DELI NEWS
Tips & Tidbits for Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers’ Customers
Volume 9, Issue 1
SPRING 2001
Ruminations
and
Ronifications
BY RONNIE DRAGOON
Here is a letter excerpt I recently
wrote to the editor of “Milestones” in
Newsday.
We met recently at the Dr. Martin
Luther King luncheon celebration as
well as at the breakfast meeting with
the Publisher of Newsday, Raymond
Jansen. Both at the meeting and the
celebration, I related how my wife and
I met. I had placed a classified
advertisement in Newsday for wait staff.
My future wife, Cindy, was one of the
job applicants.
Eight months
later we were
married. Having
very little disposable income and
with our first
wedding anniversary approaching,
I decided to call Newsday with this
human-interest story. Newsday, upon
hearing the story, decided to connect
me with the classified advertising
department. Soon after, a Newsday
photographer appeared in my
struggling restaurant in Baldwin to
take a picture of my wife and me. If
memory serves me, a full-page
advertisement for Newsday Classified
appeared with the headline, “I found
my job (and my husband) through
Newsday Classified.”
continued on page 4
He Really, Truly
Had A Ball!!!
AN UNSOLICITED LETTER FROM BEN’S 2000 CHARITY MATZO BALL
EATING CONTEST WINNER – A CHAMPION IN MANY WAYS
To All At Ben’s,
It has been a pleasure, a privilege and a high honor to
have been the Ben’s Matzo Ball Champ this past year. My
back is still “black and blue” from people patting me in
“I shall return,” promises last
the back all year (and I loved every minute of it).
year’s champ Donald Lerman.
When I went to all of the qualifying events, you
introduced me to the crowd as if I was a “Joe DiMaggio.” It was great!
Everybody at Ben’s treated me great, and I want to thank everybody. And special
thanks for introducing me at the finals this year to the music of “Ben Hur’s, Parade of
the Charioteers.” Charlton Heston couldn’t have asked for a better introduction!
I’ll be back next year to regain my title. In the meantime, I’d also like to wish
Charles Hardy great happiness in the coming year. He earned it! We know each other
from the Hot Dog contest. He’s a great guy, big eater, and he’ll be a great champion
this coming year.
I know I’m not the “champ” anymore, but if you need anything, do not hesitate to
call. All you have to do is ask!
I’m on my way to have lunch with Al Gore to discuss our options. Al Gore had
continued on page 4
Matzo Ball Contest Generates
Record $10,000 Contribution
to the Interfaith Nutrition
Network
Margo’s
Communications
NEW IN 2001 – Ben’s Catered Temple
Dinner Seders from $19.95 per person. Bring
together your congregation for a wonderful time.
We’ll deliver a superb family-style meal to your
temple. Please note: Ben’s kosher foods are NOT
prepared in a Passover kitchen. As always Ben’s
will close for the Passover holiday.
Look for Ben’s spring catering flyer
highlighting our most popular packages available
for graduation parties, showers, rehearsal dinners
or your special spring time occasion.
Reservations now being taken for our
private and semi-private rooms in
Manhattan, Bayside, Greenvale and Woodbury for
your April, May or June party, meeting or
seminar.
Book your company picnic or BBQ now
for best date availability. Visit Ben’s BBQ Bar
Mitzvah on Thursday, June 21st for a preview of
our capabilities and learn about our newest
package – The Ultimate BBQ!
For Info Call 1-800-344- BENS
Brisket Prices Sky High –
Passover Package Affected
– Corned Beef
Celebration
Postponed. The
fire that
destroyed the
largest
Kosher cattle
processing
facility in the United States could not
have come at a worse time for Ben’s
customers. Springtime, with the St.
Patrick’s Day celebration and the
Passover holidays so close together, is a
season of very strong demand for
briskets. Limited supply and burgeoning
demand have sent kosher brisket prices
rocketing. You may have already noticed
a sharp increase in brisket prices at the
kosher butcher shop or supermarket.
Non-kosher prices have not been
dramatically affected.
Traditionally, Ben’s buys hundreds of
extra briskets in February to prepare for
the annual March Corned Beef event.
Because “we cure our own corned beef,”
each store starts pickling fresh, kosher
briskets weeks in advance. This year,
Ben’s and Hebrew National jointly
What’s Cooking
at Ben’s
planned an exciting month-long Corned
Beef extravaganza. The posters, flyers,
ads and menus had all been produced,
but as of press time, there was not
enough brisket available to support the
promotion. If the celebration cannot
take place in March, look for it as soon
as supplies are adequate.
At Passover time, roast brisket is a
popular choice on Ben’s Catered Holiday
Dinner Package for 10. But this year, as
of this writing, Ben’s will be forced to add
a $15 surcharge to the normal package
price for customers who select this
option. Customers selecting the roast
turkey or chicken options will not be
affected. Ronnie has committed to
reduce the surcharge should the kosher
brisket supply situation change and
prices drop as the holidays approach.
Details will be available
www.
online at Ben’s website;
bensdeli.
www.bensdeli.net. Click
net
on “Brisket Update.”
Who would have
thought?
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
You can still secure your Ben’s $100
Buy-One-Get-One Gift Booklet by
ordering Ben’s Complete Catered
Holiday Dinner for 10 for $199.95 on or
before Tuesday, April 3, 2001. Loyal
Ben’s customers know
that this gift
booklet with
offers to use
throughout
spring and into
summer is a
terrific value.
And the catered dinner is always a hit
with family and friends! Order early,
especially if you want home delivery.
For pick-ups and last minute counter
items, please note: Ben’s new pick-up
reservation system will get you in and
out with your food quickly and easily.
Just arrive at your chosen time! As a
reminder, Ben’s holiday catering is NOT
prepared in a Passover kitchen. As always,
Ben’s will be closed for Passover. (Few
customers want their pastrami on
matzo!)
PASSOVER SCHEDULE
Closing 4PM Saturday April 7th
Reopen Monday April 16th
Celebrate Freedom…Then and Now!
Congratulations to Julie P. of Jericho,
winner of $100 in Ben’s Gift Certificates for
the following:
My mother, Bernice, the “corset woman,” has been a devoted customer of Ben’s
since its humble beginnings in Baldwin. We frequented that store when we lived in
Oceanside. We enjoyed so many “good times” meals at Ben’s with our family and
friends in the 1970s and 1980s. What fond memories we all have! Over the years,
my mother catered family affairs for various events: anniversaries, birthdays,
graduations, holidays, etc. Well, now she is retired, a Floridian, widowed and
remarried. Several years ago she won a battle with cancer after very extensive
surgery. She is hospitalized once again. On Wednesday, January 10, 2001, up from
Florida, from her North Shore Hospital bed, on the eve of her scheduled surgery,
she telephoned me. And what did she ask for as her last supper before surgery?
Ben’s Matzo Ball Soup, of course!
The doctors will cure my mom. Ben’s chicken soup cures everything else! Thanks
for the memories!
Be the next $100 recipient! Send your story, comment, or poem to
Customers’ Corner, c/o Ben’s Deli, 47 West Nicholai St., Hicksville, NY 11801.
BUS TRIP!!!
Sunday, May 6th
is the date, The
American Museum
of Natural History
and Hayden
Planetarium are
the destinations for Ben’s next bus trip.
Following the Museum visit there will be
a sumptuous dinner at Ben’s in Manhattan, 209 West 38th Street off 7th Avenue.
Deadline for reservations is April 23rd.
Please call Billie Hyman at (516) 4893379.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Week-Long Celebrations Planned For
Both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day at
Ben’s. Mother’s Day is just the beginning!
Sure, we’ll treat Mom and the entire
family to a delicious meal served at our
place or catered at your place on Sunday.
But then, Mom can continue her celebration for an entire week, taking advantage
of special offers every day; offers
designed to make meal times
easy and delicious! Watch
for our
Mother’s
Day flyer
due out
in late
April.
○ ○ ○
Giving Something Back
Each spring Ben’s donates money to purchase hundreds of
daffodils to display at our restaurants in support of the
American Cancer Society, a trusted source of hope and support for people
struggling with cancer. Daffoldil Days, this year from March 26th-30th, help to
increase awareness about cancer and raise money for research, education and
patient services. YOU CAN HELP! Donate $15 and receive 10 gorgeous daffodils
in an imprinted acrylic vase. Call Susan Sariego at (516) 229-4100.
During the week after
Father’s Day, Dad and the
family can join Ben’s at
Shea Stadium to see the
Mets take on the Expos.
On Tuesday, June 19th,
we’ll meet in the
parking lot, pick up a
Ben’s Meal Box and
head in to the 7:10pm
game. The price per
person, including
meal and a grandstand reserved seat is just $20.00. Visit
www.bensdeli.net for details. For
reservations with a credit card, call Jean
at 516-933-9200 ext. 10.
rock to the music of 1988 and enjoy a
Ben’s Catered BBQ featuring Roumanian
Tenderloin Steak, marinated chicken,
grilled chicken breasts, burgers, franks
and more all served up at 1988 prices!!!
Dine and dance the hora with Dad as we
end our Father’s Week celebration with a
bash under a huge tent next to the Carle
Place store.
IF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
YOUR COMPANY’S SUMMER PICNIC
OR BBQ, COME
PREVIEW WHAT
BEN’S CAN OFFER
YOU!!!
Then, on Thursday, June 21st, from 69 PM, join us as we celebrate the 13th
birthday of Ben’s in Carle Place at Ben’s
BBQ Bar Mitzvah. Plans are underway to
SNIPPETS AND CLIP-ITS
DINE-IN
Delicatessen Delight
for 2 ... $25.00
A special dinner
including: 2 soups, an
assorted cold cut platter,
fresh-cut French fries, 2
coffee or tea and an
order of rugalach with
this coupon. Ask your
server for Deli Delight!
Order with coupon, then present to cashier. Valid in dining room
only, not for takeout. Extra charge for tongue or extra lean meats.
May not be combined with any other Ben’s coupon,
4607
discount or offer. OFFER EXPIRES 4/30/01.
TAKEOUT ROAST TURKEY
My Hero....$29.95
Deli Takeout Dinner for 3
Includes 1 qt. of
homemade chicken
noodle soup with 3
matzo balls, a foot
long Israeli hero,
fresh-cut French fries
and 1 lb. of Israeli Salad
or Ben’s own cole slaw and 6 pickles.
Present coupon at counter. Valid for takeout only. Extra charge
for tongue or extra lean meats. May not be combined with any
other Ben’s coupon, discount or offer.
4608
OFFER EXPIRES 4/30/01.
LUNCHEON
for 10-12 (FREE OFFICE DELIVERY*)..$149.00
Includes a warm 15 lb. carved turkey with
gravy and cranberry-pineapple compote.
choice of 2 warm side dishes, Israeli salad or
cole slaw, bread, CALL 1-800-344-BENS TO ORDER
relish tray, dessert,
coffee plus all
paper goods and
24 Hour
utensils.
Notice, Please!!!
* Free delivery in local store vicinity only; delivery charge may
apply to other areas. Home “office” orders welcomed (whether
working or not!). Present coupon with payment. This offer may
not be combined with any other Ben’s coupon,
4609
discount or offer. OFFER EXPIRES 6/30/01.
We’re Proud of
Our People
MARY TORO
IT P AYS T O KNOW
MARY T ORO
You will not see Mary Toro in the stores, but the results
of her conscientious labors keep the Ben’s staff smiling.
Mary is Payroll and Benefits Administrator, performing
daunting tasks with diligence, accuracy, and cheerfulness.
Doing a job where there is great potential for conflict,
Mary’s accessibility and forthrightness have earned her
trust and respect company wide.
Mary has been with Ben’s for five years and worked in a
similar capacity before that. Her experience and bilingual
capabilities make her an incredible asset. Besides bringing
her formidable skills to Ben’s, Mary has also brought her
children, Adam and Amanda, to work for Ben’s when
they’re not away at school. Outside the corporate office,
Mary enjoys bike riding and spending time with her
husband, Eddie.
HE REALLY, TRULY HAD A BALL, from page 1
suggested had I been in a tie, I should have insisted on a hand
count of every piece of matzoh ball debris in the bowl.
Just remember, Max Schmelling beat Joe Louis, but Joe Louis
returned the following year to give Max Schmelling the beating
of his life.
To quote general McArthur, “I shall return!”
Donald “Moses” Lerman
January 31, 2001
RONIFICATIONS, from page 1
Well, it is now almost twenty-five years later, and Cindy and I
will be celebrating our silver anniversary on April 4th of this
year. Our children, Josh and Jaime are 21 and 20 years old
respectively; Josh is graduating from college in May, 2001 and
Jaime will be graduating next year. Our restaurants have grown
also, from the lone deli-restaurant in Baldwin to nine units (with
the help of Newsday, of course).
That’s quite an impact from one tiny classified ad. Imagine the
pssibilities with the internet! See you at the deli…
Simply,
... plus special offers and more!
•
•
•
•
•
June 21st Ben’s BBQ Bar Mitzvah – All Invited!
May 6th Bus Trip
May 13th Mother’s Week Begins
June 17th Father’s Week Begins
June 19th See the Mets with Ben’s
IN THIS ISSUE…
ON THE WEB: www.bensdeli.net
Garden City Roosevelt Field Mall (516) 294-3354
Huntington Walt Whitman Mall (631) 424-3569
EXPRESS DELI
Greenvale (516) 621-3340 • Carle Place (516) 742-3354
Jericho (516) 939-2367 • Baldwin (516) 868-2072
Bayside (718) 229-2367 • Manhattan (212) 398-2367
Woodbury (516) 496-4236
RESTAURANTS
Tel: 516-933-9200 • Fax: 516-933-9221
Consultant: Scott Singer
Coordinator: Susan Starkie
Editor: Billie Hyman
Layout: Debi Bullock
47 West Nicholai Street • Hicksville, NY 11801-3805
Spring 2001 • Volume 9, Issue 1
A publication of Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen & Restaurants Inc.
DELI NEWS
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