“A friend of mine brought me a sandwich, and I was floored by it and said, ‘Where did you get this?’” Hutchison said.
Tony’s serves hot and cold sandwiches—dubbed “carnegies” after Carnegie Hall. The menu boasts staple subs, such as meatball, ham melts and turkey as well as salads and treats, such as cannoli.
When Hutchison first approached the previous owners of the deli in 2017, she said they were not interested in working together. Not long after, however, the store went up for sale, and Hutchison was able to buy the business.
Hutchison has worked in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years, starting with her first job at a fast-food counter and eventually working her way up to management in restaurants across Texas, Arkansas and New York.
“I think a big part ... for us Northeasterners is the bread,” she said. “Really, if you’re a bread lover, the first thing you do if you go north is find a great bakery and get some bread.”
While some of Tony’s menu items, such as the Muffaletta sandwich, accommodate Gulf Coast-raised clientele, General Manager Rob Boyd said the deli does not push its menu too far from its East Coast roots.
With an original location in Montgomery, Tony’s opened two additional eateries in Tomball and Katy in November 2020 and December 2021, respectively.
Like most small businesses, staffing and supply shortages have proven to be challenges for Tony’s during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, Hutchison said customer loyalty has helped the small business persevere.
“We have ... customers that live all the way up in Huntsville that come and tell everybody [about us],” she said. “That’s what’s made us different over the years.”
Tony’s Italian Delicatessen
24504 Kuykendahl Road, Ste. 100, Tomball
832-299-6153
www.tonysitaliandelicatessen.com
Hours: Tue.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., closed Mon.
