Rich DeSantis always wanted to own a deli in Levittown. Now, he does.
The veteran deli operator and Division Avenue High School grad is the new owner of the East Village Green Deli, located at 6 East Village Green. It’s a place he’s had his eyes on for a while.
“I’ve been in the business for 41 years,” he said. “I’ve worked and owned some of the finest delis in Nassau County. This deli, I’ve wanted for the past 35 years. It’s in my neighborhood. It’s a good, solid town, Levittown.”
DeSantis has run delis in numerous towns in the past, including East Meadow and Mineola. He wants to use his experience to make East Village Green Deli one of the finest delis around.
“This used to be a good German deli years ago, and I just want to bring the German deli back. All homemade salads, all fresh Boar’s Head cold cuts, catering, deliveries,” he said. ““We do backyard barbeques, we do wrap platters, all kinds of sit-down dinners. We deliver all over.”
DeSantis not only knows delis, he knows Levittown. He lived here as a child and participated in several community organizations. His business has the stamp of approval of Chamber of Commerce Past President Ann Torcivia, who runs Friends Travel.
“Everybody in the town knows me,” he said. “I’ve been involved in Little League and midget football my whole life, and just been here my whole life. [I’m] a graduate of Levittown Division, a graduate of Northside School, a graduate of Farmingdale College. [I’ve] always been in the local area.”
Overall, DeSantis wants to let the community know that the deli is open, under his watch and ready to serve the public.
“We’re new, we’re different, we’re fresh food, we [have] good food, a good atmosphere,” he said. “Everybody’s happy and joyful.”
