Lazy Mike’s, the long-awaited full-sized, full-service delicatessen from Clare and Don’s David and Rebecca Tax, is officially open for business. Technically in Fairfax County (but just about the closest a building could be to, without actually being in, the Little City), the new eatery debuted Tuesday at the former Long John Silver’s on Route 7.

The opening coincided with the shutter of the brother-sister team’s deli and ice cream shop, Mike’s Deli at Lazy Sundae, on N. West St. which went dark after lunch last Sunday.

With a lease through the end of the month, David tells the News-Press he’s still unsure what they’ll do with the space they first opened in 2006 but didn’t rule out re-opening with another concept in the future. “We want to get our feet first [at Lazy Mike’s],” he says.

For now at the new location, the deli’s same lineup of sandwiches, subs, burgers, all-day breakfast and ice cream is available but David and Rebecca say once the nascent operation gets running at full speed, that will expand. Until then, dishes like meatloaf sandwiches, open face turkey and roast beef sandwiches and stuffed cabbage will become available as specials. One new treat available from day one, however, are egg creams.

Adorn with vintage signs throughout the space, the upgraded location includes a whole lot more seating than Mike’s Deli, with a dining room full of mix-and-match tables plus seating at a counter made with reclaimed pallet board from Sislers Stone. The parking situation also gets a boost with 27 spaces available in back of the restaurant. And with a prime location for the annual Fourth of July celebration at George Mason High School just across the street, David says they’ve got plans for a backlot party with beer and wine for the Little City’s Independence Day fireworks show.

David tells the News-Press it wasn’t a deliberate choice to relocate outside City limits but rather it was development uncertainty and the availability of a space they liked that led to the move.

Though with Founder’s Row, the planned mixed-use development at the intersection of Broad and S. Washington streets, currently stalled, he also says he’s not ready to give up on his N. West St. space.

“We want to stay there,” he tells the News-Press and he’s interested in buying his building or renting long term if the mixed-use plans fall through “I love that corner.” he says.

Lazy Mike’s is open seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Friday and until 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Lazy Mike’s | 7049 Leesburg Pike | Falls Church