Country Plaza Delicatessen opened in Locust Valley in 1973, created by Arthur Stein Jr. More than fifty years later, it’s still on Forest Ave, still making breakfast from 5:30 in the morning, and still known to most of the neighborhood as the Million Dollar Deli. The name isn’t about money. It’s about how we treat you.
Where does the “Million Dollar Deli” name come from?
Over the years there have been plenty of guesses, from Nelson DeMille’s “The Gold Coast” to Locust Valley itself, but the real story is a better one. As Artie Stein Jr. would often recall, a long-time customer ordered a sandwich, and when it was handed over, he took one look at the size of it and exclaimed, “What is it!? A million dollars for a sandwich?!” Artie played along, the quip spread through Locust Valley, and the nickname stuck.
Over time the name grew into something bigger. From the happy, helpful clerks behind the counter to the exceptional quality of true NY-style deli delicacies, we treat every customer like a Million Bucks. And the sandwiches are worth a million bucks too, at a price that matches the quality. It’s on our logo, our Instagram handle and our merch.
What makes the sandwiches a million bucks?
Nobody wants a crappy sandwich. So we make an incredible one. The whole chicken breast is pounded down and breaded in-house every day. The Godfather is stacked the way it has been since day one. We use quality ingredients and we don’t cut corners. The price matches the quality: a big, honest sandwich, often enough for two meals, at a fair price. That’s a sandwich worth a million bucks.
How long has Country Plaza Deli been open?
Since 1973. In 2023 we celebrated our 50th anniversary with a party for the community — you can still see the post here.
What has stayed the same since 1973?
Three things. The Godfather, our Italian hero: cappy ham, pepperoni, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, red wine vinegar and olive oil. The Mama Stanco, named after a family member. And the chicken cutlet recipe itself — the whole breast pounded down, breaded in-house daily, same as day one.
Why do the sandwiches have local names?
Many of our heroes are named for the places around us: the Locust Valley, Piping Rock, Mill Neck Club, Friends Academy, Portledge and The North Shore. The Chez Arthur — breaded eggplant, fresh mozzarella, basil, roasted peppers, herb mayo and balsamic — is named for founder Arthur Stein, who created Country Plaza in 1973. Read more about them in our post on the North Shore menu.
Where is Country Plaza Deli?
105 Forest Ave, Locust Valley, NY. Find answers to our most-asked questions on the From the Deli page.
