Part Four: Chris’s Parents & Banana Bread
Our Story: A Four-Part Series
Every family business has a beginning, and ours is rooted in tradition, faith, and the joy of feeding people well. In this four-part series, we’re sharing the heart behind Executive Deli & Cafe — from the people who run it to the prayers that brought it to life.
Part One: Chris & Natalie — Meet the husband-and-wife team behind the counter and on the line.
Part Two: Why We Took Over the Deli — The leap of faith, answered prayers, and vision that keeps us going.
Part Three: Our Four Kids — The Crew That Keeps Us Smiling
Part Four: Chris’s Parents & Banana Bread — The quiet support and sweet legacy that show up twice a week.
A Family Favorite That Means Home
At Executive Deli & Cafe in San Diego, we serve a lot of things with care — soups that warm you from the inside out, sandwiches stacked with flavor, and specials that rotate with the seasons. But if you asked us what we hope is waiting on the counter when we visit family, the answer is simple: Diane’s banana bread.
Diane’s Recipe, A Legacy of Love
Diane is Chris’s wonderful mom, and her banana bread has been a beloved family favorite for years. Whenever we visit her and Keith, it’s the first thing we hope to see — no fancy dessert, no elaborate spread, just that humble loaf, warm and familiar, wrapped in love and memory. She’s been baking it for decades, and somehow it’s always perfect. The texture, the sweetness, the way it makes the whole kitchen smell like comfort. It’s the kind of recipe that doesn’t need reinventing — just repeating.
Bringing Her Warmth to the Deli
Now, we serve banana bread made from Diane’s beloved recipe at the deli, bringing that same warmth to our customers at 1660 Hotel Circle North #100. We serve it by the slice — with or without butter or (my favorite) peanut butter — but always with the hope that it brings someone the same kind of joy it’s brought us. It’s more than a bakery item. It’s a quiet tribute to the woman who taught us that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
Banana Bread
The Helping Hands Behind the Scenes
But Diane’s banana bread is only part of the story. Twice a week, Chris’s parents, Keith and Diane, show up at the deli to help however they can. From washing dishes to stocking shelves to picking up supplies, they’ve become an essential part of our rhythm. Their steady presence reminds us that this business isn’t just about food — it’s about family, teamwork, and the kind of support that makes the hard days lighter.
What We Carry Forward
Taking over the deli has been a leap of faith, and we couldn’t do it without the people who stand beside us. For us, Keith and Diane’s help — and Diane’s banana bread — are daily reminders that the best things in life are shared.
Keep Reading
Back to the Beginning
Read: Part One: Chris & Natalie — Meet the Husband-and-Wife Team Behind the Counter and on the Line
Our First Year at a Glance
Read: Executive Deli & Cafe: Our First Year in San Diego — Growth, Favorites, and New Flavors