MEQUON – The Deli on Crown hired a chef’s assistant in recent months, after their culinary staff expressed concerns about keeping up with the pace of orders. The move has allowed for continuing growth, according to founders and managers Rabbi Mencachem and Hudi Rapoport.
The Rapoports weren’t initially sure if their small food business, which started four years ago as a pandemic era grab-and-go service, would succeed. Now, the couple says The Deli on Crown is a successful restaurant, with a catering business.
For six years, Menachem and Hudi Rapoport, of the Peltz Center for Jewish Life, have shared their creations at the Jewish Food Festival in Mequon. This past summer, the festival attracted around 7,400 people in two days.
Through this festival, they said they found that both Jews and non-Jews alike share love for their food. When they opened The Deli on Crown, their goal was not only to serve kosher food for Jewish audiences, but to make kosher cuisine more exciting and delicious for everyone.
“We’re not necessarily only kosher for people who keep kosher. We just happen to be kosher, and are providing a service to the whole community,” Hudi said.
The culinary staff are constantly surprising Menachem and Hudi with new creations that become monthly specials in the restaurant. Carlos Escorcia, one of the chefs at Deli on Crown, added the brisket sandwich to their menu, which is now one of their most popular dishes. Many of these specials are born out of catering for gatherings like work lunches or shivas.
“If you keep kosher and you’re having an event, you shouldn’t have to struggle to find something that is available, that is convenient and that is delicious,” Menachem said.
Around 40 percent of the deli’s business comes from people who don’t keep kosher, and Menachem said that the repeat business is “fantastic.” According to him, some of their customers found the establishment while simply searching online for a healthy, fresh food option in the area.
The Rapoports said they’ve also had positive feedback from those who are kosher-observant. Hudi said, “A lot of people say things like, thank you for being here, because it’s the first time I get to go eat out with my grandchildren.”
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The Deli on Crown
2233 W. Mequon Road, Mequon
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11a.m.-4p.m.; Friday: 11a.m.-2p.m.
262-336-3695
TheDeliOnCrown.com
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