Looking Back
From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History
accessible at www.djnfoundation.org
54 | OCTOBER 14 • 2021
Deli Chronicles
I
recently wrote a “Looking Back”
about the late Jewish comedian
Jackie Mason. Part of the story
was about the JN and Stage Deli-
sponsored contest to create a Jackie
Mason Sandwich.
While doing the
research for Mason
and his sandwich
in the William
Davidson Digital
Archive of Jewish
Detroit History, I ran
across thousands of
references for “Delis.
”
So, I thought I should
write about a few of these deli stories.
Now, I realize that I am venturing
into dangerous waters here; by that I
mean, dangerous for me! I only have
about 500 words, so I’m sure to miss
naming some of your favorites.
What really inspired me was
an obituary for Harriet Goldberg
titled: “She Always Wanted to Make
People Happy” (Oct. 16, 2014,
JN). Harriet was the wife of Jack
Goldberg, the duo that founded
the Stage Deli in Oak Park in 1962.
Where did the young couple first
meet? Where Jack was working —
at Ben & George’s Deli in Detroit!
One of my pathfinders for deli
knowledge is Danny Raskin, of
course. For example, Harriet and
Jack were frequently mentioned in
his columns because he loved the
chicken soup at Stage Deli. I under-
stand Grandma’s recipe is still used
today.
I found several great stories about
the small, but mighty Star Deli that
Sid Neuman and his late wife, Rose,
bought in 1973. Today, Sid and his
son, Harry, still run the Star. My
favorite Star Deli story relates to
a meeting that Detroiter and then
Ambassador to Norway
David Hermelin held in
1998, for which he asked
Star Deli to cater the
Nov. 2, 1999, event (Aug.
9, 2002, JN). Guests includ-
ed President Bill Clinton,
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Barak and PLO Chairman
Yasser Arafat. But, unfortu-
nately, the meeting did not
ultimately result in the peace
that had been hoped for.
A personal favorite of
mine is the Hygrade Deli on
Michigan Avenue in Detroit,
owned by the Litt family since
1972. For my money, it has the
best Reuben in the city.
A few miles west of Detroit,
there is the world-famous
Zingerman’s. It was established
in 1982 by two U-M students,
Ari Weinzweig and Paul
Saginaw, who couldn’t find a
good deli in Ann Arbor.
I still think about the salami
sandwich I had at Steve’s Deli in
Bloomfield Township. Opened in
1993, Joanne Hurwitz still man-
ages the popular deli, which has
won numerous awards and recog-
nitions for its fare.
And, I’ve not mentioned Avenue
Deli or Boesky’s (run by brothers
Sam, Harry, Abe, Sol and Bill), or
the Pickle Barrel, or Lefkovsky’s or
… But I’m out of words, and I’m
hungry.
Want to learn more? Go to the DJN
Foundation archives, available for free at
www.djnfoundation.org.
Mike Smith
Alene and
Graham Landau
Archivist Chair
favorite Star Deli story relates to
a meeting that Detroiter and then
). Guests includ-
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Barak and PLO Chairman
Yasser Arafat. But, unfortu-
nately, the meeting did not
ultimately result in the peace
mine is the Hygrade Deli on
Michigan Avenue in Detroit,
owned by the Litt family since
1972. For my money, it has the
Bloomfield Township. Opened in
won numerous awards and recog-
And, I’ve not mentioned Avenue
Deli or Boesky’s (run by brothers
Sam, Harry, Abe, Sol and Bill), or
the Pickle Barrel, or Lefkovsky’s or
… But I’m out of words, and I’m
Foundation archives, available for free at