Bens Best Kosher Delicatessen

Ben Parker in front of Now Then Deli in the Bronx, before he relocated to Rego Park.

Bens Best delicatessen is an outstanding restaurant and catering business in Rego Park, New York. Benjamin Parker started this very successful endeavor in 1945. He learned the business from his father who was also in the deli business. Benjamin’s first deli was located at 163rd Street and Southern Boulevard in the Bronx and subsequently moved to Rego Park.

In 1984 Benjamin passed away and his son, Jay Parker, who at the time was 33 years old took over the deli and became a third generation deli owner. Jay holds a bachelors degree in philosophy from Harpur College in Binghamton NY, and a masters in finance from the University of Massachusetts. He became a successful municipal bond trader on Wall Street and changed careers when his company was sold in the late 1970s. Jay worked intermittently for his father while trying to find work in the financial arena. Luckily, Jay, who likes people and cares about doing the right thing, enjoyed being the best he could at the deli. He could buy the best merchandise, hire the best staff and treat his customers with kindness, caring and respect.

Throughout the years, Jays Bens Best Deli has continued to flourish and has reaped endorsements from many high profile personalities within New York state, as well as from many areas from within the United States. Why? Because New York is the pastrami capital of the world and Bens Best deli offers delicious, old fashioned, dark and spicy pastrami that is still cured by hand and in barrels. Bens Best fresh rye bread is custom baked daily. And if thats not enough, Bens Best matzo ball chicken soup is superb. In 1986 Bens Best survey 110 grandmothers and found 104 stand behind chicken soup as opposed to over-the-counter remedies. Jays attention to matters such as this, ensures the continued success of his restaurant. Parker says, “We’ve been dealing with the same vendors almost since the place opened. Ask me what I paid for corned beef yesterday, I won’t know. The price isn’t important, it’s the quality.”