ANNIE’S DELI HISTORY

Annie’s Deli was originally known as “The Burnt Mills Deli.” It was started by Emily Stine, daughter of Jack Stine, the original owner of Colonial Liquor Store where the deli was housed. She completed her Master’s degree in Art Therapy in 1982 and Emily stated, “I could not get a job in my field to save my life.” After working a few odd jobs here and there, designing sets and costumes for the McCarter Theater, freelance toy design, graphic design… she finally said, “what the hell, I’ll open a deli. I didn’t know a thing about delis, but I knew a good sandwich when I saw one so I figured that was a good place to start.” Because Pluckemin is such a unique place, full of unique people (Emily grew up here!), she decided to name the sandwiches after some of the more colorful local characters.

After a few years, Emily sold the deli to Annie who moved the deli to its current location, a historic building from 1820, and changed the name to “Annie’s Deli.” Annie added a few sandwiches and made a few unique specials of her own, but kept all the original sandwiches too. Brief owners Mike and Bob Bashahd owned the deli after Annie and sold Annie’s to Roman and Nick Hnidj in 1994. Nick retired in 2009 and Roman remains the current owner.

Since Roman and Nick owned a bakery before purchasing Annie’s, they added many new and exciting homemade desserts and cookies to the menu. Today, Annie’s is not only known for the delicious sandwiches but for it unique charm, wonderful homemade salads, desserts, and cookies and custom catering services.

SIGNATURE SANDWICHES

AL SCHILLBERG – The tow pilot from Somerset Airport. Emily figured if she named sandwiches after all the other airport people but not him he’d probably tow her into the side of the hangar.
BABY SNOOKS – Based on an old radio show that one of the regular customers loved.
BIG MAX – Named after Max Spann, the local realtor in town. However, when Emily had her first son (Max), it sort of morphed into his sandwich.
CARLETON SUE REHR – Carleton is an awesome pilot and wife of Lou Rehr, a WWII hero and pilot, who has the Lou Rehr sandwich named for him.
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF – Based on the movie – Annie thought it was a clever name for a tuna sandwich.
CHOPPER ONE – Named after Ray Haines, the manager of the liquor store. Before he worked there he was a cop, and everyone called him Chop the Cop…thus Chopper One.

COLONEL MUSTARD – Based on the famous Colonel Mustard in the game, Clue.
DAN SMITH – Dan worked for Max Spann… a friendly guy who desperately wanted a sandwich named after him.
DANNY WALKER – Mr. Somerset Airport!
DARLA JUNE – This was a cat Emily owned. Emily stated, “I’ll never forgive Annie for tricking me into adopting this stray “kitten” (or so she said) that was hanging around her house…a full grown pregnant cat!”
DOC WALSH – The local horse doctor…a deli regular and excellent friend of Emily.
DR. JAZZ – Emily’s dad, Jack Stine (original owner of Colonial Liquor Store)…his car still has “Dr. Jazz” license plates.
FIRST FORK – Annie named this one after Emily. Once Emily left the deli business, she got a horse; and in order to offset the cost of boarding it she shoveled manure every morning at 5:30…her barn name was “First Fork.”
GARY CUMMINGS – Bedminster cop…a deli regular who later became the Police Chief.
HUMDINGER – Creative name for an outstanding sandwich.
JAKE THE BRAIN SURGEON – Another one of Jack Stine’s pseudonyms…
JAWS – After the shark…a good name for a tuna sandwich!
JOE PALOOKA – Joe is Annie’s husband and this is his sandwich.

JUNK YARD DOG – Annie liked the name taking into account the unique combination of ingredients. This is the most popular sandwich in the deli today!
KINDLY OLD DOC PIKE – Emily’s husband, although not during the deli days. She stated, “I figured that naming a sandwich after a guy was as good a way as any to catch him!”
LITTLE JACK – Emily’s second son, Jack…named after his grandfather, Dr. Jazz.
LLOYD HESS – The original accountant for the liquor store and the deli.
LOU REHR – A god among men…World War II hero and extraordinary pilot.
MISS MALLEY – Emily’s kindergarten teacher! She worked at Hamilton School in Bridgewater.
MONROE BALLENTINE – Owned the gas station across the street, regular to the deli and local town legend.
MRS. HEMMER – Her daughter, Heidi, worked at the deli for a while…she became a regular just so she could see her little angel at work.
MRS. TERWILLIGER – Named after Annie’s cat.

PATRICIA RYAN – Another realtor and regular customer! She worked at Max Spann’s office.
PRINCE CHARMING – Must be named after Roman. A local icon and a prince among men.
RAY KROC – Of McDonald’s fame…this is the deli version of an Egg McMuffin.
SALLY DIPLOCK – One of Carleton’s friends…Emily couldn’t resist that name!
SPENCER’S SPECIAL – Spencer is Annie’s son.
STELLA PROVOLONE – Named after the cheese brand.
SUZY WONG – Emily’s best childhood friend.
TAME ME AMY – Named after Emily…some customer thought her name was Amy (a lot of people call her “Emmy”)
TOOTH FAIRY – Emily’s husband’s other sandwich. He’s a dentist.

VALLEY BOYS – Friends of the Valley Girls.
VINNE’S PLUCKEMIN CHICKEN – Vinne (pronounced Vine-ee) who is married to Lloyd Hess, a local accountant. Most people think the name is Vinnie and named after a man, not a woman.
YARD GOOD – This was Emily’s first husband. Her grandmother couldn’t remember his last name (Grunwald) and called him Yardgood instead. It stuck.

SUBS

BIG LARRY – Local contractor who was a regular customer.
MEAN JEAN – Jean Campbell worked at the deli for a while. She wasn’t mean, but it sounded better.
MR. DEFALCO – Emily’s landlord when she lived in Princeton.
TINY THE GIANT – Local regular who was very tall, but had a gentle nature.