Business Q&A: DeBono’s Delicatessen

The DeBono family of Rockville Centre has passed their love of fine food down from generation to generation. For more than 50 years, the DeBono’s have shared their passion with many loyal customers in their North Village Avenue deli. Here, we speak with owner Anne DeBono about the fresh meats, pastas and vegetables that keep her customers coming back.

What has made RVC an ideal home for DeBono’s over the years?

DeBono’s opened in 1953 and it has been family owned and operated ever since. I married into it. My husband and I have both been active members of the community for over 30 years. We were both born and raised here and my husband is in the fire department. We have watched the families of our regular customers grow from their christenings to their bridal showers.

What sets DeBono’s apart from other delis?

We make our own fresh sausage and mozzarella right here in the deli. We also do off-premises catering that ranges from sandwich buffets to barbeques for hundreds of people. My goal is to have our catering customers become retail customers and our retail customers become catering customers.

Tell us about some of your specialties.

Our most popular item is the eggplant rollatini. Customers also love the unique sauces that my husband created, such as the roasted orange pepper sauce. Our lunch menu changes every day. We have different hot specials every day of the week.

Do you offer any deals for your regular customers?

We brew Green Mountain Coffee and we have a coffee club where you can buy six cups and then get your next cup free. We also run a breakfast special every morning where customers can get two eggs on a roll plus a cup of coffee for only $2.50.  

What do you hope customers get out of their DeBono’s experience?

We provide our customers with tremendous service. Since we’re family-owned, a DeBono touches every piece of food that goes out the door. It’s our good food and our good service that keep people coming back.