Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Peljovich.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been in the food business forever. I have run big and small full-service restaurants for big and small corporations. About 6 years ago, I decided it was time to go out on my own. I began searching for a business that would reflect the passion I have for food, family and friends. The story of how Michael’s Deli became the place is a story of kismet.
As the story goes, it was December of 2011 and Steven’s father-in-law was at Michael’s Deli just as he had been every Saturday morning for the previous 6 years. Steven was, at the same time, considering a job change that would allow him to do what he loves best: delight customers AND spend more time with his family. Now, like regulars are prone to do, Steven’s father-in-law started kibitzing with Michael. He said to him, “You look tired.” But what Michael heard was, “Are you ready to retire?” Michael responded immediately: “Why? Do you know somebody who wants to own a deli?” It was beshert (destiny) and the rest, as they say, is history.
Michael’s Deli in Brookline has been serving up the finest New York style deli, including our world-famous award-winning melt-in-your mouth Corned Beef Sandwich, for over 40 years. Our meats are “imported” from the Bronx and are cooked on site daily. Our delicious knishes, soups, kasha and kugels are homemade from treasured family recipes using the freshest ingredients. Our quality is unwavering; our taste is out of this world! Michael’s Deli has been featured in the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, The Improper Bostonian, Eater Boston, Phantom Gourmet and on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. Our “Best of” awards are too numerous to list, but include Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston” Numerous “Readers’ Choice” awards and a Trip Advisor Award of Excellence. Michael’s Deli owner, Steven Peljovich, is known around town for his commitment to excellent food, amazing “mi casa es su casa” customer service and a dedication to community and charity involvement with partners like the American Cancer Society, Shawn Thornton Foundation, Greg Hill Foundation and Martin Richard Foundation. Steven hopes you’ll stop by soon, grab a sandwich and a knish, and say ‘hello’.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The foodservice industry is a tough one on personal life more than anything else. It is a job like no other in terms of the demands that it puts on an individual. Thankfully, my family has not only been supportive but have been active participants in the growth of the deli. Working for big companies also proved difficult in that as a business operator, any and all decisions had to be run up a chain of command. That is a very tough ay to run a business. I am happy to say that I only need to have conversations with myself when I want to make a decision.
Please tell us about Michael’s Deli.
In 1977 Michael Sobelman had the brilliant idea to open Michael’s Deli in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Michael had one goal in mind: to make the freshest, most delicious traditional deli sandwiches just the way you like them. His success was immediate. People flocked to taste his outstanding homemade corned beef, pastrami, roast beef, brisket and salads. In 2002, Michael brought his award-winning deli to Harvard Street in Brookline.
We are best known for the quality of our food – we cook nearly everything in house with traditional deli and my own family recipes. We serve up to 9 different variety of knishes and are always looking to stay true to deli roots and push the envelope with some recipes.
As a small business, we also try to be a strong contributor to the community and charities – we have and continue to partner with local, national and global charities on a regular basis – my folks taught me “you get what you give”
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t have changed anything – -every misstep has brought me to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Address: 256 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446
- Website: www.michaelsdelibrookline.com
- Phone: 617-738-3354
- Email: steven@michaelsdelibrookline.com
- Instagram: michaelsdeli
- Facebook: Michaels Deli
- Twitter: Michaels_Deli
Image Credit:
Steven Peljovich
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