<p>
	Fifty years after Ben&#39;s Kosher Deli opened its first location, owner Ronnie Dragoon talks with Newsday&#39;s Erica Marcus about his iconic Long Island restaurant chain.
</p>


Things to Do

FeedMe

FDBENS221006_video

Erica Marcus visits Ben's Kosher Deli in Greenvale as chain marks 50th anniversary on Long Island

Carle Place

Woodbury

Greenvale

onecms:6af8f407-09f5-4d12-b261-18b4eef63285

Newsday

Ben's Kosher Deli owner: 'Nothing is as good as pastrami that's steamed twice'

FDBENS221006

Get the Feed Me newsletter. We know the best places to eat on LI.

Feed Me newsletter sign up widget

"Why are you stepping on the little guy's toes?" one customer asked.

Burger chain opens next to local joint, sparking residential debate

Most Popular

Lifestyle Rail Module

In interviews conducted with patrons in the parking lot outside the Westbury restaurant, the consensus opinion was that "they should be talking about more important stuff."

'Political screwiness:' LIers weigh in on Obama, Trump Cheesecake Factory sparring

Neighborhood slice shop closing after 8 years

The coffee and bakery shop will open in time for the holidays.

Popular village sweet shop will open new LI cafe

Like its older sibling, beer, wine, cocktail and happy hour deals abound.

LI sports bar opens 'more elevated' 2nd location

The eatery and its adjacent business have been purchased by new owners.

LI village restaurant closes after 40 years; will reopen as Italian seafood eatery

The first spot has been a regular on Newsday's Best Pizza list since its opening in 2023.

Top pizzeria opening 2nd LI location next week

Things to Do Article Bottom Module

Making udon with her grandmother shaped the owner's understanding of food.

Tiny ramen noodle factory adds takeout udon

The bivalves were everywhere in evidence, but there was also a wide array of other seafood: lobster nachos, jumbo fried shrimp, fried clams, calamari, crawfish, among others. The event continues Sunday.

A massive turnout for Oyster Fest despite Saturday's chill

Ditch is planning to open its third Long Island restaurant, replacing Kings Park community staple Relish.

Ditch to replace Relish in Kings Park

The $215 (plus tax and gratuity), 18-plus course omakase experience will have two seatings, at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Private 18-course dining experience opens below popular sushi spot

The applicant for the planned IHOP restaurant is seeking to make interior alterations for a 196-seat eatery that would be in a 5,560-square-foot building, a town spokesperson said.

IHOP headed to Suffolk space formerly occupied by restaurant chain

A second location is set to open Wednesday.

Chain eatery opens 1st LI location, inside mall

Things to Do Video Playlist

How this Long Island blind swimmer defies the odds to win gold and inspire others

How this blind swimmer defies the odds to win gold and inspire others

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa checked out the spooky Halloween treats at Zio's Casa di Dolce in Seaford.

'It's got an eyeball; they're looking at you'

From Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns in Wheatley Heights to trick-or-treating at Adventureland, check out all the fun things to do and explore this weekend.

What's up on LI this weekend

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.

'It's completely different when the lights are out'

Rori Zura was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 33. Today, she helps others as a cancer exercise specialist. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Movement is a form of medicine'

Karla Waldron, executive director of Mondays Cancer Care, received her breast cancer diagnosis after spending her whole career in the cancer community.

'I thought I knew everything'

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed steps into the vineyards at Bedell Cellars to get an inside look at the action, the artistry, and the fresh flavors shaping Long Island's latest vintage.

Out East: Harvest time at Bedell Cellars

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano has your look at what to know ahead of the 2026 Oyster Festival.

What to expect at this year's Oyster Fest

Katherine Schiro talks about self love, body positivity and motherhood.

Best of both worlds? This Nashville singer/songwriter went viral for her song about Long Island

Med school or content creator? How this Long Islander's career change led to a six figure business

How this Long Islander's career change led to a six figure business

Tasty and trendy: How this Commack native turned food content into a thriving business

How this Commack native turned food content into a thriving business

FeedMe Vertical videos

Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits Taste of Chennai in Bethpage to try some of the vegetarian options on their menu.

Vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Bethpage

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Das Biergarten in Long Beach.

'Live every day like it's Oktoberfest'

Newsday's food team talks about the 2026 Feed Me Top 50 restaurants list.

Feed Me Top 50 restaurants: How our team makes the list

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visited Mokafé's newest location, which is next to the Hicksville LIRR station.

'Yemen is where coffee originated'

Newsday food writer Melissa Azofeifa tried several dishes on from the social media menu at Island Lake Diner in Ronkonkoma.

Trying the social media menu at Island Lake Diner

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa stops by Smokin' Al's in Massapequa to try their oversized nachos, known as Macho Nachos.

'It's a wow dish'

From pizza to clams, Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visits two restaurants that are on the way to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater.

Eats en route to Jones Beach

NewsdayTV's Marie Elena Martinez got a sneak peek at the new Babylon Whiskey Down Dine, which plans to open in the fall.

Take a peek inside Whiskey Down Diner's new location

Newsday food writer Melissa Azofeifa takes a lobster roll taste test at Driftwood on the Long Beach boardwalk.

Trying 3 lobster roll styles in Long Beach

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus helps make a strawberry crunch ice cream at Coyle's Ice Cream in Islip.

'We try to mimic the Good Humor bar'

FeedMe Trending Articles

FeedMe's Top 50

That chill in the air means sweet treats now come in flavors pumpkin, apple, maple and more.

Fall sweet treats to try

Thai. Indian. Japanese. Italian. And okay, possibly the best french fries you've ever had. Put these exciting new eateries on your must-try list.

LI's best new restaurants

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

FeedMe - megaslot

feed-me-142x30

The best Long Island restaurants, from Italian to Chinese, plus dining out reviews of best pizza, tacos and more.

Stay logged in.