DELI DIVA INSIDER INFO

So just WHAT IS The Deli Diva? It’s the yummiest New York style sandwich shop/deli south of New York…actually waaay south of New York…in Florida! THE DELI DIVA in downtown Largo, Florida. One block south of West Bay Drive and one block east of Clearwater-Largo Road. On the historic brick streets!

And WHO IS The Deli Diva? That would be me…a foodie, cookbook author, chef and self-proclaimed sandwich queen! My better half, known as The Deli Dude and I welcome you to our blog and our deli, so please stop by online or in person and let’s get together over some divalicious delights!

We are located in historic downtown Largo which is on the west coast of Florida in the Tampa Bay area. We are a small, take-out shop featuring HUGE mouth-watering sandwiches you usually can only find in the best N.Y. delis. Pastrami is our specialty along with our fabulous roast beef, REAL turkey breast, imported Italian salami, proscuitto and more! And if it’s not a sandwich you’re in the mood for, try our many daily specials like lasagna, stuffed shells, mac and cheese, eggplant parmesan…the list goes on and on!

Stop in for some “New York attitude with a southern smile!”

OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 11 AM TO 3 PM SERVING SOME GREAT FOOD SO, LET’S DO LUNCH!

 UPDATE! MAY 2010

  (Paula gave me this picture and said it was one of her favorites!)

I’ve had several customers ask me about my “Paula Deen’s Husband and Me” article on one of my other blogs, Butter in My Veins. 

Even though making all these foods to share with you consumes most of my time these days, I’m also a travel and food writer.   I’m not able to get away as much as I used to so my travel assignments and my food reviews are closer to home these days, but, prior to opening The Deli Diva, I was on the road quite a bit, traveling and reviewing restaurants all over the country.

One of my memorable interviews was with Paula Deen’s husband, Michael Groover.  (That’s me with Michael)     We had a lovely lunch at Paula’s brother’s restaurant in Savannah, “Uncle Bubba’s”, and I talked for two hours with Michael about his new business venture into the coffee roasting business and of course we also talked about his meeting and marrying that queen of southern cuisine, Paula Deen. If any of you would like to read the article, just click on the link to my “Butter in My Veins” blog and scroll down to the article.

So now you know there’s an “outside of the kitchen” side to the Deli Diva!    I love the cooking and I still keep up the writing and reviewing.   Right now I’m working on a “Deli Diva” cookbook and I would love to include some of our customers favorites. It can be something we serve here, or a recipe you have of your own that you love. If I use them in the book, the recipes will be credited to the person who contributed them, so stop by with your favorites. 

The Deli Dude keeps busy outside of the deli also. He is an accomplished metal artist. Many of you have commented on his large sculptures on the grounds of the deli. He is one of the few metal artists/blacksmiths in Pinellas County and he teaches classes on Saturdays by appointment.  (Rob with a student)    If you’d like to learn more about his work and classes, check out his website at www.robertalandesigns.art.officelive.com.