WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 21
CITY LIVING TABLE HOPPIN’
Dropping in on Tom’s International Deli Barbara M. Houle Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
A recent visit to Tom’s Inter national Deli on Millbury Street in Worcester reminded us of the feeling you get when you go into places that evoke nostalgia diffi cult to forget. The tastes and smells of childhood often are the most powerful of mem ories. For some of Tom’s Deli cus tomers, it’s the musky smell of beef, homemade Polish spe cialties or spices that capture a nostalgic feeling. “People tell me that the minute they walk into the store it’s a deli smell they remember even when they wore masks during the pan demic,” said Dariusz (Darek) Gago who with his wife, Iwona, own and operate the business. “I’m here six days a week, so I guess I’m immune to it,” said Gago. Customers love the deli’s half sour pickles, too. No ordi nary pickles, but Regal Crown Pickles that originated in Worcester and today produced in Wayne, N.J. under Regal Crown Foods, a subsidiary of Patriot Pickle. The Worcester pickle factory building had been located on Mason Street. Some folks may remember going to the factory building with little pails or buckets to buy the pickles, said Gago. “Sometimes a customer will come into the deli with one of the little pails and ask if we want it. We sell the pickles and pickled vegetables, but we don’t use the pails. “Honestly, people in the city are crazy for those pickles.” When Tom’s Deli was on Water Street pickles and pick
Tom’s International Deli owners Darek and Iwona Gago at the 52 Millbury St. location on Friday, June 18. ASHLEY GREEN/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
led vegetables were sold from barrels displayed in a front window. Customers at the Mill bury Street deli will fi nd them in a selfserve area near the back of the store that also fea tures an olive bar. The business keeps to strict food codes, said Gago. Tom’s International Deli has history in the city dating back to 1969 when Thomas Haddad founded and established it on Water Street. Gago and his wife bought the deli in 2008 and re located it to 52 Millbury St. in 2010. He was employed at Commerce Insurance in Web ster and his wife had worked at Tom’s Deli for about a year un der former owners. “I had busi ness experience and my wife knew about the food,” said Ga go. “When the couple who
owned the deli wanted to sell, I told my wife, ‘Let’s give it a whirl.’” Gago grew up in Dudley, where he and his wife and their two children reside. The hus band and wife team work in the business, sometimes with one other employee. The deli origi nally was opened seven days a week, but Gago has scaled back to six. “We needed more family time,” said Gago about the change. “You learn as you go along. We even take vacation time now,” he said. Tom’s Deli is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Satur day. Closed Sunday. Telephone: (508) 7557295; Visit www.tomsdelisubs.com or connect at Facebook.com/ tomsdeliworcester; @tomsde
liworcester. FYI: Customer parking is in a lot across the street from the business, or on street, front and back. Gago said the centerpiece of the “Polish market” are sand wiches and homemade special ties ranging from pierogi and stuff ed cabbage (golabki) to chicken cutlet. The deli boasts a long list of sandwiches, com bos, hot sandwiches, deli sal ads, specialty sandwiches and “authentic Italian sandwiches,” in addition to fresh kielbasa (fi ve kinds), meats, cheeses, smoked fi sh and lox. Sandwich platters and 6 foot subs are a hit with the togo party crowd. European chocolates, snacks and specialty ethnic food groceries also are featured at Tom’s Deli. A good variety of products to slip into the sum
mer picnic basket or gift box. Gago continues catering the “Corporate Lunch,” but he has cut back on large catering jobs such as weddings. His last out oftown wedding was last weekend when he brought Pol ish food to a late night recep tion. Guests requested the food to be served hours after the fi rst wedding reception, he said. The owner previously had done breakfast, lunch and dinner ca tering and recommends calling for updated information. Regulars to Tom’s Deli often share family stories with Gago, sometimes in Polish. Older family members now bring in their children and grandchil dren, he said. City neighbor hoods change and with it comes a new generation and new ideas,” said Gago, who has no plans to change his menu. For some customers, the food is a reminder of their family his tory, especially around the busy holiday season, he said. These days, word of mouth and social media also play an im portant role in the success of this business. From time to time, the Table Hoppin column will reintro duce readers to neighborhood businesses, such as Tom’s In ternational Deli. For some of you it may be the fi rst time to learn about a place and for oth ers the story may bring back vivid memories. Some of the best conversations start over food. Note: Tom’s International Deli will close for vacation on June 25, reopening July 5. If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.
