Mike’s Deli Inc. Bringing Motor City Deli Concept to Port St. Joe

PORT ST. JOE, FL — Mike's Deli Inc. is bringing a Motor City deli menu and fresh pasta to Port St. Joe, targeting a June 1st opening at 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Port St. Joe, FL 32456, pending final approvals.

Owner Mike Coraci told Business Debut the Detroit-rooted deli will open in the former Cozy Cafe space.

What to Expect

The fast-casual deli will offer sandwiches, salads, subs, bottled drinks, and eventually beer and wine, Coraci told Business Debut. The space will seat about 24 to 26 guests, with ordering at the counter and a family-style approach to service.

“You’re going to be family in here,” Coraci told Business Debut.

Coraci said guests can expect references to New York-style delis, Italy, and Detroit throughout the restaurant. “You’re going to see a lot of Motor City in here,” he told Business Debut.

Pictures courtesy of Mike's Deli.

Menu and Vision

The menu will include several sandwiches tied to Coraci’s family and Detroit background. One featured item will be the From Motown to Joe Town Crunch, a 12-inch sub with apple coleslaw, pastrami, and provolone, Coraci told Business Debut.

Other planned menu items include The Doc, an Italian sub named after his father; a deli-style Reuben with pastrami or corned beef, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing; a meatball sub; a turkey sub; and the Gardella, a muffaletta-style sandwich named after his grandfather’s business, Coraci told Business Debut.

The deli will also include a pasta factory in the back of the restaurant. Coraci said he plans to make seven or eight kinds of pasta, with fresh pasta, dried pasta, sauces, and family-style pasta meals available.

“I love feeding people,” Coraci told Business Debut. “I love the reaction that people actually get when they enjoy food.”

Opening Timeline

Mike's Deli Inc. is targeting a June 1st opening, pending final inspection and approvals, Coraci told Business Debut.

Hours

Mike's Deli Inc. plans to open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. — 8 p.m., Coraci told Business Debut. The restaurant will be closed Sundays.

Community

Coraci said Port St. Joe played a major role in his decision to open the deli there. He described the town as one big family and said it reminds him of where he grew up in Detroit.

“This town in general just has a really cool island mentality, and I absolutely fell in love with it,” Coraci told Business Debut.

Coraci also shared that work on the restaurant led him to First Baptist of Mexico Beach, which he wanted to mention as part of the story.

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