LIEBMAN’S DELICATESSEN

In 1953 when Joe Liebman opened his deli on Johnson Avenue there were more than 100 Jewish Delis in the Bronx. Undaunted by the competition Joe believed that if he consistently served his customers truly outstanding quality food with really great, friendly service he could succeed. He was right! That is precisely why out of the more than 100 Jewish Delis that existed in the Bronx in 1953, Liebman’s is the last one standing. In 1980, Joseph Dekel acquired Liebman’s, and while he renovated the restaurant, he did not alter the recipes. When Mr. Dekel died in 2002, his son, Yuval, took over. It was an unexpected pivot for the then 24-year old who made a living as an artisan baker by day, and as a drummer in a heavy metal band named “Irate” by night, but one that he embraced. In a nod to his former life, he utilizes his baking experience, baking fresh challah breads every Friday as well as regales patrons with the dulcet sounds of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Guns & Roses as well as 40″s & 50″s classics as they bite into their pastrami sandwiches and slurp their matzo-ball soup. Liebman’s Delicatessen has become a NYC institution and a Bronx Landmark. The delicatessen is still run by Yuval on daily basis and he continues to serve the children, grand children & great grand children of the original customers.

City: The Bronx, New York, N.Y.

Charity: Mosaic Mental Health; www.mosaicmh.org

Signature Dish: Kosher Deli Foods, Sandwiches and Superior Hot Dogs

Website: liebmansdeli.com

Liebman’s Delicatessen will donate 18% of revenue generated from any combination sandwich folks purchase to Mosaic Mental Health, a local organization helping people with all sorts of challenges. 18 is the number for life in the Jewish religion and Israeli culture. We figured that would represent something nice.