BY GINNY PRIVITAR
HEWITT — Susan and Dave Carozza are back in the deli business, at their former location, but with a new name and new clientele at the Patriots Deli.
The couple actually bought the deli 10 years ago, in 2006. It was called the Mountain Milk Jug, but referred to as the Mountain Jug, then the Carozzas called it the Lakeview Mountain Jug.
At the time, Sue Carozza said, "I knew nothing about delis, but I knew what I liked to eat." The couple ran it successfully and sold the business in 2008. It changed hands several times.
Now the Carozzas are operating it again, since Oct. 1, 2016, as The Patriots Deli, and the clientele is family-friendly.
"Now we have not one unsavory character," Carozza said. "Now we see mothers and children, and kids after school getting hot chocolate and chicken tenders. Our store is a safe spot between school and when parents are coming home…lots of kids come in get a sandwich and hot cocoa."
"Dave and I are Christians and we don't put up with any negative behavior from employees; no gossip, and (no) bickering," Carozza said. The couple have rules of behavior they expect employees to follow. "Our goal is to have wholesome customers and wholesome conversation," Carozza said.
The deli is a place where you can meet your neighbor, shoot the breeze and go on to your day with a smile on your face.
"Our motto has life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and equality and that's why we named it the Patriots Deli," Carozza said. "My husband and I don't like to see people treated as less than equal. All people are equal. Everyone gets the same smile and the same good service."
Homemade is keyThe food is homemade. Sue Carozza said they have a "meal deal" for anyone who doesn't have a lot of money. For $2, $3 or $4 they can get a sandwich or soup. Kids can get sandwiches or chicken fingers for under $5. Every day the menu varies, but the Carozzas want to make sure everyone can buy something. They also make sure their milk is priced reasonably.
They have rotating hot specials for $7.95 each: roast chicken, chicken Parmesan, meatloaf, potatoes and vegetables, baked ziti, manicotti, pierogies and kielbasa. They have added some South American specials and you can get German potato salad. They have an eclectic mix of dishes.
They just hired a new chef and now offer quiche, chicken heroes, homemade meatballs, and sausage and white gravy over biscuits. Carozza loves the latter.
"I taste it and I feel like I'm back in Point Pleasant, where I had the best sausage and white gravy with biscuits, and I so wanted to replicate it," she said.
They sometimes have pulled pork — "I make the best," Carozza said. She is also an organic gardener and grows many of her own vegetables and spices.
In the summer, they'll have ice and bait for fishing and hope to do some barbeque. They have three tables inside and use exterior picnic tables in warm weather.
Carozza said her husband does short order cooking and has the perfect temperament for the busy, hectic mornings. She is more reserved and says she does cooking behind the scenes: soups and stews and baking gourmet cookies.
Customers first The deli stocks items from other stores that customers crave. They have boxes of donuts from BJ's Warehouse. "One or two people will say, 'Oh you have that!' and they buy us out," Carozza said.
How did she learn to cook? "I listened to my mother, grandmother and in-laws and watched cooking shows," Carozza said.
The best part about owning a deli, Carozza said, "Is being able to talk to people."
The deli's theme is red, white and blue, with lots of American flags, and information about patriots and West Milford decorating the deli.
They appreciate their customers and show it. On her birthday, Carozza made a monstrously large cake and gave it away - the cake was gone in a day.
"Now we have a 'name the fish contest.' We'll pick one entry for the name and the winner will get a complimentary lunch," she said.
Giving backThe couple collects money for Ugandan orphans and supports the West Milford Fencing Club and the Highlander Band. They also sell scarfs, hats, gloves, afgans, etc.; some of the proceeds go to support those causes.
They try to live by their belief: “What you give comes back to you.”
Editor's Note: The Ugandan orphanage which the Carozzas support, known as Victorious Children's Home, is a refuge for children orphaned by disease or conflict. Their website is victoriouschildrensministry@gmail.com.