July 25th 2023.
Joshua Dat is proving that you don't have to reinvent the wheel to be successful. Opening a deli in New York City may not seem like a risky move, since grab-and-go storefronts are ubiquitous in the bustling city; however, Datz family-owned establishment is on track to bring in more than $1.2 million in its first year of business.
Dat, 31 years old, opened Datz Deli in December 2022 with the intention of creating unique remixes of classic deli favorites. “I wanted to stand out,” he said. “I wanted to give people something new to try.”
The Queens eatery has been a hit with customers, who are willing to wait in line for hours to try its signature items, such as the “DatMacPatty” - a Jamaican beef patty stuffed with homemade macaroni and cheese, oxtails, beef curry, and jerk chicken. The deli offers side dishes ranging from fried plantains to jalapeño poppers to fried Oreos drizzled with caramel - a far cry from the more traditional offerings of most delis.
Datz Deli has also gained a large following on social media - with 50,000 followers on Instagram alone - with many travelers arranging trips to NYC just to visit the deli.
Its biggest draw, however, is its family-oriented atmosphere. Dat and his parents, siblings, uncle, nephew, and some close friends all contributed to the $300,000-plus the deli made between May and June, according to CNBC. With an initial investment of just $70,000, Dat is feeling confident in the future of his deli, but is committed to the values that have already brought him success. “We’ve always been hardworking people,” he said. “It’s all so humbling and a real blessing. I’m so grateful for everything that’s happening.”
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