By Norine Longo
A new generation of the family that first opened Deli Delite in 1969 is now behind its counters.
Deli Delite opened for business in 1969 when Joe and Joan Farinella opened the deli on Spruce Street. In 2001, the Farinellas became ill and were forced to take a break from operating the deli.
In April 2009, the Farinellas’ daughter, Christina Grant once again made Deli Delite a family affair. In the time in-between, the business was leased to operators who were not in the extended Farinella family.
Grant attributes coming back to the help of her family including her husband, Paul, son Joey and his fiance Tina, her youngest son Paul, Jr., daughter Rachel and her husband Chris, granddaughter Morgan and nieces and nephews Christina, Ryan and Nicholas.
Grant said her parents would be proud of what they have done.
Deli Delite delivers the same service, good food and cleanliness it did back when her parents ran it, Grant said.
“Here, it’s about creating and sustaining the same family environment that my parents worked hard to create,” said Grant.
Grant said she’s been seeing the same familiar faces she saw there years ago. The community’s support has meant a lot to the business, she said.
One of the best things the family expressed about running Deli Delite in the Ewing area is the people they get to meet.
Many of Deli Delite’s patrons went to the business when they were growing up and tell Grant about how their children or grandchildren go there now, too, Grant said.
“Customers have stories they always share with us, about the deli and my parents,” said Grant. “It’s not just a family tradition for us, it’s a family tradition for a lot of our customers, too.”
She said many people have come in to thank her for returning back.
Although employees, Luis Rosa and Carl Stanger, are not blood relatives of the family, they’re like family, she said. Both Rosa and Stanger worked with Grant’s parents and returned, joining the staff after both taking on different jobs with the family’s break from the business. Stanger has worked with the family for 40 years; Rosa worked with the family for 20 years.
Deli Delite offers Boar’s Head and Dutch meats, Barbero Bakery breads, their own fresh ground coffee, bagels and donuts, fresh prepared food including their homemade tuna, chicken and egg salads as well as customer favorites barbecued chicken and roast beef.
Another menu item they are known for is their Italian hoagie. The deli has been told by customers it makes the best Italian hoagie in the area, Grant said.
Deli Delite’s services include catering for meetings and parties, fresh foods and salads and convenience items. They are open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Deli Delite is located at 2325 Spruce Street in Ewing. For more information, contact (609) 882-2874.
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