Deli Wars
New Murray's Deli now fronted by Sailesh Patel.
NYACK, NY – What began as a family business offering Nyack patrons a full-functioning deli and gas station soon became a dysfunctional family feud. When a resolution was no where in sight, one brother remained at the corner of South Broadway and Cedar Hill, while the other moved a few doors up to open his own deli, Michaelangelo’s. Out of an irreversible dispute among the stern Murray brothers came an Indian man with a passion for preparing food from his heart, Sailesh Patel, a delicatessen with over 20 years experience who now has taken over Murray’s Deli. “It’s just competition” Mr. Patel deems neighboring Michaelangelo’s. “I have good customers…people are coming, they like the way I setup my business, and they like my food” Mr. Patel added on behalf of his fresh preparations and family recipes. “We prepare each and every food daily.” Among the standard deli classics Mr. Patel continues to add Indian dishes of family origin “one at a time.” Vegetarian specials are soon to arrive as well as new roasted “Murray’s Chicken.” To be fair it should be titled “Patel’s Chicken.” When seeking comment on the transition from owner of Citgo and New Murray’s Deli Tim Murray, he overtly displayed his aggressive vocabulary that many locals are familiar with followed by a dial tone.
Michaelangelo's Deli, sandwiches with a vengeance, piloted by Michael Murray.
Now proceeding three doors north. When Michaelangelo’s owner, Michael Murray, was asked to participate in this article alongside his brother’s deli, he firmly declined. It was difficult to obtain any insight into his new business, when the subject of his relocation was breached, the conversation ended. “I don’t want to talk about it…ask my brother” snarled Mr. Murray, followed by an abrupt hang-up. So it’s clear Rockland Lifestyle’s intervention isn’t possible, our attempt to give their story a fair truth is ultimately obstructed by bitter remnants left from their demise which began in early 2011.
“It was an ongoing fight…one ran the gas, the other [ran the] deli, they never got along…they would toy with each other on who could and couldn’t sell cigarettes, and they both denied their involvement, it’s sad” exclaimed a regular customer who’s frequented their establishment for years and withheld his identity for this article.
When we set out to do our piece entitled ‘deli wars,’ a loose play on words, we systematically went to both, unannounced on multiple occasions. It was clear New Murray’s Deli stood above Michaelangelo’s on personality, cleanliness, hygiene, and most importantly the food. What’s ironic is, in declaring a winner, the only winner that emerged was in fact Mr. Patel, not a Murray by blood, but an honest man giving new meaning to sign he represents.
New Murray’s Deli
80 South Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
(845) 358-0731
Michaelangelo’s Deli
76 South Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
(845) 535-3660
My vote is for Michaelangelo’s! Nice guys who greet you by name and always get the order right. Service is fast & friendly. I think the place is clean & the guys wear gloves whenever they touch food.
They definitely didn’t wear gloves for me, that was the first and last time I went.
This is amazing.
They are pretty stern, I got cursed out for parking incorrectly by them.
Love this article! New Murray’s Deli does win in my book! Curry chicken!