Business News

Knishes, pastrami and more at new eatery

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With various types of knishes, pastrami and baked treats, Pastrami Express has served Seaford in a huge and delicious way. The kosher-style deli, located on Merrick Road, opened for business on Jan. 19 for anyone with a craving for knishes. With limited kosher delis in the area, owners Abe and Annie Ahmed took a chance on the small shop and have been vigorously cooking for the past two months.

“I’ve worked for 15 years in this type of business and after getting married, we decided to open up our own store,” co-owner and Egypt native Abe Ahmed said. “We like Jewish food and it made sense to open up here in Seaford.”

The small shop, nestled among a pizzeria and other stores, stands out for its homemade knishes and different style of preparing food. Customers can enjoy a lunch break or snack inside the shop or take it out.

“I do all of the cooking and work very hard in the kitchen,” co-owner Annie Ahmed said. “We wanted to start working for ourselves and not for anybody else.”

Although opening a new business can be tough, Annie Ahmed, a native of Romania, knew that if they worked hard, they would be able to survive in Seaford.

“We aren’t trying to get rich,” she added. “We just want to provide good food to good people.”

For the past two months, the Ahmeds have worked long, 10-hour days, seven days a week. They said that after establishing Pastrami Express in the community, they will close their shop for one day a week or cut down the hours.

“I like getting up in the morning, knowing I can make my own hours and run the kitchen my own way,” Abe Ahmed said. “So far everyone is happy and we’re doing okay.”

With fresh knishes baked every single day, many people are stopping in to try the tasty treats. “We don’t fry the knishes, like everyone else,” Abe Ahmed said. “Usually you have to buy them from a company, but we bake them right here and fill them with sautéed onions, spinach, sweet potatoes or meat.

“We have so many different kinds, and you can really taste the difference,” he added. “This kind of kosher deli is special. You won’t find chopped liver, cow tongue or even cabbage in regular delis.”

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, the new business owners said they are excited to see how their business will flourish.

“Since I was a kid, I grew up with this stuff and my grandmother taught me how to cook,” Annie Ahmed said. “It is a family tradition!”