Our Story

Welcome to Mookie's New York Deli! Growing up in the suburbs of New York City, I frequently ate at delis near my neighborhood and in Manhattan.  When I left the area for work, I missed the delicious taste of my youth.

After settling down in North Carolina, I realized I wasn't the only one who wanted the hearty taste of deli food. At a park one day, my wife and I met a native North Carolinian who mentioned that she had spent a few summers in New York City. When she found out that I was from that area, she said, "You know what you can't find here? Some good pastrami!" My wife and I looked at each other, and the decision to open Mookie's was made.

One of the most important ingredients in a deli is quality. Whether it's our house-made pastrami, bagels shipped from Long Island City, or knishes made from scratch, my hope is that our food takes you back to your favorite borough and reminds you of home. I'm also proud to feature local products including Fox Farm mushrooms and Joe Van Gogh coffee.

Whether you miss the food of your own childhood, the Reubens from a trip to the Big Apple, or just want an oversized sandwich, I warmly invite you to Mookie's to experience the best deli south of Houston Street.

Enjoy!

Ron Didner

Who is Mookie?

Mookie is our dog and unofficial mascot whose namesake is Mookie Wilson of the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. Growing up, I was a huge fan of his and watched him win the World Series. Yankee fans are welcome, too.