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 

