Sweet Surprises: How Soft Serve Came to Executive Deli
A Sweet Idea From Two Trusted Friends
Sometimes the best ideas come from true friends who are willing to share their creative ideas and past experiences because they care about your success.
Wayne and Paula visit the deli at least once a week. Wayne used to run a restaurant, and Paula worked at Dairy Queen for 15 years. They are from Kentucky, and are temporarily in San Diego helping with our church. They've been full of great tips for making our deli even better!
"You know what would really set this place apart?" Wayne suggested one afternoon. "Soft serve ice cream!"
From Idea to Reality
Wayne helped Chris research and pick out the perfect soft serve machine. When it arrived last week, along with all the supplies, the real learning began.
Wayne and Paula came by after hours two afternoons in a row to train us. They taught us the right mix ratio, how to puff, how to achieve the perfect consistency, and how to clean and maintain the machine properly. Those picture-perfect swirls with the curl on top? Paula showed us the technique—it definitely takes practice!
The Great Taste Test
As we practiced, we invited different customers to be taste testers. Word spread quickly through the offices in the building. "Who can pass up free ice cream?" We kept hearing as people came in to help.
The deli filled with smiles and laughter as customers tried vanilla, chocolate, or swirl cones. One customer told us we'd made her day—she'd been having a rough time, and this simple treat brightened her day!
Our kids joined the testing too. The boys helped on day one, while the girls took their turn on day two.
Free Soft Serve Ice Cream Cone
From 11 am - 2 pm, This Week Only, Get a FREE Soft Serve Ice Cream Cone - Vanilla, Chocolate, or Swirl - with any Lunch Purchase
A Sweet Addition to Your Mission Valley Lunch
Here's something special: our soft serve is lactose-free! Everyone agreed it was rich, creamy, and delicious.
To celebrate our soft serve launch, we're offering:
FREE SOFT SERVE CONE with any lunch purchase Monday through Friday, 11 AM - 2 PM December 15-19, 2025
Even better—Wayne and Paula will be helping us run the soft serve machine this week, so you'll get to meet the friends who made this possible.
Community at Work
This soft serve launch shows what we love most about Executive Deli—it's truly a community effort. From Wayne and Paula's expertise to our customers' enthusiastic taste testing, everyone played a part.
Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch near Hotel Circle or making us your regular Mission Valley lunch spot, we'd love to share this new addition with you. Stop by this week and enjoy a cone while meeting the wonderful people who helped bring soft serve to our deli.
Because the best lunch in Mission Valley isn't just about great food—it's about the people who make it special.
Executive Deli & Cafe 1660 Hotel Cir N #100, San Diego, CA 92108 Proudly serving Mission Valley with daily soups, lunch specials, and now—lactose-free soft serve!
Keep Reading
Want to know what led us to take over the deli?
In Part Two of our story, we share the leap of faith, answered prayers, and vision that keep us going — even on the hard days.
Our Day-to-Day Stewardship
Read: Waste Not, Welcome More — Our Partnership with Too Good To Go
Next in the Series
Read: Part Four: Chris’s Parents & Banana Bread — The quiet support and sweet legacy that show up twice a week (coming soon)