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Benjies Restaurant Blog

September 3, 2010

It’s Labor Day Weekend!

Labor Day is upon us, and you know what that means: the official start of the football season is right around the corner. That’s right–they’ve been teasing us with pre-season games all month, but now it’s almost time for the real thing. And if you’re a transplant from another state and can’t always catch the big games for your teams, you’re in luck! Benjies Deli has the NFL Sunday Ticket Sports Package! Yes, we’ll have every game, especially the ones that aren’t on terrestrial television. So if you’re a Cheesehead or a Bears, Dolphins or Steelers fan, get over to Benjies and you’ll get to see your team play.

But, we get ahead of ourselves. This weekend is one of the best of the year: picnics, barbeques, pool parties and delicious, hearty, all-American food. But what if slaving over a hot barbeque all weekend doesn’t float your boat? What if you’d rather be resting on a raft in the pool? Don’t worry—call up Benjies Deli the day before to order up a few of their delicious platters. That way you won’t miss any of the sports action that is on the television all weekend. Get Hot Wings or Barbeque Meatballs by the dozen, or choose from one of our many sandwich trays. Want the sandwiches ready to eat? Try the Sandwich Platter or the 16″ Ring Sandwich. Want to give your guests the option of making their own? No problem: order the Cold Cut Buffet, the Brown Bag Buffet, the Smoked Fish Platter or the Lox Platter. (more…)

August 27, 2010

Back to School Discount at Benjies New York Deli!

Studying sucks. Benjies' Reuben does not.

Calling all students in the Orange County area! It’s back to school time, and there’s a good reason to be excited about heading back to school—Benjies New York Deli and their huge, seven-page menu full of delicious food and low prices.

From now to the end of September, Benjies Deli is offering a 10% discount to all students from any college or university in Orange County, including Chapman University, Santa Ana College, CSU Fullerton, UC Irvine, Orange Coast College, Fullerton College, Irvine Valley College, SOCA University, Golden West College, Concordia University, Laguna College of Art & Design, Vanguard University or Santiago Canyon College. (more…)

August 1, 2010

Traditional Jewish Food in Orange County

Rosh Hashanah is only a month away, and if you’re looking for a place to celebrate this holiday, don’t forget that Benjies Deli has been serving traditional Jewish food in Santa Ana every day since we opened in 1967. We also cater traditional foods, too, and even prepare Seder plates in the spring, so if you’re having a celebration for a Jewish holiday, let Benjies Deli do all the cooking while you take the credit!

We have a huge list of traditional favorites on the Benjies menu, but we’ve listed a few of them here to tempt your tastebuds. We have four soups alone to choose from: our famous matzo ball; chicken soup with noodles, rice or kasha varnishkas; sweet and sour cabbage soup with chunks of beef; and finally our special “Mish Mosh, It’s a Meal!” soup, a bowl full of a matzoh ball, kreplach, rice, noodles, chicken and carrots all snug in our freshly made chicken stock. (more…)

July 23, 2010

Angels Baseball, Pastrami Sandwiches and the NFL at Benjies Deli

Angels Baseball at Benjies Deli!

As the Angels continue their fairly unimpressive 2010 season, we can start to look forward to the upcoming football season. Preseason NFL starts August 8th so make Benjies Bamboo Lounge the spot to watch the game. You don’t have to get in a argument with your wife about buying the NFL Sunday Ticket channel, Benjies already has it. With six big screen TVs in the Bamboo Lounge come watch your favorite team play with your friends.

Also we can’t give up on the Angels’ season just yet. They still have a few more months to redeem themselves as they have in past seasons. This Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday come down to the Bamboo Lounge and watch the Angels play the struggling Boston Red Sox. Baseball fans love their hot dogs, and Benjies Deli has delicious Coney Island hot dogs, Coney Island chili dogs and the Francheesy, the most deluxe dog ever.

Or just order a few of our deli platters, like the cold cut buffet or the 16″ ring sandwich tray. With our deli platters, no one has to worry about ordering, they can just grab a sandwich while they watch their favorite team. Then again, you can always just have Benjies cater and have some people over at your house for the game. That way you can take credit for some incredible food, having not lifted a finger. It’s all about the game!!

Make sure to follow Benjies on Twitter to keep track of the weekly specials and promotions.

To experience a true, New York-style deli right here in Orange County, drive or walk directly to 1828 N. Tustin Avenue in Santa Ana.  The restaurant is open 7 days a week 7 AM – 9PM, and Karaoke is 9PM- midnight on Friday nights.

If you want to hold a private party for an event, contact Benjies Deli to reserve the Bamboo Lounge and discuss ordering food for the event. Call (714) 541-6263 and ask for Lloyd Weinstein, whether you want to book a private party or have your home event catered.

July 16, 2010

Summer’s Here! And Benjies Deli Caters For It!

Finally the summer weather has hit Southern California. This probably means that you’ll be making some beach trips, hosting pool parties, or going on picnics. These are all great opportunities to go to Benjies Deli and experience the food that made them so popular with Orange County’s public. Stop by on your way to the beach and get all the ingredients for a great beach picnic from our incredible deli counter. You’ll be the most popular one on the beach when you unwrap one of Benjies’ famous pastrami sandwiches! (That is, if you can wait til you get to the beach to eat it…!)

Having the party at your house? Call up Benjies Deli the day before to order up a few of their delicious platters. That way you won’t get stuck in the kitchen while your friends are out enjoying the great weather. Get Hot Wings or Barbeque Meatballs by the dozen—great for snacking—or choose from one of our many sandwich trays. If you’d like to have the sandwiches pre-made, try the Sandwich Platter or the 16″ Ring Sandwich. If you feel that your guests are capable of, and prefer, making their own sandwiches, order the Cold Cut Buffet, the Brown Bag Buffet, the Smoked Fish Platter or the Lox Platter. (more…)

July 9, 2010

If you find yourself in Santa Ana, find Benjies Deli!

Driving through or visiting Santa Ana? Stop by Benjies Deli for a reuben sandwich, or one of our many delicious, stacked-high sandwiches!

If you don’t live by Benjies Deli in Santa Ana, it might seem a little arduous to drive to—although it would be worth it. We’ve compiled a few points of interest close to Benjies Deli, so that if you ever find yourself at one of these local landmarks you’ll know to stop by for a meal.

St. Joseph’s Hospital and CHOC Children’s Hospital are a few blocks away from Benjies Deli. Visiting a family member or friend at the hospital? Forget flowers, go pick them up a sandwich from Benjies. What better way to say “get well soon” than to sneak them in something other than that terrible hospital food. Or, if you happen to be a hospital employee, stop by Benjies Deli on your lunch break. Your taste buds with thank you, and it will undoubtedly become your new lunch hangout.

Chapman University and Santa Ana College are but a few miles from Benjies Deli as well. So students, as summer winds down and the semester starts up at the end of August, don’t forget to stop by Benjies. In fact, if you’re in summer school now, Benjies is offering a 10% discount for local residents. So bring proof of your address, get 10% off delicious food, and save some money to pay back that ridiculous school loan. (more…)

July 2, 2010

Benjies Deli-A History as Rich as its Food

An unlikely place to find a truly great New York style delicatessen, Benjies Deli in Santa Ana stands as a reminder to us all that some things get better with time. Benjies quaint 70’s New York diner ambiance has offered a unique experience for customers since 1967.  Born in Brooklyn New York in August of 1921, Stan Weinstein, the founder, was raised with his younger sister Isabel during the depression era in brownstone apartment on Avenue K in Brooklyn. Graduating Boys’ High, he went on to college as a pre-med student. With his education being interrupted by World War II, he proudly served in the army as a radio and communications specialist in India. While serving in the military, he met the love of his life Eleanor Finegold and they were married in 1946.

With the new responsibilities of marriage and a new baby, he wasn’t able to continue with his education and became the breadwinner for his new family. Working for Eleanor’s family in the “needles trade” as a cloth cutter in a clothing manufacturing plant, Stan decided to pursue a better life for his family and moved to Los Angeles where he continued to work for relatives in the garment industry.

In 1967 along with two partners, Stan purchased Squires coffee shop here on Tustin Avenue where it was remodeled and opened as Benjies on October 8 of 1967 where it exists today. It is now run by his son and daughter-in-law Lloyd and Noriko Weinstein where it has remained as an icon for 40 years.

Luckily Benjies has been able to balance the difficult task of keeping its wholesome ambiance while adapting to the times. The restaurant features The Bamboo Lounge with a full bar and several flat screen TV’s that cater to sports enthusiasts. Karaoke nights at The Bamboo Lounge have become a Friday night institution in Santa Ana. Perhaps the most fascinating feature of this retro joint is that many of the staff working at Benjies has been there for 30 years or more.  There are even photos of these employees on the wall at the restaurant commemorating the years gone by.

However, it’s clear that the strongest aspect of what Benjies has to offer is its unreal food. Benjie’s has something to satisfy every appetite, from fresh-cooked savory soups, to tender brisket with potato latkes (pancakes), unbelievable stuffed cabbage rolls, and the most delicious pastrami sandwiches in town.  And don’t forget the most important meal of the day. That’s right, Benjie’s also serves a delectable breakfast selection, all freshly made and at unbeatable prices.  When was the last time you had a huge omelet complete with all the fixins for $5.95? The full seven page menu is sure to have something that you will love.

To experience a true New York Style Deli right here in Orange County, drive or walk straight to 1828 N. Tustin Ave, Santa Ana (714)541-6263.  The restaurant is open 7 days a week 7 AM – 9PM, and Karaoke is 9PM- midnight Friday night.

June 25, 2010

Homemade Chicken Pot Pies: From our Freezer to Your Oven

Take a pot pie home and keep it in the freezer!

Who doesn’t love the ease of a frozen dinner after a long day of work, sports or fun? Hot and piping from the oven, they can be quick, easy and hit the spot.

But most frozen meals are processed and made with preservatives in a factory. Is there an alternative? You bet there is!

I’m sure you’ve passed Benjies long counter on your way to your table or while waiting at the cash register. Have you ever looked in the freezer next to it? It’s full of Benjies’ homemade chicken and beef pot pies.

You never knew? Well, the secret is out! Those in the know love Benjies’ homemade pot pies, chock full o’ meat and veggies, swimming in thick gravy.

Many of our pot-pie loving customers buy two to ten of them at once and stash them in their home freezer for those “don’t-feel-like-cooking” nights. What about motor-home trips? Your mountain cabin trip? They’re perfect for when you’re out on a fishing vacation with your friends, but the fish aren’t biting. Pop a few frozen pot pies in the oven and they’ll be ready in no time.

That’s right–they have to be cooked in the oven. We make our pot pies like Mom used to make them, and that means no microwaves. Buttery, flaky pastry just out of the oven? Yes, please!

At the deli counter, you’ll also find an array of deli meats, savory eats and sweet treats, like our famous hot pastrami, but that’s for next time…

Don’t forget to ask for a chicken or beef pot pie to take home with you next time you’re at Benjies Deli. Or, better yet, make a special trip in for some so you’ve got them in the freezer when you need them.

June 18, 2010

Lakers Pull Through

Although it was one of the ugliest games of basketball I’ve ever seen the Lakers prevailed. As Phil Jackson said, “Well, it’s done. It wasn’t well done, but it was done. And we did it with perseverance.” It couldn’t have been more dramatic either with the Celtics pushing their lead to 13 in the third quarter and the Lakers showing no sign of a run. Finally the Lakers started to chip away at the Celtic’s lead in the fourth. With Artest, finally showing up offensively, hitting a crucial 3-pointer at the end of the fourth the Lakers came out on top. Miraculously the Lakers only had a shot percentage of 32.5 and were 67.6 percent from the line-statistics that aren’t indicative of a win. However they pulled through with the win and avenged their 2008 loss to the Celtics.

Now with the basketball season over I feel a little lost. Luckily the FIFA World Cup is in full swing and we have another reason to go hang out at Benjies Deli. Come on down to the Bamboo Lounge at Benjies Deli, where we have six large screens of sports on display every day of the week.  There’s also a fully stocked bar and an abundance of space to seat you and all of your friends, plus a regularly updated menu of bar snacks that will keep your tastebuds happy for every game. Come down and watch the U.S. play Algeria on Wednesday the 23rd at 4:00 PM. Baseball is also here for us to soften the withdrawals were having from basketball season. So come watch the Angels take on the Dodgers on Tuesday the 22nd, Wednesday the 23rd, or Thursday the 24th, all at 7:00 PM. Enjoy one of Benjies world famous Francheesy dogs and feel like you’re at the game.

Want to watch one of these games at home?  All of our deli platters are available for home parties too! Make sure you call 48-72 hours ahead to order before your event. That way you can have Benjies Deli do all the work while you relax and take all the credit.

If you want to hold a private party, contact Benjies Deli to reserve the Bamboo Lounge and discuss ordering food for the event. Call (714) 541-6263 and ask for Lloyd Weinstein, whether you want to book a private party or have your home event catered.

June 4, 2010

Watch Lakers Playoff Games at Benjies Deli and the Bamboo Lounge

The Lakers are 1-0 in the final series of the playoffs and it’s looking good. They’ve finally got in a groove on defense. But probably the most comforting aspect of the game for me was that Doc River’s strategy was to stop Kobe. Not only did the Celtics fail at stopping Kobe—for the most part—but Kobe was only part of their problem. Kobe and Gasol, the gruesome twosome, had a combined 53 points in the game and kept linking up. The entire Lakers triangle offense kept the entire team scoring well. The Celtics brought their own renowned defense to the game along with intensity, but it wasn’t anywhere near enough. The next game should be closer in scoring, considering the Celtics will be more reluctant to allow their big three to get into foul trouble early.

We still have our work cut out for us if we want to pull this series off, but we’re off to an optimistic start. That being said, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t dress up head to toe in gold and purple for Sunday’s game and come to Benjies Deli to be with your friends. Enjoy some of their new Kobe Beef Sliders and watch the Celtics fail at stopping one of Kobe’s runs. (more…)

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