91,201 New Yorkers moved to Florida in 2022 and it is a fair bet that some of them (as well as some Floridians) seek out authentic delis that remind them of home. I’d argue that Florida has some nice deli options, including Frankie’s Deli Warehouse and Zinger’s Deli, to name just a few options. Unfortunately, one Florida deli, TooJays in The Villages, was recently shut down after a state inspection.
About TooJay’s: This Florida-based chain has over 20 Florida locations scattered throughout the state, but it had humble beginnings – starting out as a single restaurant in South Florida in 1981. The brand wanted to focus on traditional deli offerings as well as soups, salads, and decadent baked goods.
TooJay’s is generally well-received in Florida. The location in question in the Villages at 1129 Canal Street earns 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google reviews. Many complimented the food, but some complained about wait times. A reviewer with the handle PK wrote:
“Great food – a taste of home for me since I grew up in Brooklyn. Pastrami was fantastic, potato salad and coleslaw were just like my great-grandmother used to make. My husband had egg salad. He loved it. We brought our leftovers home for a 2nd meal. Then we shared the Banana Dream dessert. That was good and worth every calorie.”