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OUR STORY

For over 80 years Mike's Deli has been a cherished institution located in the Arthur Avenue Marketplace in the heart of the historic Little Italy in the Bronx. Our story is one of fantastic food and family interwoven with the rich tapestry of Italian-American history that has thrived here for over a century.

A NEIGHBORHOOD ROOTED IN TRADITION

A NEIGHBORHOOD ROOTED IN TRADITION

The Arthur Avenue neighborhood has long been a haven for Italian-Americans, dating back to the 1900s. By the 1930s, it teemed with pushcart vendors. It was during this era that Mayor Fiorello La Guardia recognized the potential of this vibrant community and championed the construction of what would become the commercial heart of the area—the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, which opened its doors in 1940.

THE GRECO FAMILY

Our journey began with the Greco family, who have deep roots in the Belmont community of Little Italy in the Bronx. In 1919, our maternal grandparents, Nonno Gennaro and Nonna Maria Cappiello, immigrated from Naples to America and settled in the Bronx. At the time, Arthur Avenue was considered the countryside of the city at the time. In 1922, Nonno Gennaro, a skilled butcher, opened up the first butcher shop in the newly built Arthur Avenue indoor market, thanks to Mayor La Guardia's vision.

MIKE GRECO'S JOURNEY

Fast forward to 1947 when Mike Greco, at the age of 17, along with his twin brother Joe, embarked on a journey from Calabria to New York with just one hundred dollars, two new suits each, and a strong work ethic. Mike found work at the Cappiello Grocery Butcher store on Arthur Avenue and, in 1951, married the boss's daughter, Antoinetta. Mike's entrepreneurial spirit led him to venture into the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, forever leaving his mark on the neighborhood.

The Legacy

Lives On

Mike's Deli quickly became renowned for its unwavering commitment to freshness and quality, earning national recognition. Mike's passion for the Avenue's rich history and culture was contagious. He often serenaded his customers with arias from his favorite operas and regaled them with captivating stories while sharing a glass of wine. Throughout the years, he consistently had his four children spend time working behind the counter. Among them, his son David displayed an unwavering passion and natural leadership, which began to shine in the early 1980s and continues to this day as he takes the helm. Even after his passing in 2019, his presence still lingers in the deli that proudly bears his name.


Today, Mike's son David continues the family tradition. Blending new ideas with authentic Italian cuisine, culinary secrets passed down through generations, and the skills honed on Arthur Avenue, David has transformed Mike's Deli into a unique hybrid—an extraordinary marketplace and a restaurant like no other. Arthur Avenue Caterers, led by David, embodies the same high standards and old-world reverence for food and quality that have been our family's hallmark.

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