Yep, Katzinger’s 25th anniversary and this is what I’ve learned - no one can know what the perfect job is until they’ve done it for 25 years and still wake up eager to do it again. The good, the bad, the glory, the grit—it’s all there every single day and it’s all worth it.

It’s easy to remember the big victories – the "best deli" accolades, the recognition by various publications for our food, our service, our management style. Former President Clinton’s trip to the deli in 1993 is still the highlight of our 25 years. We have fed so many famous people, I fear mentioning them because of the many I would inadvertently leave out. And that’s all terrific - but it isn’t anywhere near the kick I get from having our guests say to me “I come here because it makes me feel good.” I love hearing that! As we continually strive to be both fresh and consistent, to be simultaneously stimulating and comfortable, we depend on you to tell us when we’re not.

Let’s talk about our firsts. In 1987, at the insistence of our non-smoking staff, we were amongst the first restaurants to become completely non-smoking. We were the first restaurant to legally (i.e. rent paying to the city!) offer our guests sidewalk dining. We were amongst the first independent restaurant to offer health insurance as a benefit to our staff. We were right out front presenting extra virgin olive oil (and to use it in our salads), balsamic vinegars and goat cheese to Columbus. We were one of the first to start recycling, buying local produce and growing our own herbs. They all just seemed like the right thing to do at the time and we had no idea we were pioneers.

We’ve outlasted at least 4 recessions, 3 wars, the birth and death of City Center, the gradual near-deterioration and the optimistic regeneration of downtown, several moves of Oktoberfest. We’ve witnessed the growth of Easton, Tuttle, and Polaris. We welcomed Dublin, Powell, Westerville, Pickerington and New Albany and have been surprised and delighted to find there’s a demand for Katzinger’s even that far away.

The culinary cultural changes have been extraordinary. When we first opened there were people on my staff that didn’t’ know what a bagel was. Seriously – hard to believe! And goat cheese? Now that was scary. Extra virgin olive oil (Extra virgin? Something to do with sex?) balsamic vinegar all strange to the ear and stranger yet to the palette. Now those items and so many more are in the mainstream.

We relish every generation of deli customers that were weaned on pickle juice and now come to the deli with their own children. What a testament to their family and the deli. How proud are we to be a tradition!

All I can say is Thank You to those of you that have granted us the pleasure of serving you and to our very supportive German Village community. I thank Sy Ginsburg of United Deli in Detroit who has sold us the best corned beef- more than 2000 pounds a month - for 25 years and to the guys at Vienna Distributing of Cleveland for delivering it regardless of the weather. And I am so grateful to Nick Ambeloiotis of Mediterra Bakery in Pittsburg who makes a rye bread sturdy enough to stand up to our Reuben as well as our other gorgeously crusty slow rise breads. I could go on and on with the thank you’s.

I want to recognize Steve Warren, my former partner. Steve had the original deli vision and the tenacity to never stray from it. His 20 years of participation were immeasurably meaningful in making the deli what it is. And, I am well aware I could not do any of this without my staff. All of them have smiled and persevered whether the line is out the door or the deli is quiet. I am so fortunate to have such an enthusiastic and willing staff. Kudos to our Kitchen Managers, Seth Wensinger and Daniel Bennett, our Specialty Foods Manager, Wendy Hunsinger, our Service Manager, Suzanne Barker, (who has been with the deli 12 years!), our Catering Manager and half my brain, Michelle Johnson, and our General Manager, Eric Dennison who just makes me look so good. They provide the creativity, perseverance and leadership the deli needs to enthusiastically conquer another 25 years.

So, 25 years of deli love and with your help, lots more to come!

—Diane