A Renton family opened its third downtown restaurant with its mind on the economy and its heart on freshness.

Go Deli is the first in Renton to serve Banh Mi, Vietnamese sandwiches. The 10-inch delights are all under $3.

Though downtown saw a handful of restaurants close this season, owners June Lu and husband Tom Nguyen’s eight-year vision for South Third Street is still growing.

“June had the vision,” said Tom Nguyen, who spearheaded the deli’s opening. “I think this is going to be really successful.”

The bakery and deli makes its own bread, serving sandwiches on fresh baguettes and croissants.

Traditional American sandwiches are also prominently displayed on the colorful menu boards but at about $4 each.

The Banh Mi sandwiches include meats from grilled chicken to jambon, a French-styled ham. Pate and sardines make the list of unusual proteins.

“I think the palate of Renton has become a lot more complicated,” Nguyen said. “We think we have a unique business.”

The cold cuts are then topped with pickled daikon and carrots, cilantro, onion, soy sauce, mayo and fresh jalapenos, which aren’t for the timid.

The restaurant also serves fresh blueberry muffins, jam-filled pastries and espresso.

The deli’s design mixes a warm fireplace and Northwestern rockery with the modern flair of giant circular decals.

Two walls will be dedicated to the work of local artists, and soon the building’s back outer wall will host a mural.

An extensive building remodel, which dug out water lines and removed walls, makes the old antique storefront vibrant.

The name “Go Deli” was meant to be as short as possible, to convey speedy service for lunchgoers. It’s so short, Nguyen removed “and bakery,” though the store has an overabundance of pastries, which seem to be popular.

“We made 100 loaves of bread and we sold out just by the lunch period,” Nguyen said.

It’s the fourth business the Lu family opened downtown.

Lu, owner of Puget Sound Mortgage, had the vision of opening Pho Hoa in Renton with her father.

“The business is not here, but it will come to us,” said Nguyen, reflecting on Pho Hoa’s opening on South Third Street and Williams Avenue South.

The family purchased the building about eight years ago, and spring 2009 opened its third business, Yoggi frozen yogurts.

“We have a lot of investment properties in Renton,” Nguyen said.

The Lu family purchased the deli’s building about a year ago, before deciding to open the bakery.

“In times like this… when you’re trying to deliver a wholesome product for under $3, you have an unbeatable product,” Nguyen said.

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