Mike's Deli In The Bronx
A Blast From The Past
By Doug Singer
The neighborhood of Arthur Avenue, in the Bronx, dates back to a time when thousands of Italian immigrants came through Ellis Island. They discovered a welcoming mass of paesani, all linked by their zealous Italian passion for good food! Many early Italians in this area made their living by working and selling products from pushcarts, most often food items. In 1940, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia built the indoor Arthur Avenue Retail Market to take the street vendors out of the cold. It is this market that brings me here today.
Strolling down this block is truly like stepping back in time. This place is dripping in history. Is that Funiculì, Funiculà I am hearing, or is it my imagination? Today, I will be meeting with the proprietor of the world famous Mike's Deli, David Greco. Since the deli launched in 1951by David's father Mike Greco, the food has been a must have for locals, tourists and an impressive list of celebrities. David continues the family tradition of excellence. His creative talent mixes new ideas, authentic Italian cuisine, the family’s culinary secrets and skills passed down from generations.
Upon first entering the Arthur Avenue Retail market, I am overwhelmed by the sense of tradition that is present. The first booth that I come across is manned with a few very focused Dominican gentlemen hand rolling cigars. I immediately stop and pick up a couple of torpedos so that I am properly armed for my conversation with Mr.Greco, the defacto Mayor of this neighborhood.
After strolling past produce stands and a vast array of Italian specialty products, I have reached the heartbeat of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, Mike's Deli. There is a bold array of dried meats and salamis, fresh breads, olives, antipastas and salads. There is fresh mozzarella being stretched and shaped into twists and rounds, hanging from dowels to dry. If you're lucky, it will be a day when Mike breaks into an aria, in a strong clear voice, that at once identifies him as a Puccini aficionado. At Mike's Deli, you are at home. Sit back and enjoy a glass of homemade wine, while enjoying the finest antipasta selections this side of the pond. The cheeses, meats, pastas and virtually everything on or off of the menu, is of the finest quality, an assurance that David takes very seriously.
To simply call this an Italian Deli would be a significant underestatement. This is an Old World cultural experience. Food like this, is truly hard to find. This is why the list of celebrity clientele rivals that of any Manhattan four star restaurant.
In the last 10 years, David Greco has been on almost every Food Network program, with hosts including Sarah Molton, Emeril Lagasse, Paula Deen and Bobby Flay. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Bobby Flay’s show “Throwdown”, Bobby surprises the unsuspecting host with a challenge/cook off of their house specialty. In this case he visited Mike's Deli during the taping of what David thought was a show called "Culinary Streets", only to be ambushed by Bobby and challenged to the "eggplant parmigiana challenge", a Mike's Deli specialty. David and Mike’s Deli not only triumphed, but it had a profound impact on their worldwide exposure. So much in fact, that David recently received a call from the handler of very high profile businessman from Dubai and was informed that his boss requested to “bring me the man that makes the eggplant”. A few weeks later, David Greco was on a plane to the United Arab Emirates to provide a private tasting of his secret recipe. The gentleman was so impressed that he offered to set Mr. Greco up with a restaurant of his own in Dubai. But, true to his roots, David will remain in the Bronx for the foreseeable future to attend to the customers, neighborhood and family that he loves.
Always maintaining meticulous high standards and old European reverence for food and quality, David puts his heart and soul into everything that leaves his kitchen. There is no distance too far to travel to enjoy this heavenly slice of history.
2344 Arthur Ave
Bronx, NY 10458
(212) 265-8755
www.arthuravenue.com
The neighborhood of Arthur Avenue, in the Bronx, dates back to a time when thousands of Italian immigrants came through Ellis Island. They discovered a welcoming mass of paesani, all linked by their zealous Italian passion for good food! Many early Italians in this area made their living by working and selling products from pushcarts, most often food items. In 1940, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia built the indoor Arthur Avenue Retail Market to take the street vendors out of the cold. It is this market that brings me here today.
Strolling down this block is truly like stepping back in time. This place is dripping in history. Is that Funiculì, Funiculà I am hearing, or is it my imagination? Today, I will be meeting with the proprietor of the world famous Mike's Deli, David Greco. Since the deli launched in 1951by David's father Mike Greco, the food has been a must have for locals, tourists and an impressive list of celebrities. David continues the family tradition of excellence. His creative talent mixes new ideas, authentic Italian cuisine, the family’s culinary secrets and skills passed down from generations.
Upon first entering the Arthur Avenue Retail market, I am overwhelmed by the sense of tradition that is present. The first booth that I come across is manned with a few very focused Dominican gentlemen hand rolling cigars. I immediately stop and pick up a couple of torpedos so that I am properly armed for my conversation with Mr.Greco, the defacto Mayor of this neighborhood.
After strolling past produce stands and a vast array of Italian specialty products, I have reached the heartbeat of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, Mike's Deli. There is a bold array of dried meats and salamis, fresh breads, olives, antipastas and salads. There is fresh mozzarella being stretched and shaped into twists and rounds, hanging from dowels to dry. If you're lucky, it will be a day when Mike breaks into an aria, in a strong clear voice, that at once identifies him as a Puccini aficionado. At Mike's Deli, you are at home. Sit back and enjoy a glass of homemade wine, while enjoying the finest antipasta selections this side of the pond. The cheeses, meats, pastas and virtually everything on or off of the menu, is of the finest quality, an assurance that David takes very seriously.
To simply call this an Italian Deli would be a significant underestatement. This is an Old World cultural experience. Food like this, is truly hard to find. This is why the list of celebrity clientele rivals that of any Manhattan four star restaurant.
In the last 10 years, David Greco has been on almost every Food Network program, with hosts including Sarah Molton, Emeril Lagasse, Paula Deen and Bobby Flay. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Bobby Flay’s show “Throwdown”, Bobby surprises the unsuspecting host with a challenge/cook off of their house specialty. In this case he visited Mike's Deli during the taping of what David thought was a show called "Culinary Streets", only to be ambushed by Bobby and challenged to the "eggplant parmigiana challenge", a Mike's Deli specialty. David and Mike’s Deli not only triumphed, but it had a profound impact on their worldwide exposure. So much in fact, that David recently received a call from the handler of very high profile businessman from Dubai and was informed that his boss requested to “bring me the man that makes the eggplant”. A few weeks later, David Greco was on a plane to the United Arab Emirates to provide a private tasting of his secret recipe. The gentleman was so impressed that he offered to set Mr. Greco up with a restaurant of his own in Dubai. But, true to his roots, David will remain in the Bronx for the foreseeable future to attend to the customers, neighborhood and family that he loves.
Always maintaining meticulous high standards and old European reverence for food and quality, David puts his heart and soul into everything that leaves his kitchen. There is no distance too far to travel to enjoy this heavenly slice of history.
2344 Arthur Ave
Bronx, NY 10458
(212) 265-8755
www.arthuravenue.com
