South Scranton welcomed a New York-style deli this year.
Brooklyn Deli Grocery opened at 401 Cedar Ave. in February and sells hoagies, fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other grocery items. Everything is made to order, from the fresh-squeezed juice to the sandwiches, and customers can come in and create almost anything they can think of, according to co-owner Jose Zorrilla.
Chef’s Table recently chatted with Zorrilla, who runs the business with his wife, Esther Rodriguez.
Q: What is the history of the restaurant?
A: We come from a family that owns restaurants in New York City, and we wanted to do the same but in Scranton.
Q: What kind of food do you serve, and what is available for people with special diets?
A: We serve hoagies such as the Pastrami Hoagie, Grilled Chicken Hoagie, etc. We also serve empanadas, like (our) Pizza Empanada and Chicken Empanada. For people with a special diet, we serve a Whole Wheat Club Sandwich. We do salads and fresh-squeezed juice on the spot with fresh fruit and vegetables. We have baked goods that come from New York City. Also, we sell flower arrangements that are made by my wife.
Q: What are your most-ordered menu items and why?
A: Hoagies are the most-ordered item. I guess it’s because we make it with a lot of love.
Q: How did your menu come to be?
A: Well, we started creating the menu little by little, listening to what people wanted to eat, etc.
Q: How would you describe the restaurant’s atmosphere?
A: A chilled and relaxed atmosphere.
Q: What type of seating do you offer?
A: Right now, we only offer one table outside. In the summer, we will be offering more outside seating.
Q: What kinds of promotions do you offer?
A: In (a few) weeks, I will pick a day to offer $5 hoagies (any hoagies). For updates, check the Facebook page. I post everything on there.
Q: Do you offer catering, event space, etc.?
A: We do offer catering. Customers can call ahead and order any type of hoagie.
Q: Are you currently offering delivery, takeout or curbside pickup?
A: Yes, we offer free delivery in Scranton as well as takeout and curbside pickup.
Q: Where do you see the restaurant headed in the future?
A: In the future, I see my business expanding to every area of Scranton. I want to have a location in the north, east and west side of Scranton.
Laura Rysz is the features copy editor and calendar editor at The Times-Tribune and runs the Talk of the Times column, which focuses on local fundraisers and other events. She also writes Chef’s Table that profiles restaurants around the region. Additionally, Laura curates events online on AccessNEPA.com. Laura is involved in the special Mother’s Day edition and curates occasional features Marry Memories and Times Travelers. She is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, New Jersey, and earned an English professional writing degree with a minor in mass communications from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She also earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers Business School. Contact: lrysz@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5228.
