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Friday, May 18, 2012

Chow / Breaking News Devastating Sandwich News

Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Fri, May 18, 2012 at 2:39 PM

Two different devastated Seattle sandwich-lovers sent us the terrible, terrible news: I Love New York Deli in the U-District is closed forever.

An employee at the original Pike Place Market location, which remains open, confirmed the closure. Ace Stranger reporter Grant Brissey says, "This is true. The place was gone, overnight, and not just gone—gutted. Counters, kitchen equipment, everything." Brissey photographed the tragic scene:

Grant Brissey
SAD.

We've been unable to reach owner Jon Jacobs to inquire about WHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYY?????? and express our sorrow. We've called and called! Stranger sandwich expert Paul Constant says this turn of events and the failure of the promised 24-hour Capitol-or-First-Hill branch of I Love New York Deli to ever appear are dual blows from which he may never recover. "This is terrible, terrible news," he says.

In the very-thin-silver-lining department, we've meanwhile discovered that I Love New York Deli has a sister shop called Big Apple Deli in Maple Valley, so if you know where that is and ever have to be there, you can at least get a great Reuben.

After the jump, the detailed sorrow of the two Slog tippers.

Good Afternoon,

I thought I'd bring to your attention something sad. The I Love New York Deli in the University District/Ravenna/Roosevelt area suddenly closed. No details were left on the premises. I believe it was open for 2+ years. It was one of my favorites. I do believe they were opened just yesterday [Monday] for business so it came as quite a surprise. Another patron who arrived at the same time I did was just as exasperated as I was. It is empty as a shell save for some debris. I'm sorry to see it go.

Please tell Grant Brissey about this. I think he is in the 'hood. That deli along with Folkstone (the Folk Store?), a produce store, University Motor Sports, and Giggles/Jiggles are among very recent small business failures in the Roosevelt/Ravenna neighborhood. Also, the sites of the former Continental Deli/Berlin Bakery and Keytime (I think?) remain vacant. Sigh.

Just thought I'd let you guys know.

Cheers,
Larry

Dear Stranger -

Shocked - I was! On Tuesday, I went to Lost Sock Laundromat, put the wash in, then walked up the street to get my standard 2 Hebrew National Franks from my favorite laundry day food stop, the "I Love New York Deli" - and it was gone — just a big sign in the window - For Lease - empty... no goodbye note, no "we have Moved" , no thanks Seattle we are outta here ... Wow! I didn't realize how I had relied on the franks, the coffee & the staff to give me that neighborhood feeling of being welcome every time I stopped in.

I was so stunned I almost forgot that I had laundry to finish. Anyone on your staff there at The Stranger able to solve the mystery?

Thank you for your time - I always caught up on The Stranger articles while I was waiting for and enjoying my franks with "everything" - which meant sauerkraut & mustard!

Sincerely,

Leslie C.

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Comments (31) RSS

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That picture would be greatly enhanced by a shopping cart tipped over on its side.

Posted by TVDinner

on May 18, 2012 at 3:00 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Posted by The Kelvis on May 18, 2012 at 3:26 PM

Best egg & cheese since NY, and the price was right. Hello Seattle, egg & cheese does not cost more than $2 - neither does a slice.

The veggie reuben was beautiful, but $12 seemed over-priced. I can make my own Russian dressing, and put one together for $2 at home.

Posted by biffp on May 18, 2012 at 3:29 PM

The Subway next to the Safeway at Madison and 23rd is having a $1.99 6" combo meal today and tomorrow. I'M JUST SAYIN' EAT FRESH.

Posted by derek_erdman

on May 18, 2012 at 3:34 PM

A tragic situation rendered even more tragic that this year is the 250th Anniversary of the Sandwich.

You'd think they could have held on at least throughout this year. *sigh*

Posted by treacle on May 18, 2012 at 3:41 PM

Where the hell am I going to get my Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray celery soda now?

Posted by Fnarf

on May 18, 2012 at 3:51 PM

SOMEONE PLEASE VERIFY THAT BIG MARIOS IS STILL ALIVE!!

Is this just limited to New York sandwiches? PLEASE CONFIRM THE PIZZA IS STILL THERE

Posted by Joe Szilagyi

on May 18, 2012 at 4:01 PM

I don't think you can classify the Giggles/Jiggles situation as a normal "recent small business failure." The owner tried to turn his comedy club into a strip club without a permit and despite the fact that it was across the street from a school.

Posted by Monty on May 18, 2012 at 4:05 PM

@8, the jiggling has stopped? @7, don't fuck around, I love Big Marios and its hockey fandom.

Posted by biffp on May 18, 2012 at 4:09 PM

I work at Scarecrow Video and used to go to the NY Deli all the time. About a week before they closed, I noticed that they had taken all of the inventory items and decor. The guy working said the owner told them was just doing some cleaning. A couple of days later there was a big truck hauling away the deli cases.

If you are in the neighborhood and need coffee VHSpresso is located inside of Scarecrow (there's a walk up window outside). Support local businesses, we don't want to be the next to go.

Posted by Badger on May 18, 2012 at 4:22 PM

Where am I going to get a decent goddamn sandwich in this city now? What about latkes and knish?

And nobody try and tell me about My Favorite Deli. That place puts cheddar cheese on their French Dip. Fuck that place.

Posted by DeaconBlues

on May 18, 2012 at 4:58 PM

Maple Valley, you say? I frequently ride my bike through there on the Cedar River trail. It's good to know it's not quite the wasteland it seems.

Posted by emor on May 18, 2012 at 5:03 PM

As a long term Pike Market worker, let's just say the real scuttlebutt is the guy got too big too fast and couldn't pay the bills. That, and he's a jackass that treats his workers like crap. That being said, I still hope his workers can find other employment. They were always cool.

Posted by Marketworker on May 18, 2012 at 5:58 PM

Just a bleeding restaurant you toffee-headed git.

Posted by Central Scrutinizer on May 18, 2012 at 6:07 PM

Agree with @13, there was something amiss. I know this will end in tears, but the QFC on Roosevelt has also closed.

Posted by biffp on May 18, 2012 at 9:05 PM

The QFC is closing due to the light rail station. Eventually something else will open there, it's just a matter of what.

Posted by stuffandthings on May 18, 2012 at 9:58 PM

Sorry, but no great loss. I'm sure I can find $14 Deli sandwiches somewhere else. Perhaps $14 worth of meat, bread, and roast beef at Safeway.

Posted by Roosevelt

on May 18, 2012 at 11:47 PM

I think the calzone place (Pete's?) has closed too. I blame the high speed of traffic and the lack of trees along that corridor. Make it more pleasant to walk and small shops might thrive.

Posted by DOUG.

on May 18, 2012 at 11:57 PM

The "Calzone" place is up and running again as "Momma Mia's". It's changed hands many times over the last 6 years.
As for lack of trees - the city came in and re-paved all the sidewalks a couple of years ago. They took out many of the trees, but replanted saplings. It's a slow process.
Someone, perhaps The Funhouse, needs to come in and rent Tubs and turn it into a venue. It's the perfect location.

Posted by Roosevelt

on May 19, 2012 at 12:15 AM

The tattoo shop seems to be doing well. so is The Monkey and Dante's.

Posted by Roosevelt

on May 19, 2012 at 12:16 AM

@19 & 20. You're right. I live in the 'hood.

Posted by lark on May 19, 2012 at 12:08 PM

I'm in Maple Valley at least once a week (you'd drive 35 miles for free childcare, too). I've always assumed that most restaurants in MV are various versions of chains or shitty (Gloria's, I'm looking at you), but hopefully this will change my mind.

Posted by Jessica on May 19, 2012 at 2:04 PM

A little further up on 11th, across from Whole Foods, the relatively new San Pio Mexican restaurant is gone, and the noodle shop on 65th between Roosevelt and the Shell station just changed its name again.

Posted by magdaddy on May 19, 2012 at 8:46 PM

Responding to Larry's letter mentioning closed businesses: KEYTIME isn't closed. We just don't have set hours. Thanks for keeping an eye out on the neighborhood though. :)

Posted by KEYTIME on May 19, 2012 at 9:33 PM

That kind of rapid clear out of property indicates a Secured Creditor making sure they don't get screwed a second time by a Deadbeat. You don't leave your stuff hanging around to get stolen or destroyed.

Posted by Sir Vic on May 20, 2012 at 7:16 AM

@7: Big Marios looks pretty good. Semi-fake authentic. Havent been there yet.

Question though: Do you have to look like a sock-headed bearded hipster douchebag in order to get served in that place? Or is that just the look they are trying to cultivate with that photo gallery on their website?

Plz advise.

Posted by I Heart Flan! on May 20, 2012 at 3:22 PM

I live in the hood, too. Places like Amazing Thai, The Monkey, and Taste of India have done well. And don't forget Paws Cat City or Scarecrow! My family used to sit outside at I Love New York Deli and watch people leave Cat City with their new pets. Sigh.

Posted by Mina on May 21, 2012 at 12:09 PM

What a bummer, my wife and I always stop in at I Love New York on the way back from the University Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. I sure hope they can re-open on the Ave.

Posted by Nic in Greenlake on May 23, 2012 at 3:40 PM

Pike Place market stall is closed now too. Very sad. Such a nice group of people worked in the UDIST store.

Posted by D'Artagnan on July 14, 2012 at 8:46 PM

Their stall in the Market has closed now, too. I'm very sad about this. The people who worked at the UDIST store were very sweet. This was my go-to breakfast place.

Posted by D'Artagnan on July 14, 2012 at 8:50 PM

Here's the details, tomorrow the trip & report. Confirmed Jon Jacobs' still involved so that's a good sign!

http://www.allmenus.com/wa/enumclaw-plat…

Posted by ny mot on April 12, 2013 at 1:07 PM