City February 5, 2013 10:17 AM

Joe's Deli brings the flavor of Hertel to Elmwood

queenseyes 44

It's been over five years since Off the Wall restaurant went out of business on Elmwood Avenue. In that time there has hardly been any news regarding potential suitors for the building, and every time I spoke to the building owner there appeared to be not even a glimmer of hope for a buyer. Eventually I gave up hoping and praying that someone would buy the building, and set up shop inside.

It was out of the blue that Joe Lyons, owner of Joe's Deli on Hertel Avenue, swooped down and purchased the long-vacant restaurant location. Joe's Deli first opened on Hertel Avenue around the same time Off the Wall closed on Elmwood, giving Joe plenty of time to get his North Buffalo business "seasoned" before opening a second location on Elmwood. "We're definitely pumped to bring this hybrid concept to Elmwood," Joe told me. "Since the building is split into two sections, we're planning on turning the right hand side into a downsized version of what we have on Hertel, with a café and deli. It will be perfect for a quick fix for picking up food. Then we'll blend that into the left hand side of the restaurant where there will be a full bar and full lunch/dinner service. It will be the type of place that you will be able to eat your brisket sandwich along with your Flying Bison beer. The interior will be a little more upscale with some old school design elements thanks to the design services of Michael Poczkalski and David Brugh from "room" on Hertel. Michael and David are also helping me to fix up the exterior of the building - I'll be painting it this spring and there will be "room"-style furniture and decor on the patio. Buffalo really hasn't seen this concept before - there are a lot of different elements going on, mainly due to the configuration of the spaces. There's also a back room where my other business, The Buffalo Catering Co. (see Facebook), will run private events and a Sunday brunch. We're depending on the neighborhood for support, which means that we want to bring something special to the neighborhood, including local brews, affordable prices, and the same recipe for success that has made us a destination on Hertel.

Joe's Deli will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week - hours to be announced. The business is slated to open in May and according to Joe will be creating 20 jobs.

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Comments

44 Comments Leave a comment

16thStreet

February 5, 2013 10:21 AM

About effing time something happened to that spot! Thank you!

[ Reply ]

Score: 42 ( 42 votes )

batmankh

February 5, 2013 10:56 AM

[ Reply ]

replied to 16thStreet

Score: 4 ( 8 votes )

LouisTully

February 5, 2013 10:32 AM

Speaking of delis... that Fort Knox-ish rollup steel door on Grant that had a story on here a while back has a Grand Opening sign on it for a deli of some sort. And there is still a Coming Soon: European Deli sign on the building at Plymouth/Pennsylvania... that's been there for over a year.

Sorry for hijacking your thread, Joe. Look forward to the opening.

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 3 votes )

paulsobo

February 5, 2013 10:37 AM

This is just one of those buildings Buffalo and Elmwood is better off restoring the house and getting rid of the retail componenent.

There is enough of Elmwood demolished and badly/sadly gapped. Put the retail there and let the residential character of Elmwood shine through

[ Reply ]

Score: -32 ( 36 votes )

LouisTully

February 5, 2013 11:03 AM

Really? Come on. But it's historic. Someday you'll want to rebuild it.

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replied to paulsobo

Score: 4 ( 8 votes )

brownteeth

February 5, 2013 12:57 PM

So you're suggesting the removal of about 50% of the style retail that exists on Elmwood in favor of more residential? Sounds brilliant! Why keep the charm and appeal that makes Elmwood what it is so we can add more housing for the declining population (which typically move the EV to be close to the retail you want to remove). Once again you've proven your genius urban planning skills here.

[ Reply ]

replied to paulsobo

Score: 7 ( 11 votes )

paulsobo

February 5, 2013 2:47 PM

There is room for retail. There is alot of existing period buildings with 1st floor retail. Thats great.

There are plenty of areas on Elmwood where buildings have been demolished and are parking lots or suburban style. Those would make great opportunities for apartment buildings with 1st floor retail since they dont fit with the architecture or period or even urban fit the rest of the street has...

Is it really out of the question to pursue those opportunities for retail while trying to keep a portion residential and intermixed - mixed?

[ Reply ]

replied to brownteeth

Score: -5 ( 11 votes )

brownteeth

February 5, 2013 2:57 PM

That's fine to add those or to remove bad suburban design but to remove storefronts like this is absurd. How would that improve the EV experience?

[ Reply ]

replied to paulsobo

Score: 4 ( 6 votes )

elmdog

February 5, 2013 10:55 AM

Great - I hope the creative concept sticks to the ideas here...Its places like this with the concept that will help Elmwood with character...The pizza shops and gas stations, tatto shops and ugly store fronts dont scream come to Elmwood

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Score: 5 ( 9 votes )

paulsobo

February 5, 2013 7:11 PM

My point exactly!

Elmwood is successful enough that some thought needs to go into what is the character of Elmwood...

If a residential or commercial property doesnt fit with the character of Elmwood or finds Elmwood to expensive then encourage Grant, Niagara, Main, etc...help the peripheral streets so they can stabilize and grow.

Its the peripheral neighborhoods that impact Elmwood the most. Anything that helps those streets will help Elmwood in the long run.

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: -2 ( 4 votes )

Agnes

February 5, 2013 11:19 AM

Please include vegan and gluten free items on your menu so that we are all welcome to eat there! Thank you.

[ Reply ]

Score: -17 ( 57 votes )

Allentwnguy

February 5, 2013 12:25 PM

When I think of Deli I think of a place, yew, where you can get a good sandwich and a side salad but I also think of a place where you can get sliced meats, cheese and salads to take home. It would be nice to see this aspect as well so people who live in and around Elmwood can have more places to shop for basic food needs.

[ Reply ]

Score: 15 ( 15 votes )

Allentwnguy

February 5, 2013 12:31 PM

yew = yes

[ Reply ]

replied to Allentwnguy

Score: 4 ( 4 votes )

Slu

February 5, 2013 12:54 PM

This is great news. I'd full a full NY Style deli in this locations. Great addition to the neighboorhood and look forward to trying it out.

[ Reply ]

Score: 5 ( 7 votes )

weissingaround

February 5, 2013 1:26 PM

Thank god! This sounds like a great plan, especially with the upscale elements and bar menu.

On a side note (since I'm a snobby New Yorker), while Joe's is definitely the best Deli I've had in Buffalo, I would still like to see more authentic NY style sandwiches (gigantic, piled-high, boars-head), for example. Joe's is totally fantastic but I don't understand why Buffalo doesn't offer that. In the same vein, what's a gal gotta do to get a real bagel in this town?? And I mean a huge, delicious, fresh, legit bagel. Not bread with a hole in it. Us bagel snobs have to resort to this: http://www.bagelofthemonthclub.com/about-us/. Not sayin' I've done it, but I might have to! ;)

OK, so I think I'm just hungry and need to eat lunch. I wish Joe's would deliver to my desk! Congrats! End rant.

[ Reply ]

Score: 4 ( 12 votes )

No_Illusions

February 5, 2013 6:20 PM

No offense but those seem like the standard bagels you find at Wegmans. Now I cannot taste a picture, but I imagine they would taste the same.

Now if your only experience with bagels is at Tim Hortons I can see where you're coming from.

[ Reply ]

replied to weissingaround

Score: 3 ( 7 votes )

shorts

February 5, 2013 6:51 PM

As someone who grew up in NYC, Wegman's is not even close to a good bagel. Our closest options are Bagel Jay's and Manhattan Bagel, which while good in a pinch, do not come close to a great nyc bagel.

[ Reply ]

replied to No_Illusions

Score: 3 ( 11 votes )

LouisTully

February 5, 2013 8:40 PM

Beer snob? Sure! Bagel snob? Never thought I'd see that. It's an f-ing bagel. Week-olds are just as good as any to me. Slap some cream cheese on there and who cares.

I'm not a giant NYC fan to begin with (I pick any team over the Yankees and Rangers, even one from Texas). But all these NYC cats coming on here about "OOO I can't get decent NYC pizza!" and now we got deli and bagel crap.

[ Reply ]

replied to shorts

Score: -8 ( 22 votes )

MikeN

February 5, 2013 8:58 PM

Couldn't agree more... Next year the pond hockey tourney can be played in hell. lol

[ Reply ]

replied to LouisTully

Score: -1 ( 1 votes )

shorts

February 6, 2013 7:41 AM

I'm no snob, I'm just pointing out that a bagel is a product that can differ depending on quality. If you think all bagels are created equal, then that's awesome for you...enjoy them all!

I on the other hand have noticed that bagels can differ fro one establishment to the other. That's all.

[ Reply ]

replied to LouisTully

Score: 11 ( 11 votes )

weissingaround

February 6, 2013 10:41 AM

Hey, listen. I moved from NY to Buffalo for school and actually chose to stay here after I graduated...can't say the same for 99.9% of the other NYers I went to college with. I love this city. I work for the city. I live, play, eat, breath this goddamn city. If I want to complain about the bullshit bagels though, than I will. Because they suck. If you don't think there is a difference, you've obviously never had a real bagel, and I would love to buy you one. Manhattan Bagels are the closest we have, but the locations are all very inconvenient. We have options for pizza, and the Deli's are pretty good, but I just truly miss that big fresh bagel on saturday mornings. Sue me.

[ Reply ]

replied to LouisTully

Score: 11 ( 13 votes )

LouisTully

February 6, 2013 12:01 PM

That's fine. Consider, a perception may have root in something other than pure fabrication. For instance, when I was on active duty I was asked where I'm from. To avoid the specifics I simply said New York, as in the state. The response was something like, oh really where. I said Buffalo. With a sharp tone the response I received was, "That's not New York!"

Go ahead and like bagels,I don't see the difference; I'm sure most WNYers would agree. So if all the NYC folks want to complain about the delis, pizza, and bagels my only response is this: this is Buffalo, not New York City. It's not like it's a friggin porterhouse from a fine restaurant.

[ Reply ]

replied to weissingaround

Score: -7 ( 11 votes )

Up and coming

February 6, 2013 12:36 PM

When I was in the Marine Corp I would say I was from New York and everyone would think NYC. Then i'd say no I'm from the Buffalo area and they'd go, "oh....".

[ Reply ]

replied to LouisTully

Score: -1 ( 1 votes )

MikeN

February 7, 2013 7:30 PM

Here is a win win situation. Instead of daydreaming and waiting around for a Buffalonian to re create the NYC bagel, pizza, and/or deli that is so missing around here, you could open your own authentic NYC bagel/pizza/deli shop right here in Buffalo.

I am sure we can scrounge up a store front somewhere in the City.

And the next time I'm in NYC I'll shed a tear or two because what does a guy have to do to get a decent Buffalo wing or Beef on Weck or a Sahlens hot dog or a Blue.

[ Reply ]

replied to weissingaround

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

MikeN

February 7, 2013 10:08 PM

And wonder why THE CITY shuts down at any sign of a flake.

[ Reply ]

replied to MikeN

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

The Boss

February 6, 2013 6:13 AM

How is Chris'NY Deli on Delaware downtown these days? I used to like it back in the day.

[ Reply ]

replied to weissingaround

Score: 1 ( 3 votes )

FTheRedTape

February 5, 2013 2:01 PM

Awesome news! That's kind of a weird space, but if Joe and Co., are half as good at scouting a new location as they are at perfecting the hangover-cure lunch, this place will rock. Good luck, dude!

[ Reply ]

Score: 5 ( 7 votes )

buff_roach

February 5, 2013 3:06 PM

Still need a decent Kosher deli in Buffalo. Joe's is good, but it's no Mastman's. Gotta have that Kosher pickle with your sandwich.

[ Reply ]

Score: 4 ( 8 votes )

elmdog

February 5, 2013 3:50 PM

Why can the owner of the building come up with a better franchise or concept than this :

Blockbuster closing Elmwood Ave store
Updated: Tuesday, 05 Feb 2013, 3:28 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 05 Feb 2013, 3:25 PM EST

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Blockbuster location on Elmwood Avenue is closing, which could mean Panera Bread will soon be coming to the popular strip.

Signs announcing the location's closing went up this week. Panera has already submitted designs to Buffalo's Planning Board for Blockbuster's location, though previously the video store giant did not acknowledge it was closing its Elmwood Avenue location.

The building's landlord was already in the process of negotiating with Panera to lease Blockbuster's space before the closure was announced this week, and the plans for the new restaurant have already received approval from the Common Council.

Last year, News 4 spoke to the civil engineer who was working with Panera. He said their new location right across the street from the Globe Market could be open some time this year.

[ Reply ]

Score: -5 ( 9 votes )

No_Illusions

February 5, 2013 6:18 PM

You do know there is a forum for off topic subjects right?

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 1 ( 7 votes )

elmdog

February 6, 2013 9:36 AM

I dont like the forums section.....but I do glance over it daily

[ Reply ]

replied to No_Illusions

Score: 0 ( 4 votes )

whatever

February 5, 2013 9:16 PM

elmdog - I really don't see your point, for a couple reasons.

First, if any customers choose Panera over say Spot - how is that competition and expanded choice in any way a bad thing? Nobody will be forced to be a customer at Panera. For people who prefer it, won't having a Panera make Elmwood more attractive to more people?

Second, you're one who it seems to me complains more than anyone on here about vacancies on Elmwood. (That's fine, free speech & all.)
Well, if your premise above is true that there's some other tenant who Benchmark could have attracted to replace Blockbuster instead of Panera - now that mystery tenant is still free to rent some other building on Elmwood. If so, EV could end up having them and Panera.
Wouldn't that help reduce the vacancy level you dislike so much?

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 6 ( 8 votes )

elmdog

February 6, 2013 9:11 AM

Ha - believe me, I love to complain about Elmwood...Its where I live and I wouldn't live any other place while living in WNY...But...I feel like Elmwood has an identity crisis that rears its head all of the time...We have a group of people that only want authentic small businesses, we have building owners that believe their buildings are worth way more than reality and the character of the street is questioned all of the time with bad decisions...(this is just my opinion)..I complain because I dont know who is in charge and or it could be that there are too many parties in charge and no one gets anything done...Ill take Panera and more people if thats what it brings, but Ill also take better crosswalks, sidewalks, commercial storefronts, more variety and less restrictions on businesses that want to make changes for the better..It seems Elmwood is picky on some ideas and less picky on others...I think I have a point but have only had one coffee this morning..So as I regroup Ill figure it out

[ Reply ]

replied to whatever

Score: 7 ( 7 votes )

whatever

February 6, 2013 4:42 PM

elm - ok, I wasn't criticizing your general ongoing commentary about Elmwood, just predicting that Panera seems likely more helpful than hurtful toward growth and diversity as you've been advocating.

As for an even better more family type large restaurant which you were asking why didn't Benchmark attract ...
well, that could've been compared to Panera when Benchmark was deciding - but only if it really exists and wants to locate around there.
I don't know of any reason to assume Benchmark didn't do a more expansive search than considering only Panera as a possibility.

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

brownteeth

February 6, 2013 9:24 AM

I don't thin mentioning all the vacancies on Elmwood is off topic considering this article is about a long-term vacany finally being filled by an owner/occupant which is excellent news.

However I don't agree with your gripe about Panera. With the handful of greedy landlords holding so many properties hostage with high rents you should be praising Benchmarks proactive approach of obtaining a new well established tenant to take over a property that everyone knows was on its last leg.

And why is Panera so bad? I think it will compliment the neighorhood perfectly and balance out the many late night bars/restaurants. On that note, would you be as concerned for Blue Monk/Cecelia's/Blue Fin etc if a bar were to move in here?

There are many people out there who prefer the fast food style of Panera vs the sit down lounge style of Spot. Why is that a bad thing for either business? Ultimately it makes Elmwood a larger draw and at least Panera won't be shuttered in 5 months.

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

elmdog

February 6, 2013 9:33 AM

I agree with you that its a draw...I can only have wants of what could be and talk about them...Panera is fine but a really great family restaurant would be better(dont have a suggestion)..I am only saying and I dont have the answers or money to do these things but Elmwood is still missing components of a thriving family oriented neighborhood...

[ Reply ]

replied to brownteeth

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

brownteeth

February 6, 2013 11:22 AM

I won't disagree that Elmwood could use a lot of components to make it a better family friendly destination. I do think Panera adds to that vibe. But there are quite a few family restaurants nearby, Ambrosia, Acropolis, Panos, Mythos...well Greek style diners anyway but they serve all types of food and are more restaurant than bar. Hey, at least its not a Family/General Dollar taking Blockbuster which is very possible to happen with such a space.

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 2 ( 2 votes )

elmdog

February 6, 2013 12:09 PM

The Greek restaurants do continue to thrive in this area..The Blockbuster space is unique in that it has parking and a very large floor plan...Once again I am talking in generalities but it could be so much more..Panera is family friendly and does have a good bakery but....I have a different idea of family friendly restaurant..One of those places that families with kids go to on Friday's or Sundays from the neighborhood and enjoy the food and time spent...large floor plan, tables that are for 4 or more..light atmosphere, tvs, music....Ha ha...Sounds like a Red Robin but that is not what I mean

[ Reply ]

replied to brownteeth

Score: -1 ( 1 votes )

brownteeth

February 6, 2013 4:46 PM

Hmm.. I like it. So basically a Chuck E Cheese, Major Magic's or Showbiz? I could go for a ball pit and some cardboard pizza right now!!

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 0 ( 2 votes )

elmdog

February 7, 2013 9:10 AM

All great places.......but more like a Pizza Plant style restaurant...fire place, small bar with craft beers and a menu that fits a family but also great food....

[ Reply ]

replied to brownteeth

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )

MikeN

February 7, 2013 7:35 PM

GroundRound?

[ Reply ]

replied to elmdog

Score: 0 ( 0 votes )

Mike BB

February 5, 2013 11:41 PM

oh HELL yes. Awesome news.

[ Reply ]

Score: 3 ( 3 votes )

https://me.yahoo.com/a/EHhC2sM7mJmJIQ5bhhiosMph.rjC.8UrWA--#bf36c

February 6, 2013 8:48 AM

I lived in Ann Arbor for awhile, and the well known deli Zingerman's was located in a house just like this (actually, the Zingerman house was smaller). I loved that place. This area certainly needs a good deli!

[ Reply ]

Score: 1 ( 1 votes )