Satisfaction The Goal At Dual Deli Locations

Newtown Deli & Catering at 79 South Main Street, and Sandy Hook Deli & Catering at 102 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook Center are 100 percent New York-style delis. Patrons have been enjoying the extensive menu of 18 specialty sandwiches, hot sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads, and a full breakfast menu at Newtown Deli & Catering since it opened in 2001, and at the Sandy Hook location since March 2012.

Owners Annie and Art Praino stock both locations with colorful bags of chips and snacks, and specialty items like Michael’s pasta sauces from Brooklyn, San Pellegrino sparkling water, and handcrafted dried gnocchi. Deli cases are filled with hot and cold offerings and Boar’s Head products. Made-on-premises frozen entrees and fresh specialty raviolis fill smaller cases. The delis also offer a selection of cakes, bars, cookies, muffins, and biscotti from local bakers and from New York City, packaged individually for quick pickup at the register.

“We’ve been welcomed with open arms in the Center,” said Ms Praino. Ironically, she added, the Sandy Hook Deli & Catering site was where they wanted to be originally when seeking to open their first deli. “But it was never the right time, it seemed, until the space became available last year. It was calling to us,” Ms Praino said, “and we feel like we belong here.”

Sandy Hook Deli & Catering features panini sandwiches, such as the turkey and bacon panini with avocado and a chipotle chili sauce, in addition to other specialty sandwiches. Organic salads by Nature’s Nosh are sold at the Sandy Hook location, joining newer green salads like the grilled Asian salad and the vegetarian salad. Customers ordering the grilled Asian salad will find a bed of spinach and lettuce topped with carrots, almonds, snow peas, oranges, and crispy noodles. The Vegetarian will satisfy with broccoli, edamame, carrots, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and apples on top of a crisp bed of spinach and lettuce.

For customers in a hurry, the Grab & Go unit at Sandy Hook Deli & Catering is filled with ready-to-heat prepared meals, sandwiches, salads, yogurt parfaits, and other snacks. Need a half-gallon of milk or a dozen eggs? One section of the wall-sized beverage cooler is devoted to dairy items to take home. Breads from Bronx bakeries are available for purchase at the Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, too.

Dessert lovers will be satisfied with a selection of gelato ice cream from Gelato Guiliana, or a homemade cannoli.

A full coffee station with cappuccino and flavored coffees, as well as a juice and tea bar and a slushy maker give customers plenty of self-service beverage options.

The Sandy Hook Deli & Catering site makes a trio of businesses for the Prainos. Since May 2010, customers have also been gratified to discover the Praino’s Sideline Café, located in Newtown Youth Academy, 10 Fairfield Circle South, in Fairfield Hills.

The Sideline Café focuses on healthy offerings, for takeout or to eat in. Hot soups, breakfast wraps and sandwiches, pasta salads, coleslaw, and potato salad are served, along with lighter fare, protein shakes, yogurt parfaits, and protein bars. Organic salads have been popular with Sideline Café clients. For the small fry, The Sideline Café features a frozen drink machine and a hot dog machine.

The Sideline Café offers patrons the option of opening a private prepaid account. “After a workout, they can order their protein shake, have their card punched — buy five, get the sixth free — and have it deducted from their account,” said Mr Praino. “Parents find it useful for their kids, as well.”

Sandy Hook Deli & Catering joins Newtown Deli and the Sideline Café in providing catering for off-site parties of any size. “People will find the same great food,” said Mr Praino, “and lots of other options appealing to a wide variety of tastes.”

The catering menu includes appetizers, salads, and cold cut platters for parties of all sizes. The delis are happy to help out by providing even just one item for a party. “There’s always that one thing that takes a lot of time, and that’s something we can help with,” Mr Praino said.

The Prainos count themselves lucky to have a supportive staff, and a very involved family. Mr Praino’s father and mother can be found in the kitchen or behind a counter. “We are truly a family business,” said Ms Praino.

Newtown Deli & Catering, 79 South Main Street, is open Monday to Friday, 6 am to 4 pm; Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm; and Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm. To place a takeout order or for catering call 203-364-1218. The Sideline Café, 10 Fairfield Circle South, Fairfield Hills, serves 8 am to 9 pm, seven days of the week. Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, 102 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, is open Monday to Friday, 6 am to 4 pm; Saturday, 7 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm. To place a takeout order or for catering from Sandy Hook Deli & Catering, call 203-304-9656. Ample off street parking is available in front of and along the side of Newtown Deli & Catering, and behind the Sandy Hook Deli & Catering.