Butcher Shop Adds New Dimension

To Newtown Deli & Catering

The ceramic roosters and wicker baskets that perch atop the drink coolers inside, and the faux gas lights surrounded by day lilies and cat mint out front cry out, “Country!” but the flavor inside of Newtown Deli & Catering and The Butcher Shop At Newtown Deli is 100 percent New York-style deli.

Patrons have been enjoying the extensive menu of 18 specialty sandwiches, hot sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads, and a full breakfast menu since Artie Praino opened the eatery at 79 South Main Street in 2001. Colorful bags of chips and snacks, and specialty items like Michael’s pasta sauces from Brooklyn, San Pellegrino sparkling water, and handcrafted dried gnocchi are neatly stacked on racks in front of 26 feet of deli cases filled with hot and cold deli offerings and Boar’s Head products. Another case houses made-on-premises frozen entrees and fresh specialty raviolis.

The catering menu with 11 chicken entrees, a dozen pasta dishes, beef, pork, veal, fish, and vegetable entrees, as well as appetizers, salads, and cold cut platters, have made a name for the deli over the past seven years. “We cater all size parties; there is nothing too small or too big,” said Mr Praino. One of his biggest catering jobs, and one that he is most pleased to participate in, is the survivor dinner that he donates to the Relay For Life every year, serving 400 people.

Newtown Deli & Catering has been a mecca for deli lovers, but the new Butcher Shop At Newtown Deli launched the spring of 2008 has been an addition that has regulars raving.

Mr Praino, who has been in the food business since 1988 and who is also the owner of Woodbury Deli & Catering since 2006, started out working in delis in Queens. A self-taught chef and businessman, he learned the trade at the side of experienced chefs all over New York City. He was pleased with the reception of the deli, but when he expanded the shop in the winter of 2007, Mr Praino decided to build on his success by adding a butcher shop. “I always thought that it would be a good idea,” he said. Supermarkets may advertise their butcher shops, said Mr Praino, but the Butcher Shop At Newtown Deli is different because of the service, quality, and specialty items made on site that he can offer.

He counts on the expertise of local butcher Steven Ford to create the products that set them apart from anything else in the area.

With more than 30 years of experience, Mr Ford has helped develop the Butcher Shop offerings that are centered on the season. Currently, “BBQ Central” is focused on meeting the grilling needs of the community.

Sweet, hot, fennel, cheese and parsley, broccoli rabe sausages, and a new sundried tomato and basil sausage, are made on premises from pork that is of a choice grade or higher, said Mr Ford, and the Butcher Shop At Newtown Deli is the only meat shop in the local area that makes a pork and beef sausage or that will do special order sausages, like one that is extra lean. To ensure a consistent product, said Mr Ford, the Butcher Shop At Newtown Deli weighs the meat and the spices that go into each item produced for sale, making them the same way meat products have been made for 100 years — with a hand-cranked press.

He makes more than 30 pounds worth of chicken sausage patties with peppers and onions each week, which are perfect for the grill. Flank steak pinwheels seasoned with fresh garlic, fresh parsley, herbs and grated cheese; specialty hamburger patties made from certified Angus beef; chicken cutlets; steaks; and baby back ribs are available and ready to grill. “We are looking at what people want to cook right now, the grill foods,” said Mr Ford. “We are also stocking fresh clams, mussels, and lobsters this time of year.”

During the cooler months, the Butcher Shop offers more roasts, freshly cut stewing meats, and brasciole, thinly sliced beef or pork seasoned with fresh garlic, herbs, grated cheese, and prosciutto. Flat fish and legs of lamb will replace the summertime mussels and lobster, said Mr Ford.

The Butcher Shop adds variety to the catering and hot food choices, said Mr Praino. “I think The Butcher Shop is a nice addition to what we have going.”

Newtown Deli & Catering and The Butcher Shop At Newtown Deli, 79 South Main Street, is open Monday to Friday, 6 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm; and Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm. To place a takeout order, for catering, or to order from BBQ Central, call 364-1218.