Avon Country Deli Offers View While Dining

There’s a new place in the Farmington Valley to eat breakfast or lunch and it has a room with a view: Avon Country Deli in Riverdale Farms on Simsbury Road (Route 10).

Whether patrons sit indoors, on the front porch, or on the patio of this eatery, they can see the Heublein Tower standing atop the highest point (875 feet) of Talcott Mountain. Adding to the ambience, soft jazz music can be heard in the background. Two TVs and reading material also entertain customers, and Wi-Fi access is available.

“We wanted to create a place that was comfortable and relaxing,” said Bob Kaczmarczyk, who co-owns the business with his wife, Kristine.

The deli opened in mid-May and has been the realization of his pipe dream, he said.

“I’ve been in and out of the restaurant business the last 10 years, but I’ve never built one myself,” Kaczmarczyk said.

He previously owned Feast Not Famine, a catering business in Bloomfield where the couple lives, while also working in the car business.

“I couldn’t do both any longer so I stayed with cars,” he said. “Then I got burned out and starting looking at places to open a restaurant business. We looked at 10 places over the past few years.”

He found just the right spot in Riverdale by reading a two-line classified ad. When the couple first saw the site, they both “fell in love with it,” Kaczmarczyk said.

“That was last November and we signed the lease in March,” he said. “Ten weeks later, we opened.”

That came after lots of work rebuilding the space from scratch. The site previously housed two other deli/catering businesses, but there hadn’t been any “foot traffic” for awhile, Kaczmarczyk said.

Inside the deli are seven tables and five counter stools; outside are four tables on the porch and more on the patio.

“We’ll need to expand our outdoor seating because we get crowded,” Kaczmarczyk said.

That’s partially because of the view but primarily due to the food and service.

‘We’ve gotten a lot of repeat business,” he said. “My goal is to offer good service from well-trained employees who are familiar with the menu.”

Open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, the restaurant plans to open on Sundays starting Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“I believe we’re missing a big chunk of the Sunday business,” he said. “We’re looking to hire a manager so I can still have Sunday off to spend with my wife.”

Kristine works full-time for Bloomfield Public Schools as director of the extension program, so Bob is the one running the deli and doing the cooking and she takes care of the business end of things.

A long-time early riser, Kaczmarczyk said he is hoping to draw customers like him who want to have breakfast at 6 a.m.

“I’m hoping people who are up and hungry will find us,” he said.

The breakfast menu, served from 6 to 11 a.m. weekdays and 7 to 11 on Saturday, includes eggs “your way,” omelettes, pancakes, Texas French toast and a unique item, the “Peanut Butter Banana Jammer.” Six flavors of Green Mountain coffees are brewed daily and for those needing more choices, there’s a Keurig machine and a selection of coffees and teas. The eatery brews their own iced tea, one of the many cold beverages available.

For lunch, served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there are several offerings, including deli sandwiches that are “build your own” with a choice of meats, cheeses, toppings and breads. Kaczmarczyk has also come up with a line of “signature favorites” that show his creativity for sandwich ingredients and names, some of them with local ties. They include Heublein, Good Fellas, Governor’s Horse Guard, New England Greenway (access to the rail trail is nearby) and Dog Gone Crazy.

The name of one sandwich is a play on words — Pinchot Stackamore Club — named after the famous Pinchot Sycamore on Route 185 in Simsbury that is Connecticut’s largest tree.

Salads, homemade soups, chowders and chili are also on the menu, along with side salads one can select from a deli case and hot specials posted on a blackboard. Soup and entrée selections vary by the day or week.

In addition to salads (grilled chicken can be added to all types), another healthy option is a whey protein shake with fruit that can be made in a variety of flavors.

“It’s been a hit, especially with Healthtrax nearby,” Kaczmarczyk said of the nearby fitness center.

Baked goods are also available — breakfast items like bagels, muffins and scones as well as cupcakes, cannoli, and special desserts. Most of them are made elsewhere because he does not have a large oven in the kitchen

“We also don’t have a microwave or a freezer — all our food is fresh and from local wholesalers,” Kaczmarczyk said.

Produce comes from Wade’s Farm in Bloomfield and most cold cuts and cheeses from Catanzaro meats in New Britain. Foot-long hot dogs, liverwurst and veal loaf come from Martin Rosol’s, also in New Britain.

The deli offers delivery service and has a catering sideline for office events and parties. Signature sandwiches and hot dishes are on the catering menu, and barbeque is a specialty.

Avon Country Deli is located at 136 Simsbury Road in Riverdale Farms. Kaczmarczyk said the best entrance to use is the one next to Avon Clock & Lighting.

The restaurant is close to the Farmington Valley Greenway hiking and biking trail.

As patrons Ben and Kerri wrote on the deli’s website guestbook: “I know this is going to be our favorite breakfast & lunch stop during our bike rides! Great location!!”

For more information, visit on the Web at www.avoncountrydeli.com or on Facebook Orders can be phoned or faxed in to save time; Phone: 860-676-2866 (AVON); fax, 860-676-0766.