After fire guts beloved eatery, Tamburino’s vows to rebuild

Over the last few years, misfortune has piled on the Tamburino family like the meat on the famously overstuffed sandwiches they’ve been serving up at their Cedarhurst delicatessen since 1978.

In 2011, Joe Tamburino, who owns the deli, and his wife, Paula, had to rebuild their Baldwin Harbor home after Tropical Storm Irene. A year later, the Tamburinos were hit again, as Hurricane Sandy barreled through and left their house damaged once more. Then, in 2013, son Michael Tamburino, a right-handed pitcher who played at Pace University and had set his sights on the major leagues, underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow, which derailed his career.

Then, in the early-morning hours of April 2, a fire swept through Tamburino’s Deli, at 627 Central Ave., and forced it to close for the first time (except for some holidays) since it opened for business on Washington Avenue in 1978. The blaze also damaged a medical laboratory adjacent to the deli.

“I always knew I was going to rebuild the store, but to see 40 years gone in an hour, that’s hard,” Joe said. “We flooded out in Irene and Sandy, so rebuilding this is like a walk in the park.”

Joe and his daughters, Danielle Tamburino and Dina Serafina, have begun the process, they hope to reopen within the next two months, they said. Dina created a GoFundMe page to supplement insurance payments and help with her father’s finances while the store is closed. As of press time, 66 people had donated $6,650.

“Seeing my dad so devastated and worried, not just by the financial burden he would have to endure, but losing what allowed him to build and support his entire life and family, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through,” Dina said. “Starting the page was the least I could do in his time of need.”

In the meantime, Michael Tamburino is reviving his baseball career after a winter tryout in California with the independent Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball. He will pitch for the Sussex County (N.J.) Miners. The team’s season begins May 19.

“It’s a long road to get back, but you have to be tough and bear down,” said Michael, 25, who also had shoulder surgery in 2009, following a weightlifting accident as a sophomore at Pace. “This a good opportunity. It’s my last shot.”

A family business
Joe’s brother, John, who lived in Woodmere and worked at Lawrence High School at the time, founded Tamburino’s Deli, Danielle said. Their mother, Pasqualina “Lena” Tamburino, was the original cook. “Dad stuck with it, and in 2002 moved to the Central Avenue location,” Danielle said. “My brothers, Joe and Michael, me and my sister, Dina, grew up there.”

Through school, activities and other jobs, the siblings always found themselves back at the deli, and they have vivid memories. “It’s all physical, and my father worked long hours, from 6:30 a.m. to close at 7 p.m.,” recalled Danielle, 35, who now works alongside her father. “When we were kids, he’d bring home ice cream, wake us up and we would eat ice cream in bed.”

The deli — known for sandwiches that patrons past and present have described as big enough for two meals — is busy year-round, Danielle said. Food is delivered to employees at Kennedy Airport, and in the summer to the clubs that line the Atlantic Beach shoreline. The hearty appetites of area landscapers are satiated by Tamburino’s breakfasts (served all day) and lunches, and many businesses and homes order food for Christmas celebrations.

“We have great customers, and they’re really supportive,” Joe said. “The people make it much like family.”

Construction at the deli is under way, but even before the fire occurred, Danielle said, they were shopping for new refrigeration units, and she was planning to add a grilled chicken party hero — with broccoli rabe, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, garlic mayonnaise on ciabatta bread — to the menu.

The restoration may also include the addition of bar-stool seating at a few tables, Danielle said. “I didn’t expect the fire to be as major as it was,” she said. “It’s bittersweet, as it has been really nice as family and friends have helped, and there have been nice responses on Facebook.”

“I hope it will be even bigger than before,” former Five Towns resident Maralyn Rose, who now lives in Lutz, Fla., wrote on Facebook. “We miss your Tamby’s sandwiches and all those Italian goodies you sold.”

“Count us in,” wrote Coni Padilla. “We are at a lost having this lovely family business closed. I’m so glad you’re all safe and I hope that things will fall in place quickly! Missing my Tamby family. God bless.”

“For years, my dad and his business has given to the community, and after seeing everyone’s response to the fire, it was clear people wanted to return the generosity,” Dina said. “It means the world to all of us.”
To donate, go to gofundme.com/c7x4gjs4.