It may be hard to imagine as you take a serious bite out of a giant Reuben, but Jack Huffey, owner of the New Yorker Deli off the Marietta Square, hails from North Carolina, not the Northeast.
"I know," says Huffey with a laugh. "But I grew up in [the restaurant] business and started making sandwiches. Over the years, it just evolved. I also worked in a five-star restaurant in college, where I learned a lot about customer service."
After a good run in Vinings, Huffey recently closed that location and relocated to the heart of the county. The Smyrna resident took over one of the old storefronts across from the courthouse and started ripping out the Sheetrock.
"The space has these beautiful old beams and a bit of brick, so I got this idea to peek behind the Sheetrock," said Huffey. "We exposed as much as we could and added six plasma TVs."
There's room for 54 inside and if you get there before the lunch crowd, you might be able to snag one of the few tables on the sidewalk.
Deli delights
The first thing Deli regulars order isn't a sandwich — it's the fries. "We fresh-cut our fries every morning and cook them with Deli Dust — a blend of salt, pepper, minced garlic, onion and corn starch," said Huffey. "It's so popular that we've bottled it and people buy it to take home."Diners are also big on the signature turkey meatloaf, a hot sandwich served with American cheese, sauteed onions, lettuce and tomato on rye. Other hot options include corned beef, turkey, pastrami, bologna, salmon, shrimp and chicken. There are also four variations on the classic Reuben, two that come with white meat. The turkey version is a best seller that comes with Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian dressing on rye.
Those in the mood for something particular can build their own sandwich from a lengthy list of ingredients. The Deli also serves paninis, cheese steaks, subs, salads, soups and a section of heart-friendly and vegetarian choices.
No matter what time you drop by, you'll find breakfast ready. Breakfast sandwiches, three-egg omelets, French toast and bagels are always available.
From the bar
A beer and wine license is in the works. Meanwhile, it's all soft.Coming up
Huffey expects to open for dinner shortly. At that time, the hours will be extended until 9 each night. The menu will expand with at least 10 entrees, all priced below $10. Look for dishes such as chicken piccata, meatloaf and beef stroganoff.• Signature dishes: Turkey Reuben, french fries with Deli Dust, hot meatloaf sandwich
• Entree prices: $5.49-$9.99
• Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
• Reservations: No
• Credit cards: Yes
• Web site: www.thenydeli.com
