A decade-long friendship is about to become a storefront on Alpine Avenue. Tyler Dagley and Ben Nies plan to open Dang Nice Deli at 2103 Alpine Ave. NW near Ann Street NW in Walker on Nov. 3, pending one final inspection, turning a space that sat empty after a beloved deli owner's death into their very first restaurant together.
The pair first crossed paths while working at Garage Bar and Grill, according to WOODTV.com, which reports they have been friends for a decade. Nies put it simply when describing how the partnership came together: “he and Dagley fell in love while working together,” as the station recounts it. That bond is now steering a build-out at a site with deep roots in Walker's sandwich scene.
A Deli Reborn on Alpine Avenue
The building previously housed Rico's Deli, which closed after its owner died in 2025, per the same report. Dagley and Nies have worked on the space since early June, and the old-school deli-diner look Nies described for the new shop comes after some real setbacks — the renovation cost them four coolers and two pizza ovens along the way, the station notes.
Community curiosity has followed the project for months. “People stop by almost every day,” Nies said, describing the steady stream of neighbors checking in on progress. The interest got personal enough Wednesday that the pair briefly pulled down their opening-soon sign just to snap photos of it.
Honoring Rico With a Namesake Sandwich
Dagley and Nies say they hope to honor Rico, the building's previous owner, and they're doing it on the menu: a sandwich called the Rico will feature capocollo, salami and provolone. It's a direct nod to the business that came before them at the same address — a connection MLive documented back in 2022, when Rico's Deli operated at that same Alpine Avenue location after relocating from Front Avenue NW. Owner Rico Nelson told that outlet he prided himself on fresh ingredients at an affordable price, serving oven-baked subs, paninis, wraps, salads and pizza.
The new owners are building their own identity around that same instinct for value. Dagley said the deli is built around standard, fresh ingredients, and that the aim is to use familiar components while excelling in their quality and preparation. He also said the goal is to keep prices as affordable as possible despite high food costs — a pledge reflected in sandwich prices that will range from $8 to $18, averaging about $15.
What's on the Menu
The opening lineup includes turkey and roast beef subs, a cheesesteak panini and a Cubano built on a Nantucket sesame seed hoagie with Dijon mustard, shaved ham, provolone, housemade pickles, onions and bacon. Weekly features will rotate in banh mi and Philly roast pork, alongside pasta salad, potato salad, breakfast sandwiches each morning and grab-and-go desserts made by a local baker. All of the deli's bread will be sourced from local bakeries, according to the report.
Inside, the restaurant seats about 14 people, with a few additional picnic tables for overflow. Starting Nov. 3, Dang Nice Deli will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, though the owners say those hours could shift depending on demand. Anyone curious about how the shop stacks up against health and safety standards can find food-service inspection reports through the Kent County Health Department, which licenses and audits food facilities across the county.
