popular Seinfeld episode. While she developed most of the recipes herself, a few came from her grandmother. Regular customers often drive 20 miles or more to visit us.

We have also formed somewhat of a partnership with the Whitewater Arts Alliance. Hosting regular monthly art shows has introduced our business to many new people, not to mention the dining room gets re decorated each month !

To Cindy and me, the most important thing is to have fun with the business and to really believe in everything we offer.

Memories:
Thank you for the history of the Double Dip Deli--very interesting--I never knew about the connection between The Deli and the Double Dip Deli. It is wonderful having a quaint little place in town--great for those taking a walk for a casual resting spot with a variety of liquid refreshments and of course other menu items. I love that it is next to Reflections from the Past--it just seems fitting somehow. It reminds me of the old fashioned ice cream shops--with the outdoor cafe look in the summer--a few tables for two--maybe little umbrellas...lol(ok adding onto the plan for you...). The soup is an excellent addition--wonderful soup--I love the varieties and quality--very yummy! The art is great --it adds to the charm to have the glass jewelery case and additionally to the community in showcasing the art of residents and others--not to mention the changing of decor that creates(besides the excellent fare)a reason to stop in again! Thanks for serving the community with such flare--we're glad you're here! (May 10, 2007)