You won’t find a hot buffet case at the new Hero Joint in Patchogue. There’s no chicken marsala. Or stuffed shells. No bagels to buy.
All you’ll find are fully loaded sandwiches made in a hurry, right off Main Street.
“Strictly sandwiches and side salads, maybe some soups, but the menu will be kept tight,” said owner John Murray, when asked to differentiate The Hero Joint from a typical L.I. delicatessen. “You’re not buying a Newsday and a pack of gum here.”
“I’ve been studying delis for the last year,” Murray continued, “and I think delis try to do too many things and they spread themselves thin and can’t pull everything off the way they like. We’re going to do very limited things, and do them well.”
The Hero Joint was built-out this summer in space behind Kilwins chocolates, a franchise operation that Murray also owns. Kilwins fronts East Main Street. The Hero Joint, which is accessible through Kilwins, faces the back parking lot by the library.
The shop, located at 74B East Main Street, opens to the public Monday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. It will be open from 10-8 p.m. seven days.
This summer, the space was gutted and outfitted with new walls, glass, brick facade and other finish throughout for an industrial yet modern vibe punctuated by Edison light fixtures, wood benches and a corner that displays historic Patchogue photos.
But the real star will be the quality meats and cheeses, Murray told GreaterPatchogue as he took us through his walk-in refrigerator.
“Look at this ham,” he said, displaying a huge, flat hunk of the sweet meat. “This is ham that you would get at a carving station at a wedding. Most coldcuts are loaded with extra water; they’re inflated. This is just applewood-smoked deliciousness.”
Then he pulled out the pastrami.
“This is award winning and all natural, the best New York City has to offer,” he said. “The prosciutto (reading from the wrap), aged 400 days, all natural, no added, artificial ingredients.”
“I want people to feel like they’re getting severe value out of here,” he added. “Loaded sandwiches, quality ingredients at a very fair price.”
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Photos: We caught up with John Murray on Thursday as he was preparing a few test runs of The Hero Joint’s seasonal, Thanksgiving-themed sandwich called The Bird. The sandwich contains house-roasted turkey and house-made cornbread stuffing with house-made cranberry sauce on marble sourdough bread. (Michael White photos)
